Marking the return of a beloved tradition, West Virginia University will “deck the hall” — the iconic Woodburn Hall — by welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community to the official Woodburn Hall Lighting Ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 2, on the Downtown area of campus.
In a collaborative effort, West Virginia University colleges, departments and units are coming together to form WVU Cyber — a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary initiative that unites different types of cyber-related research and study across the WVU System to tackle security, economic and workforce challenges.
West Virginia University has named Matthew Bolling, Brogan Dozier, Isabella Hart, Abby Ruth and Erin Skaff the 2025 Mountaineers of Distinction, a Mountaineer Week tradition that recognizes exemplary academic achievement and extracurricular involvement.
Calling it “a win for students, families and the Mountain State,” West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson announced a University retention record during the Board of Governors meeting Friday (Nov. 7). To build on that momentum, Benson unveiled his Strategic Compass, which provides a pathway forward for the University.
With a “Let’s Go!” that served as a rallying cry for the West Virginia University community, President Michael T. Benson highlighted the profound power and potential of WVU during his first State of the University address Monday (Oct. 13).
Drawing on expertise from both inside and outside of West Virginia University, President Michael T. Benson is shaping his core leadership team to work together across the WVU System by incorporating fresh ideas with institutional knowledge.
Four promising West Virginia University doctoral students are continuing their academic journeys with support from the Ruby Scholars Graduate Fellows program.
The 2025 Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship recipients — Samantha Moon, Zachary Ellis, Leah Peck, Birkely Richards and Leah Rogers — are drawing upon firsthand experiences for motivation to make a difference in West Virginia. Each has been awarded the competitive scholarship which provides $20,000 annually for up to three years.
West Virginia University supporters gave $260.7 million over the past year, making it the third highest year of giving in the University’s history. Their gifts will benefit education, health care and prosperity to make a positive impact across the Mountain State and beyond for years to come.
J. Wayne Richards will serve a two-year term as chairman of the West Virginia University Foundation Board of Directors. The 1981 mining engineering alumnus is president and CEO of GR Energy Services based in Sugar Land, Texas.