May 5, 2022
Olivia Zampedro Named Wheeling University’s Class of 2022 Valedictorian
WHEELING, W.Va., May 5 – Olivia Zampedro, hailing from Mentor, Ohio, has been named valedictorian, and Breanna Antill of Woodsfield, Ohio, has been selected salutatorian of the 2022 Wheeling University graduating class, said President Ginny R. Favede.
Having earned the highest grade point average in the class, Zampedro, a Business Administration major, will give the valedictory speech during Saturday’s Commencement exercises. She carries a 4.0 grade point average and has been a member of the Dean’s List every semester.
Zampedro was on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee while at Wheeling and was a four-year member of the Wheeling University’s Women’s Golf Team. She was awarded Wheeling University’s Henry F. Paul Medal for the highest four-year average in all subjects among candidates for the Bachelor of Science Degree and the Forrest Kirkpatrick Award. In addition, she earned the Fr. Charles L. Currie, S.J., Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given each year to the graduating senior who has combined athletic achievement with excellence in the classroom. Zampedro is the recipient of the Athena Scholarship given on behalf of Astyr Wealth.
Zampedro and Antill, along with their peers, will be celebrated at the University’s 64th Commencement ceremony inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center on Saturday, May 7.
President Favede said, “Olivia and Breanna are two wonderful examples of students pursuing their God-given potential at Wheeling University. I, along with the entire Wheeling family, look forward to celebrating the achievements of all our graduates during Saturday’s Commencement ceremony.”
“During my four years at Wheeling University, I have had the opportunity of being taught by experienced and well-respected business professors such as Dr. Neeley Satzer, Dr. Homan Hajiran, and Dr. Edward Younkins. They have challenged me to use the knowledge I have learned and apply it to real-life scenarios that I will come across in my future profession. Their instruction and counsel have provided me with the self-confidence that I can achieve anything I set my mind to accomplish in the business world,” Zampedro said. “Aside from the pursuit of my professional career, Wheeling University has reinforced in my mind how important it is to give of one’s self to others. So much so that the core of my speech will be centered around service and the importance in giving of yourself to others.”
Following Commencement, Zampedro plans to enter Wheeling’s Master of Business Administration program.
Antill, a Nursing major and Psychology minor from Woodsfield, Ohio, was named salutatorian for having earned the second highest grade point average in the class. Antill carried a 3.99 grade point average and has been a member of the Dean’s List every semester. She was a member of the Student Nurses Association and coaches 14U softball in Woodsfield. Antill was awarded Wheeling University’s Silver Medal for the second-highest four-year average in all subjects among candidates for the Bachelor of Science Degree.
“My time at Wheeling has taught me many valuable lessons I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. The University has instilled in me a passion to serve others, especially through nursing. The relationships I have made during my time at Wheeling with fellow classmates and faculty have given me the confidence to be a better leader in every aspect of my life. As I transition from school into the real world, I know I have the ability to make decisions to make the world a better place,” Antill explained.
She plans to pursue a position as a registered nurse at a local hospital following graduation.