The WVU Board of Governors marked the end of a successful fall semester during a meeting that was held Friday (Dec. 20), a day ahead of Commencement. (WVU Photo/Tony Dobies)
The West Virginia University Board of Governors met today (Dec. 20) kicking off a Commencement weekend of events on the Morgantown Campus.
The ceremonies will mark the end of the fall semester and several student celebrations, including an inaugural reunion of former and current Bucklew and Foundation Scholars, according to President Gordon Gee.
“It was wonderful to welcome past scholars to campus and to see their success in so many professions,” Gee said. “Tomorrow, we will launch a new group of talented graduates into the world and I have no doubt that they will find similar success.”
The University experienced its own accomplishments in 2024, including strong credit ratings from Fitch and S&P, record-setting research expenditures, historic fundraising, the launch of the WVU Degree Up program, and the highest student retention rate in school history. Looking ahead, Gee told the Board student applications are up 19% from this time last year.
This week, WVU announced its School of Pharmacy and the University of Charleston are partnering to provide a seamless transition plan for students affected by the discontinuation of UC’s Doctor of Pharmacy program.
BOG Vice-Chair and Presidential Search Committee Chair Dr. Patrice Harris reported the search committee met yesterday and selected candidates for first-round interviews to take place in early 2025. Harris told the Board the search process remains on schedule with plans to announce the next University president in the spring.
In other Board action, members authorized the University to issue up to $30 million in additional bonds to finance the second phase of the Modernization Program which began in 2022; approved renovations to the Cary Gym Training Center supported by private funding; and the naming of the WVU Baseball indoor facility currently in construction at the Ken Kendrick Family Ballpark as the WVU Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center.
BOG Chair Rick Pill thanked members for their dedication and work this year to advance the University.
“I’m filled with optimism for the opportunities and successes the new year will bring. Together with our campus community, alumni and donors, and all those who support West Virginia University, we will continue to achieve great things,” Pill said.
View the Dec. 20 BOG regular meeting agenda and meeting materials.
The next regular BOG meeting is scheduled for Feb. 21.
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