WVU graduate true to the gold and blue
WVU graduate Caleb Bailes, a self-proclaimed Mountaineer for life shown with his furry friend Hooey, celebrate the University by flying a Let's Go flag with the iconic New River Gorge Bridge in the background. (WVU Photo/Matt Sunday)
For Fayetteville native Caleb Bailes, being a Mountaineer has been a lifelong identity.
“Blue and gold just runs through your veins around here,” Bailes said of his love for West Virginia University. “It’s always been my dream to go to WVU, just like most of the people in the area.”
After taking a break while working towards an electrical engineering degree to accept a position as general manager of Carte Electric, an electrical company based out of Fayetteville, Bailes was determined to complete his degree at WVU and enrolled in the online business management program.
Through this experience, he gained valuable skills and connections he could not get anywhere else.
“WVU taught me business skills, gave me pointers so I wasn’t starting off blind, and leadership skills,” he said. “The networking side has brought me connections with people all around the world, and it all starts right at WVU.”
WVU graduate Caleb Bailes and his dog Hooey stop to take in the sights near the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. (WVU Photo/Matt Sunday)
He credits the Flying WV with playing a significant role in fostering connections across the state and beyond.
“If you see the Flying WV anywhere, it’s a sense of pride. There’s always a West Virginia connection wherever you go, and there’s a part of West Virginia around the whole world,” he said.
“I was down in the Caribbean on a boat tour, wearing my Flying WV hat, like I do everywhere. A guy comes up, he says, ‘Where are you from?’ I said, ‘Of course, West Virginia.’ And he said, ‘Well my son’s going WVU right now.’ He said, ‘I’m from Fairmont.’” Shortly after that, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” blasted through the speakers.
It's that kind of recognition that inspires pride among Mountaineers, like Bailes.
“Especially on game days, you start tailgating, seeing 60,000 of your closest friends. And you just get that feeling of excitement. It’s something you can’t even put into words,” he said.
“It’s like nothing you can even imagine, and it just brings everybody together. It doesn’t matter what happened before then, it doesn’t matter what you believe, or this or that. You’re all Mountaineers that day and you’re part of one big family.”
Now a local business professional, Bailes is working to make southern West Virginia a better place. He said he couldn’t imagine living anyplace else and regularly enjoys the recreational benefits of the state, like hiking, rafting, zip lining and boating.
Cheering for the Mountaineers and pride in WVU comes naturally for Fayetteville native Caleb Bailes who earned his degree through the University's online business management program. (WVU Photo/Matt Sunday)
“I want to stay here and make it grow. I want to see the place succeed and excel in everything. Our resources here as a recreational community, we definitely need to build on that and make it move forward. We have a gem here that’s hidden.”
His journey from determined student to business professional reflects the Mountaineer spirit with dedication, pride and resilience — values that go far beyond Athletics venues and classrooms.
The best thing about WVU, in Bailes’ view, is its people.
“No matter where you go in this world, there’s a West Virginia connection. And that bond of knowing somebody who is from West Virginia or went to WVU, it outlasts so many things. It’ll take you further than anything else.”
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