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Annual Community Heroes Award to honor retired Army Gen. Ken Gray

Ken Gray

The WVU community is invited to celebrate former Student Life Vice President and retired Army Gen. Ken Gray’s commitment to equity and inclusion during the Community Heroes Award Ceremony from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 15 in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. 

The award is presented annually during Diversity Week to a member of the West Virginia community who has shown exemplary efforts in creating an inclusive environment. The award not only recognizes, but celebrates those who have made remarkable achievements during their lives while embracing diversity and creating community partnerships throughout West Virginia and the University.

The Community Heroes Award symbolizes the challenges that we have overcome and those who have been a driving force behind change. 

Gray, a native of McDowell County, received his bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia State College in 1966 and his doctor of jurisprudence from the College of Law in 1969.

He served as the first and only Black general officer in the history of the Army JAG Corps, and from 1997 to 2014, Gray served as vice president for student affairs at WVU. 

Under his leadership, several successful student-centered programs were launched to enhance the overall student experience and increase enrollment. Programs include WVU Up All Night, The Student Lot, Adventure WV, WELLWVU and The Rack: WVU Student Food Pantry, among several other initiatives.

Gray remains committed to meeting the needs of students through the Kenneth D. & Carolyn T. Gray Student Emergency Fund. Donations to this fund assist students who experience a sudden financial hardship that could prevent them from continuing their education or affect their success at WVU. 

For questions, contact Megan Chambers at Megan.Chambers@mail.wvu.edu