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A scientist wearing a white lab coat points to a white board with a blue triangle and other markings on it while another scientist in a white lab coat watches.

Rewinding the year in research at WVU

West Virginia University continued to demonstrate why it’s the Mountain State’s land-grant, flagship R1 institution over the course of 2024. Here are some of the top research stories from the year.

The Mountaineer mascot runs across the steps in front of the capitol building in Charleston while holding the Let's Go flag.

‘Let's go!’ See the Flying WV and the people who fly it across the Mountain State

This year, West Virginia University Strategic Communications and Marketing teams traveled West Virginia with “Let's go” flags in hand to celebrate the beauty of the state and the people who proudly wave the Flying WV. The ends of trails, the tops of mountains, the streams and the scenes that make this state special — those were the destinations around the state we wanted to highlight with West Virginians in the middle of them.

A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown squeezes their eyes as they hug a faculty member after receiving their diploma packet.
A drone photo shows Woodburn Hall with snow on its roof.
A portrait of Robin Anderson who is wearing a blue graduation gown with a gold stole around her neck.

Demonstrating results of hard work and determination, WVU employee will cross Commencement stage to become a graduate

A series of events helped shape the journey to graduation for Robin Anderson, a program coordinator for the Office of Communications, Marketing and Technology in the West Virginia University Division for Land-Grant Engagement. On Saturday (Dec. 21), Anderson will receive a Regents Bachelor of Arts, a degree program that is designed to allow working people to juggle professional and personal commitments.

The HSC campus buildings are shown through trees on a winter day.
WVU employee Heather Hanks shown here at the WVU School of Medicine wearing a white shirt under a navy blue WVU-branded jacket.

WVU project specialist serves as source of positivity and encouragement for Rural Track students

When it comes to the student learning experience, the small things matter. Amid classes, examinations, rotations and extensive studying, a friendly face and words of encouragement can significantly affect a busy student. These small interactions and affirmations drive Heather Hanks, program specialist with the West Virginia University Rural Track in the School of Medicine.

A campus shot at WVU featuring the iron Mountaineer statue in the foreground and red brick buildings in the background. The ground is covered with a light dusting of snow.

Giving back: WVU students volunteer with help from private scholarship support

A West Virginia University student is continuing on the path of service he started while in high school — as a volunteer for community canned food drives, trail maintenance and garbage cleanup projects — thanks to private scholarship support. Izaak Whetsell, an Elkins native, is among 24 students to benefit from a recent $100,000 gift made by WVU alumnus Andrew S. Good.

WVU students work with virtual reality headsets as they conduct research to improve safety for miners.
A headshot of WVU College of Law graduate James

College of Law graduate shares time and treasure to benefit WVU for 40-plus years

Over the last half century, few Mountaineers can say they’ve left their mark on West Virginia University like James “Jim” Gardill. Now in his late 70s, Gardill looks back on his relationship with the University as one of appreciation and mutual commitment to what makes the state’s flagship institution so special.