John Chambers College of Business and Economics

Dear Class of 2025:

This is a day of celebration – and anticipation.

We’re here, first, to commemorate what you’ve achieved during your time at West Virginia University. Soon, you’ll have a diploma in your hands, and that is no small feat. Each of you learned more than you expected during your time at WVU. In the true pioneering spirit of this university, you learned to trust your instincts and navigate the unexpected.

We often say that Chambers students are the future of work, and that has never been more true than it is today. You are the future. Take a moment to let that sink in.

While we’re at it, let’s discuss your future. What’s the next stage of your journey? That can be a frightening question, but let me reassure you: even if you don’t know exactly what’s next, know that you’re ready for it because of what you’ve learned during your time in Reynolds Hall.

The future is bright – and it needs you. It needs your perseverance, your energy and your adaptability. It needs your hope and your aspirations to change the world for the better. It needs you to be the next generation of leaders who will confront the problems of today and solve the problems of tomorrow, who will break through barriers fearlessly so that others may follow.

Our world is constantly changing, and it favors those who are prepared to innovate and adapt. Your business education has prepared you to do that.

My hope is that you never stop learning. Remember the importance of compassion. Take care of yourselves and each other. Be courageous enough to turn impossibilities into possibilities. Be humble enough to learn from your mistakes. When you find yourself in disagreement, give others the benefit of a charitable reading.

Know that I am proud of each and every one of you for what you have accomplished here. Wherever life takes you, you will always be Mountaineers!

Best wishes,

Josh Hall
Milan Puskar Dean