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West Virginia University has created the Center for the Future of Land-Grant Education, the nation’s first devoted to the study of land-grants. 

WVU President Gordon Gee, Marshall University President Jerome Gilbert and WV Secretary of Commerce Woody Thrasher will release a West Virginia Forward Summary of Findings. This is a follow-up from the discussion that occurred at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Business Summit in August. West Virginia Forward identifies possible short- and long-term solutions for the economic challenges the state faces.

A new West Virginia University Extension Service program is empowering women in agriculture by providing them with first-hand knowledge of ways to manage farm finances, production and technology. It is part of a growing movement in West Virginia of women breaking out of typical gender roles.

West Virginia University’s popular “Student Athletes Speak Out” program is getting new support because of a chance note from an alumnus that said, “Carolyn-endow scholarship.” The Dr. Carolyn Atkins Scholarship will provide funds to SASO, which is teaching student athletes the importance of public speaking and sharing personal stories of personal motivation to West Virginia middle schoolers and the Mountaineer community.

According to three West Virginia University experts who research different aspects of climate change, the need for mitigation in hurricane-prone areas is growing, as ocean temperatures rise and hurricanes increase in frequency and intensity. And one of those experts says we have “centuries” of climate change ahead, even if we start preventive measures immediately.

As the U.S. Senate takes up another bill to replace the Affordable Care Act, a West Virginia University health policy expert says states will lose more than $80 billion annually in 2026, a precursor to a combined loss of $300 billion the next year, as the Medicaid expansion is rolled back. Insurance market protections for people with pre-existing conditions and a strict per capita cap on Medicaid payments are also part of the package, according to WVU’s Simon Haeder.

Long-time attorney and law professor Frank Cleckley passed away on August 14. He was the first African-American faculty member at WVU College of Law, and the first full time African-American professor at WVU, and the first African-American justice on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. A memorial service for Cleckley will be held Sunday (Sept. 24) at 2 p.m. in the Lyell Clay Concert Theatre at the WVU Creative Arts Center.

As part of West Virginia University’s 150th Birthday celebration and in honor of the University’s status as a land grant institution, artist Hunt Slonem, known for his portrait tributes to President Abraham Lincoln, will visit WVU Thursday through Saturday (Sept. 14-16). Slonem’s work is on display at both Blaney House, home of WVU President Gordon Gee, and at the Art Museum of WVU.

The WVU Student Society of Landscape Architects will participate in PARK(ing) Day, an annual, open-source global event during which landscape architects and other designers transform metered parking spaces into temporary mini-parks, or “parklets,” to promote the importance of urban green spaces. The WVU community and public are invited to stop by and see their unique work.

West Virginia University President Gordon Gee will deliver a State of the University address emphasizing WVU’s commitment to economic security, education and healthcare through a continued focus on innovation and research, local business support, talent expansion and alumni outreach. Gee will also update campus initiatives as well as student, faculty and staff achievements.