MORGANTOWN - Amy Baisden arrived at West Virginia University from Chapmanville as a coal miner's daughter seeking higher learning.
Four years later, the student from Logan County in southern West Virginia received not one, but two bachelor's degrees in political science and philosophy, and she plans to attend one of the nation's top law schools. She was also one of WVU's 2008 Outstanding Seniors.
With so many accomplishments, people may never have guessed Baisden marked a milestone in her family's history as the first to complete a college education.
While maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout her years at WVU, she set aside time outside her studies to help others. She supported the fight against cancer and worked to raise awareness and funding for poverty alleviation and health care programs in East Africa.
As co-founder and vice president of WVU Students for the African Medical and Research Foundation, Baisden worked to help Africa fight malaria and AIDS and to introduce clean water initiatives.
In addition, Baisden served as advocacy chair of Colleges Against Cancer, which operates grassroots and legislative initiatives. Currently, the organization is trying to pass a clean indoor air ordinance to eliminate smoking from commercial establishments, as well as make cancer screenings more available to employees who are not covered by health insurance.
"My parents and community are very proud of me, and I think I have shown students in southern West Virginia with backgrounds like mine that you can accomplish your goals if you work hard," said Baisden, who gives back to her community as a PROMISE Scholarship ambassador.
Baisden, a student in the Honors College, was also secretary and treasurer for the WVU German Club and was active in the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. She received numerous awards, including the Neil S. Bucklew and PROMISE scholarships. She plans to attend law school with the hopes of developing a career in international and human rights law.
To read about WVU's other 2008 Outstanding Seniors, go to http://commencement.wvu.edu/news.
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