Fleming earns honor at West Virginia University
Fleming
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Parkersburg native is among eight recent graduates of West Virginia University to earn the Order of Augusta, the University’s most prestigious honor for academic excellence, leadership and service. The eight inductees were selected from the 52 WVU Foundation Outstanding Seniors. Emma Fleming, a member of the Honors College from Parkersburg, is graduating with dual degrees in English and multidisciplinary media studies, with minors in journalism, entertainment media and strategic social media. As a student in the Eberly College and a 2022 Foundation Scholar, Fleming built a professional foundation combining her passion for storytelling and strategic communications. After graduation, Fleming plans to take a gap year before applying to law school. The Order of Augusta honorees and Outstanding Seniors will be recognized at a drop-in event from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, in Elizabeth Moore Hall, Betty Boyd Lounge. “The WVU Outstanding Seniors showcase what it means to lead with purpose, serve with integrity and make the most of their time at this University,” Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Life Carrie Showalter said. “Their impact can be felt across our campus and beyond, and they have set great examples for their peers. Being named among the top 1% of their graduating class is an extraordinary achievement.” She balanced leadership roles as a Presidential Student Ambassador, a Certified Student Leader and president of the WVU Film Club. She also volunteered with the Appalachian Prison Book Project. Her professional experience is marked by a series of internships. At the WVU Press, she gained a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing process, managing everything from manuscript development to marketing strategy and author relations. As a brand and marketing intern with Strategic Communications and Marketing Digital, she aimed to refine the University’s online presence by curating content and crafting institutional messaging centered on student experiences. Additionally, she captured the narratives of Appalachia as a videography intern for Shine On! West Virginia. Through the Research Apprenticeship Program, she worked with faculty to analyze how 1990s filmmakers used specific props or images to represent complex themes. This study of narrative metonymy sharpened the critical thinking and research skills that now underpin her storytelling. She cites leading the WVU Film Club through the national College 48-Hour Film Project as her most gratifying undergraduate experience. As the team leader, she managed a 20-person crew through writing, filming and editing a short film from scratch. The final product, a silent slapstick comedy set in Appalachia, went on to earn multiple awards and screenings at various film festivals. Fleming broadened her global perspective during a semester exchange at the EUSA University Center in Seville, Spain, where she studied audiovisual communications in a fully immersive environment. Later, she traveled independently across 14 countries, deepening her sense of independence and adaptability. In recognition of her outstanding academic achievements, she was selected as an Eberly Scholar and a member of the English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta.