College of Applied Human Sciences

Dear Graduates of the College of Applied Human Sciences,

West Virginia University has long upheld the land-grant mission — expanding access to education, advancing knowledge, and applying that knowledge to improve lives. You are now part of that enduring promise.

In his seminal work “Democracy and Education,” John Dewey wrote, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” Your time at WVU has not been about training for a distant future. It has been about engaging with the present and solving problems that exist now in communities, classrooms, clinics, and venues of athletic competition. You did not simply acquire knowledge; you applied it, tested it, and refined it in real time.

This approach has never been more critical. The world is shifting at an extraordinary pace, and success belongs to those who can adapt, analyze, and act. You leave here prepared — not because you have all the answers, but because you know how to seek them.

I hope you carry forward the Mountaineer spirit of resilience, curiosity, and service. Your work will shape the world around you, just as WVU has shaped you. Wherever you go, know that this institution remains a part of your foundation, and that its doors are always open to you.

Congratulations on this achievement. We are proud of you.

Sincerely,

Nathan M. Sorber
Interim Dean, College of Applied Human Sciences