More than 100 members of West Virginia University’s Class of 1953 will gather in Morgantown May 2-3 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation and induction into the WVU Alumni Association’s Emeritus Club.

The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, May 2, in the Thomas Room of the Milan Puskar Center adjacent to Mountaineer Field. New inductees will be joined by members of previous Emeritus Club classes at a 5:30 p.m. reception and banquet.

Stephen Douglas, chief executive officer of the Alumni Association, and Joel Hannah, 2002-2003 president of the WVU Emeritus Club, will serve as hosts. WVU President David C. Hardesty, Jr. also will be in attendance.

“It is a moving experience to see so many proud graduates reunite,”Douglas said.”I always learn something new about this great University, its traditions, and the tremendous achievements of its alumni.”

The weekend’s activities will continue Saturday with a bus tour that will give returning alumni the opportunity to observe the many changes to the WVU campus since the 1950s. A small exhibit of campus photographs from the early 1950s will also be on display throughout the weekend in the Marmaduke Dent Room of the Erickson Alumni Center.

For information on registration deadlines and fees, contact Kevin Berry at (304) 293-4731.

The Emeritus Club was founded in 1951 by 20 charter members who graduated prior to 1901. Since that time, more than 2,500 individuals have been inducted. This year, approximately 700 became eligible to join.

The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 145,000 university graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the association’s 26,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs.

A complete schedule of Emeritus Club Weekend events follows:

Friday, May 2

• 3:15 p.m. Registration, Milan Puskar CenterAdjacent to the WVU Football Stadium 4:00 p.m. Class of 1952 Inductions Ceremony

• 5:30 p.m. Reception 6:00 p.m. Annual Emeritus Club Banquet

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Saturday, May 3

• 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast, Erickson Alumni Center 9:00 a.m. Campus Tour and Other Scheduled Presentations

• 12:30 p.m. Buffet Luncheon