West Virginia University students Timothy Luke Jackson of Middlebourne and Sarah Erwin of Delbarton both enjoy helping others and cheering the Mountaineers to victory.
The two were recognizedalong with the Most Loyal Mountaineersfor their generous spirits by being named 2007 Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer during halftime activities at Thursday nights (Nov. 8) WVU -Louisville football game at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer are students who epitomize the gold-and-blue character of a true WVU Mountaineer.
Erwin is a Mountaineer Maniac with dreams of making a difference in peoples lives by becoming an occupational therapist. Shes working on a masters degree in this field, having graduated with a bachelors in multidisciplinary studies.
Growing up a coal miners daughter, Erwin learned to value family and Appalachian heritage.
I have learned to appreciate the small things and be proud of where I came from,Erwin wrote in her Ms. Mountaineer application essay.My Mountaineer spirit is unique because it is embedded in my heart, soul and mind, along with the amazing experiences I have been blessed to receive and will carry with me forever.
Erwin has served with several organizations in Morgantown, including the Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Mon Kids and HealthSouth Mountain View Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.
She has also done fieldwork at Logan Regional Medical Center and traveled to Cherokee, N.C., to help train interviewers for a research project concerning physical disability among older American Indians.
A PROMISE Scholar, shes been involved with Mountaineer Campus Ministry, the Student Occupational Therapy Association, Colleges Against Cancer and Relay for Life. She has also participated in the Mountain and Helvetia honoraries, Alpha Phi Omega and Mountaineer Maniacs.
Erwin was sponsored by Mountaineer Campus Ministries.
Jackson has a firsthand perspective of Mountaineer spirit, having been a WVU varsity cheerleader.
By being a WVU cheerleader for the past three years, I, along with 21 other individuals, help to encourage a stadium overflowing with Mountaineer fans into a roaring chant, �€~Lets go, Mountaineers!Jackson wrote.However, not only do I portray a sense of spirit towards this university that stands for scholarship, teamwork, service and character, but also towards the students and faculty who keep this institution striving for excellence.
Jackson graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors degree in multidisciplinary studies and is now working toward a masters in occupational therapy.
He is an Academic All-American, a member of the West Virginia Occupational Therapy Association and president of the WVU occupational therapy programs Class of 2008.
Jacksons volunteer activities include Habitat for Humanity, the Rosenbaum Family House, Kaleidoscope Community Learning Center, Scotts Run Settlement House, WVU Childrens Hospital, HealthSouth Mountainview Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, The Shack Neighborhood House, Mountaineer Boys&Girls Club and Toys for Tots.
His honors include the G. Belmont Berry and West Virginia PROMISE scholarships. He is sponsored by the WVU School of Medicine.
Most Loyals were also recognized during halftime ceremonies. The 2007 honorees are:
- Most Loyal Alumni MountaineersVerl Purdy, president and chief executive officer of AGDATA , and Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association
- Most Loyal West VirginiansBen and Jo Statler, who recently made the single largest gift ever to WVU , a $25 million donation to fund breast cancer care and other health programs, along with programs at the WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
- Most Loyal Faculty MountaineerRoyce Watts, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
- Most Loyal Staff MountaineerSonja Wilson, program coordinator for WVU s Student Affairs and Mountaineer Week
Mountaineer Week continues through Sunday (Nov. 11). For more information, visithttp://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu/.