President Jim Clements will share ways West Virginia University is expanding its role as a leading 21st century land-grant university, and lay out the important role alumni play in the institution’s foundation and future success during the annual WVU Alumni Luncheon on Capitol Hill. The sold-out event will take place at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C., Thursday, June 9, beginning at noon.

Each year, the National Capital Area Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association hosts the event honoring West Virginia’s congressional delegation – Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, Sen. Joe Manchin, Reps. Nick J. Rahall III, Shelley Moore Capito and David McKinley – as well as alumni and friends of WVU.

For more than 30 years, the Alumni Luncheon on Capitol Hill has been a signature event for alumni and friends in the Washington, D.C., metro area. The event – one of the longest running advocacy programs for WVU alumni – is coordinated by the NCAC.

“Alumni in the DC Metro region play a vital role in helping to advance the efforts of the Alumni Association and the University,” said Stephen L. Douglas, president & CEO, WVU Alumni Association. “Through events such as this alumni luncheon, we are further engaging our alumni and friends to keep them abreast of the opportunities and challenges facing our alma mater. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of volunteers who are committed to helping the University succeed.”

This year’s event sponsors include: Alpha Natural Resources, Chesapeake Energy, CTIA – The Wireless Association, GolinHarris Public Affairs, Hamilton Insurance, Toyota and Widmeyer Communications. In addition, 15 WVU colleges and units have provided sponsorships for this year’s event.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the John F. Nicholas Jr. National Capital Area Chapter Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students in the D.C.-Metro area attending WVU, as well as the New Home for Mountaineers Building Fund. To date, the NCAC has raised more than $150,000 for scholarships, making it the second largest scholarship fund provided by an alumni chapter. The NCAC will donate an additional $10,000 at the luncheon for the alumni center, fulfilling its five-year commitment of $52,500 (the largest gift provided by a WVU alumni chapter).

The Alumni Luncheon on Capitol Hill will be held at the Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. A short reception will begin at 11 a.m. prior to the luncheon. For more information, visit: http://alumni.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

tec/06/07/11

CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU Alumni Association
304.293.0972, tecurtis@mail.wvu.edu

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