Eight students from a variety of backgrounds have been honored with the Order of Augusta, West Virginia University’s most prestigious student honor. They are among 44 students who have been named WVU Foundation’s Outstanding Seniors.

 

“With both the Outstanding Senior award and the Order of Augusta, we recognize and celebrate some extraordinary young people,” said Provost Joyce McConnell. “These students come from different backgrounds and disciplines and they are heading in many directions when they leave WVU, but they are all poised to do great things and to show the world that Mountaineers can do.”

 

Established in 1995 to signify the 40th anniversary of the WVU Foundation, the Outstanding Seniors award recognizes students for their contributions and achievements in scholarship, leadership and service.

 

The Order of Augusta further recognizes the students’ superior scholarship, demonstrated leadership and record of community and public service. The award is named for its historical significance in the state. Augusta was among the original names considered by the Legislature when the state seceded from Virginia in 1863.

 

“I could not be more proud of the outstanding accomplishments of our students selected for the Order of the Augusta,” said WVU Dean of Students Corey Farris. “These truly are WVU’s brightest and best.”

 

These students will be honored at special ceremony on May 11 at the Erickson Alumni Center.

 

The 2017 Order of Augusta scholars include Sundus Lateef, an Honors College member from Bridgeport, will graduate with degrees in biology and chemistry. She is a member of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates, Mortar Board Senior Honorary Society, and a student ambassador for the WVU Foundation.

 

One of her most fulfilling activities at WVU has been working as an ambassador for the Eberly College, and Biology Department and Department of Chemistry

 

Lateef has maintained a 4.0 while actively engaged in laboratory research on the gastrointestinal tract and liver disease. Her research has focused on evaluating the effects of different diets on the progression of liver disease C.

 

She recently began leading her own research project focusing on caloric sugar intake and brain metabolism. She is also engaged in collaborative research with students at Princeton University on hepatitis C virus transmission and improved interventions. In 2014 and 2016, she conducted research at the WVU Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.

 

Lateef recently spearheaded a project with a radiologist at WVU Medicine to transcribe and translate 400-year-old coroner records written in Latin of prisoners’ deaths at Newgate Prison in London.

 

She has published several papers for scientific journals and has presented her research at several conferences, the WV state legislature, and later this month she will to travel to Washington, D.C. to showcase her undergraduate research to congressional members.

 

Lateef also finds time to tutor, work as a teaching assistant and volunteer her time to several community organizations.

She is a Foundation Scholar, has been endorsed by WVU for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship, and will graduate as a two-time WVU Eberly Scholar.

 

“I remember the grand ambitions I had as a freshman, and it turns out my actual experiences at WVU have exceeded my most wonderful dreams. I am grateful for the numerous mentors who have supported and encouraged my various endeavors at WVU,” said Lateef. “Although I am still exploring my options for medical school, I know one thing for sure, I will ultimately live and work in West Virginia.”

 

The remaining eight students receiving the Order of Augusta are:

 

Amy Cashin; Werribee, Australia

Leonor Elisa Cortez Rodriguez; Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Colin Lopez, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Dillon Muhly-Alexander, West Union

Christopher Radcliffe; Morgantown

Gabrielle Schwind; Scranton, Pennsylvania

Amanda Stoner; Harpers Ferry

Taylor Albertini;Wheeling, (Honors College)

 

Other outstanding WVU seniors are the following, including three from Bridgeport: