WVU President Michael T. Benson will officially visit his 33rd and 34th West Virginia counties on his “Welcome Home Tour” as he makes his way south to Mercer and McDowell counties Nov. 3-4. (WVU Photo/Brian Persinger)
WHAT: West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson will travel south for the next leg of his “Welcome Home Tour” with planned stops in Mercer and McDowell counties.
WHO: President Benson, University alumni and supporters, and local and community leaders
WHEN: Nov. 3-4
During the trip, President Benson will meet with state lawmakers as part of interim meetings at Pipestem Resort State Park, visit historical sites and a high school, and tour municipalities and local businesses.
Media members are invited to join him at the following times and locations:
Monday, Nov. 3
• Tour of the historic Granada Theater
537 Commerce St., Bluefield
2:45-3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 4
• Tour of historic Bramwell, Coal Heritage Interpretive Center and Train Depot
100 Simmons Ave., Bramwell
9:15-10:15 a.m.
• Welch community lunch, Jack Caffrey Arts and Cultural Center
143 Wyoming St., Welch
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NOTES: Once he makes these stops, President Benson will have visited 34 West Virginia counties in the 15 weeks since he became the University’s 27th president. His goal is to get to all 55 counties by next summer. See more from earlier tour legs.
Information about future tour dates will be released as details are finalized.
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sj/10/31/25
MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Executive Director of Strategic Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; sjohns13@mail.wvu.edu
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