WVU Law May 2026 Commencement: Future Leaders Take Their Next Steps
Looking back on this year's graduates as they look forward to a new chapter.
May 15, 2026
Spring is a bittersweet season for the West Virginia University College of Law. It’s when a new class heads into the world, ready to change lives across the Mountain State and beyond – and on Friday, May 15, 98 students from the Class of 2026 began a new chapter of their lives as WVU Law graduates.
“This may be the only graduation ceremony where I’ll ever speak, and I couldn’t have asked for a better class of graduates to address than this one,” said Interim Dean Susan Brewer, who was conducting her first WVU Law Commencement at the Hope Coliseum.
“In my brief time here, I’ve learned a lot about our students. Your dedication, intelligence, and persistence have impressed me from the very first day of my tenure. But maybe that’s to be expected. I don’t think anyone who applies to law school thinks it’s going to be easy, and anyone who makes it to graduation knows that it isn’t.”
The 2026 Justitia Officium Award, given by College of Law faculty in honor of outstanding service and contributions to the legal profession, was posthumously granted to Katherine Louise “Kitty” Dooley. A Fairmont native and 1990 graduate of WVU Law, Dooley was owner of The Dooley Law Firm in Charleston. Throughout her life, she also held positions with the West Virginia State Bar, the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Spilman Thomas & Battle, and attained the rank of captain in the United States Army. The award was accepted by her sister, Dr. Elizabeth Dooley.
Additionally, former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Beth Walker was awarded an honorary degree. An advocate for public engagement and civics education, Walker served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia from 2017 to 2025, including two terms as chief justice in 2019 and 2023. Currently a senior status retired justice, she remains active in the field through special Court projects and volunteer work.
This year’s graduates will go many different places in their lives and careers, growing into leaders across West Virginia and beyond. Read their stories to learn how they reached the Commencement stage, where they’re heading next, and what it means to be a Mountaineer lawyer.
Kayla Brown and Parker Stout
“I think the weirdest part was our 1L spring semester, because we had pretty much every single class together. You can’t ask someone how their day was when you’ve been with them the entire time.”
Kayla Brown and Parker Stout share everything: a home state, a WVU Law education, and a future in rural Webster County, where they’ll provide legal services to an underserved community.
Abigail Paugh
“The culture of social work is a lot different from law. At the same time, if I were just an attorney, I wouldn’t have the same perspective on my clients’ issues.”
As the first graduate of West Virginia University’s hybrid J.D./M.S.W. program, Abigail Paugh is combining her skill sets to make a difference in the Mountain State.
Chris Payne
“Even though I never knew my great-grandfather, I still feel the effects of his accomplishments.”
For Chris Payne, law is about service, and his family has set a strong example. After graduating, he’ll return to Beckley to work with the Public Defender Corporation and plans to invest in the community just as his predecessors did.
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WVU 5/15/26
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrew Marvin
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, WVU College of Law