John Chambers College of Business and Economics

West Virginia University has released its Spring 2026 Dean’s and President’s lists, as well as the full list of spring semester graduates.

With a focus on investments in the future of West Virginia University, the Board of Governors approved a $1.3 billion operating budget for the coming fiscal year during a Friday meeting (June 19) that opened with the announcement of a first-of-its-kind research partnership with Johns Hopkins University and a celebration of the historic College World Series run for the WVU baseball team.

In recognition of their loyalty and service to West Virginia University, four Mountaineers — David Alvarez, Steve Antoline, David Hendrickson and William "Bill" Wilmoth — will be inducted into the Order of Vandalia during a ceremony later this year.

Though rural women entrepreneurs make up only a small portion of the self-employed across the United States, a new study from the West Virginia University Regional Research Institute shows they are crucial to overall economic success.

A $1 million gift to the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics bridges experiential learning and community outreach by expanding support for Data Driven WV. Impressed with the center and its purpose, sisters Dori Lewis Smith and Jeannie Lewis have generously supported the program honoring their parents’ memory.

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.

A senior executive who has spent the past 14 years in progressive roles at the West Virginia University Foundation has been named the organization’s new vice president and chief financial officer/treasurer. Melissa L. Simpson will begin her new position July 1.

Continuing a West Virginia University tradition, Reese Allen — a senior mechanical engineering and data science major in the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources — officially began his duties as the 72nd Mountaineer mascot during a symbolic rifle passing ceremony at the Mountainlair on Friday (April 17).