The Boone County Alumni and Friends Pig Roast and Mountaineer Music Frolic happens this Saturday (July 13), continuing efforts in southern West Virginia to support WVU student scholarships. Altogether, the chapter has raised more than $1 million since its first Pig Roast event in 1987. (WVU Photo)
Bringing together several generations of West Virginia University supporters, the WVU Alumni Association will celebrate a summer tradition during the 37th annual Boone County Alumni and Friends Pig Roast and Mountaineer Music Frolic on Saturday (July 13) in Boone County.
Since the first event in 1987, the Boone County Alumni and Friends chapter has raised more than $1 million and provided upwards of 500 student scholarships largely with proceeds from the Pig Roast, the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser and one of the longest running Alumni Association signature chapter events.
“For such a small community, we’ve probably outpunched our weight,” said Charlie Piccirillo, a founding chapter member, two-time University graduate and attorney with Shaffer & Shaffer.
“Our going to college rate wasn’t very good when we started it and we got it going and it’s helped. We’ve had a lot of kids with success.”
To help salute that success, President Gordon Gee is scheduled to attend the event at Water Ways Outdoor Amphitheater, 99 Water Way, Julian, as part of his summer tour of the Mountain State highlighting the important work of West Virginia’s University in the communities it serves.
“Our mission is to support kids heading from Boone County to WVU, including many who are the first in their family to go to college,” said Megan Atkins Warner, the current president of Boone County Alumni and Friends, a two-time University graduate and a senior research protocol specialist.
“We know the scholarships we provide make a positive impact for our local students. The continued support from many loyal alumni — and friends — who show up to this event each year allows us to continue this mission.”
For the 2024-25 academic year, proceeds from the event helped fund more than $40,000 in scholarships for 25 students making Boone County Alumni and Friends the top provider of scholarships among all Alumni Association chapters annually.
The scholarships are administered through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
Any Boone County student who applies for a Boone County Alumni and Friends scholarship is eligible for financial assistance while enrolled within the WVU System. In some cases, gift certificates for books are also provided.
“People know the reason they’re there,” Denise Workman, a teacher, past president of the Boone County Alumni and Friends chapter and current member of the WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors, said of the Pig Roast event.
“You want the kids with potential to have the opportunity to get that education and, if they choose to come home, that’s great, or if they choose something else — they’ve seen a new horizon. We are seeing the difference it’s making for so many students. That’s what I set out to do and that’s what I want to continue to do.”
Mikel Hager, the 69th Mountaineer mascot, is a past scholarship recipient.
“Being a recipient of the Boone County Alumni and Friends scholarship played a big part in allowing me to live out my dream of attending WVU and helped me participate in a number of activities and organizations and have a fuller college experience,” Hager said.
“One of the cool aspects of our chapter is not everyone who contributes is a graduate of WVU. Many are lifelong fans and supporters. It is through their support that so many Boone County students are able to pursue their dreams of attending WVU and bringing the skills and experience learned in Morgantown back to our small community.”
This year’s event is dedicated to Atkins Warner’s late father — Dr. Robert “Bob” Atkins — who was a founding member and past president of Boone County Alumni and Friends.
With the support of his parents — Buster and Geraldine Atkins — Dr. Atkins earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from WVU. Both his brothers graduated from the WVU School of Dentistry. All three returned to Boone County to practice. Each of Dr. Atkins’ four children earned at least one degree from WVU.
“Blue and gold runs deep within my family,” Atkins Warner said, noting her mother is a faithful Pig Roast volunteer and will be working the registration table this year.
It was Buster Atkins who coined the famous tagline for the event, “It’s the best frolic there is.”
Hager agreed with that assessment. “Having attended many WVU Alumni events during my time as the Mountaineer, I have seen the best our alums have to offer. The Boone County Pig Roast ranks as one of my absolute favorites,” he said.
“There’s a reason many former Mountaineers still return every year to this event. The closeness and inviting nature of the Pig Roast has something to offer for everyone and is a must-attend event.”
Piccirillo said, at the beginning, no one could have envisioned how the Pig Roast would grow to become the feature event it is today.
“We hope to grow it further,” he said. “We’re trying to engage younger folks. A lot of younger folks have left this area and that’s our biggest need — to engage some of our young alums to run this.”
Workman said it’s important work for the community. “Our mission is focusing on students and we’ve been true to our mission and it’s paid dividends for our students in Boone County,” she said.
Gates open at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (July 13). Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with musical performances from Tupelo Drive, Noah West and Kate Boytek. Boone County WVU students who’ve received scholarships because of the event will be introduced prior to the musical performances.
For additional information, contact Boone County Alumni and Friends via email at wvuboonealumni@gmail.com.
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sj/7/11/24
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