The Grapevine: A Very Special Day at Glenville State
By Rosalyn Queen on April 24, 2025 from The Grapevine
I know there has been much said and many pictures shown about my recent award to Glenville State University. I thought I might use this column to share the personal side.
First, I learned about this award around March 1, but due to other circumstances here at my home I was unable to continue with that date. At first I thought I would just cancel it completely but decided that I really wanted to go on with it and I knew that my son Marty wanted me to receive the award. I worked closely with Dr. Mark Manchin’s staff at Glenville State University and we continued and formalized the plan for this to take place.
Just what was happening was that Dr. Manchin was going to confer upon me a Bachelor of Science degree in humanities – that being an honorary degree. The staff at GSU gathered information on me, which they used in deciding just exactly what I had done and what degree I should receive
Humanities carry a lot of different areas, but I guess that most of what I have accomplished in my life would be grouped under humanities. You know when you start out in life doing things and have the opportunity like I did to accomplish things that you truly believed in it is hard to imagine that you would be rewarded with special recognition.
Everything that I have done in my life I have really enjoyed. The first thing that I would add to my accomplishments is my family and the opportunity to assist and see them grow. Next, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to direct a successful festival – the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. Then I would add the publication of my cookbook, which sold approximately 10,000 copies.
I also would like to add that I have really done a lot of genealogy and feel that I have helped others start their genealogy and search for their roots. A very high point in my life was my presidential appointment to serve on the Christopher Columbus Fellowship foundation as its chair and was so thrilled with all the accomplishments that we made through that. Although not as important, I did have the opportunity to 
meet several of our presidents.
meet several of our presidents.
One of the last things that I would like to list was my search for a way to eliminate discrimination. I have worked with the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival and I have helped other nationalities have opportunities to show their customs.
As a small girl growing up in Clarksburg, I too suffered discrimination and it has been my lifelong drive to hope that nobody else has to suffer that discrimination. I probably could go on for a while, listing other things, but that is not what is important. To me, what is important are the many people that I have met and helped along the way. I hope in some small way I have contributed to their success.
Getting back to the actual ceremony, it was held in the president’s home and was very intimate and very nice. I must say that the home was beautiful. The president’s staff assisted in the presentation of my diploma and draped the scarf over my neck. The provost and president of the board assisted Dr. Manchin. After the Ceremony we enjoyed a buffet prepared by the staff at the college.
There was so much warmth and love in the room that everyone had to feel good. First, I was surrounded by my son, Michael and my daughter, Leslie, and her husband Dixon. My oldest sister Joanne was able to also attend. Next, we were able to have four generations present with the presence of my grandson Bennett, his wife, Meredith, and my great grandson, Arthur. My circle was completed with the presence of Ruby, Oldaker, Jennifer, Morton, Abby and Alexis and Francis Scott. Members of Dr. Manchin’s staff and staff of the college were also present.
I came home with a framed Glenville scarf, a framed proclamation, and a real diploma from Glenville State University.
This truly was a highlight in my life. It was really one thing that I thought would never happen and it came at a time in my life when I really needed a pickup.
My sincere, thanks to everyone that made it happen for me. At this point, it really is some small things that make us happy. As it is often said, I now have icing on my cake. A big thank you to everyone who sent gifts and notes to me. I so enjoyed reading all the notes.
From the newest graduate of Glenville State University, until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows, from left, Michael Queen, Leslie Queen, Rosalyn Queen, and Glenville State President Dr. Mark Manchin. Second photo shows, from left, Ben Queen holding son Arthur, Rosalyn Queen, Dr. Mark Manchin, and Michael Queen.
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