* WHO * : WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.; Lincoln Hall Resident Faculty Leader Sven Verlinden; other University officials and student leaders.

* WHAT :* A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held officially dedicating WVU s new student residence hallLincoln Hallthe first hall to be built on the WVU campus in nearly 40 years. This facility will serve as home to the Universitys first residential college, a program truly unique to WVU and one that builds on a highly successful Resident Faculty Leader Programthe signature program of WVU s First-Year Experience.

For the past 10 years, the RFL program has been an integral part of University residence hall life with faculty couples living in or near the halls, sharing their homes and hearts with students while improving freshman to sophomore retention rates and better academic performance.

On Aug. 16, WVU will celebrate the evolution of this program with the opening and dedication of Lincoln Hall.

A coat-of-arms for the new hall also will be unveiled, and tours will be provided.

Preceding the ribbon-cutting, University officials will brief the media on enrollment projections, estimated freshman class size, including PROMISE Scholars, campus facility improvements and student life initiatives.

* WHEN :* 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16

* WHERE :* Multimedia Theatre, Lincoln Hall, off Evansdale Drive near Evansdale Residential Complex. Use main entrance.