Psychology Department News

Neuroscience is about the human condition.” And for Kathleen “Katie” Morrison, an assistant professor specializing in behavioral neuroscience psychology in the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology, the human condition is defined by resiliency.

Eberly College professors featured as "power couples that are colleagues by day and spouses after hours." These faculty couples have made their relationships work thanks to their willingness to embrace each other’s passions.

When it comes to self-control, adolescents tend to follow the patterns their parents establish, according to West Virginia University psychology research. Professor Amy Gentzler of the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences led a six-month survey of 213 Appalachian adolescents and their parents, learning about their self-control in areas like health, work and school, money management, leisure activities and relationships.

Dr. Eric Horstick, a faculty member in West Virginia University’s Department of Biology, is advancing our understanding of how the brain adapts to the world around it. His research focuses on how environmental and sensory experiences shape neural circuits and influence behavior, uncovering fundamental principles of brain plasticity that extend across species.

West Virginia University scholarship recipients Ben Golden, Jayla Boyd and Reese Allen could never have imagined how philanthropic support would lead to unexpected opportunities that would shape their college careers and professional goals. As a Neil S. Bucklew Scholarship recipient, Golden found he could study more than general business; he could fine-tune his studies down to a music business and industry degree. And, through donor support, Golden discovered he could do even more.

The Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship invests in West Virginia residents who are committed to scholarly study or professional work that may potentially address the greatest needs of West Virginia and its citizens.

Ten students from the Ebelry College of Arts and Sciences have earned Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to travel abroad this summer without financial constraints. These undergraduate students received the competitive national award funded by the U.S. State Department to participate in transformative study abroad experiences.

Fifty-five graduates were inducted as lifelong members into the WVU Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national honor society that recognizes outstanding achievement in the liberal arts and sciences, and champions freedom of thought.

The following students completed degree requirements to graduate in December 2024 or will complete requirements in May 2025. They have been named by faculty in their academic programs as Eberly College Outstanding Seniors for the 2024-25 academic year.

Eight remarkable members of the West Virginia University Class of 2025 who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence and by making significant contributions on campus, across the Mountain State and beyond have been honored with the Order of Augusta, the most prestigious University student award.