Alumni Awards

Eric Bodge has built an impressive career marked by professional advancement, academic excellence, and a commitment to leadership and service. His career spans both the manufacturing and technology sectors, where he has developed a reputation for analytical strength, strategic thinking, operational excellence, and ethical leadership. He currently serves as Vice President & Controller for ConstructConnect, a major North American construction-technology company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Since joining ConstructConnect in 2018, Eric has advanced through four leadership positions, progressing from Assistant Controller to Director of Accounting, Senior Director of Accounting, and, in 2025, Vice President & Controller. In his current role, he is responsible for enterprise-wide accounting operations, financial reporting, compliance, forecasting, and strategic financial controls. Throughout his tenure, Eric has helped strengthen internal controls, improve reporting accuracy, modernize accounting systems, and enhance financial transparency and audit readiness.

Prior to joining ConstructConnect, Eric spent five years with Montaplast of North America, advancing from Cost Accountant to Finance & Accounting Manager. There, he led a team of six and managed a broad range of financial responsibilities, including inventory analysis, overhead rate calculations, foreign currency conversion, fixed assets, capital budgeting, and month-end close operations. Earlier in his career, he gained valuable experience through roles with Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation and Hilliard Lyons, where he contributed to cross-functional projects involving new product development, supply chain, mergers and acquisitions, and financial consulting. His work at Hilliard Lyons produced measurable improvements in revenue generated from managed assets and household accounts while reducing stagnant accounts.

Eric’s professional success is grounded in a strong academic foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Accounting & Business Administration from the University of Charleston in 2012, graduating with a 3.89 GPA and the highest GPA among all graduating seniors. During his time at UC, Eric was deeply involved in campus leadership and athletics. He served as Student Government Association President, Vice President of Students in Free Enterprise, and an executive board member of Because Christ Matters. He was also a four-year letterman and starter on the men’s tennis team, serving as team captain, and represented the university on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. He was recognized as an ITA Scholar Athlete for three years.

Eric continued his education at the University of Kentucky, earning his Master of Business Administration in 2013 with a 3.94 GPA. While pursuing his MBA, he served as President of the MBA Investment Club, participated on the SEC MBA Business Case Competition Team, and completed Project Connect through Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation. He also earned a Six Sigma Green Belt certification through LeanCor. Eric became a Certified Public Accountant in Kentucky in 2015.

Throughout his career, Eric has demonstrated that leadership extends beyond technical expertise. He has built and mentored high-performing teams, collaborated across operations and supply chain functions, and partnered with executive leadership to solve complex organizational challenges. His approach is grounded in integrity, accountability, professionalism, and a commitment to doing what is right.

From his days as a UC student-athlete and campus leader to his current role as a corporate executive, Eric Bodge has consistently combined academic achievement, professional excellence, and service to others. His accomplishments reflect not only how far he has advanced in his career, but also the character, discipline, and leadership principles that have guided him along the way.

A University of Charleston alumnus from the Class of 1996, Larry Boggs has built a career and life defined by leadership, service, and a commitment to helping others. He currently serves as a Procurement Specialist with West Virginia American Water in Charleston, bringing more than two decades of experience in operations, project management, sourcing, collaboration, and organizational leadership. Across his professional career, military service, nonprofit work, and community involvement, Larry has consistently demonstrated a willingness to take responsibility, solve problems, bring people together, and help those around him succeed.

Service to his country has been one of the defining chapters of Larry’s life. His military career began with four years in the United States Marine Corps and continued with approximately 26 years in the West Virginia Army National Guard, where he ultimately retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career, he held numerous command, leadership, planning, and management positions, including leadership of the 35th Civil Support Team. His service also included a combat deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

Larry’s military accomplishments were recognized with numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. While these honors reflect the significance of his service, Larry considers the relationships and responsibilities that came with military leadership to be equally important. Decades spent leading and supporting fellow service members helped shape a philosophy grounded in responsibility, teamwork, loyalty, and taking care of the people around him.

That philosophy continues through Larry’s work as Founder and CEO of Healing Waters For Warriors, a nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans, active service members, and first responders through outdoor experiences, fellowship, and personal connection. The organization has directly served 33 veterans and first responders through fishing trips, retreats, golf outings, and other outdoor missions.

Larry’s commitment to service also extends to the University of Charleston. He serves as a volunteer member of the University of Charleston School of Business Advisory Committee, contributing his professional experience and leadership perspective to help strengthen business programs and support the development of UC students. His connection to the University also includes his involvement with the UC Alumni Association and Kappa Delta Rho, where the values of brotherhood, leadership, fellowship, and service became an important part of his college experience.

Most recently, Larry was inducted into Kappa Delta Rho’s prestigious Ordo Honoris, recognizing alumni who have distinguished themselves through career achievement, community service, and dedication to the fraternity.

His commitment to developing future leaders has also been evident through his work with the Boy Scouts of America. From 2011 through 2018, Larry served as Scoutmaster of Troop 19 in Sissonville, mentoring young people and encouraging leadership, responsibility, citizenship, and service. His military and Scouting experiences also intersected through his involvement in planning military support for major Scout Jamboree activities held in West Virginia.

Whether serving his country, mentoring young people, supporting veterans and first responders, advising students, or leading teams in his professional career, Larry Boggs has carried the same values throughout each chapter of his life. His story is one of continued service—using the leadership, relationships, and experiences gained along the way to bring people together, create opportunities for others, and strengthen the communities of which he is a part.

Carolyn Kelso Burton’s story is one of service, education, and a lifelong commitment to her community. Born in Atlanta, Carolyn moved several times with her family before settling in Charleston, West Virginia, at the age of seven. She attended Stonewall Jackson High School before continuing her education at Morris Harvey College, where she studied sociology and psychology.

After graduation, Carolyn moved to Columbu, where she taught pre-school for a year before returning to West Virginia. She began graduate studies in counseling at Marshall University while teaching kindergarten in Kanawha County. At the time, aspiring teachers could prepare for and take the National Teachers Examination to enter the profession. Although Carolyn had originally planned to become a social worker, she ultimately pursued teaching—a career her mother had always encouraged her to consider. She earned her master’s degree in counseling from Marshall University in 1974.

Carolyn began her career as a kindergarten teacher before transitioning into school counseling at Cross Lanes Elementary. Early in her counseling career, elementary school counselors traveled among several schools. When Kanawha County transitioned to full-time counselors in individual schools, Carolyn returned to Cross Lanes Elementary, where she would spend the next four decades serving students, families, and the school community. She also served for several years as the lead counselor for Kanawha County Schools before retiring.

Her commitment to helping others extended well beyond the school day. From 2007 until the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carolyn worked part-time as a counselor with Cassis Therapy and Associates while continuing her work in the schools. She also served as a parent educator for the West Virginia Supreme Court, a role she held until the pandemic. Carolyn remains a licensed counselor in West Virginia and a nationally certified counselor.

Education and service have also been central to Carolyn’s involvement with the University of Charleston. A proud UC alumna, she has served on the UC National Alumni Board, is a member of UC Builders, and is a Heritage Society member. Her continued involvement reflects her belief in giving back to the institution that helped shape her early adult life.

Carolyn has also devoted countless hours to the Charleston community. She has been involved with the West Side Neighborhood Association, where she is passionate about preserving the history and character of the West Side while also helping the neighborhood move forward. Her community involvement has included volunteering with Charleston Urban Works, the Sternwheel Regatta, FestivALL and serving as a Charleston Ambassador. In recognition of her dedication and involvement, Carolyn was selected last year as one of the West Side Neighbors of the Year, honoring her contributions to the community.

Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Carolyn enjoys retirement and spending time with her husband of 40 years, Eric McCallister. The couple celebrated their 40th anniversary with a special trip to Key West.

Today, Carolyn describes herself as retired and “living the good life,” but her commitment to people, education, and community continues. Whether supporting UC, preserving the history of Charleston’s West Side, mentoring and counseling others, or simply being an active member of her community, Carolyn Kelso Burton has spent her life making a difference in the lives of others.