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President Gee

A graphic includes the word 'Welcome' over a headshot of new WVU President Michael T. Benson. The clock tower at Woodburn Hall is part of the graphic.

27th WVU president Michael T. Benson pledges to lead by example and with enthusiasm

The new president of West Virginia University will bring three decades of academic and administrative experience in higher education to his role leading West Virginia’s flagship, land-grant higher education institution into a new era. Following contract negotiations after the WVU Board of Governors meeting Feb. 20, Michael T. Benson, the current president of Coastal Carolina University, was officially announced Monday (Feb. 24) as the 27th University president.

West Virginia University Day of Giving graphic
A marching band hat with a gold and blue Flying WV is shown sitting on a green field under blue sky.

WVU BOG advances ‘Pride’ practice facility project

Right on cue, funding is lined up to complete the first phase of a new practice facility for the West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band. The WVU Board of Governors approved approximately $1.6 million for the Pride Practice Field and Facility project during a regular meeting Friday (Feb. 21).

A student leans over to examine a robotic arm.

WVU maintains prominent R1 ranking as top US research university

West Virginia University was reaffirmed as an R1 university, the highest possible research ranking, in the 2025 rankings by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released Thursday (Feb. 13). WVU is the only R1 institution in West Virginia and one of 187 colleges and universities nationwide to earn the latest prestigious classification.

Headshot of Jerry West. He is pictured inside wearing a blue sport coat, white dress shirt and blue tie. He has silver hair and a wide grin.

Jerry West’s WVU legacy grows with $5M memorial gift to support students

Call it a slam dunk: West Virginia University is scoring new opportunities for students to pursue and complete their degrees with a $5 million gift from Steve Ballmer, chairman of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, and his wife, Connie, honoring late Mountaineer great Jerry West. The announcement coincides with Jerry West Day, a celebration of West’s memory and legacy at the WVU men’s basketball game Saturday (Jan. 18) versus Iowa State.

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.
Headshot of newly named WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez wearing WVU gear with the words

Rich Rodriguez named West Virginia’s 36th football coach

Rodriguez, winner of 190 games and 12 outright or shared conference or division championships, will be the 36th head football coach at West Virginia University, Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker announced Thursday (Dec. 12).

An aerial shot of the sun rising over the WVU Campus in Morgantown.

WVU Foundation marks 70 years of philanthropy

The West Virginia University Foundation is celebrating 70 years of private philanthropy to benefit the University and its land-grant mission including a record-breaking 2024 fiscal year that saw more than $282 million in gifts and pledges, a more than $12 million increase over the previous record set in 2021.

The top of Woodburn Hall is shown against a blue sky.

WVU BOG meeting reports signal long-term success and stability

Record-breaking donor support is empowering West Virginia University to advance education, health care and prosperity near and far. In a presentation to the WVU Board of Governors during its regular meeting Friday (Nov. 22), WVU Foundation President and CEO Cindi Roth detailed the impact of new gifts and pledges totaling more than $282 million in fiscal year 2024.