David and Susan Hardesty are true Mountaineers.
For more than a decade, the duo dedicated their lives to fostering success at their alma mater. In recognition of their extraordinary service, the West Virginia University Alumni Association will honor them as the Outstanding Alumni for the 2010 Homecoming activities on Oct. 22-23. They will help lead the Homecoming parade down High Street (Oct. 22) and will be recognized during the halftime ceremony of the WVU-Syracuse game (Oct. 23).
Although the Hardestys are best known for their role as president and first lady of WVU from 1995-2007, their ties to the University run deep. The couple met as students at WVU, where David was the 16th Rhodes Scholar, and they remained actively engaged in the life of their alma mater upon graduation, serving on governance and advocacy committees. Today, they continue that commitment by supporting and influencing programs and services that benefit fellow Mountaineers.
“David and Susan epitomize what this university represents,” said Stephen L. Douglas, president and CEO, WVU Alumni Association. “Their continuous years of service, dedication and pride for their alma mater have bettered WVU for generations to come. We look forward to honoring them during this year’s Homecoming celebration.”
As the 21st president of WVU, David led efforts to develop more than 25 student-centered programs. These efforts resulted in rapid expansion of the university student body. He also led efforts to focus WVU’s research programs, establish the world’s first forensic science degree and create a new hospital system.
In 1966, David helped to found the “Festival of Ideas” speakers’ series during his term as student body president. In 2009, the series was endowed and named in his honor. An annual lecture at WVU’s Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center is also named in his honor.
Susan, an educator and volunteer, is well known in American higher education circles as the volunteer leader of one of the most successful and effective university parent organizations in the country – the Mountaineer Parents Club. She founded the organization in 1995. In 2007, the Board of Governors awarded her the permanent honorary title, “Founder, Mountaineer Parents Club.” Since its inception, the organization has grown to more than 20,000 members in nearly every state and several foreign countries. The WVU Foundation established a permanent endowment in her honor to support the organization’s work.
The Hardestys have received numerous awards and honors for their unwavering service. David Hardesty has been honored with several honorary degrees and citations: designation as West Virginian of the Year by the West Virginia State Society of Washington, D. C., induction into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame and the National 4-H Hall of Fame, recipient of The National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, and designation as a Graduate of Distinction by the West Virginia Education Alliance.
In 2007, Susan was inducted into the Order of Vandalia, the highest recognition for service awarded by WVU. She has been honored by the West Virginia State Society of Washington D.C., the West Virginia Education Alliance, and the WVU College of Education and Human Resources. She has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Citizens of her community.
In addition to teaching at the WVU College of Law, David also directs the West Virginia Law Institute, a reform body created by the West Virginia Legislature housed at the college. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Consol Energy, Inc., and is Of Counsel to the law firm of Bowles Rice.
Susan remains active in the Morgantown community, serving on the Board of Directors of the local United Way agency, the Metropolitan Theater Foundation Board in Morgantown, the West Virginia Education Alliance, and the WVU College of Creative Arts-Pittsburgh Symphony Board.
The Hardestys reside in Morgantown and have two adult children who each hold two degrees from WVU.
For more information, please contact the WVU Alumni Association at 304-293-4731 or visit http://alumni.wvu.edu.
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CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU Alumni Association,
304-293-0972, tecurtis@mail.wvu.edu
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