Ahead of the start of
Welcome Week Thursday (Aug. 14) and the first day of classes on Aug. 20, President
Michael T. Benson is issuing a rallying cry to University faculty and staff.
Dear Colleagues,
I’ve been saying that a lot lately while walking around campus, speaking to community groups, meeting with our faculty and staff members, and generally spreading the good news about the positive direction of West Virginia University as we prepare to start this academic year together.
It’s a rallying cry that speaks to the heart of who we are and, with just days to go until we launch Welcome Week, I hope you will join me in sharing the excitement that comes with the beginning of a new semester.
To help bring us all together in a fun atmosphere, we’re inviting faculty, staff and your families to join our students for Mountaineer Movie Night — a new Welcome Week event — that is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Milan Puskar Stadium. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is free for this event and we’ll announce the selected movie soon.
Parking will be in Area 81 and Mountaineer Station on the Health Sciences area of campus. Plan to enter through the west gates of the stadium. The clear bag policy will be in effect.
Here are a few updates for you from me:
• We’ve launched the search for the University’s next provost and vice president for academic affairs and we want your help. Before next Monday (Aug. 18), please take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know the qualifications you would like to see for our chief academic officer. We’ll also be announcing listening sessions specifically for faculty and staff soon.
• We’re looking forward to welcoming Fabrizio D’Aloisio as vice president for Enrollment Management on Sept. 22. Fabrizio understands the true strength of a university is found in its people and he’ll be leading Enrollment Management with that spirit.
• Our Board of Governors members held a retreat last week focused on developing our collective vision for the University. We’re working together to chart a course that will take us into the next era for WVU. Stay tuned for more on that.
• For our first official event at Blaney House, we hosted employees with Facilities Management as a “thank you” for their hard work and dedication.
• My son, Truman Taft, packed gold and blue gear for his trip west to attend and play soccer for the Salt Lake Bruins.
• I enjoyed talking with local leaders from across the Mountain State who were in Morgantown for the West Virginia Municipal League Conference which wrapped up last Thursday (Aug. 7).
• My “Welcome Home Tour” will continue into the fall as I work toward the goal of getting to all 55 West Virginia counties by next summer so I can hear directly from West Virginians about what WVU means to them.
As you get settled in for the start of the fall semester, look for me out on the Morgantown, Beckley and Keyser campuses. I have worked in higher education for three decades now and the beginning of a new semester is always a time I enjoy because it’s filled with possibilities.
Let’s embrace new beginnings this semester with optimism.
Let’s take pride in our work and this University.
Let’s have a great semester!
Let’s Go!
Michael T. Benson
President and Professor of History
West Virginia University