West Liberty University’s Alumni Association will add the names of three distinguished alumni to its Wall of Honor at an induction ceremony during Homecoming 2016. Alumni Andy McKenzie, Dr. Christina Fisanick Greer and Dr. David Edwards will receive awards during the President’s Recognition Dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14. The festivities will take place at the newly opened Highlands Event Center.
“These alumni excel in their professional fields and give back to the University in so many ways. We are proud of them and we congratulate them on their leadership and service to the university, and to the community at large,” said Executive Director of Alumni and Community Relations Ron Witt ‘92.
David G. Edwards, D.D.S. was born in Wheeling and raised in nearby Beech Bottom, W.Va. He graduated from West Liberty in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and went on to earn a master’s in biology and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at West Virginia University in 1969 and 1973 respectively.
He has practiced dentistry for more than 40 years in Wellsburg, W.Va. During that time Edwards has been a civic and church leader and an active member in the dental profession at a local, state and national level holding offices at all three levels.
He was a part time clinical professor at West Virginia University School of Dentistry for nine years before being appointed to two five-year terms on the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners by Governors Wise and Manchin. Edwards served on the dental board for 10 years, three of those as president.
He has received numerous honors and awards as a dentist and holds fellowships in both the American and International College of Dentists. He is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honorary. Edwards is an examiner and office holder for the Southern Regional Testing Agency and the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment.
His hobbies include golfing, skiing, fishing, woodworking, traveling and reading. He is married to the former Linda Sue Forbes ’64 a graduate of WLU’s Sarah Whitaker Glass School of Dental Hygiene. Edwards and his wife are proud to have established two scholarships at West Liberty University in biology and dental hygiene.
Christina Fisanick Greer, Ph.D. grew up in Moundsville, W.Va. and is a graduate of John Marshall High School. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from West Liberty in 1996, she went on to earn a master’s and a doctoral degree, both in English, from Ohio University in Athens. Her first post-graduate teaching position was at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she also served as director of the Writing Program. After five years, she decided to move home to West Virginia.
In 2008 she accepted a teaching position at California University of Pennsylvania. While at Cal U, she has been promoted and tenured. She teaches writing, literature, and Honors courses. In 2010 she won the Cal U Excellence in Technology Award, brought several grants to the university, and regularly collaborates with the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.
She has published dozens of academic and popular articles. In addition, she is the author of more than 30 books, including two memoirs. “Two-Week Wait: Motherhood Lost and Found” explores her 20-year struggle to become a mother. Her other memoir, “The Optimistic Food Addict: Recovering from Binge Eating Disorder,” takes a closer look at her decades-long battle with binge eating disorder.
She is a member of a number of honor societies, including Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Delta Kappa, Alpha Chi and Psi Chi. She serves on the College of Liberal Arts Board and in other capacities at West Liberty University. A resident of Wheeling, she and her husband James Greer ’97 have one son, Tristan.
Andy McKenzie is a Wheeling native and former mayor of the Friendly City. At the age of 13, he often worked in his famous grandfather’s business, the Doc Williams Country Store and attended Wheeling area Chamber of Commerce meetings.
After graduating from West Liberty in 1998, McKenzie received his MBA from West Virginia University. He ran for public office and in November 1996 he became the youngest state senator in the history of West Virginia. From 1996-2008 he served as a West Virginia state senator.
In July of 2008 he was elected as mayor and is one of the youngest mayors in Wheeling history. He was re-elected for a second term in 2012. While in office he led City Council in enacting legislation that positively impacted, not only Wheeling but the entire state of West Virginia.
In addition to serving as mayor and a state senator, McKenzie has been a financial advisor for 18 years for one of the largest financial firms in the country, Wells Fargo Advisors.
Recently, he was the keynote speaker for WLU’s December 2012 Commencement, which resulted in his honorary doctoral degree. He remains a loyal Hilltopper and, along with previous Wall of Honor recipients, he contributes his successes to his studies at West Liberty State College.
McKenzie is married to Carrie Ann Martin McKenzie ‘92 and they have four children: Austin, Levi, Quinn and Victoria Ann (deceased). He is the son of Ronald and Karen McKenzie and the grandson of country music legends Doc and Chickie Williams.
Homecoming is Oct. 15, 2016 at WLU as the Hilltoppers take on the University of Virginia at Wise with a noon kick-off at the West Family Stadium. Tailgating, with family-friendly activities for all ages, begins at 9 a.m. and a parade follows at 10 a.m. For more information, please visit westliberty.edu/alumni or call 304-336-8888.
