Royce Watts is a firm believer in the adage, “You will never know where you are going unless you know where you have been.” For Watts, associate dean for administration in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, the journey began with his birth in 1929.
The first child of a coal miner, Watts was born in a coal company house in the coal mining community of Cassity. His father died in a roof fall accident at a mine in Boone County in 1942.
What followed has served as the impetus for the establishment of a museum dedicated to the history of the state’s mining and petroleum industries at WVU.
“I was employed by the former WVU College of Mineral and Energy Resources in 1979,” Watts said. “In carrying out my duties as associate dean for administration, I discovered a treasure of mining and oil and gas artifacts scattered around White Hall. These artifacts were not protected and many came up missing. My initial response was to collect them and store them in a secure place.”
This collection, originally known as the COMER Museum, was renamed the Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum in 2005 at the request of the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute in honor of “two individuals who have tirelessly supported its mission through both financial support and other resources.”
In total, the pair has donated $1 million in support of that mission.
“Caroline and I have devoted considerable time and financial resources to support the museum since its inception,” Watts said. “After the naming in 2005, it became clear to us that a formal museum was now a reality and we began to plan for its operational and financial future. Our current commitment was just the next step in our plans to achieve this goal.”
Gene Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College, praised the Watts’ for the tireless commitment to the University and the museum.
“Royce and Caroline have consistently shown their interest and enthusiasm for sharing these artifacts, which capture the history of the mining and oil and gas industries in this state, through their generous support of the museum,” he said. “As dean, I would like to personally commend Royce for his many years of service and loyalty to our college and University.”
Danielle Petrak, the museum curator said the museum would not be the valuable resource it is today without the couple’s support.
“The Watts Museum plays an important part in helping us, as West Virginians, learn, enjoy and appreciate our industrial history and heritage. The museum would not have grown to what it is today without the support of Royce and Caroline. With this gift, the museum can keep expanding and developing for decades to come by creating more exhibits and programs, reaching larger audiences and continuing to safeguard the thousands of historical artifacts in its collection.”
Watts, who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WVU, has received many awards for his service to WVU, the Mineral Resources Alumni Chapter of WVU and the West Virginia coal industry. In 1997, he was recognized as a Distinguished West Virginian by then-Gov. Cecil Underwood for his contributions to the continuing education of mining professionals. In 2007, he received the Erskine Ramsey Gold Medal by the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, and was named the Most Loyal Faculty. In 2008, he was inducted into the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame.
Watts served in the U.S. Army for several years, both in World War II and the Korean War. He received numerous awards and decorations, including the Silver Star. After leaving active duty, he served in the Army Reserve for many years, retiring as a full colonel in 1989. He has been on the staff in the Statler College for nearly 60 years.
His wife, Caroline (Baker) of St. George, also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WVU, and is a retired high school teacher who taught in Monongalia County schools.
“Royce and Caroline have been very generous with their support of the museum with an eye toward ensuring this valuable resource is available for years to come,” said Robert Bragg, director of development with the Statler College. “Additional support is needed to ensure their vision lives on.”
For more information on how to contribute to the Watts Museum, contact Bragg at 304-293-4036, or email robert.bragg@mail.wvu.edu.
The gift was made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $1 billion comprehensive campaign being conducted by the WVU Foundation on behalf of WVU runs through December 2017.
For more information on “A State of Minds” visit http://www.astateofminds.com.
-WVU-
mcd/11/03/14
CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086; Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu
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