Key Takeaways
- Central West Virginia Aging Services is actively recruiting caregivers to provide in‑home support for elderly and disabled residents across the state.
- The nonprofit, operating since 1974 with seven offices, seeks compassionate individuals willing to assist with daily living activities, medication reminders, and companionship.
- Fairmont State University celebrated its latest cohort of lifetime inductees into Gamma Sigma Theta, the national honor society for geospatial technology.
- This year’s induction included seven students, thirteen faculty members, and four community professionals, all receiving lifetime membership and access to specialized training, software, and mentorship.
- Inductees benefit from partnerships with organizations such as the Geospatial Professional Network, ASPRS, GIS Certification Institute, and DroneDeploy.
- Dr. Barb MacLennan, Associate Professor of Geography, highlighted the chapter’s role in integrating geospatial tools into teaching, research, and community service.
- The induction ceremony featured presentations on the evolution of GIS and historic geodetic networks by faculty members Frank LaFone and Donald Teter.
- Student inductees represent diverse majors ranging from architecture and aviation to occupational safety and national security, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of geospatial technology.
- Faculty inductees span departments including history, public health, civil engineering technology, sociology, and national security & intelligence, showcasing broad academic engagement.
- An interactive story map provides further details about the honor society and Fairmont State’s contributions, while My Buckhannon invites readers to support local journalism through membership.
Overview of Central West Virginia Aging Services Caregiver Recruitment
Central West Virginia Aging Services, a nonprofit organization that has been delivering in‑home services since 1974, is now seeking caregivers to serve elderly and disabled residents throughout West Virginia. With seven offices strategically placed across the state, the agency aims to expand its workforce to meet growing demand for personalized, home‑based assistance. The hiring effort underscores the organization’s commitment to enabling seniors and individuals with disabilities to maintain independence and quality of life in familiar surroundings.
Details of the Caregiver Positions and Requirements
The caregiver roles involve assisting clients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, and light housekeeping. In addition to practical support, caregivers provide companionship and emotional support, which are vital for clients’ mental well‑being. Applicants are expected to demonstrate reliability, compassion, and strong communication skills; prior experience in caregiving or healthcare is preferred but not mandatory, as the agency offers training and ongoing professional development. Interested candidates can apply through the organization’s website or by contacting any of its local offices directly.
Introduction to Fairmont State University’s Gamma Sigma Theta Induction
Fairmont State University recently celebrated a milestone in academic recognition by inducting new lifetime members into Gamma Sigma Theta, the National Honor Society for Geospatial Technology. The society honors students, faculty, and community partners who exhibit excellence in geospatial technology, applied geographic research, and related fields. Being named a lifetime member confers prestige, networking opportunities, and access to resources that can accelerate professional growth in the rapidly evolving geospatial industry.
Statistics of the 2025 Induction Cohort
This year’s induction ceremony welcomed a total of twenty‑four new members: seven undergraduate and graduate students, thirteen faculty members, and four distinguished community professionals. The diverse group reflects the university’s interdisciplinary approach to geospatial education and its strong ties with local experts who contribute real‑world perspective to academic programs. Each inductee receives a certificate acknowledging their achievements and gains lifetime membership in the honor society.
Benefits and Opportunities for Inductees
Inductees enjoy a suite of benefits designed to foster continued learning and career advancement. These include complimentary access to specialized training modules, licenses for industry‑standard GIS and remote‑sensing software, and mentorship programs facilitated by national technology partners. Collaborating organizations such as the Geospatial Professional Network, the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), the GIS Certification Institute, and DroneDeploy provide workshops, webinars, and certification pathways that keep members at the forefront of technological innovation.
Comments from Dr. Barb MacLennan on the Chapter’s Growth
Associate Professor of Geography Dr. Barb MacLennan expressed pride in Fairmont State’s role as West Virginia’s inaugural Gamma Sigma Theta chapter. She noted that the honor society enables faculty to devise creative ways to embed geospatial technologies into teaching, research, and community service initiatives. According to Dr. MacLennan, the newly inducted students are well‑positioned for successful careers, having gained hands‑on experience with maps, spatial analysis, and other geospatial tools through faculty guidance and partnerships with local organizations.
Community Member Inductees and Their Contributions
In addition to university affiliates, four community members were honored for their expertise and service: Hussein Elkhansa, Jessica Garrett, John Pitman, and Sandra Scaffidi. Their induction recognizes contributions that bridge academic knowledge with practical application, whether through professional surveying, geographic information systems management, or community‑based geospatial projects. Including community professionals strengthens the honor society’s relevance to regional workforce needs and fosters collaboration between the university and local stakeholders.
Ceremony Highlights: Presentations on GIS History and Geodesy
The induction ceremony featured two enlightening presentations. Frank LaFone, a Fairmont State faculty member and director of institutional effectiveness, traced the recent history of Geographic Information Systems, highlighting key milestones that have shaped modern spatial analysis. Following him, Donald Teter, a professional surveyor and assistant professor of surveying, delivered a talk titled “An Aging Skeleton, New Bones, and the Old and New Skin: The Evolution of Historic Geodetic Networks and Modern Geodesy.” His presentation explored how foundational geodetic frameworks have been updated with contemporary technologies, illustrating the discipline’s continual renewal.
Student Inductees Profiles
The seven student inductees represent a wide array of academic interests:
- Quinn Arzt (architecture major, minors in political science and history) from Shepherdstown, WV.
- Zoe Nevaeh Boyles (dual major in occupational safety and community health promotion) from Fairmont, WV.
- Ernestine Darcey Dabbs (aviation management with professional flight concentration, minors in business administration and geographic information science) from Charleston, WV.
- Brody Sheldon Seckman (survey engineering major) from Tyler, WV.
- Dexter Simon (secondary education major with a history concentration) from Bluefield, WV.
- Jayden Wilson (architecture major, minor in geographic information science) from Alum Creek, WV.
- Alec Bolyard (majors in national security & intelligence, political science, and history; minor in geographic information science) from Kingwood, WV.
Their varied backgrounds underscore the interdisciplinary appeal of geospatial technology across fields such as design, health, aviation, education, and security.
Faculty Inductees Profiles
Thirteen faculty members were inducted, reflecting broad scholarly engagement:
- David R. Abruzzino (National Security and Intelligence Program).
- Hayley R. Bowman (Assistant Professor of History).
- Andrew Damion Cahall (Assistant Professor of National Security & Intelligence; Director, Open Source Intelligence Exchange).
- Samantha Godbey (Director of the Civics Institute).
- Andrea Christine Haney (Associate Professor of Public Health).
- Robert L. Kelly (Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Architecture).
- Tabitha Lafferre (Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Technology).
- Janie M. Leary (Professor of Community Health Promotion; Assurance of Learning Director).
- Moshe Machlev (Assistant Professor).
- Julia Miller (Sociology Professor).
- Nenad (Ned) Radulovich (Associate Professor of History and Social Studies Education).
- Joshua Revels (Education Outreach Specialist).
- Donald L. Teter (Assistant Professor of Surveying).
These educators bring expertise ranging from history and public health to engineering and national security, illustrating how geospatial thinking permeates multiple disciplines at Fairmont State.
How to Learn More and Support Local News
Readers interested in exploring the honor society’s impact can view an interactive story map that details the contributions of Fairmont State’s Gamma Sigma Theta chapter. Additionally, My Buckhannon, the outlet that originally shared this news, invites community members to become supporters through membership. Membership unlocks full access to all local stories and helps sustain independent, community‑focused journalism in the region.