Shepherd University student Gabrielle Bartlett, of New Creek, is the first recipient of the Brian Noland Leadership Fellow award. The award was presented to her during Shepherd’s annual Student Recognition Day on April 17.

Named in honor of Dr. Brian Noland, who served as the chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for five years before becoming the president of East Tennessee State University, the award provides a full-time tuition scholarship for the recipient’s senior year. The scholarship award will rotate each year among state public colleges and universities in recognition of the impact Noland had on higher education during his tenure as the chancellor for the HEPC.

“Gabrielle’s involvement in campus activities makes her a worthy recipient of the Noland Fellow award,” said Shepherd University President Suzanne Shipley. “Shepherd is proud to present her with this inaugural award established to honor Dr. Noland’s contributions to higher education leadership.”

The recipient of the award is a student leader who has effectively contributed to the strength of the institution through civic engagement, scholarship, and artistic or athletic accomplishments as determined by the institution giving the award. Additional criteria include West Virginia residency, full-time student status, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and campus leadership involvement. To be considered for the award, students had to submit an essay describing how their leadership involvement has improved Shepherd and influenced Shepherd students in a positive manner.

Bartlett’s essay discussed her involvement with the Multicultural Leadership Team and the Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation. The selection committee cited her essay as “speaking to Shepherd’s core values of community service, leadership, and active learning experiences” and stated that Bartlett “possesses strong communication, leadership, and critical-thinking skills.”