With the end of September in sight, President Michael T. Benson is out in classrooms and residence halls, on sidelines and bike trails, and following country roads wherever they take him to spread the good news about West Virginia University.
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As autumn officially begins, marking the balance between light and dark in this time of transition, I am savoring the cooler mornings with dustings of fog in the valleys which provide opportunities to reflect on what we’ve harvested, thus far this semester, here at West Virginia University.
Most recently, I have been laser-focused on getting out to see you so I can hear directly from you about your priorities for the University’s strategic vision that is currently being developed.
Last week, I visited the Chambers College, Eberly College, and Health Sciences. This week, I’ll talk about the plan framework during the WVU Extension Annual Conference at Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County. Next week, I’ll speak to faculty and staff with the Davis College, College of Law, and College of Creative Arts and Media.
I am thankful for the ideas, insights and enthusiasm you all have shared or will share with me as we make big plans for the future. I want to be clear — this is not my plan, this is the University’s plan, reflecting the vision of the collective “we,” and the work we will do together.
For staff members who may not be specifically tied to colleges and units I have already visited or will visit, I would like to issue an open invitation to join me for a strategic vision discussion from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Mountainlair, Gluck Theater. Find more information.
Your input is critical now. We’re working on a deadline.
I will unveil the full strategic vision for the University during my State of the University address at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13. That will be during the scheduled Faculty Senate meeting at the College of Law, Fitzsimmons Event Hall.
This plan will set the course for the entire University.
The presentations I’ve been making are the continuation of the work I’ve been doing in collaboration with so many others in the 10 weeks since I officially became the 27th University president. I’ve made it a point to get out and talk with as many of you as possible and I’ll continue to do that. I want you to know you are respected, valued, and supported here at WVU.
With my full backing, the Division of Talent and Culture has launched a multi-year effort to strengthen our culture and make WVU an even better place to work, learn, and grow. Read more about that work here.
Along with putting a renewed focus on our people, we’re also looking at our infrastructure.
In the coming months, keep an eye on the skyline on the Evansdale area of campus. We’re so thankful for our partnership with Hope Gas which, as we announced Friday (Sept. 19), will allow us to make necessary improvements to the iconic WVU Water Tower.
Along with new paint, we’re adding LED lighting to illuminate the “Flying WV” logo for special occasions, what will be a shining beacon for future campus celebrations.
How our buildings, facilities, and greenspaces look tells visitors so much about us, which is why I am making beautification a priority for Morgantown, Beckley and Keyser. Through this project and others, my goal is to ensure that what our campuses look like reflects the pride we all carry with us each day.
Here are a few other items:
• Though he’s been preparing for the role for weeks, today (Sept. 22) is the first official day on the job for Fabrizio D’Aloisio, our new vice president for Enrollment Management. Please join me in welcoming Fabrizio to campus.
• I had never seen my name spelled out in college band members prior to the WVU vs.
Pitt football game. See the photo in the sidebar. My sincere thanks to members
of “The Pride of West Virginia,” the Mountaineer Marching Band, for the honor.
• And I would like to close by giving a shoutout to my fellow yogis who were out
with me on Woodburn Circle Friday (Sept. 19) for sunrise yoga, part of the launch
of the popular new WVU lululemon collection.
Yoga teaches us to be true to ourselves and to let go of things that do not serve us. I will take that to heart, and I encourage you to do the same as we move into a new season of possibility together within this University community.
One last thing about yoga: when I attend classes with my daughter, Tatum — who is a superb dancer and very good athlete — I’m also reminded of how inflexible I am and how much harder I need to work at it!
Let’s be proud of what we harvest here at WVU.
Let’s treat each other with respect.
Let’s always give our best.
Let’s Go!
Michael T. Benson
President and Professor of History
West Virginia University
The Benson Connection is a regular ENews column for faculty and staff from the University’s 27th president.