Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements and recognitions that shaped U.S. History. We, in Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources celebrate our individuals from WVU and abroad and their experiences and contributions. See below examples of our activities. For questions or more information please reach out to statler-engagementdean@mail.wvu.edu.
2022 Black History Month Events
Black History Month: Acknowledging and Celebrating Excellence in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
February is African American History Month. During Black History Month we highlight personal journeys, professional accomplishments and celebrate excellence of four individuals from our college.
Following childhood aspirations with Innovation Hub team member Dre' Hodges
Advocating for others with Statler Biomedical Engineering Student Sonia Ndifon
Celebrating Black Excellence: Speaking truth to power and inspire positive change
Thursday, February 10 from 3-4 p.m.
Zoom Session
in celebration of the Black History Month, the Statler College is proud to feature “Celebrating Black Excellence: Speaking truth to power and inspire positive change." The webinar will include two Statler College alumni, Line-Audrey Nkule and Gbolahan "Bugzy" Idowu discussing their professional contributions, stories of resilience and personal success. In addition to building awareness and highlighting their experiences as black engineers, the event will provide mentoring and networking opportunities for other alumni and students. Let’s meet Mountaineers!
Line-Audrey Nkule
Mining Technology Representative. at Caterpillar, Inc.
Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering and Civil Engineering, WVU 2018
"Diversity in STEM allows for different approaches/perspectives while facing problem-solving
situations."
Gbolahan "Bugzy" Idowu
Manufacturing Equipment Engineer at Tesla
B.S Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, M.S Mechanical Engineering, WVU 2017
"I decided to pursue engineering after being inspired by the ways engineering shapes,
changes and improves people's lives. From consumer products to aviation and even
healthcare, engineering is one of the few disciplines that touches every aspect
of the human life and attracts people from all works of life. Hence, it is very
necessary to recognize the key contributions that diverse individuals bring to
the continued growth and development of this field."
Celebrating Black Excellence: Forge change through engineering and personal example
Friday, February 25 from 9-10 a.m.
Zoom Session
Dr. Anthony Guiseppi-Elie
In celebration of the 2022 Black History Month theme, Black Health and Wellness, our keynote speaker, Founding Dean of Anderson University College of Engineering, Dr. Anthony Guiseppi-Elie, will talk about interfacing of biology and engineering from the molecular to the tissue scale, and academic entrepreneurship, all for solving health problems. He will guide with his personal story of success as a black engineer and entrepreneur who makes a difference both in science and education, and who continues to inspire with purpose and motivation. Learn more about inspiring change through the eyes of a black engineer.
2021 Black History Month: Panel Discussion Honoring Katherine Johnson
On February 9, 2021, the Statler College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and the WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, hosted a Black History Month Panel Discussion, honoring NASA Pioneer Katherine Johnson.
Panelists included
Meshea L. Poore, Esq.
Vice President for DEI at WVU and Statler College alumnae, former NASA engineer and
partner of Ventures Yonder
Kerri Knotts.
- Poore, an attorney who served in the House of Delegates from 2009 – 2014, is also an experienced educator and mentor. She has mentored and consulted with hundreds of elected officials throughout the nation as they seek higher office. Poore has served as an adjunct professor at WV State University, as a faculty member in residence at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University and has teaching privileges at WVU College of Law.
- Knotts, an aerospace engineering graduate, spent two decades working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center where she focused on advancing Human Space Flight and served in engineering and senior leadership roles. She was a part of the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Moon/Mars Exploration Programs. Knotts went on to start businesses in the oil and gas industry and has recently joined Barrios Technology, a small woman-owned business supporting NASA for 40 years.