Accepting a charge from West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson to boldly carry forward the University’s land-grant mission of service and leadership, thousands of graduates crossed the Commencement stage at the Hope Coliseum May 15-17.
Six members of the West Virginia University Class of 2026 and two December 2025 graduates have earned the Order of Augusta, the University’s most prestigious honor for academic excellence, leadership and service. The eight inductees were selected from the 52 WVU Foundation Outstanding Seniors.
Twenty incoming West Virginia University students from across the Mountain State who are driven by shared passions for innovation and service have been named the 2026-27 cohort of Bucklew Scholars. From this distinguished group, five have been selected as Foundation Scholars, the highest academic scholarship the University awards.
For the first time, West Virginia University has four recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship — Caden Ginter from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Mason Powell from Canaan Valley, Cloe Ratliff from Morgantown and Camndon Reed from Watertown, Massachusetts — who were chosen for their strong commitment to continuing careers in research.
Combining expertise with community involvement, West Virginia University is leading a statewide effort to bring data, transparency and accountability to the allocation of nearly three-quarters of the $1 billion in West Virginia’s opioid settlement funding.
Supporters of West Virginia University made a record number of gifts and contributed more than $22 million during the University’s ninth Day of Giving Wednesday (March 25). Every state was represented on the donor map.
Alumni and friends will have the opportunity to amplify the impact of their gifts Wednesday (March 25) during Day of Giving at West Virginia University. Participants can unlock additional dollars for the areas of WVU that matter most to them by taking part in day-long and hourly challenges.
West Virginia University will use additional state funding included in the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget by Gov. Patrick Morrisey and members of the Legislature to invest in its people and programs.
West Virginia University alumni and friends will have an opportunity to fuel advancement for future generations on March 25 during the ninth WVU Day of Giving, an annual 24-hour fundraising effort organized by the WVU Foundation.
“We’re seeking initial investors now and will be encouraging anyone who wants to be part of the future of West Virginia University to support our efforts during the Day of Giving on March 25,” President Michael T. Benson said. He talked about Day of Giving during Friday’s (Feb. 20) Board of Governors meeting at the Erickson Alumni Center.