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MORGANTOWN -- An Elkins High School graduate was named one of the top graduating seniors at West Virginia University Monday.
Michael DiBacco is one of eight seniors receiving the Order of Augusta, the most prestigious West Virginia University student award.
"The WVU Order of Augusta and Outstanding Senior award recipients represent the best and brightest of graduating seniors at the University," Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed said. "Each of these students is exemplary and has made a positive impact through academic excellence, leadership and service. They will undoubtedly be forces to be reckoned with, as they lead change in their local communities and the world."
All the 2023 Order of Augusta scholars are members of the WVU Honors College.
"Each year, I continue to be awed by the momentous contributions our students make, both inside and outside of the classroom," Dean of Students Corey Farris said. "As the top 1% of their graduating class, these students have made an everlasting impact on the quality of student life at WVU. I look forward to seeing what their futures hold and have no doubt we will continue to see great things from these outstanding graduates."
The honorees, who are among 52 students named WVU Foundation Outstanding Seniors, will be recognized at a drop in event from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, in the Betty Boyd Lounge of Elizabeth Moore Hall.
DiBacco will graduate with a dual degree in biology and English.
He has served as a Presidential Student Ambassador, the editor for "Calliope," a tutor in the Eberly Writing Studio and vice president of the WVU Quiz Bowl team.
He is an Eberly Scholar who has maintained a 4.0 while immersing himself in projects that bridge his intellectual interest in fiction and creative passion for writing, conducting research and traveling abroad.
As a participant in the Research Apprentice Program, DiBacco worked alongside faculty from the Department of English to analyze 400 dime novels to identify and interpret the cultural evolution of Italian American stereotypes. He presented his findings at the 2022 Italian American Studies Association Conference in Pittsburgh.
DiBacco also co-wrote a "spotlight" on "The compact of death, or, Nick Carter's singed hair clew" for the Northern Illinois University's Library Nickel and Dime repository.
As a member of the Honors EXCEL Program, he wrote a collection of short stories that bring together Appalachian culture and magical realism as an original examination of present-day Appalachia -- achieving his goal of writing a well-researched, polished fiction manuscript.
He also worked alongside faculty from the Department of Biology as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience to study the role of genes in cancer by using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. To fulfill the requirements of his Honors thesis senior capstone project, he continued his research, delving deeper into this genomic study.
An avid outdoorsman, he also had an opportunity to travel to Bariloche, Argentina, with the Adventure WV Patagonia winter break trip. During this two-week trip, he learned about ecosystems and sustainable tourism practices while enjoying backpacking and kayaking.
After graduation, DiBacco will continue to hone his expository science writing skills on genetic and environmental topics while earning a master's degree in science journalism. He also looks forward to writing novels and short stories in his spare time.
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.