St. Clairsville Marine surprised with West Liberty University graduation
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WEST LIBERTY -- Commencement is always a special day but for one member of the Class of 2019, it was not only special -- it was a complete surprise.
The belated commencement ceremony was held on June 22 at the West Liberty University's Boyle Conference Center with Joshua Ridgeway of St. Clairsville being honored by his friends with the surprise ceremony.
Ridgeway missed the school's May 4 commencement due to his military duties with the U.S. Marine Corps, and was told to stop at the Boyle Center to assist with a forgotten university duty.
He was visibly surprised when he was told upon entering the room that he needed to don a cap and gown as the sounds of "Pomp and Circumstance" were played.
"We appreciate what you do as a member of our military and we want to be able to show our appreciation collectively," said Stephen Greiner, WLU president, who assumed the role of both president and commencement speaker for the short festivities.
Ridgeway's friends planned the ceremony and invited Greiner to be a part of it last spring when they realized that Ridgeway would miss the regular commencement. He was happy to comply.
"I didn't hesitate. We were able to agree to a day and a time and it's a complete surprise so your friends are to be complimented and thanked for getting this ceremony together. But it was a no-brainer to comply, to this request for a student serving in the military," Greiner said.
Also a member of the Hilltopper wrestling team, Ridgeway was a criminal justice major and earned a degree from the College of Liberal Arts. He also was a member of the Chi Nu fraternity and served as a Resident Assistant in the Office of Housing and Student Life.
A native of North Huntingdon, Pa., Ridgeway is staying with WLU to earn his graduate degree and is now enrolled in the Master of Science in Criminology online program. His career goal is to work for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In a social media posting after the ceremony, Ridgeway expressed his gratitude for the event.
"As some of you know, I missed my college graduation due to other obligations. But I would get my graduation ceremony after all. One of my best friends scheduled me a private graduation.
"This is was a secret to me the whole time, and meant so much to me. I just want to thank Bryce Coleman, everyone who showed up and West Liberty University for making these four years some of the best of my life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I was given and the people I have met," Ridgeway wrote.