Major: Environmental Engineering, Minor: Soil Science
Graduation Year: May 2026
Hometown: Canonsburg, PA
Phone Number: 724-288-4350
Email: azt00001@mix.wvu.edu
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-thornbury-747682352/
Student Organization Involvement
- Engineers Without Borders (EWB)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- American Water Works Association (AWWA)
- Plant and Soil Science Club (PSSC)
- University Rover Challenge (URC)
- I am doing research with Dr. Lin over the summer that will continue to the fall.
Interests and Hobbies
I have a ton of interests and hobbies, like running, hiking, painting, sewing, and reading. I just enjoy staying active and always doing something. I think keeping myself engaged and constantly learning is what drives me forward in every aspect of life.
Fun Fact
I took a gap year.
Favorite Thing About WVU and Statler College
I love the history behind the school and the state as a whole. All of my family is from West Virginia, and I have seen firsthand the hard work of the people here. I have two great-grandparents who were coal miners living in Cabin Creek, WV, and my grandmother, the daughter of one of those coal miners, grew up in a two bedroom house with nine siblings before going on to earn her law degree from WVU. I love how much we value hard work and the emphasis placed on helping underrepresented communities.
Advice for Prospective Students
I would advise new students to get involved in Statler organizations. During my first couple of semesters, I struggled because, while I did get involved on campus, it wasn’t with Statler affiliated orgs. Like many new students, I found most of my early friends through these groups, and while they were great people and good students, their courses and workload were very different from those of an engineering student. This made it hard for me to prioritize my studies and stay on track. Now that I’m involved in Statler organizations, I see my classmates both in and out of class. We talk about assignments, tests, and the challenges we’re all facing, and that support system has made a huge difference in my college experience. Surrounding yourself with people that understands your academic workload can make all the difference as an engineer.