West Virginia University’s Staff Council will recognize former University president and current business professor Neil S. Bucklew for leadership and long-time commitment to classified staff.

Dr. Bucklew will accept his award during a special Weekend of Honors convocation at 7 p.m. Friday, April 11, in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

“President Bucklew set a number of policies and practices that benefitted classified staff during his presidency,”commented Staff Council President Terry Nebel.”He was very open in letting staff participate in every process on campus. In fact, he was so good at doing that, I think that’s why we have such a good relationship today with President Hardesty and other administrators.”

After serving as president of WVU for nearly a decade (1986-1995), Bucklew has continued teaching as a professor of management and industrial relations in the College of Business and Economics. He is responsible for strategic development of the college’s involvement in health services management. In addition, he participates in the Faculty Mediation Project, a peer-based program at WVU .

The Mertins Leadership Award for Staff Advocacy was developed through the WVU Staff Council in 1994. The awards were named in honor of Dr. Herman Mertins who served as vice president of Administration and Finance from 1981-1995.