The man who Mountaineers around the world associate with the West Virginia University Alumni Association is being recognized for his loyalty, passion and longtime service to his alma mater.

Stephen L. Douglas, president and chief executive officer for the WVU Alumni Association for the past 27 years, is being honored with the Most Loyal Mountaineer Spirit Award. He’ll be recognized during Saturday’s (Sept. 26) home football game against Maryland.

“I cannot think of a more deserving person than Steve Douglas to receive this special Mountaineer award,” said WVU President Gordon Gee. “From his days as a student leader in the 1970s to his devotion to his alma mater as the chief executive officer and head cheerleader for the Alumni Association for more than three decades, Steve’s passion and love for all things West Virginia University is quite something. It is special. It comes from deep down in his soul. Mountaineers everywhere thank him for all he has done, and will continue to do, for West Virginia University.”

Chair of the WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors, Christie McCartney, said during Douglas’ nearly three-decade tenure as head of the Association, his leadership has resulted in unprecedented growth. This includes an operating budget that has more than tripled; an increase in investments and assets of 500 percent; and the building of a new Erickson Alumni Center on the Evansdale Campus.

“There is no one person more deserving of the Most Loyal Mountaineer Spirit Award than Steve Douglas,” McCartney said. “He has dedicated more than 30 years to the WVU Alumni Association and transformed it into a nationally recognized organization. His leadership and vision are embodied in the Erickson Alumni Center, which is the hub of alumni, University and community activities in Morgantown, and a symbol of pride for Mountaineers throughout the globe.”

In conjunction with the Most Loyal recognition, the University, Alumni Association and the WVU Foundation have announced a special fundraising effort in Douglas’ honor.

Diagnosed with brain cancer last fall, Douglas’ battle against the disease has served as an inspiration to WVU alumni and friends worldwide.

WVU Foundation President and CEO Cindi Roth said the goal of the campaign is to realize a vision long held by Steve Douglas: retiring the remaining debt on the Erickson Alumni Center. In addition, a permanent endowment will be created in his honor called the Stephen L. Douglas Alumni Association Endowment Fund. Money from this fund would be used for special Alumni Association projects and initiatives.

“We encourage all of Mountaineer nation to honor our dear friend, Steve, by making a contribution to this special campaign,” Roth said. “Let’s make sure Steve’s vision becomes a reality, and his remarkable service and dedication to the Alumni Association and WVU are never forgotten.”

Alumni and friends interested in making a contribution to the special campaign can do so online at www.wvuf.org, or by contacting Nicole Riggleman, director of development at the WVU Alumni Association, 304-293-0971.

A Clarksburg, W.Va. native, Douglas earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WVU. After graduating, he was named director of public information at Alderson-Broaddus University in Philippi and was later hired as director of college relations at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon.

Douglas returned to his alma mater in 1982 as associate director of the WVU Alumni Association and held that position until 1988 when he was named executive director. As part of the Alumni Association’s restructuring efforts, Douglas now serves as president and CEO. He is only the seventh alumni director in an organization that was founded more than 140 years ago.

Douglas has been committed to furthering the cause of alumni relations on both a state and national level. He served as chairman of the Big East Conference Alumni Professionals Organization. He was a founding member and first president of the West Virginia Alumni Directors Association comprised of all public and private institutions in West Virginia. He also has served as a regional trustee for the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He is a charter member of the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE).

Douglas is married to the former Sandra Jean Auvil. She is a retired educator in the Monongalia County School system. They have two children, Ashley and Clark, both graduates of WVU.

-WVU-

bn/09/25/2015

CONTACT: Bill Nevin, WVU Foundation
304-284-4056; wnevin@wvuf.org

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