A Charlotte, N.C., couple with strong ties to West Virginia University has pledged $25,000 to retire The Erickson Alumni Center building debt as part of the WVU Foundation’s comprehensive fundraising effort, A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University.
Mike and Joan Petruski have been actively involved in the life of WVU for many years, offering volunteer and financial support to scholarships, student organizations and other WVU programs. Mike graduated from WVU in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and their daughter, Amanda, is also a WVU graduate and works for The Erickson Alumni Center.
“The Petruski family has been wonderful to West Virginia University, and particularly to the WVU Alumni Association. They have witnessed first-hand the importance of our alumni center, and their generous gift will allow us move forward with programs that enhance opportunities for our graduates,” said Stephen L. Douglas, president & CEO, WVU Alumni Association.
Mike, an executive vice for Great American Group, received his master’s degree from Western Connecticut State University in 1981. Before joining Great American, he served as an executive with the capital finance division of Wells Fargo Bank in Charlotte.
Mike is president of the Charlotte Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association and an active member of the Commercial Finance Association. During his years at WVU, he was a member of Sphinx – the Senior Men’s Honorary, Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Natatorium Building Committee. Formerly, he was a Statesman with the Connecticut Jaycees and the Elks Lodge. He also was a member of the WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving as chairman.
The Petruskis are directors of the Kristen Foundation, a non-profit charity for the families with missing and endangered adults over the age of 18.
In addition to retiring the building debt, the WVU Alumni Association has identified two additional goals for the fundraising campaign: create a building maintenance fund for the alumni center and establish an endowment that will assist in developing programs for national and international outreach, enhancing on- and off-campus programs, and assisting the Association’s constituent groups in engaging fellow alumni.
The $750 million campaign, being conducted by the Foundation on behalf of the University, runs through December 2015.Alumni and friends interested in giving opportunities at the WVU Alumni Association can contact Devanna Corley at 304-293-0971.
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CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU Alumni Association
304-293-0972, tecurtis@mail.wvu.edu
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