West Virginia University
Encyclopedia
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public
research university in Morgantown
, West Virginia
, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg
in Parkersburg
; West Virginia University Institute of Technology
in Montgomery
; Potomac State College of West Virginia University
in Keyser
; and a second clinical campus for the University's medical and dental schools at Charleston Area Medical Center
in Charleston
. Additionally, WVU Extension Service provides outreach with offices in all of West Virginia's 55 counties. Since 2001, WVU has been governed by the West Virginia University Board of Governors
.
Enrollment for the Fall 2010 semester was 29,306 for the main campus, while enrollment across all campuses totaled 32,251. The University offers 193 bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs
in 15 colleges.
WVU has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars
, including former WVU president David C. Hardesty Jr.. The University also has produced 30 Goldwater Scholars
, 19 Truman Scholars, five members of USA Today
's All-USA College Academic First Team, and two Morris K. Udall
Undergraduate Scholarship winners.
, the West Virginia Legislature created the
Agricultural College of West Virginia on February 7, 1867, and the school officially opened on September 2 of the same year.
On December 4, 1868, lawmakers re-named the college West Virginia
University to represent a broader range of higher education. The University was built on the grounds of three former academies, the
Monongalia Academy of 1814, the Morgantown Female Academy of 1831,
and Woodburn Female Seminary of 1858. Upon its founding, the local newspaper claimed
that "a place more eligible for the quiet and successful pursuit of science and literature
is nowhere to be found."
The first campus building was constructed in 1870 as University Hall, and was renamed Martin Hall in 1889
in honor of West Virginia University's first president, the Rev. Alexander Martin of Scotland
. After the Woodburn Seminary building was destroyed by fire in 1873, the centerpiece of what is
now Woodburn Hall was completed in 1876, under the name New Hall. The name was changed to University Building in 1878, when
the College of Law was founded as the first professional school in the state of West Virginia.
The precursor to Woodburn Circle
was finished in 1893 when Chitwood Hall (then Science Hall) was constructed on the bluff's
north side. At the turn of the 20th century, a north wing was added to University Building, and the facility was renamed
Woodburn Hall. Throughout the next decade, Woodburn Hall underwent several renovations and additions, including
the construction of the south wing and east tower housing the iconic Seth Thomas
clock. The three Woodburn Circle buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1974. In 1899, the Vance Farm
was acquired for the West Virginia University Experiment Station.
WVU was required to have a Cadet Corps under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1862. The United States War Department
offered military equipment to the University at no charge, forming the basis of the school's Military Tactics department.
The heavy military influence led to opposition of female enrollment that lasted through the first decade of the University. The trend changed in 1889, when ten women were allowed to enroll and seek degrees at the University. In June 1891, Harriet Lyon became the
first woman to receive a degree from West Virginia University, finishing first in the class ahead of all male students.
Lyon's academic success supported the acceptance of women in the University as students and educators.
During the University's early years, daily chapel services and roll call for all students were mandatory, limiting
time for student recreation. Following the removal of these obligations, students became active in extracurricular
activities and established many of the school's first athletic and student organizations. The first edition of the student newspaper known as the Athenaeum,
now The Daily Athenaeum, was published in 1887, and the West Virginia Law Review became the fourth oldest law review in the United States
when it was founded in 1894.Phi Kappa Psi
was the first Fraternity on campus, founded May 23, 1890
. while Kappa Delta, the first sorority at WVU, was established in 1899. The first football team was formed in
1891, and the first basketball team appeared in 1903.
in 1902.
The campus welcomed U.S. President William Taft
to campus for WVU President Thomas Hodges's inauguration in 1911. On November 2, 1911, President Taft delivered the address "World Wide Speech," from the front porch of Purinton House
. However, the University's efforts to
attract more qualified educators, increase enrollment, and expand the campus was hindered
during a period that saw two World Wars
and the Great Depression
. With a heavy military influence in the University, many students left college to join
the army during World War I
, and the local ROTC was organized in 1916. Women's involvement in the war efforts at home led to the creation of Women's Hall dormitory, now Stalnaker Hall
, in 1918.
Despite the wartime struggles, the
University was able to establish the disciplines of biology
, medicine
, journalism
, pharmacy
, and the first mining
program in the nation. In 1918, Oglebay Hall
was built to house the expanded agriculture
and forestry
programs. Additionally, the first dedicated sports facilities were constructed including "The Ark" for basketball in 1918,
and the original Mountaineer Field in 1925. Stansbury Hall was built in 1928 and included a new basketball arena named "The Fieldhouse" that held 6,000 spectators. Elizabeth Moore Hall
, the woman's physical education building, was also completed in 1928. Men's Hall
, the first dormitory built for men on campus, was built in 1935, and was funded in part by the Works Progress Administration
.
The Mountaineer mascot was adopted during the late 1920s, with an unofficial process to select the Mountaineer through 1936. An official selection process began
naming the mascot annually in 1937, with Boyd "Slim" Arnold becoming the first Mountaineer to wear the buckskin
uniform.
As male students left for World War II
in 1939, women became more prominent in the University and surpassed the number of males on campus for the first time in 1943.
Soldiers returning from the war qualified for the G.I. Bill and helped increase enrollment to over 8,000 students for the first time, but the University's facilities were becoming
inadequate to accommodate the surging student population.
led to the purchase of land for the Evansdale and Medical campuses. The growth of downtown Morgantown limited the space available
on the original campus; therefore, the new site was located nearly two miles north on what had been farmland. Beginning in the late 1950s the University
experienced the most rapid period of growth in its history. In 1957, WVU opened a Medical Center
on the new campus and founded the first school of dentistry in West Virginia. The basketball program reached a new level of success when the University
admitted future 14-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Fame player Jerry West
, who led the team to the national championship game in 1959. As enrollment approached 14,000 in the 1960s, the University continued expansion plans by building the Evansdale Residential Complex to house
approximately 1,800 students, the Mountainlair student union, and several engineering and creative arts facilities on the Evansdale campus. In 1970 the WVU Coliseum
, a new basketball facility with a
capacity of 14,000, opened near the new campus. As the facilities continued to expand, the University researched ways
to facilitate transportation of its growing student population across the split campuses and to solve its worsening traffic congestion. The resulting Personal Rapid Transit
system opened
in 1973 as the first automated rapid transit system in the world.
the downtown campus, the football stadium was closed, and the new Mountaineer Field was opened near the Medical campus
on September 6, 1980. After an eight million-dollar donation to the University, Ruby Memorial Hospital opened on the Medical campus in 1988,
providing the state's first level-one trauma center. Early the next year, the undefeated Mountaineer football team, led by Major Harris
, made it to the national championship game
before losing to Notre Dame
in the Fiesta Bowl
.
During the 1990s the University developed several recreational activities for students, including FallFest and WVU "Up All Night". While the programs were created to provide safe entertainment for students and to combat WVU's inclusion as one of the top party school
s, they also garnered national attention as solutions for reducing alcohol consumption and partying on college campuses across the country. In 2001 a 34 million-dollar, 177000 square feet (16,443.8 m²) recreation facility opened on
the Evansdale campus, providing students with exercise facilities, recreational activities, and personal training programs.
WVU reached a new level of athletic success during the first decade of the new millennium. The football team featured a 2-0 BCS bowl record, six consecutive bowl game appearances,
a #1 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll, three consecutive 11-win seasons amassing a 33-5 record, 41 consecutive weeks in the top 25, and 4 conference championships. The men's basketball team won the 2007 NIT Championship
and the 2010 Big East championship
, while appearing four times in the sweet sixteen, twice in the elite-eight, and once in the final-four of the NCAA tournament
. The athletic successes brought the University a new level of national exposure, and enrollment has since increased to nearly 30,000 students.
On April 24, 2008, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
reported that the university had improperly granted an MBA degree to Heather Bresch
, the daughter of the state's governor Joe Manchin
and an employee of Mylan, a pharmaceutical company whose then-chairman Milan Puskar was one of the University's largest donors. In the resulting aftermath, the University determined that Bresch's degree had been awarded without having the prerequisite requirements met and rescinded it, leading to the resignation of president Michael Garrison, provost Gerald Lang, and business school dean Steve Sears. Garrison had been profiled as a trend toward non-traditional university presidents by The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Inside Higher Ed, but the Faculty Senate approved a vote of no confidence in the search that selected him. C. Peter McGrath was named interim president in August 2008. James P. Clements became WVU's 23rd president on June 30, 2009. He previously served as provost at Towson University. On September 16, 2009 Michele G. Wheatly
was named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Eberly College of Arts of Sciences was officially established in 1895. It is home to many academic disciplines including: social and behavioral sciences, literature and the humanities, as well as mathematics and natural resources. It is the largest and most diverse college at WVU.
. The program is accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
and is the official library holdings repository for the International Association for Identification
. The program focuses on Forensic accounting
and fraud
, Forensic entomology
, Bloodstain pattern analysis
and Biological Evidence aging, Criminology
and Investigative Science, Dactylography and Fractal Analysis of Fingerprints, Forensic toxicology
, Forensic odontology, Computer forensics
and Database Research, and Forensic Textile Research. Forensic facilities include "crime-scene" houses and vehicles that can be altered and adapted to give students hands-on experience, as well as traditional laboratories and classrooms which are now housed in the recently renovated Ming Hsieh Hall adjacent to Oglebay Hall. A separate Criminology & Investigative Sciences major was later added.
Biometrics is an engineering-centric field of study offered at WVU, the first institution in the world to establish a bachelor of science
degree in Biometric Systems
. In 2003 the University also founded the initial chapter of the Student Society for the Advancement of Biometrics (SSAB). The program, located in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (LCSEE), provides a firm understanding of the underlying electrical engineering
and computer engineering
disciplines that support biometric applications. On February 6, 2008, WVU became the national academic leader for the FBI's biometric research.
WVU is also the founding site for the Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR), focusing on biometrics and identification technology
. The university maintains and develops collaborative relationships with other academic institutions to meet research needs.
The Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center is located on West Virginia University’s Evansdale Campus and houses the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. These schools grant doctoral and professional degrees in 16 different fields, as well as a variety of other Master's
and Bachelor's
degrees. For 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked WVU’s Medical School ninth overall in the nation for rural medicine.
Also located on the Health Sciences Campus is WVU's local teaching hospital, Ruby Memorial Hospital, which is one of only two designated Trauma I hospitals in the state and has also been designated a magnet hospital for its ability to attract and retain high quality nursing staff.
. The Downtown Campus comprises several architectural styles predominantly featuring red brick including Victorian Second Empire, Federal, Neoclassical, and Collegiate Gothic among others. The Evansdale Campus, a mile and a half north-northwest, on a rise above the flood plain of the Monongahela River
, was developed in the 1950s and 1960s to accommodate a growing student population, since space for expansion was limited at the Downtown Campus. The Health Sciences Campus, in the same outlying area (but on the other side of a ridge), includes the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, the Erma Byrd Biomedical Research Facility, Ruby Memorial Hospital, Chestnut Ridge Hospital, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, WVU Healthcare Physicians Office Center, Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, WVU Eye Institute, and the WVU Children's Hospital.
The Health Sciences Campus is located near Mountaineer Field
, over a ridge from the Evansdale Campus.
The West Virginia University Jackson's Mill Center for Lifelong Learning
is located near Weston, West Virginia
at Jackson's Mill
.
The Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system was built to link WVU's distributed campuses (Downtown, Evansdale, and Health Sciences) and to reduce student traffic on local highways. Boeing
began construction on the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in 1972. The unique aspect that makes the system "personal" is that a rider specifies their destination when entering the system and, depending on system load, the PRT can dispatch a car that will travel directly to that station.
WVU students, faculty and staff ride by paying a per-semester fee; they swipe their magnetically-encoded ID cards through the turnstiles when entering the stations. Others pay a cash fare of $0.50. The PRT began operation in 1973, with U.S. President Richard Nixon
's daughter, Tricia, aboard one of five prototype cars for a demonstration ride. The PRT handles 16,000 riders per day (as of 2005) and uses approximately 70 cars.
The system has 8.7 miles (14 km) of guideway track and five stations: Walnut, Beechurst, Engineering, Towers, and Medical/Health Sciences. The vehicles are rubber-tired, but the cars have constant contact with a separate electrified rail. Steam
heating keeps the elevated guideway free of snow and ice. Although most students use the PRT, this technology has not been replicated at other sites for various reasons, including the high cost of maintaining the heated track system in winter.
The PRT cars are painted in the school colors (blue with gold trim) and feature the University name and logo on the front. Inside, the seats are light beige fiberglass
and the carpeting is blue. Each car has eight seats with an overall capacity of 20 people, including standing room.
The National Society of Professional Engineers
named the WVU PRT
one of the top 10 engineering achievements of 1972, and in 1997 The New Electric Railway Journal
picked the WVU PRT as the best people mover
in North America (for 1996).
In 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
dubbed WVU one of the best workplaces for commuters.
Each autumn, during Mountaineer Week celebrations, a special PRT car is placed in front of the Mountainlair
student union
where groups of students participate in the "PRT Cram" with the objective of squeezing in as many people as possible. A record of 97 was set in 2000.
Busses and shuttles operated by the University can be utilized (during limited hours) in addition to the community's Mountain Line, which operates every day into the early morning. Students can use their Mountaineer Card to ride the Mountain Line bus for free.
The Health Science Center also operates a shuttle service to help students, visitors and patients to get to and from the Health Science Center campus. Many non-University, private student housing communities in the area also operate a shuttle to campus/town and back to the housing community.
, Evansdale Library, Health Sciences Library, and the Law Library. Collections include the Appalachian Collection, Digital Collections, Government Documents, Map Collection, Myers Collection, Patent and Trademarks, Rare Books Collections, and Theses and Dissertations. West Virginia University libraries contain nearly 1.5 million printed volumes, 2.3 million microforms, more than 10,000 electronic journals, and computers with high speed Internet access.
In addition, the West Virginia and Regional History Collection
, the world's largest collection of West Virginia related research material, is in the Wise Library on the Downtown Campus. According to the university, the collection includes over 4,500,000 manuscript
documents, 30,000 books, 15,000 pamphlets, 1,200 newspapers, 100,000 photographs and prints, 5,000 maps, and 25,000 microfilms, oral histories, films and folk music
recordings. It is often called simply the "West Virginia Collection."
In 2007, the Princeton Review ranked West Virginia University libraries 5th best of 366 college libraries surveyed.
The university co-publishes, with the United Association for Labor Education
, Labor Studies Journal
.
. The study was largely based on the safety of dorm facilities, emergency preparedness, and security/police staff. The University
created WVU Alert, a text-based alert system for quickly disseminating emergency situations to faculty and students. There are 37 blue-lit towers housing emergency phones across the WVU campuses.
entertainment and musical performances after the first day of classes at the Mountainlair Student Union
. The event was established in 1995 to provide a safe alternative to partying and
has since become one of the largest University-sponsored events,
typically drawing crowds of 15,000 or more. The celebration has been highlighted by a series of evening concerts performed by renowned artists on the Mountainlair green, including Akon
, The Black Eyed Peas
, Common, Cypress Hill
, Dashboard Confessional
, Daughtry, Fuel
, John Legend
, Kanye West
, Kris Allen
, Ludacris
, Maroon 5
, Mos Def
, O.A.R.
, The Roots
, Staind
, Third Eye Blind
, Wyclef Jean
, and 3 Doors Down
. A dance party, film festival, comedy show, and several indoor musical performances
are traditionally featured as well.
Mountaineer Week is a celebration of WVU tradition and Appalachian
heritage
that began in 1947. Festivities have expanded over the years to include
competitions among WVU students, designed to honor school and state pride.
A beard growing competition was introduced in 1949 that has continued throughout the event's
history. Participants must shave before the panel of judges that also chooses the winner at
the end of the competition. The Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer competition has been included in Mountaineer Week since 1962,
honoring one male and one female student who show outstanding school spirit, academic
excellence, and extracurricular involvement. The annual PRT Cram features the unique PRT system
, where students compete to fit the maximum number of riders on a special-model PRT car with the windows removed. The record was set in 2000, when 97 students fit inside one PRT car.
Mountaineer Idol, a University version of the hit show American Idol
,
is a relatively new event that begins during Mountaineer Week in September and extends
through November. Any WVU student is eligible to enter the competition, which is scored by a panel
of guest judges throughout the fall semester.
The Lighting of Woodburn Hall is an annual University ceremony held in early December to light historic Woodburn Hall
for the holiday season. The event began in 1987 and is open to the public. Christmas
carols are typically sung, and donations are taken at the event to support community organizations. Patients from
WVU's Children's hospital
are often selected to light Woodburn Hall during
the ceremony.
Fall Family Weekend is an opportunity for students' family members to experience WVU campus life by attending
classes, athletic events, college presentations, and student events such as WVU "Up All Night".
Tours of the campus facilities are offered by individual colleges and organizations,
including tours of the PRT.
Homecoming at West Virginia involves a home football game and a weekend of pageantry. Activities include
the Alumni Band-led homecoming parade through downtown Morgantown, crowning of the
royalty, the football game, and a performance by the WVU Alumni band
during the pre-game show. Student organizations participate in the parade by
designing floats, and various receptions are held by colleges, student groups, and the
alumni center throughout the weekend.
Greek Week is held during the spring semester, providing a venue for competition between
Greek organizations. Highlights include airband events, where organizations compete
in cheerleading
and dance routines, and sports competitions on the Mountainlair recreational
field. The competitions strive to highlight WVU's student spirit and present a positive image
of the fraternities and sororities.
The Mountainlair Student Union
, commonly called "the Lair" by students, is the three-floor student union
building at WVU. The current building dates to 1968 and replaced an earlier structure built in 1948. The student union offers many recreational opportunities to students including a movie theater
,
bowling alley, pool hall
, ballroom
s, video game arcade
, a cafeteria style restaurant,
and a collection of fast food restaurants.
WVU "Up All Night" is a program designed to provide a safe environment for WVU students to socialize during weekends.
The Mountainlair has hosted "Up All Night" every Thursday through Saturday during the fall and spring semesters since 1998.
The University provides free food and beverages, and entertainment
such as movie screenings at the Gluck Theater, laser tag, game shows, astro bowling, comedy caravans, and casino night. The program
has garnered attention from other universities, and WVU administration have been asked to speak about its success at national conferences.
Administrators estimate the program's cost at $350,000 annually.
The Student Recreation Center is a 177000 square feet (16,443.8 m²) recreation facility that opened before the 2001 academic year with an initial
construction cost of $34 million. The facility offers a six-lane swimming pool, 20-seat Jacuzzi,
17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of cardio and free-weight equipment, an elevated running track, basketball courts,
volleyball and badminton courts, glass squash and racquetball courts, and a 50 feet (15.2 m) climbing wall.
The center also offers a variety of wellness programs, personal training, child care services, exercise classes, and intramural activities.
The Mountaineer Adventure Program (MAP) offers several activities including Adventure WV, Challenge Course,
and International Trips. Adventure WV is focused on providing guidance to freshmen and sophomores through various outdoor orientation expeditions.
The Challenge Course program utilizes a recreational facility designed to teach teamwork and problem solving skills through physical interaction.
International Trips offers world-wide recreational opportunities to places like Fiji
and Peru
, as well as study abroad credit courses. Several
of the MAP programs provide University-accepted credit hours.
The Outdoor Recreation Center is a division of the Student Recreation Center, and facilitates students in finding recreational activities locally
and in other areas of West Virginia. Some trips are sponsored by the center including whitewater rafting on the Cheat River
and hiking in the Monongahela National Forest
.
Due to the proximity of WVU's campus to West Virginia's natural wilderness students can rent outdoor recreational equipment for hiking
, camping
,
climbing
, fishing
, biking, skiing
, and whitewater rafting
, all of which is available with minimal travel time.
The main campus of WVU is situated adjacent to the Monongahela River
along which runs the Caperton Trail, a 10 miles (16.1 km) paved path
for walking, running, or biking. Other connecting trails total 43 miles (69.2 km) in additional length, extending from the Pennsylvania
border to Prickett's Fort State Park
. Many student groups take day trips to
the nearby Coopers Rock State Forest
, which is less than 15 miles (24.1 km) from WVU's campus.
Many of the organizations are associated with academia, religion, culture, military
service, politics, recreation, or sports.
New student groups may be formed by submitting a constitution and petition to
become recognized as a student organization. Descriptions of the larger student
groups are listed below.
Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the voice of the student body
and is the direct liaison to the University administration. SGA members represent
the student interest in University affairs, enacting resolutions to improve student
and campus life at WVU.
The organization leadership is composed of the President and Vice President acting
as an executive body, the Board of Governors representing a legislative branch,
and the Athletic Council. Other positions include the Attorney General, Treasurer,
Secretary, Off-Campus Housing Director, Public Relations Chair, Elections Chair,
and the Executive Director of the Maniacs. All leadership positions are selected
from an open, campus-wide election every spring semester.
Mountaineer Maniacs is the largest student-run organization on campus,
and the official WVU student section for all athletic events. The demand for membership
caused the University to limit enrollment to 3,000 students.
The group was founded to promote sportsmanship, increase athletic team awareness, and preserve Mountaineer
traditions.
Society of Women Engineers
(SWE) encourages the advancement of women in the field of
engineering as students, professionals, and leaders. Additionally, SWE strives to help
women reach their potential as engineers in the classroom and the workplace. The organization
also sponsors events to showcase the field of engineering to young girls including the
Girl Scouts
.
There are 16 fraternities and 8 sororities recognized by WVU.
Fraternities belonging to the Inter-Fraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Conference
include
Alpha Gamma Rho
, Beta Theta Pi
, Kappa Alpha Order
, Kappa Sigma
, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
,
Phi Delta Theta
, Phi Kappa Psi
, Phi Sigma Kappa
, Pi Kappa Alpha
, Pi Kappa Phi
, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
,
Sigma Alpha Mu
, Sigma Chi
, Sigma Nu
, Tau Kappa Epsilon
, and Theta Chi
. Sororities belonging to the National Panhellenic
Conference include Alpha Omicron Pi
, Alpha Phi
, Alpha Xi Delta
, Chi Omega
, Delta Gamma
, Kappa Kappa Gamma
,
Pi Beta Phi
, and Sigma Kappa
. Zeta Delta Phi is also on campus but is not recognized by Panhellenic.
Recently, the University began purchasing some of the fraternity houses near campus, which is a beginning step in a multi-year plan that eventually will leave the University in control of many of the Greek organizations. The Greek organizations who are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their houses according to Morgantown City Code are getting the repairs and financial support they need. In return, the University is able to govern their behavior.
Virginia. Offered free on campus, it generates income through advertisements and student fees.
The paper began in 1887 as a weekly literary magazine
, with writing, editing and
production taken over by the newly formed School of Journalism in the 1920s. In 1970,
the paper split from the School of Journalism and became an independent campus entity
governed by the Student Publications Board. The DA was voted as the Princeton Review's
10th-best college newspaper in the United States in 2005, 15th in 2006, and 8th in 2007. The Daily Athenaeum is an affiliate of UWIRE, which distributes and promotes its
content to their network.
The Mountaineer Jeffersonian is an independent news, economic, and political journal
founded by students. Like the DA, it is provided free at multiple locations throughout
campus and the Morgantown area. Advertising revenue and private donations are its only source
of income. The publication was founded in October 2008 with support from the Leadership Institute
and the Collegiate Network
and is a continued affiliate of both organizations. Originally printed
once a month, it became a weekly publication in 2009. It became a member of the West Virginia Press
Association in 2009.
WWVU-FM
, called U92 or The Moose, plays new music, talk shows, and newscasts.
On the air since 1982, U92 can be heard in the Morgantown area at 91.7 FM and also
streams live on the internet. In 2007, the station was one of four college radio stations
nominated for College Music Journal's Station of the Year Award.
The Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services offers therapy to any WVU student.
The Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center and the associated West Virginia University Hospitals, located on the Health Science Campus, serve as West Virginia's largest
healthcare institution. The hospitals provide a comprehensive set of healthcare needs for local and regional patients. WVU students are provided with full access to the healthcare resources,
which are accessible from the PRT medical station.
musicians, comedians, and other performers. WVU A&E annually hosts several concerts at the WVU Coliseum
and Creative Arts Center, with past performances by Akon
,
The All-American Rejects
, The Fray
, Kelly Clarkson
, Ludacris
, Maroon 5
, Reba McEntire
, Willie Nelson
and 50 Cent
among others.
The West Virginia Public Theater (WVPT) is one of two professional musical theaters in West Virginia. The group is located near WVU's campus and performs several Broadway numbers yearly.
The Art Museum of West Virginia University is under construction on the Evansdale Campus next to the college of Creative Arts.
The completed 5300 square feet (492.4 m²) facility will feature touring exhibitions of at least 2,500 works of art from the Appalachian region,
Asia, and Africa.
's Division I. The school has teams in 17 college sports and has won several national championships, including 14 NCAA Rifle Championships as of 2009. Although the Mountaineers are currently full members of the Big East Conference
in all sports, on October 28, 2011, the school accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference
, ostensibly beginning with the 2012 season. However, the actual start date of West Virginia University's departure from the Big East and inclusion in the Big 12 is currently being decided in court.
Notable athletes from West Virginia University include Stan "The Man" Boskovich, Jerry West
, Jim Braxton
, Marc Bulger
, Avon Cobourne
, Mike Compton, Noel Devine
, Cecil Doggette
, Mike Gansey
, Major Harris
, Chris Henry, Joe Herber
, Jeff Hostetler
, Chuck Howley
, Sam Huff
, Darryl Talley
, "Hot Rod" Hundley
, Adam "Pacman" Jones, Joe Stydahar
, Dan Mozes
, Kevin Pittsnogle
, Jerry Porter, Todd Sauerbrun
, Steve Slaton
, Rod Thorn, Mike Vanderjagt
, Pat White, Quincy Wilson
, Amos Zereoue
, Greg Jones
, Joe Alexander
, Owen Schmitt
, and Georgann Wells, the first female player to register a dunk in a collegiate basketball game.
The 2005 season
and the 2006 season
produced the first consecutive 11-win seasons in school history. In the 2007 season
, the Mountaineers started the season as the #3-ranked team, the highest preseason ranking in school history. That team eventually was ranked #1 in the Coaches Poll, and finished the season with a third consecutive 11-win season after their Fiesta Bowl
victory.
, the 1942 NIT
final (at that time, the NIT was considered more prestigious than the NCAA), and the 2007 NIT Championship
. They lost 71–70 to California
in the 1959 final NCAA finals, while the Mountaineers won the 1942 NIT Championship
47–45 over Western Kentucky
, and the 2007 NIT
contest over Clemson
78–72 in a rebuilding season. In 1949, future Mountaineers head coach, Fred Schaus
, became the first player in NCAA history to record 1,000 points.
West Virginia most recently reached the Final Four of the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
, led by West Virginia coach and former WVU player Bob Huggins
. The Mountaineers are the current Big East Conference champions, and received a #2 seed in the East Region of the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
.
passionately support West Virginia University and its athletics teams.
Men's basketball head coach Bob Huggins
, a former Mountaineer basketball player who was born in Morgantown, stated that the "strong bond between the university and the people of West Virginia" is a relationship that is difficult for non-natives to understand. Former basketball player Da'Sean Butler
cited the fan support as a factor in his decision to play for WVU, saying "everybody loves our school to death" in reference
to the fan base in West Virginia.
West Virginia fans have also been recognized for their hospitality. In the first football game played
by the University of Connecticut
following the death of Jasper Howard
, a banner
displayed at Mountaineer Field in the Connecticut entrance tunnel read "Today we are all Huskies". Connecticut
fans described the warmth of the environment as impressive, citing the number of WVU fans
who offered condolences. In a letter to WVU, then UConn head football coach Randy Edsall
wrote:
The Mountaineer Maniacs is the largest student-run organization on campus,
and the official WVU student section for all athletic events. The group was founded
to promote sportsmanship, increase athletic team awareness, and preserve Mountaineer
traditions.
Some WVU fans, primarily in the student sections, have developed a reputation for unruly behavior, being compared to "soccer hooligans"
by GQ magazine.
At some events, there have been cases of objects thrown onto the field or at opposing teams.
There were previously also issues with small-scale fires, most notably of couches, being set after games; over 1,100 intentionally-ignited street fires were reported from 1997 to 2003.
The "Flying WV" is the most widely used logo in West Virginia athletics. It debuted in 1980 as a part of a football uniform redesign by Coach Don Nehlen
, and was adopted as the official logo for the University in 1983.
While the "Flying WV" represents all university entities, unique logos are occasionally used for individual departments. Some examples include the script West Virginia logo for the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and the interlocking WV logo used in baseball.
Fight songs of West Virginia University include "Hail, West Virginia
" and "Fight Mountaineers." However, the fan response to John Denver
's "Country Roads
" has made it the unofficial song of the university and the state of West Virginia.
The West Virginia University Alma Mater
was composed in 1937, and is sung before every home football game. The crowd sings along as the WVU Marching Band stands playing it on the field, as part of the pre-game show.
Old gold and blue, the official University colors, were selected by the upperclassmen of 1890 from the West Virginia state seal. While the official school colors are old gold and blue, a brighter gold is used in official university logos and merchandise.
This change in color scheme is often cited for the lack of a universal standard for colors during 19th century when the university's colors were selected. Additionally, the brighter gold is argued to create a more intimidating environment for sporting events.
The university accepts "gold and blue" for the color scheme, but states clearly that the colors are not "blue and gold", to distinguish West Virginia from its rival school the University of Pittsburgh
.
performed his
hit song "Take Me Home, Country Roads
" at the dedication of Mountaineer Field, and it has since become
tradition for fans to remain in the stands following every Mountaineer
victory
and sing the song with the players. Although the tradition originated during
football games, it is now recognized throughout the University,
with the song being performed at various athletic events and ceremonies. Sports Illustrated
named the singing of "Country Roads" as one of the must-see
college traditions.
The Pride of West Virginia
is the official marching band of the University. The
band's football pre-game show includes traditions such as the Drumline's "Tunnel" and "Boogie" cadences, the 220-beat per minute run-on cadence to start the performance, marching the "WV" logo down field to the University fight song, "Fight Mountaineers," expanding circles during Simple Gifts
, and the formation of the state's outline during "Hail, West Virginia
".
The Firing of the Rifle is a tradition carried out by the Mountaineer Mascot to open several athletic events.
The Mountaineer points the gun into the air with one arm and fires a blank shot from a custom rifle,
a signal to the crowd to begin cheering at home football and basketball games. The Mountaineer also fires the rifle every time the team scores during football games.
The Carpet roll is a WVU Men's Basketball
tradition. In 1955, Fred Schaus and Alex Mumford devised the idea of rolling out an elaborate gold and blue carpet for
Mountaineer basketball players to use when taking the court for pre-game warm-ups. In addition, Mountaineer players warmed up with a special gold and blue basketball.
The University continued this tradition until the late 1960s when it died out, but former Mountaineer player Gale Catlett reintroduced the carpet when he returned to
West Virginia University in 1978 as head coach of the men's basketball team.
Notable alumni include NBA logo and hall-of-fame
NBA player Jerry West
, five-time Emmy Award-winning American actor Don Knotts
, American film director Antoine Fuqua
, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and U.S. European Commander
Bantz J. Craddock
, youngest General in U.S. Marines history Earl E. Anderson
, President Emeritus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Charles M. Vest, President and CEO of Cisco Systems
John Chambers
, former West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin
, present West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
, and journalist Michael Tomasky
.
Public university
A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities. A national university may or may not be considered a public university, depending on regions...
research university in Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a public college located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States. It is a stand-alone college with its own board of governors and degree granting authority, separate from WVU. Conceived as a community college to serve seven counties in west central...
in Parkersburg
Parkersburg, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,099 people, 14,467 households, and 8,767 families residing in the city. In 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Parkersburg's population had decreased 4.4% to 31,755. The population density was 2,800.5 people per square mile . There were 16,100 housing...
; West Virginia University Institute of Technology
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a four-year college located in Montgomery, West Virginia, United States. It is the largest regional campus of West Virginia University and is separately accredited from the main campus of WVU in Morgantown...
in Montgomery
Montgomery, West Virginia
Montgomery is a city in West Virginia, along the Kanawha River. Most of the city is in Fayette County, with the remainder in Kanawha County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,942 ....
; Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a two-year junior college affiliated as a division of West Virginia University. West Virginia's only residential junior college, it is located in Keyser, approximately away from WVU's main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States...
in Keyser
Keyser, West Virginia
Keyser is a city in and the county seat of Mineral County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,303 at the 2000 census.- History :...
; and a second clinical campus for the University's medical and dental schools at Charleston Area Medical Center
Charleston Area Medical Center
Charleston Area Medical Center is the name of a complex of hospitals in Charleston, West Virginia, formed via a merger of previously independent facilities. It is the state's largest hospital....
in Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
. Additionally, WVU Extension Service provides outreach with offices in all of West Virginia's 55 counties. Since 2001, WVU has been governed by the West Virginia University Board of Governors
Board of governors
Board of governors is a term sometimes applied to the board of directors of a public entity or non-profit organization.Many public institutions, such as public universities, are government-owned corporations. The British Broadcasting Corporation was managed by a board of governors, though this role...
.
Enrollment for the Fall 2010 semester was 29,306 for the main campus, while enrollment across all campuses totaled 32,251. The University offers 193 bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs
in 15 colleges.
WVU has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford. It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships, and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as...
, including former WVU president David C. Hardesty Jr.. The University also has produced 30 Goldwater Scholars
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by the United States Congress in 1986 in honor of former United States Senator and 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, a Republican from Arizona...
, 19 Truman Scholars, five members of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
's All-USA College Academic First Team, and two Morris K. Udall
Mo Udall
Morris King "Mo" Udall was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Arizona from May 2, 1961 to May 4, 1991...
Undergraduate Scholarship winners.
History
Founding the University
Under the terms of the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Colleges ActMorrill Land-Grant Colleges Act
The Morrill Land-Grant Acts are United States statutes that allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges, including the Morrill Act of 1862 and the Morrill Act of 1890 -Passage of original bill:...
, the West Virginia Legislature created the
Agricultural College of West Virginia on February 7, 1867, and the school officially opened on September 2 of the same year.
On December 4, 1868, lawmakers re-named the college West Virginia
University to represent a broader range of higher education. The University was built on the grounds of three former academies, the
Monongalia Academy of 1814, the Morgantown Female Academy of 1831,
and Woodburn Female Seminary of 1858. Upon its founding, the local newspaper claimed
that "a place more eligible for the quiet and successful pursuit of science and literature
is nowhere to be found."
The first campus building was constructed in 1870 as University Hall, and was renamed Martin Hall in 1889
in honor of West Virginia University's first president, the Rev. Alexander Martin of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. After the Woodburn Seminary building was destroyed by fire in 1873, the centerpiece of what is
now Woodburn Hall was completed in 1876, under the name New Hall. The name was changed to University Building in 1878, when
the College of Law was founded as the first professional school in the state of West Virginia.
The precursor to Woodburn Circle
Woodburn Circle
Woodburn Circle, also known as W.V.U. Quadrangle, is a historic quadrangle associated with the West Virginia University and located at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. It consists of three buildings built in 1870, 1876, and 1893...
was finished in 1893 when Chitwood Hall (then Science Hall) was constructed on the bluff's
north side. At the turn of the 20th century, a north wing was added to University Building, and the facility was renamed
Woodburn Hall. Throughout the next decade, Woodburn Hall underwent several renovations and additions, including
the construction of the south wing and east tower housing the iconic Seth Thomas
Seth Thomas (clockmaker)
Seth Thomas was an American clock maker and a pioneer of mass production at his Seth Thomas Clock Company.-Biography:Thomas was born in Wolcott, Connecticut, in 1785. He started in the clock business in 1807, working for clockmaker Eli Terry...
clock. The three Woodburn Circle buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1974. In 1899, the Vance Farm
Vance Farmhouse
Vance Farmhouse, also known as Meeks Farmhouse, Dean's House, and Bicentennial House, is a historic home located on a West Virginia University farm at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. The original section was built about 1854, and is a two story, I house form brick dwelling...
was acquired for the West Virginia University Experiment Station.
WVU was required to have a Cadet Corps under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1862. The United States War Department
offered military equipment to the University at no charge, forming the basis of the school's Military Tactics department.
The heavy military influence led to opposition of female enrollment that lasted through the first decade of the University. The trend changed in 1889, when ten women were allowed to enroll and seek degrees at the University. In June 1891, Harriet Lyon became the
first woman to receive a degree from West Virginia University, finishing first in the class ahead of all male students.
Lyon's academic success supported the acceptance of women in the University as students and educators.
During the University's early years, daily chapel services and roll call for all students were mandatory, limiting
time for student recreation. Following the removal of these obligations, students became active in extracurricular
activities and established many of the school's first athletic and student organizations. The first edition of the student newspaper known as the Athenaeum,
now The Daily Athenaeum, was published in 1887, and the West Virginia Law Review became the fourth oldest law review in the United States
when it was founded in 1894.Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi is an American collegiate social fraternity founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1852. There are over a hundred chapters and colonies at accredited four year colleges and universities throughout the United States. More than 112,000 men have been...
was the first Fraternity on campus, founded May 23, 1890
. while Kappa Delta, the first sorority at WVU, was established in 1899. The first football team was formed in
1891, and the first basketball team appeared in 1903.
Early 20th century
The University's outlook at the turn of the century was optimistic, as the school constructed the first library in present-day Stewart HallStewart Hall
John Stewart Hall, better known as Stewart Hall, is an association football coach.-Career:Hall was the director of the Birmingham City F.C. youth academy and went on to manage the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national football team and Indian club Pune FC...
in 1902.
The campus welcomed U.S. President William Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
to campus for WVU President Thomas Hodges's inauguration in 1911. On November 2, 1911, President Taft delivered the address "World Wide Speech," from the front porch of Purinton House
Purinton House
Purinton House is a historic home associated with the West Virginia University and located at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. It was built in 1904, and is a 2 1/2 story masonry dwelling with Classical Revival and Colonial Revival style features. It features a large wraparound porch...
. However, the University's efforts to
attract more qualified educators, increase enrollment, and expand the campus was hindered
during a period that saw two World Wars
World war
A world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's most powerful and populous nations. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theaters....
and the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. With a heavy military influence in the University, many students left college to join
the army during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and the local ROTC was organized in 1916. Women's involvement in the war efforts at home led to the creation of Women's Hall dormitory, now Stalnaker Hall
Stalnaker Hall
Stalnaker Hall, also known as Woman's Hall, is a historic dormitory building associated with the West Virginia University and located at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. It was built in 1918, and is a three-story, brick building on a high basement with Classical Revival detailing....
, in 1918.
Despite the wartime struggles, the
University was able to establish the disciplines of biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
, and the first mining
Mining engineering
Mining engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the practice, the theory, the science, the technology, and application of extracting and processing minerals from a naturally occurring environment. Mining engineering also includes processing minerals for additional value.Mineral...
program in the nation. In 1918, Oglebay Hall
Oglebay Hall
Oglebay Hall is a historic classroom building associated with the West Virginia University and located at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. It was built in 1918, and is a three-story, brick and concrete building with Classical Revival detailing...
was built to house the expanded agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
programs. Additionally, the first dedicated sports facilities were constructed including "The Ark" for basketball in 1918,
and the original Mountaineer Field in 1925. Stansbury Hall was built in 1928 and included a new basketball arena named "The Fieldhouse" that held 6,000 spectators. Elizabeth Moore Hall
Elizabeth Moore Hall
Elizabeth Moore Hall is a historic woman's physical education building associated with the West Virginia University and located at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. It was built between 1926 and 1928, and is a three-story, red brick building with Georgian Revival detailing. An addition...
, the woman's physical education building, was also completed in 1928. Men's Hall
Men's Hall
Men's Hall, also known as Boreman Hall South, is a historic dormitory associated with the West Virginia University and located at Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia. It was built in 1935, and is a five-story, "E"-shaped red brick building with Classical Revival detailing. It sits on a...
, the first dormitory built for men on campus, was built in 1935, and was funded in part by the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
.
The Mountaineer mascot was adopted during the late 1920s, with an unofficial process to select the Mountaineer through 1936. An official selection process began
naming the mascot annually in 1937, with Boyd "Slim" Arnold becoming the first Mountaineer to wear the buckskin
Buckskins
Buckskins are clothing, usually consisting of a jacket and leggings, made from buckskin, a soft sueded leather from the hide of deer or elk. Buckskins are often trimmed with a fringe — originally a functional detail, to allow the garment to dry faster when it was soaking wet because the fringe...
uniform.
As male students left for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1939, women became more prominent in the University and surpassed the number of males on campus for the first time in 1943.
Soldiers returning from the war qualified for the G.I. Bill and helped increase enrollment to over 8,000 students for the first time, but the University's facilities were becoming
inadequate to accommodate the surging student population.
A campus divided
Preparation for the baby boomer generation and plans for curriculum expansionled to the purchase of land for the Evansdale and Medical campuses. The growth of downtown Morgantown limited the space available
on the original campus; therefore, the new site was located nearly two miles north on what had been farmland. Beginning in the late 1950s the University
experienced the most rapid period of growth in its history. In 1957, WVU opened a Medical Center
on the new campus and founded the first school of dentistry in West Virginia. The basketball program reached a new level of success when the University
admitted future 14-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Fame player Jerry West
Jerry West
Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr...
, who led the team to the national championship game in 1959. As enrollment approached 14,000 in the 1960s, the University continued expansion plans by building the Evansdale Residential Complex to house
approximately 1,800 students, the Mountainlair student union, and several engineering and creative arts facilities on the Evansdale campus. In 1970 the WVU Coliseum
WVU Coliseum
The WVU Coliseum is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose arena which is located in the Evansdale campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. The circular arena features a poured concrete roof....
, a new basketball facility with a
capacity of 14,000, opened near the new campus. As the facilities continued to expand, the University researched ways
to facilitate transportation of its growing student population across the split campuses and to solve its worsening traffic congestion. The resulting Personal Rapid Transit
Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit
The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system is a one-of-a-kind people mover system in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States...
system opened
in 1973 as the first automated rapid transit system in the world.
A new era
The student population continued to grow in the late 1970s, reaching 22,000. With no room for growth onthe downtown campus, the football stadium was closed, and the new Mountaineer Field was opened near the Medical campus
on September 6, 1980. After an eight million-dollar donation to the University, Ruby Memorial Hospital opened on the Medical campus in 1988,
providing the state's first level-one trauma center. Early the next year, the undefeated Mountaineer football team, led by Major Harris
Major Harris
Major Harris is a former college football quarterback for West Virginia University during the 1980s. Harris was a 1989 All American and finished third and fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988 and 1989, respectively. He was also the ECAC Player of the Year in 1988 and 1989...
, made it to the national championship game
before losing to Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in the Fiesta Bowl
1989 Fiesta Bowl
The 1989 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, played on January 2, 1989, was the 18th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the West Virginia Mountaineers....
.
During the 1990s the University developed several recreational activities for students, including FallFest and WVU "Up All Night". While the programs were created to provide safe entertainment for students and to combat WVU's inclusion as one of the top party school
Party school
A party school is a college or university that has a reputation for heavy alcohol and drug use or a general culture of licentiousness. The best-known list of alleged party schools is published annually by The Princeton Review. The magazine Playboy also releases a list of party schools on an...
s, they also garnered national attention as solutions for reducing alcohol consumption and partying on college campuses across the country. In 2001 a 34 million-dollar, 177000 square feet (16,443.8 m²) recreation facility opened on
the Evansdale campus, providing students with exercise facilities, recreational activities, and personal training programs.
WVU reached a new level of athletic success during the first decade of the new millennium. The football team featured a 2-0 BCS bowl record, six consecutive bowl game appearances,
a #1 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll, three consecutive 11-win seasons amassing a 33-5 record, 41 consecutive weeks in the top 25, and 4 conference championships. The men's basketball team won the 2007 NIT Championship
2007 National Invitation Tournament
The 2007 National Invitation Tournament was a single-elimination tournament of 32 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams which did not participate in the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
and the 2010 Big East championship
2010 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
-Championship Game:-See also:*2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season*Big East Men's Basketball Tournament*2009–10 Big East Conference men's basketball season*2010 Big East Women's Basketball Tournament- External links :*...
, while appearing four times in the sweet sixteen, twice in the elite-eight, and once in the final-four of the NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. The athletic successes brought the University a new level of national exposure, and enrollment has since increased to nearly 30,000 students.
On April 24, 2008, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
reported that the university had improperly granted an MBA degree to Heather Bresch
Heather Bresch
Heather Bresch is president of Mylan, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based pharmaceutical corporation that describes itself as the third largest generic pharmaceutical company in the world. Previous roles included serving as Mylan's chief operating officer, head of North American operations and chief...
, the daughter of the state's governor Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin
Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010...
and an employee of Mylan, a pharmaceutical company whose then-chairman Milan Puskar was one of the University's largest donors. In the resulting aftermath, the University determined that Bresch's degree had been awarded without having the prerequisite requirements met and rescinded it, leading to the resignation of president Michael Garrison, provost Gerald Lang, and business school dean Steve Sears. Garrison had been profiled as a trend toward non-traditional university presidents by The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Inside Higher Ed, but the Faculty Senate approved a vote of no confidence in the search that selected him. C. Peter McGrath was named interim president in August 2008. James P. Clements became WVU's 23rd president on June 30, 2009. He previously served as provost at Towson University. On September 16, 2009 Michele G. Wheatly
Michele G. Wheatly
Michele G. Wheatly is the provost of West Virginia University Earlier she has been the dean of college of science and mathematics, Wright State University, Ohio since 2002 On September 16, 2009, she was named Provost at West Virginia University...
was named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Academics
WVU is designated as a Research University (High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Funding from external sources for total sponsored programs is $174 million. WVU is affiliated with the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, dedicated to the study of Alzheimer's and other diseases that affect the brain. WVU is also a leader in biometric technology research and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's lead academic partner in biometrics research. According to a survey by the Wall Street Journal, employers ranked West Virginia University in the top 45 and WVU's Engineering program 23rd nationally for producing graduates best qualified to enter the workforce.Colleges and schools
West Virginia University is organized into 15 degree-granting colleges or schools and also offers an Honors College.- Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, & Consumer Sciences
- Eberly College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Business & Economics
- College of Creative Arts
- College of Engineering & Mineral Resources
- College of Human Resources & Education
- Perley Isaac Reed School of JournalismPerley Isaac Reed School of JournalismThe Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism is one of the sixteen colleges and schools at West Virginia University, located in Morgantown, West Virginia. It is currently housed in Martin Hall.-History:...
- West Virginia University College of LawWest Virginia University College of LawThe West Virginia University College of Law is the professional school for the study of law at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. The law school was established in 1878 as the first professional school in the state of West Virginia...
- West Virginia University School of DentistryWest Virginia University School of DentistryWest Virginia University School of Dentistry is a school of dentistry located in the United States city of Morgantown. The school opened its doors in 1957. The school is the only dental school in West Virginia.- History :...
- West Virginia University School of MedicineWest Virginia University School of MedicineThe West Virginia University School of Medicine is the professional school for the study of Medicine at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. The medical school was established in 1902 as the first medical school in the state of West Virginia...
- School of Nursing
- School of Pharmacy
- College of Physical Activity & Sports Sciences
- Potomac State College
- WVU Institute of Technology
- Honors College
Eberly College of Arts of Sciences was officially established in 1895. It is home to many academic disciplines including: social and behavioral sciences, literature and the humanities, as well as mathematics and natural resources. It is the largest and most diverse college at WVU.
Areas of study
Forensics and Investigative Science is a nationally recognized program at WVU, originally created through a partnership with the Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
. The program is accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a professional society for people in all areas of forensics.For over sixty years, the AAFS has served a distinguished and diverse membership. Its nearly 6,000 members are divided into eleven sections spanning the forensic enterprise...
and is the official library holdings repository for the International Association for Identification
International Association for Identification
The International Association for Identification is the largest forensic organization in the world.The IAI was originally formed as the "International Association for Criminal Identification" in October 1915...
. The program focuses on Forensic accounting
Forensic accounting
Forensic accounting is the specialty practice area of accountancy that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation. "Forensic" means "suitable for use in a court of law", and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally...
and fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
, Forensic entomology
Forensic entomology
Forensic entomology is the application and study of insect and other arthropod biology to criminal matters. It is primarily associated with death investigations; however, it may also be used to detect drugs and poisons, determine the location of an incident, and find the presence and time of the...
, Bloodstain pattern analysis
Bloodstain pattern analysis
Bloodstain pattern analysis is one of several specialties in the field of forensic science. The use of bloodstains as evidence is not new; however, the application of modern science has brought it to a higher level...
and Biological Evidence aging, Criminology
Criminology
Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behavior in both the individual and in society...
and Investigative Science, Dactylography and Fractal Analysis of Fingerprints, Forensic toxicology
Forensic toxicology
Forensic toxicology is the use of toxicology and other disciplines such as analytical chemistry, pharmacology and clinical chemistry to aid medical or legal investigation of death, poisoning, and drug use...
, Forensic odontology, Computer forensics
Computer forensics
Computer forensics is a branch of digital forensic science pertaining to legal evidence found in computers and digital storage media...
and Database Research, and Forensic Textile Research. Forensic facilities include "crime-scene" houses and vehicles that can be altered and adapted to give students hands-on experience, as well as traditional laboratories and classrooms which are now housed in the recently renovated Ming Hsieh Hall adjacent to Oglebay Hall. A separate Criminology & Investigative Sciences major was later added.
Biometrics is an engineering-centric field of study offered at WVU, the first institution in the world to establish a bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Biometric Systems
Biometrics
Biometrics As Jain & Ross point out, "the term biometric authentication is perhaps more appropriate than biometrics since the latter has been historically used in the field of statistics to refer to the analysis of biological data [36]" . consists of methods...
. In 2003 the University also founded the initial chapter of the Student Society for the Advancement of Biometrics (SSAB). The program, located in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (LCSEE), provides a firm understanding of the underlying electrical engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
and computer engineering
Computer engineering
Computer engineering, also called computer systems engineering, is a discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer systems. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering, software design, and...
disciplines that support biometric applications. On February 6, 2008, WVU became the national academic leader for the FBI's biometric research.
WVU is also the founding site for the Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR), focusing on biometrics and identification technology
Digital identity
Digital identity is the aspect of digital technology that is concerned with the mediation of people's experience of their own identity and the identity of other people and things...
. The university maintains and develops collaborative relationships with other academic institutions to meet research needs.
The Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center is located on West Virginia University’s Evansdale Campus and houses the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. These schools grant doctoral and professional degrees in 16 different fields, as well as a variety of other Master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and Bachelor's
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
degrees. For 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked WVU’s Medical School ninth overall in the nation for rural medicine.
Also located on the Health Sciences Campus is WVU's local teaching hospital, Ruby Memorial Hospital, which is one of only two designated Trauma I hospitals in the state and has also been designated a magnet hospital for its ability to attract and retain high quality nursing staff.
Campus
The Morgantown campus comprises three sub-campuses. The original main campus, typically called the Downtown Campus, is in the Monongahela River valley on the fringes of Morgantown. This part of campus includes eight academic buildings on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The Downtown Campus comprises several architectural styles predominantly featuring red brick including Victorian Second Empire, Federal, Neoclassical, and Collegiate Gothic among others. The Evansdale Campus, a mile and a half north-northwest, on a rise above the flood plain of the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
, was developed in the 1950s and 1960s to accommodate a growing student population, since space for expansion was limited at the Downtown Campus. The Health Sciences Campus, in the same outlying area (but on the other side of a ridge), includes the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, the Erma Byrd Biomedical Research Facility, Ruby Memorial Hospital, Chestnut Ridge Hospital, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, WVU Healthcare Physicians Office Center, Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, WVU Eye Institute, and the WVU Children's Hospital.
The Health Sciences Campus is located near Mountaineer Field
Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Mountaineer Field is the football stadium for the West Virginia Mountaineers, an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team. The stadium is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, on the health sciences campus of West Virginia University....
, over a ridge from the Evansdale Campus.
The West Virginia University Jackson's Mill Center for Lifelong Learning
Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp Historic District
Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp Historic District, also known as West Virginia University Jackson's Mill Center for Lifelong Learning, is a historic 4-H camp and national historic district near Weston, Lewis County, West Virginia. The district includes 23 contributing buildings, 4 contributing sites,...
is located near Weston, West Virginia
Weston, West Virginia
Weston is a city in Lewis County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 4,317 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lewis County, and home to the West Virginia Museum of American Glass.-History:...
at Jackson's Mill
Jackson's Mill
Jackson's Mill was a grist mill in West Virginia . The center of the Jackson estate stood in the peninsula formed by the confluence of Freeman's Creek and the West Fork River...
.
Transportation
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
began construction on the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in 1972. The unique aspect that makes the system "personal" is that a rider specifies their destination when entering the system and, depending on system load, the PRT can dispatch a car that will travel directly to that station.
WVU students, faculty and staff ride by paying a per-semester fee; they swipe their magnetically-encoded ID cards through the turnstiles when entering the stations. Others pay a cash fare of $0.50. The PRT began operation in 1973, with U.S. President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
's daughter, Tricia, aboard one of five prototype cars for a demonstration ride. The PRT handles 16,000 riders per day (as of 2005) and uses approximately 70 cars.
The system has 8.7 miles (14 km) of guideway track and five stations: Walnut, Beechurst, Engineering, Towers, and Medical/Health Sciences. The vehicles are rubber-tired, but the cars have constant contact with a separate electrified rail. Steam
Steam
Steam is the technical term for water vapor, the gaseous phase of water, which is formed when water boils. In common language it is often used to refer to the visible mist of water droplets formed as this water vapor condenses in the presence of cooler air...
heating keeps the elevated guideway free of snow and ice. Although most students use the PRT, this technology has not been replicated at other sites for various reasons, including the high cost of maintaining the heated track system in winter.
The PRT cars are painted in the school colors (blue with gold trim) and feature the University name and logo on the front. Inside, the seats are light beige fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
and the carpeting is blue. Each car has eight seats with an overall capacity of 20 people, including standing room.
The National Society of Professional Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
The National Society of Professional Engineers is a professional engineering organization in the United States. From their press releases:...
named the WVU PRT
Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit
The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system is a one-of-a-kind people mover system in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States...
one of the top 10 engineering achievements of 1972, and in 1997 The New Electric Railway Journal
The New Electric Railway Journal
The New Electric Railway Journal was a quarterly American magazine primarily about electric urban rail transit in North America, published from 1988 to 1998, with an international circulation. Its name was a tribute to a much earlier magazine with similar coverage, the Electric Railway Journal,...
picked the WVU PRT as the best people mover
People mover
A people mover or automated people mover is a fully automated, grade-separated mass transit system.The term is generally used only to describe systems serving relatively small areas such as airports, downtown districts or theme parks, but is sometimes applied to considerably more complex automated...
in North America (for 1996).
In 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967...
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
dubbed WVU one of the best workplaces for commuters.
Each autumn, during Mountaineer Week celebrations, a special PRT car is placed in front of the Mountainlair
MountainLair
The Mountainlair, commonly called "the Lair" by students, is the three-floor student union building at West Virginia University. The current building dates to 1968 and replaced an earlier structure built in 1948...
student union
Student activity center
A student activity center is a type of building found on university campuses. In the United States, such a building is more often called a student union, student commons, or student center...
where groups of students participate in the "PRT Cram" with the objective of squeezing in as many people as possible. A record of 97 was set in 2000.
Busses and shuttles operated by the University can be utilized (during limited hours) in addition to the community's Mountain Line, which operates every day into the early morning. Students can use their Mountaineer Card to ride the Mountain Line bus for free.
The Health Science Center also operates a shuttle service to help students, visitors and patients to get to and from the Health Science Center campus. Many non-University, private student housing communities in the area also operate a shuttle to campus/town and back to the housing community.
Libraries
The University maintains four libraries on its campuses. These include the Downtown Campus LibraryWest Virginia University Downtown Library
The West Virginia University Downtown Library Complex is located between Clark Hall and White Hall on the West Virginia University Downtown Campus in Morgantown, West Virginia. It is one of four WVU libraries along with the Evansdale, Law, and Health Sciences. The building consists of two separate...
, Evansdale Library, Health Sciences Library, and the Law Library. Collections include the Appalachian Collection, Digital Collections, Government Documents, Map Collection, Myers Collection, Patent and Trademarks, Rare Books Collections, and Theses and Dissertations. West Virginia University libraries contain nearly 1.5 million printed volumes, 2.3 million microforms, more than 10,000 electronic journals, and computers with high speed Internet access.
In addition, the West Virginia and Regional History Collection
West Virginia and Regional History Collection
The West Virginia and Regional History Collection is the world's largest collection of West Virginia related research material. It is located in the Wise Library at West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia...
, the world's largest collection of West Virginia related research material, is in the Wise Library on the Downtown Campus. According to the university, the collection includes over 4,500,000 manuscript
Manuscript
A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
documents, 30,000 books, 15,000 pamphlets, 1,200 newspapers, 100,000 photographs and prints, 5,000 maps, and 25,000 microfilms, oral histories, films and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
recordings. It is often called simply the "West Virginia Collection."
In 2007, the Princeton Review ranked West Virginia University libraries 5th best of 366 college libraries surveyed.
The university co-publishes, with the United Association for Labor Education
United Association for Labor Education
United Association for Labor Education is an international association for post-secondary, community, union and associated labor educators based in Chicago, Illinois....
, Labor Studies Journal
Labor Studies Journal
Labor Studies Journal is a multi-disciplinary academic publication about workers and labor organizations in the United States as well as internationally. It was founded in 1975....
.
Campus Safety
WVU's campus has been ranked one of the safest in the country by Reader's DigestReader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
. The study was largely based on the safety of dorm facilities, emergency preparedness, and security/police staff. The University
created WVU Alert, a text-based alert system for quickly disseminating emergency situations to faculty and students. There are 37 blue-lit towers housing emergency phones across the WVU campuses.
Events
FallFest welcomes students to the University by providing an evening ofentertainment and musical performances after the first day of classes at the Mountainlair Student Union
MountainLair
The Mountainlair, commonly called "the Lair" by students, is the three-floor student union building at West Virginia University. The current building dates to 1968 and replaced an earlier structure built in 1948...
. The event was established in 1995 to provide a safe alternative to partying and
has since become one of the largest University-sponsored events,
typically drawing crowds of 15,000 or more. The celebration has been highlighted by a series of evening concerts performed by renowned artists on the Mountainlair green, including Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
, Common, Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
, Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
, Daughtry, Fuel
Fuel (band)
Fuel is an American rock band formed by guitarist/songwriter Carl Bell and bassist Jeff Abercrombie in 1989. Originally known as Small the Joy, they changed the group's name to Fuel sometime in 1994...
, John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Kris Allen
Kris Allen
Kristopher Neil "Kris" Allen is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
, Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, O.A.R.
O.A.R.
O.A.R. is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge , Chris Culos , Richard On , Benj Gershman , and Jerry DePizzo...
, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
, Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup...
, Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, and 3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down is an American rock band from Escatawpa formed in 1996. The band consists of Brad Arnold , Matt Roberts , Todd Harrell , Chris Henderson , and Greg Upchurch ....
. A dance party, film festival, comedy show, and several indoor musical performances
are traditionally featured as well.
Mountaineer Week is a celebration of WVU tradition and Appalachian
heritage
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
that began in 1947. Festivities have expanded over the years to include
competitions among WVU students, designed to honor school and state pride.
A beard growing competition was introduced in 1949 that has continued throughout the event's
history. Participants must shave before the panel of judges that also chooses the winner at
the end of the competition. The Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer competition has been included in Mountaineer Week since 1962,
honoring one male and one female student who show outstanding school spirit, academic
excellence, and extracurricular involvement. The annual PRT Cram features the unique PRT system
Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit
The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system is a one-of-a-kind people mover system in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States...
, where students compete to fit the maximum number of riders on a special-model PRT car with the windows removed. The record was set in 2000, when 97 students fit inside one PRT car.
Mountaineer Idol, a University version of the hit show American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
,
is a relatively new event that begins during Mountaineer Week in September and extends
through November. Any WVU student is eligible to enter the competition, which is scored by a panel
of guest judges throughout the fall semester.
The Lighting of Woodburn Hall is an annual University ceremony held in early December to light historic Woodburn Hall
for the holiday season. The event began in 1987 and is open to the public. Christmas
carols are typically sung, and donations are taken at the event to support community organizations. Patients from
WVU's Children's hospital
West Virginia University Hospitals
West Virginia University Hospitals is a not-for-profit corporation operating the teaching hospitals of West Virginia University.The hospitals include Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Children’s Hospital, the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center and Chestnut Ridge Center...
are often selected to light Woodburn Hall during
the ceremony.
Fall Family Weekend is an opportunity for students' family members to experience WVU campus life by attending
classes, athletic events, college presentations, and student events such as WVU "Up All Night".
Tours of the campus facilities are offered by individual colleges and organizations,
including tours of the PRT.
Homecoming at West Virginia involves a home football game and a weekend of pageantry. Activities include
the Alumni Band-led homecoming parade through downtown Morgantown, crowning of the
royalty, the football game, and a performance by the WVU Alumni band
during the pre-game show. Student organizations participate in the parade by
designing floats, and various receptions are held by colleges, student groups, and the
alumni center throughout the weekend.
Greek Week is held during the spring semester, providing a venue for competition between
Greek organizations. Highlights include airband events, where organizations compete
in cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
and dance routines, and sports competitions on the Mountainlair recreational
field. The competitions strive to highlight WVU's student spirit and present a positive image
of the fraternities and sororities.
Recreation
MountainLair
The Mountainlair, commonly called "the Lair" by students, is the three-floor student union building at West Virginia University. The current building dates to 1968 and replaced an earlier structure built in 1948...
, commonly called "the Lair" by students, is the three-floor student union
Student activity center
A student activity center is a type of building found on university campuses. In the United States, such a building is more often called a student union, student commons, or student center...
building at WVU. The current building dates to 1968 and replaced an earlier structure built in 1948. The student union offers many recreational opportunities to students including a movie theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
,
bowling alley, pool hall
Pool hall
A billiard/billiards, pool or snooker hall is a place where people get together for playing cue sports such as pool, snooker or carom billiards...
, ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
s, video game arcade
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
, a cafeteria style restaurant,
and a collection of fast food restaurants.
WVU "Up All Night" is a program designed to provide a safe environment for WVU students to socialize during weekends.
The Mountainlair has hosted "Up All Night" every Thursday through Saturday during the fall and spring semesters since 1998.
The University provides free food and beverages, and entertainment
such as movie screenings at the Gluck Theater, laser tag, game shows, astro bowling, comedy caravans, and casino night. The program
has garnered attention from other universities, and WVU administration have been asked to speak about its success at national conferences.
Administrators estimate the program's cost at $350,000 annually.
The Student Recreation Center is a 177000 square feet (16,443.8 m²) recreation facility that opened before the 2001 academic year with an initial
construction cost of $34 million. The facility offers a six-lane swimming pool, 20-seat Jacuzzi,
17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of cardio and free-weight equipment, an elevated running track, basketball courts,
volleyball and badminton courts, glass squash and racquetball courts, and a 50 feet (15.2 m) climbing wall.
The center also offers a variety of wellness programs, personal training, child care services, exercise classes, and intramural activities.
The Mountaineer Adventure Program (MAP) offers several activities including Adventure WV, Challenge Course,
and International Trips. Adventure WV is focused on providing guidance to freshmen and sophomores through various outdoor orientation expeditions.
The Challenge Course program utilizes a recreational facility designed to teach teamwork and problem solving skills through physical interaction.
International Trips offers world-wide recreational opportunities to places like Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, as well as study abroad credit courses. Several
of the MAP programs provide University-accepted credit hours.
and in other areas of West Virginia. Some trips are sponsored by the center including whitewater rafting on the Cheat River
Cheat River
The Cheat River is a tributary of the Monongahela River in eastern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Via the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed, ultimately draining into the Gulf of Mexico.-Geography:The Cheat is formed at...
and hiking in the Monongahela National Forest
Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest is a national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. It protects over of federally-owned land within a proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Region and portions of 10 counties.The MNF includes some...
.
Due to the proximity of WVU's campus to West Virginia's natural wilderness students can rent outdoor recreational equipment for hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
,
climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, biking, skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
, and whitewater rafting
Rafting
Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
, all of which is available with minimal travel time.
The main campus of WVU is situated adjacent to the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
along which runs the Caperton Trail, a 10 miles (16.1 km) paved path
for walking, running, or biking. Other connecting trails total 43 miles (69.2 km) in additional length, extending from the Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
border to Prickett's Fort State Park
Prickett's Fort State Park
Prickett's Fort State Park is a West Virginia state park north of Fairmont, near the confluence of Prickett's Creek and the Monongahela River, and two miles from Interstate 79...
. Many student groups take day trips to
the nearby Coopers Rock State Forest
Coopers Rock State Forest
Coopers Rock State Forest is a state forest in Monongalia and Preston counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Its southern edge abuts Cheat Lake and the canyon section of Cheat River, a popular whitewater rafting river in the eastern US.-History:...
, which is less than 15 miles (24.1 km) from WVU's campus.
Student organizations
West Virginia University offers more than 300 student-run organizations and clubs.Many of the organizations are associated with academia, religion, culture, military
service, politics, recreation, or sports.
New student groups may be formed by submitting a constitution and petition to
become recognized as a student organization. Descriptions of the larger student
groups are listed below.
Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the voice of the student body
and is the direct liaison to the University administration. SGA members represent
the student interest in University affairs, enacting resolutions to improve student
and campus life at WVU.
The organization leadership is composed of the President and Vice President acting
as an executive body, the Board of Governors representing a legislative branch,
and the Athletic Council. Other positions include the Attorney General, Treasurer,
Secretary, Off-Campus Housing Director, Public Relations Chair, Elections Chair,
and the Executive Director of the Maniacs. All leadership positions are selected
from an open, campus-wide election every spring semester.
Mountaineer Maniacs is the largest student-run organization on campus,
and the official WVU student section for all athletic events. The demand for membership
caused the University to limit enrollment to 3,000 students.
The group was founded to promote sportsmanship, increase athletic team awareness, and preserve Mountaineer
traditions.
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers , founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and be recognized for...
(SWE) encourages the advancement of women in the field of
engineering as students, professionals, and leaders. Additionally, SWE strives to help
women reach their potential as engineers in the classroom and the workplace. The organization
also sponsors events to showcase the field of engineering to young girls including the
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
.
Fraternities and sororities
Approximately 10-15 percent of West Virginia's students are involved in Greek life.There are 16 fraternities and 8 sororities recognized by WVU.
Fraternities belonging to the Inter-Fraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Conference
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference , founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities.Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae...
include
Alpha Gamma Rho
Alpha Gamma Rho
Alpha Gamma Rho is a social-professional fraternity in the United States, with 75 university chapters including chapter in Mindanao State University, Philippines...
, Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi , often just called Beta, is a social collegiate fraternity that was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, where it is part of the Miami Triad which includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. It has over 138 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada...
, Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
, Kappa Sigma
Kappa Sigma
Kappa Sigma , commonly nicknamed Kappa Sig, is an international fraternity with currently 282 active chapters and colonies in North America. Kappa Sigma has initiated more than 240,000 men on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada. Today, the Fraternity has over 175,000 living...
, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
,
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
, Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi is an American collegiate social fraternity founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1852. There are over a hundred chapters and colonies at accredited four year colleges and universities throughout the United States. More than 112,000 men have been...
, Phi Sigma Kappa
Phi Sigma Kappa
-Phi Sigma Kappa's Creed and Cardinal Principles:The 1934 Convention in Ann Arbor brought more changes for the fraternity. Brother Stewart W. Herman of Gettysburg wrote and presented the Creed, and Brother Ralph Watts of Massachusetts drafted and presented the Cardinal Principles.-World War II:The...
, Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha is a Greek social fraternity with over 230 chapters and colonies and over 250,000 lifetime initiates in the United States and Canada.-History:...
, Pi Kappa Phi
Pi Kappa Phi
Pi Kappa Phi is an American social fraternity. It was founded by Andrew Alexander Kroeg, Jr., Lawrence Harry Mixson, and Simon Fogarty, Jr. on December 10, 1904 at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina...
, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
,
Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Alpha Mu , also known as "Sammy", is a college fraternity founded at the City College of New York in 1909. Originally only for Jewish men, Sigma Alpha Mu remained so until 1953, when members from all backgrounds were accepted. Originally headquartered in New York, Sigma Alpha Mu has...
, Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon...
, Sigma Nu
Sigma Nu
Sigma Nu is an undergraduate, college fraternity with chapters in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Sigma Nu was founded in 1869 by three cadets at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia...
, Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon is a college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University with chapters in the United States, and Canada, and affiliation with a German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren Convent...
, and Theta Chi
Theta Chi
Theta Chi Fraternity is an international college fraternity. It was founded on April 10, 1856 as the Theta Chi Society, at Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, U.S., and was the 21st of the 71 North-American Interfraternity Conference men's fraternities.-Founding and early years at Norwich:Theta...
. Sororities belonging to the National Panhellenic
Conference include Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi is an international women's fraternity promoting friendship for a lifetime, inspiring academic excellence and lifelong learning, and developing leadership skills through service to the Fraternity and community. ΑΟΠ was founded on January 2, 1897 at Barnard College on the campus...
, Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi International Women's Fraternity was founded at Syracuse University on September 18, 1872. Alpha Phi currently has 152 active chapters and over 200,000 initiated members. Its celebrated Founders' Day is October 10. It was the third Greek-letter organization founded for women. In Alpha...
, Alpha Xi Delta
Alpha Xi Delta
Alpha Xi Delta is a women's fraternity founded on April 17, 1893 at Lombard College, Galesburg, Illinois. Alpha Xi Delta is one of the oldest women's fraternities as well as one of the ten founding fraternities of the National Panhellenic Conference...
, Chi Omega
Chi Omega
Chi Omega is a women's fraternity and the largest member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Chi Omega has 174 active collegiate chapters and over 230 alumnae chapters. Chi Omega's national headquarters is located in Memphis, Tennessee....
, Delta Gamma
Delta Gamma
Delta Gamma is one of the oldest and largest women's fraternities in the United States and Canada, with its Executive Offices based in Columbus, Ohio.-History:...
, Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma is a collegiate women's fraternity, founded at Monmouth College, in Monmouth, Illinois, USA. Although the groundwork of the organization was developed as early as 1869, the 1876 Convention voted that October 13, 1870 should be recognized at the official Founders Day, because no...
,
Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi is an international fraternity for women founded as I.C. Sorosis on April 28, 1867, at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Its headquarters are located in Town and Country, Missouri, and there are 134 active chapters and over 330 alumnae organizations across the United States and...
, and Sigma Kappa
Sigma Kappa
Sigma Kappa is a sorority founded in 1874 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Sigma Kappa was founded by five women: Mary Caffrey Low Carver, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce, Frances Elliott Mann Hall and Louise Helen Coburn...
. Zeta Delta Phi is also on campus but is not recognized by Panhellenic.
Recently, the University began purchasing some of the fraternity houses near campus, which is a beginning step in a multi-year plan that eventually will leave the University in control of many of the Greek organizations. The Greek organizations who are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their houses according to Morgantown City Code are getting the repairs and financial support they need. In return, the University is able to govern their behavior.
Student media
The Daily Athenaeum, nicknamed the DA, is the 9th-largest newspaper in WestVirginia. Offered free on campus, it generates income through advertisements and student fees.
The paper began in 1887 as a weekly literary magazine
Literary magazine
A literary magazine is a periodical devoted to literature in a broad sense. Literary magazines usually publish short stories, poetry and essays along with literary criticism, book reviews, biographical profiles of authors, interviews and letters...
, with writing, editing and
production taken over by the newly formed School of Journalism in the 1920s. In 1970,
the paper split from the School of Journalism and became an independent campus entity
governed by the Student Publications Board. The DA was voted as the Princeton Review's
10th-best college newspaper in the United States in 2005, 15th in 2006, and 8th in 2007. The Daily Athenaeum is an affiliate of UWIRE, which distributes and promotes its
content to their network.
The Mountaineer Jeffersonian is an independent news, economic, and political journal
founded by students. Like the DA, it is provided free at multiple locations throughout
campus and the Morgantown area. Advertising revenue and private donations are its only source
of income. The publication was founded in October 2008 with support from the Leadership Institute
Leadership Institute
The Leadership Institute is a 501 non-profit organization located in Arlington, Virginia that teaches "political technology.".The Institute was founded in 1979 by conservative activist Morton C. Blackwell...
and the Collegiate Network
Collegiate Network
The Collegiate Network is a non-profit, non-partisan tax-exempt 501 organization that provides financial and technical assistance to student editors and writers of almost 100 independent, conservative and libertarian publications at leading colleges and universities around the country. The project...
and is a continued affiliate of both organizations. Originally printed
once a month, it became a weekly publication in 2009. It became a member of the West Virginia Press
Association in 2009.
WWVU-FM
WWVU-FM
WWVU-FM is a student run college radio station serving Morgantown, West Virginia and greater Monongalia County, WV. It is owned by West Virginia University. Main offices are located at the WVU Mountainlair, on the Downtown Campus...
, called U92 or The Moose, plays new music, talk shows, and newscasts.
On the air since 1982, U92 can be heard in the Morgantown area at 91.7 FM and also
streams live on the internet. In 2007, the station was one of four college radio stations
nominated for College Music Journal's Station of the Year Award.
Student health
The Student Center of Health, also known under the label "Well WVU", provides services related to student health, disease prevention, and awareness.The Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services offers therapy to any WVU student.
The Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center and the associated West Virginia University Hospitals, located on the Health Science Campus, serve as West Virginia's largest
healthcare institution. The hospitals provide a comprehensive set of healthcare needs for local and regional patients. WVU students are provided with full access to the healthcare resources,
which are accessible from the PRT medical station.
Arts and entertainment
WVU Arts&Entertainment (A&E) sponsors entertainment events for students throughout the academic year. The department organizes the annual FallFest event, which features popularmusicians, comedians, and other performers. WVU A&E annually hosts several concerts at the WVU Coliseum
WVU Coliseum
The WVU Coliseum is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose arena which is located in the Evansdale campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. The circular arena features a poured concrete roof....
and Creative Arts Center, with past performances by Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
,
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
, The Fray
The Fray
-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
, Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
, Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
, Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
and 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
among others.
The West Virginia Public Theater (WVPT) is one of two professional musical theaters in West Virginia. The group is located near WVU's campus and performs several Broadway numbers yearly.
The Art Museum of West Virginia University is under construction on the Evansdale Campus next to the college of Creative Arts.
The completed 5300 square feet (492.4 m²) facility will feature touring exhibitions of at least 2,500 works of art from the Appalachian region,
Asia, and Africa.
Athletics
The school's sports teams are called the Mountaineers and compete in the NCAANational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I. The school has teams in 17 college sports and has won several national championships, including 14 NCAA Rifle Championships as of 2009. Although the Mountaineers are currently full members of the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
in all sports, on October 28, 2011, the school accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
, ostensibly beginning with the 2012 season. However, the actual start date of West Virginia University's departure from the Big East and inclusion in the Big 12 is currently being decided in court.
Notable athletes from West Virginia University include Stan "The Man" Boskovich, Jerry West
Jerry West
Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr...
, Jim Braxton
Jim Braxton
James Robert Braxton was a professional American football fullback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.-Collegiate career:...
, Marc Bulger
Marc Bulger
Marc Robert Bulger [] is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
, Avon Cobourne
Avon Cobourne
Avon Cobourne is a football running back in the Canadian Football League. He currently plays for the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
, Mike Compton, Noel Devine
Noel Devine
Noel Devine is an American football running back for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and was released four days later after leaving the squad. He played college football at West Virginia.He had a...
, Cecil Doggette
Cecil Doggette
Cecil Doggette is a former Arena Football League Defensive specialist. He played college football at Hudson Valley Community College and West Virginia....
, Mike Gansey
Mike Gansey
Michael Gansey is an American basketball player who played on an NBA roster for the Los Angeles Clippers on their 2007 Vegas Summer League team. After the summer league was over, he signed a contract for the 2007/08 season with the Italian team Indesit Fabriano...
, Major Harris
Major Harris
Major Harris is a former college football quarterback for West Virginia University during the 1980s. Harris was a 1989 All American and finished third and fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988 and 1989, respectively. He was also the ECAC Player of the Year in 1988 and 1989...
, Chris Henry, Joe Herber
Johannes Herber
Johannes Herber is a basketball player who plays for WALTER Tigers Tübingen in the German Basketball Bundesliga. In 2006, he completed a U.S. college career at West Virginia University...
, Jeff Hostetler
Jeff Hostetler
William Jeffrey Hostetler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. His nickname is "Hoss".-Penn State:...
, Chuck Howley
Chuck Howley
Charles Louis "Chuck" Howley is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League...
, Sam Huff
Sam Huff
Robert Lee "Sam" Huff is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982....
, Darryl Talley
Darryl Talley
Darryl Victor Talley is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
, "Hot Rod" Hundley
Rod Hundley
Rodney Clark "Rod" Hundley is a former professional basketball player and television broadcaster. Hundley's life has revolved around the game of basketball. His love and talent for the game led him to achieve honors in high school and most notably during his college years...
, Adam "Pacman" Jones, Joe Stydahar
Joe Stydahar
Joseph "Jumbo Joe" Lee Stydahar was an American football offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears from 1936 to 1942 and 1945 to 1946 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was born and raised about east of Pittsburgh in the small mining community of Kaylor, Pennsylvania in Armstrong...
, Dan Mozes
Dan Mozes
Daniel Mozes is an American football Center who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was unselected in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
, Kevin Pittsnogle
Kevin Pittsnogle
Kevin Lee Pittsnogle Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played for the Pittsburgh Xplosion of the CBA and the Austin Toros and the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA D-League....
, Jerry Porter, Todd Sauerbrun
Todd Sauerbrun
Todd Scott Sauerbrun is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft...
, Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, Rod Thorn, Mike Vanderjagt
Mike Vanderjagt
Michael John "Mike" Vanderjagt , is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker and punter who has played in the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League and National Football League...
, Pat White, Quincy Wilson
Quincy Wilson
Quincy Wilson is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
, Amos Zereoue
Amos Zereoue
Amos Zereoué is an African-born former American football player in the National Football League, who last played for the New England Patriots...
, Greg Jones
Greg Jones (wrestler)
Greg Jones is one of the most successful American collegiate wrestlers of all-time. At West Virginia University, Jones won three NCAA Division I wrestling titles - one of only 39 wrestlers to accomplish that feat in the tournament's 75-year history....
, Joe Alexander
Joe Alexander (basketball)
Joe Alexander is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for BC Krasnye Krylya Samara of the Russian Professional Basketball League. Alexander, who at and plays both forward positions, was selected for the 2007 All-Big East squad during his collegiate career with West...
, Owen Schmitt
Owen Schmitt
-Seattle Seahawks:Schmitt was drafted in the fifth round in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was the second Mountaineer selected in the draft, behind Steve Slaton in the third round to the Houston Texans. Schmitt signed a four-year $1.87 million contract that included a $158,000...
, and Georgann Wells, the first female player to register a dunk in a collegiate basketball game.
Football
With a 691–453–45 record, West Virginia is the winningest Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team to have never won a national championship. WVU has had two undefeated regular seasons; they went 11-0 in 1988 and 1993. However, West Virginia lost both bowl games, 34–21 to Notre Dame in the National Championship, and 41–7 to Florida.The 2005 season
2005 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2005 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the season with an 11–1 record. The Mountaineers won their third consecutive Big East Title with a conference record of 7–0...
and the 2006 season
2006 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2006 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the season with a 11–2 record. The Mountaineers had a regular season Big East record of 5–2.-2006 Schedule:-Rankings:- References :...
produced the first consecutive 11-win seasons in school history. In the 2007 season
2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team began play on September 1, 2007. The team was coached by Rich Rodriguez until he announced on December 16, 2007 that he was leaving West Virginia to coach the Michigan Wolverines. The head coaching position remained vacant after his announcement,...
, the Mountaineers started the season as the #3-ranked team, the highest preseason ranking in school history. That team eventually was ranked #1 in the Coaches Poll, and finished the season with a third consecutive 11-win season after their Fiesta Bowl
2008 Fiesta Bowl
The 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl was a college football bowl game sponsored by Tostitos. It was part of the 2007–2008 Bowl Championship Series of the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Played annually since 1971, first at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe,...
victory.
Basketball
West Virginia men's basketball has competed in three basketball championship final matches: the 1959 NCAA final1959 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1959 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 7, 1959, and ended with the championship game on March 21 in Louisville,...
, the 1942 NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
final (at that time, the NIT was considered more prestigious than the NCAA), and the 2007 NIT Championship
2007 National Invitation Tournament
The 2007 National Invitation Tournament was a single-elimination tournament of 32 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams which did not participate in the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
. They lost 71–70 to California
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
in the 1959 final NCAA finals, while the Mountaineers won the 1942 NIT Championship
1942 National Invitation Tournament
The 1942 National Invitation Tournament was the 1942 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 8 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
47–45 over Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
, and the 2007 NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
contest over Clemson
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
78–72 in a rebuilding season. In 1949, future Mountaineers head coach, Fred Schaus
Fred Schaus
Frederick Appleton Schaus was an American basketball player, head coach and athletic director for the West Virginia University Mountaineers, player for the NBA's Fort Wayne Pistons and New York Knicks, general manager and head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, head coach of Purdue University...
, became the first player in NCAA history to record 1,000 points.
West Virginia most recently reached the Final Four of the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:*March 18 / 20*March 25 / 27*March 26 / 28Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held on April 3 and 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by the Horizon League and Butler University, as per the NCAA's...
, led by West Virginia coach and former WVU player Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins, nicknamed "Huggy Bear", is the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team. Huggins previously held the head coaching positions at the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University...
. The Mountaineers are the current Big East Conference champions, and received a #2 seed in the East Region of the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:*March 18 / 20*March 25 / 27*March 26 / 28Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held on April 3 and 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by the Horizon League and Butler University, as per the NCAA's...
.
Marching band
The West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band, nicknamed "The Pride of West Virginia," is the official marching band of WVU. The 390-member band performs at every home football game and makes several local and national appearances throughout the year. The band was the recipient of the prestigious Sudler Trophy in 1997.Fanbase
In a state that lacks professional sports franchises, the citizens of West VirginiaWest Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
passionately support West Virginia University and its athletics teams.
Men's basketball head coach Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins, nicknamed "Huggy Bear", is the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team. Huggins previously held the head coaching positions at the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University...
, a former Mountaineer basketball player who was born in Morgantown, stated that the "strong bond between the university and the people of West Virginia" is a relationship that is difficult for non-natives to understand. Former basketball player Da'Sean Butler
Da'Sean Butler
Da'Sean Butler is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs and was on assignment in the NBA D-League for the Austin Toros. In November 2011 he joined for trial period to Latvian Basketball League club Rīgas VEF...
cited the fan support as a factor in his decision to play for WVU, saying "everybody loves our school to death" in reference
to the fan base in West Virginia.
West Virginia fans have also been recognized for their hospitality. In the first football game played
by the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
following the death of Jasper Howard
Jasper Howard
Jasper Tyrone Howard , was a cornerback for the University of Connecticut Huskies from 2007 to 2009. He was fatally stabbed on October 18, 2009, hours after UConn's win over the Louisville Cardinals.- Early life :...
, a banner
displayed at Mountaineer Field in the Connecticut entrance tunnel read "Today we are all Huskies". Connecticut
fans described the warmth of the environment as impressive, citing the number of WVU fans
who offered condolences. In a letter to WVU, then UConn head football coach Randy Edsall
Randy Edsall
Randy Douglas Edsall is an American college football coach. He is currently the head coach at the University of Maryland. Edsall was the head coach at the University of Connecticut from 1999 until the 2011 Fiesta Bowl, and oversaw the program's promotion from the NCAA Division I–AA level to...
wrote:
"The response that you gave our team before and after the game was tremendous and greatly appreciated. The pregame moment of silence and team handshake was the most moving experience I have ever had in my 29 years of coaching football."
The Mountaineer Maniacs is the largest student-run organization on campus,
and the official WVU student section for all athletic events. The group was founded
to promote sportsmanship, increase athletic team awareness, and preserve Mountaineer
traditions.
Some WVU fans, primarily in the student sections, have developed a reputation for unruly behavior, being compared to "soccer hooligans"
by GQ magazine.
At some events, there have been cases of objects thrown onto the field or at opposing teams.
There were previously also issues with small-scale fires, most notably of couches, being set after games; over 1,100 intentionally-ignited street fires were reported from 1997 to 2003.
Pageantry
The Mountaineer was adopted in 1890 as the official school mascot and unofficially began appearing at sporting events in 1936. A new Mountaineer is selected each year during the final two men's home basketball games, with the formal title "The Mountaineer of West Virginia University." The new Mountaineer receives a scholarship, a tailor-made buckskin suit with coonskin hat, and a period rifle and powder horn for discharging when appropriate and safe. The mascot travels with most sports teams throughout the academic year. While not required, male mascots traditionally grow a beard.The "Flying WV" is the most widely used logo in West Virginia athletics. It debuted in 1980 as a part of a football uniform redesign by Coach Don Nehlen
Don Nehlen
Don Nehlen is a former American football player and coach. He was head football coach at Bowling Green State University and at West Virginia University . Nehlen retired from coaching college football in 2001 with a career record of 202–128–8 and as the 17th winningest coach in...
, and was adopted as the official logo for the University in 1983.
While the "Flying WV" represents all university entities, unique logos are occasionally used for individual departments. Some examples include the script West Virginia logo for the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and the interlocking WV logo used in baseball.
Fight songs of West Virginia University include "Hail, West Virginia
Hail, West Virginia
"Hail, West Virginia" is the fight song for West Virginia University. It was composed by WVU alumni Earl Miller and Ed McWhorther in 1915. The lyrics were written by Fred B. Deem, who later became a lawyer in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The "Pride of West Virginia" performs the second verse of...
" and "Fight Mountaineers." However, the fan response to John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
's "Country Roads
Take Me Home, Country Roads
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a song written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
" has made it the unofficial song of the university and the state of West Virginia.
The West Virginia University Alma Mater
West Virginia University Alma Mater
The West Virginia University Alma Mater was composed by WVU alumnus Louis D. Corson in 1937. The song is sung prior to each home Mountaineer football game, and the Mountaineer Marching Band also plays an arrangement of the song during its pregame show....
was composed in 1937, and is sung before every home football game. The crowd sings along as the WVU Marching Band stands playing it on the field, as part of the pre-game show.
Old gold and blue, the official University colors, were selected by the upperclassmen of 1890 from the West Virginia state seal. While the official school colors are old gold and blue, a brighter gold is used in official university logos and merchandise.
This change in color scheme is often cited for the lack of a universal standard for colors during 19th century when the university's colors were selected. Additionally, the brighter gold is argued to create a more intimidating environment for sporting events.
The university accepts "gold and blue" for the color scheme, but states clearly that the colors are not "blue and gold", to distinguish West Virginia from its rival school the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
.
Sports Traditions
"Country Roads" has become the unofficial song of the University and the state of West Virginia. In 1980 John DenverJohn Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
performed his
hit song "Take Me Home, Country Roads
Take Me Home, Country Roads
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a song written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
" at the dedication of Mountaineer Field, and it has since become
tradition for fans to remain in the stands following every Mountaineer
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
victory
and sing the song with the players. Although the tradition originated during
football games, it is now recognized throughout the University,
with the song being performed at various athletic events and ceremonies. Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
named the singing of "Country Roads" as one of the must-see
college traditions.
The Pride of West Virginia
West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band
The Mountaineer Marching Band, known as The Pride of West Virginia, is the official marching band of West Virginia University located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 1997.-History:The band was formed in 1901...
is the official marching band of the University. The
band's football pre-game show includes traditions such as the Drumline's "Tunnel" and "Boogie" cadences, the 220-beat per minute run-on cadence to start the performance, marching the "WV" logo down field to the University fight song, "Fight Mountaineers," expanding circles during Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts
"Simple Gifts" is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett.It has endured many inaccurate descriptions. Though often classified as an anonymous Shaker hymn or as a work song, it is better classified as a dance song.-Lyrics:...
, and the formation of the state's outline during "Hail, West Virginia
Hail, West Virginia
"Hail, West Virginia" is the fight song for West Virginia University. It was composed by WVU alumni Earl Miller and Ed McWhorther in 1915. The lyrics were written by Fred B. Deem, who later became a lawyer in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The "Pride of West Virginia" performs the second verse of...
".
The Firing of the Rifle is a tradition carried out by the Mountaineer Mascot to open several athletic events.
The Mountaineer points the gun into the air with one arm and fires a blank shot from a custom rifle,
a signal to the crowd to begin cheering at home football and basketball games. The Mountaineer also fires the rifle every time the team scores during football games.
The Carpet roll is a WVU Men's Basketball
West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team represents West Virginia University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. It is a member of the Big East Conference. West Virginia most recently reached the Final Four of the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, led by...
tradition. In 1955, Fred Schaus and Alex Mumford devised the idea of rolling out an elaborate gold and blue carpet for
Mountaineer basketball players to use when taking the court for pre-game warm-ups. In addition, Mountaineer players warmed up with a special gold and blue basketball.
The University continued this tradition until the late 1960s when it died out, but former Mountaineer player Gale Catlett reintroduced the carpet when he returned to
West Virginia University in 1978 as head coach of the men's basketball team.
Notable alumni
West Virginia alumni total approximately 170,000, and live in over 60 nations.Notable alumni include NBA logo and hall-of-fame
Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
NBA player Jerry West
Jerry West
Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr...
, five-time Emmy Award-winning American actor Don Knotts
Don Knotts
Jesse Donald "Don" Knotts was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, a role which earned him five Emmy Awards...
, American film director Antoine Fuqua
Antoine Fuqua
Antoine Fuqua is an American film director. He directed the film Training Day as well as Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, Shooter and Brooklyn's Finest...
, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and U.S. European Commander
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
Bantz J. Craddock
Bantz J. Craddock
Bantz John Craddock is a retired United States Army four-star general. His last military assignment was as Commander, U.S. European Command and the NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe as well as the commanding officer of Allied Command Operations from December 2006 to June 30, 2009. He also...
, youngest General in U.S. Marines history Earl E. Anderson
Earl E. Anderson
General Earl Edward Anderson , the youngest active duty Marine ever promoted to the rank of General and the second active duty Marine Naval Aviator to be promoted to a 4-star rank, became Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on April 1, 1972. He was promoted to General on March 31, 1972...
, President Emeritus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
Charles M. Vest, President and CEO of Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
John Chambers
John Chambers
John Chambers may refer to:* John Chambers , British landscape, seascape and portrait painter* John Chambers , last Abbot of Peterborough Abbey and, after the Dissolution, the first Bishop of Peterborough* John B...
, former West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin
Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010...
, present West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin is an American politician who serves as the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin is a member of the Democratic Party. Tomblin has served as President of the West Virginia State Senate for over 16 years. He became Acting Governor in 2010 following Joe Manchin's...
, and journalist Michael Tomasky
Michael Tomasky
Michael Tomasky is a liberal American columnist, journalist and author. He is the editor in chief of Democracy, a special correspondent for Newsweek / The Daily Beast, a contributing editor for The American Prospect, and a contributor to The New York Review of Books.-Biography:Tomasky was born...
.