In
Letter from the Publishers
Caleb received his
doctor of optometry
in 2017.
duated from
Samantha gra
ed School
the WVU P.I. Re
2013.
of Journalism in
ACADEMIA HAS GOVERNED MY LIFE FOR
THE PAST 23 YEARS. From graduating
from Buffalo High School to attending
West Virginia University (WVU) for un-
dergraduate and graduate school, every
decision, every opportunity, every break
and every day has been dictated by school.
Even my marriage has operated on a
student’s schedule. In 2014, after gradu-
ating from WVU with my master’s degree
in journalism, I moved to Birmingha m,
AL, with my husband, Caleb, who was
attending the University of Alabama Bir-
mingham (UAB) School of Optometry.
We lived according to semesters instead
of seasons, and between the internships,
clinical rotations, study time and exams,
it seemed like the cycle would never end.
While Caleb was being formally edu-
cated at UAB, the most important learning
8
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
I did took place outside of a traditional
classroom. I’ve never been ashamed to be
from a small town in West Virginia, but
when I moved to Alabama, I discovered
a tremendous pride I held for my home
state. Caleb and I were constantly telling
people about the beautiful mountains and
the unmatched kindness of West Virgin-
ians, dispelling stereotypes and defend-
ing our home. I had no idea I held such
a deep love and fierce protectiveness for
the Mountain State.
Before I moved to Alabama, I never
stopped to consider just how much West
Virginia had given me—a loving family,
a strong spiritual foundation, a valuable
education and a dream job—but it was
more than that. I’ve since learned to ap-
preciate all of the things my Mountain
Momma has taught me, like how to see
the good in others even when they’ve hit
rock bottom, how to conduct myself in
a way that best represents my state, how
to better my community and how to love
my neighbor.
I’ve also learned that, contrary to the
popular narrative, hardship is not unique
to West Virginia. Hard times come for ev-
eryone, which became obvious to me with
every walk through downtown Birming-
ham. What is unique to West Virginia,
however, is the sense of community and
undeniable hope. We will overcome our
struggles—together—and I want to be a
part of that.
During all those years of schooling,
Caleb and I were both working toward
one common goal—to come home to West
Virginia—and in May we finally made it.
My joy is off the charts.
Even though we’re now both finished
with school and employed full time, I still
find myself thinking about how I can con-
tinue to learn. While I didn’t have to pur-
chase a single textbook, pencil or notepad
for the 2017-18 school year, I know that
my home among the hills still has more
to teach me. And I never want to stop
learning about all the ways I can make
West Virginia a better place.