Amy Baisden arrived at West Virginia University from Chapmanville as a coal miners daughter seeking higher learning.
Four years later, the student from Logan County in southern West Virginia is receiving not one, but two bachelors degrees in political science and philosophy, and she plans to attend one of the nations top law schools. She is also one of WVU s 2008 Outstanding Seniors.
With so many accomplishments, people may never have guessed Baisden is marking a milestone in her familys history as the first to complete a college education.
While maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout her years at WVU , she has set aside time outside her studies to help others. She has supported the fight against cancer and worked to raise awareness and funding for poverty alleviation and health care programs in East Africa.
As co-founder and vice president of WVU Students for the African Medical and Research Foundation, Baisden worked to help Africa fight malaria and AIDS and to introduce clean water initiatives.
In addition, Baisden has served as advocacy chair of Colleges Against Cancer, which operates grassroots and legislative initiatives. Currently, the organization is trying to pass a clean indoor air ordinance to eliminate smoking from commercial establishments, as well as make cancer screenings more available to employees who are not covered by health insurance.
My parents and community are very proud of me, and I think I have shown students in southern West Virginia with backgrounds like mine that you can accomplish your goals if you work hard,said Baisden, who gives back to her community as a PROMISE Scholarship ambassador.
Baisden, a student in the Honors College, is also secretary and treasurer for the WVU German Club and is active in the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. She has received numerous awards, including the Neil S. Bucklew and PROMISE scholarships. She plans to attend law school with the hopes of developing a career in international and human rights law.
To read about WVU s other 2008 Outstanding Seniors, go tohttp://commencement.wvu.edu/news.