WHEELING, W.VA – West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) will celebrate the achievements of its graduating class during its 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at WesBanco Arena. The ceremony will feature Dallas Cowboys player CJ Goodwin as the commencement speaker and recognize Kate Nguyen, an accounting student originally from Saigon, Vietnam, as the 2026 Class Valedictorian.
A total of 320 graduates will be recognized during the ceremony, with 335 certificates and degrees to be awarded across a wide range of academic programs.
Nguyen will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting. During her time at WVNCC, she earned President’s List honors in both 2025 and 2026. Originally from Saigon, Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the United States in 2022. After just three semesters at WVNCC, she secured a position as an accounting assistant at Barium & Chemicals, Inc. in Steubenville. Following graduation, she will continue her work with the company while pursuing her long-term goal of earning her CPA license.
Goodwin was born in Wheeling, WV, and is a proud graduate of The Linsly School, Class of 2008. After beginning college on an academic scholarship at Bethany College, he later continued his collegiate career at Fairmont State and California University of PA. He entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2015, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback and played in Super Bowl LI in 2017. Since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, he has established himself as a special teams’ ace, respected veteran leader, and team captain since 2020. Over the course of his NFL career, he has appeared in more than 145 regular-season and postseason games. Off the field, Goodwin is a proud father and continues giving back through the PeGa Foundation, the youth mentoring organization he founded in honor of his late father in 2017. For the last decade, he has also been actively expanding his real estate investment and development company and remains committed to creating opportunities in the communities that shaped him.
New this year, the student body will be awarding an Outstanding Faculty Member and an Outstanding Staff Member of the Year, highlighting individuals who have made a meaningful impact on their educational experience.
The ceremony will be led by WVNCC President, Dr. Daniel Mosser, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Local musician Mitch Spurlock will provide musical selections throughout the evening.
For more information about commencement, please visit www.wvncc.edu.
West Virginia Northern Community College’s mission is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly skilled, well-rounded, and accomplished workforce which successfully competes and adapts in a global economy. The College responds to the needs of the region it serves by offering a high-quality learning environment that is accessible, safe, and accommodating while nurturing teamwork and community service. Founded in 1972, WVNCC is comprised of three campuses situated in New Martinsville, Weirton and Wheeling.
#WHEELING, W.VA – West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) will celebrate the achievements of its graduating class during its 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at WesBanco Arena. The ceremony will feature Dallas Cowboys player CJ Goodwin as the commencement speaker and recognize Kate Nguyen, an accounting student originally from Saigon, Vietnam, as the 2026 Class Valedictorian.
A total of 320 graduates will be recognized during the ceremony, with 335 certificates and degrees to be awarded across a wide range of academic programs.
Nguyen will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting. During her time at WVNCC, she earned President’s List honors in both 2025 and 2026. Originally from Saigon, Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the United States in 2022. After just three semesters at WVNCC, she secured a position as an accounting assistant at Barium & Chemicals, Inc. in Steubenville. Following graduation, she will continue her work with the company while pursuing her long-term goal of earning her CPA license.
Goodwin was born in Wheeling, WV, and is a proud graduate of The Linsly School, Class of 2008. After beginning college on an academic scholarship at Bethany College, he later continued his collegiate career at Fairmont State and California University of PA. He entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2015, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback and played in Super Bowl LI in 2017. Since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, he has established himself as a special teams’ ace, respected veteran leader, and team captain since 2020. Over the course of his NFL career, he has appeared in more than 145 regular-season and postseason games. Off the field, Goodwin is a proud father and continues giving back through the PeGa Foundation, the youth mentoring organization he founded in honor of his late father in 2017. For the last decade, he has also been actively expanding his real estate investment and development company and remains committed to creating opportunities in the communities that shaped him.
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WVNCC – 2
New this year, the student body will be awarding an Outstanding Faculty Member and an Outstanding Staff Member of the Year, highlighting individuals who have made a meaningful impact on their educational experience.
The ceremony will be led by WVNCC President, Dr. Daniel Mosser, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Local musician Mitch Spurlock will provide musical selections throughout the evening.
For more information about commencement, please visit www.wvncc.edu.
West Virginia Northern Community College’s mission is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly skilled, well-rounded, and accomplished workforce which successfully competes and adapts in a global economy. The College responds to the needs of the region it serves by offering a high-quality learning environment that is accessible, safe, and accommodating while nurturing teamwork and community service. Founded in 1972, WVNCC is comprised of three campuses situated in New Martinsville, Weirton and Wheeling.
#WHEELING, W.VA – West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) will celebrate the achievements of its graduating class during its 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at WesBanco Arena. The ceremony will feature Dallas Cowboys player CJ Goodwin as the commencement speaker and recognize Kate Nguyen, an accounting student originally from Saigon, Vietnam, as the 2026 Class Valedictorian.
A total of 320 graduates will be recognized during the ceremony, with 335 certificates and degrees to be awarded across a wide range of academic programs.
Nguyen will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting. During her time at WVNCC, she earned President’s List honors in both 2025 and 2026. Originally from Saigon, Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the United States in 2022. After just three semesters at WVNCC, she secured a position as an accounting assistant at Barium & Chemicals, Inc. in Steubenville. Following graduation, she will continue her work with the company while pursuing her long-term goal of earning her CPA license.
Goodwin was born in Wheeling, WV, and is a proud graduate of The Linsly School, Class of 2008. After beginning college on an academic scholarship at Bethany College, he later continued his collegiate career at Fairmont State and California University of PA. He entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2015, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback and played in Super Bowl LI in 2017. Since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, he has established himself as a special teams’ ace, respected veteran leader, and team captain since 2020. Over the course of his NFL career, he has appeared in more than 145 regular-season and postseason games. Off the field, Goodwin is a proud father and continues giving back through the PeGa Foundation, the youth mentoring organization he founded in honor of his late father in 2017. For the last decade, he has also been actively expanding his real estate investment and development company and remains committed to creating opportunities in the communities that shaped him.
(more)
WVNCC – 2
New this year, the student body will be awarding an Outstanding Faculty Member and an Outstanding Staff Member of the Year, highlighting individuals who have made a meaningful impact on their educational experience.
The ceremony will be led by WVNCC President, Dr. Daniel Mosser, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Local musician Mitch Spurlock will provide musical selections throughout the evening.
For more information about commencement, please visit www.wvncc.edu.
West Virginia Northern Community College’s mission is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly skilled, well-rounded, and accomplished workforce which successfully competes and adapts in a global economy. The College responds to the needs of the region it serves by offering a high-quality learning environment that is accessible, safe, and accommodating while nurturing teamwork and community service. Founded in 1972, WVNCC is comprised of three campuses situated in New Martinsville, Weirton and Wheeling.
#WHEELING, W.VA – West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) will celebrate the achievements of its graduating class during its 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at WesBanco Arena. The ceremony will feature Dallas Cowboys player CJ Goodwin as the commencement speaker and recognize Kate Nguyen, an accounting student originally from Saigon, Vietnam, as the 2026 Class Valedictorian.
A total of 320 graduates will be recognized during the ceremony, with 335 certificates and degrees to be awarded across a wide range of academic programs.
Nguyen will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting. During her time at WVNCC, she earned President’s List honors in both 2025 and 2026. Originally from Saigon, Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the United States in 2022. After just three semesters at WVNCC, she secured a position as an accounting assistant at Barium & Chemicals, Inc. in Steubenville. Following graduation, she will continue her work with the company while pursuing her long-term goal of earning her CPA license.
Goodwin was born in Wheeling, WV, and is a proud graduate of The Linsly School, Class of 2008. After beginning college on an academic scholarship at Bethany College, he later continued his collegiate career at Fairmont State and California University of PA. He entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2015, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback and played in Super Bowl LI in 2017. Since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, he has established himself as a special teams’ ace, respected veteran leader, and team captain since 2020. Over the course of his NFL career, he has appeared in more than 145 regular-season and postseason games. Off the field, Goodwin is a proud father and continues giving back through the PeGa Foundation, the youth mentoring organization he founded in honor of his late father in 2017. For the last decade, he has also been actively expanding his real estate investment and development company and remains committed to creating opportunities in the communities that shaped him.
New this year, the student body will be awarding an Outstanding Faculty Member and an Outstanding Staff Member of the Year, highlighting individuals who have made a meaningful impact on their educational experience.
The ceremony will be led by WVNCC President, Dr. Daniel Mosser, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Local musician Mitch Spurlock will provide musical selections throughout the evening.
For more information about commencement, please visit www.wvncc.edu.
West Virginia Northern Community College’s mission is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly skilled, well-rounded, and accomplished workforce which successfully competes and adapts in a global economy. The College responds to the needs of the region it serves by offering a high-quality learning environment that is accessible, safe, and accommodating while nurturing teamwork and community service. Founded in 1972, WVNCC is comprised of three campuses situated in New Martinsville, Weirton and Wheeling.
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