As finals week begins, President Michael T. Benson is in the closing days of his first semester as the University’s 27th president and looking ahead with optimism to a new year and its many possibilities.
Dear Faculty and Staff,
How wonderful it is to be part of this Mountaineer team at the end of what I hope has been an engaging, fulfilling fall semester full of opportunities to challenge yourself and others, starting with our students.
We’ll celebrate our graduates during two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 20) at the Hope Coliseum.
Watch the 9 a.m. ceremony for the School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy, School of Nursing, School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, John Chambers College of Business and Economics, Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
Watch the 2 p.m. ceremony for the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, College of Law, College of Creative Arts and Media, and College of Applied Human Sciences.
Find more information about Commencement.
Turning to 2026, I am filled with enthusiasm about what is ahead of us.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
That quote came up during our Strategic Compass Feedback Session for staff members at the Mountainlair last Friday (Dec. 12). Thank you to the staff members who were able to attend and be part of the discussion.
As we move into the implementation phase for the Strategic Compass, we want you to know your feedback was critical in developing what will serve as the actionable future plan for the University.
We took your comments and suggestions seriously and those have been incorporated with intention into the final Strategic Compass, as you can see in the following link.
For those of you who missed the discussion, we will again provide the Strategic Compass Feedback presentation during the January Faculty Senate meeting. The meeting starts at 3:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at the College of Law Fitzsimmons Event Hall.
Everyone can watch the Faculty Senate meeting live on YouTube. Find the link. No log-in information is required. The meeting recording will also be available for later viewing.
Here are some additional updates:
• We are on track to announce our new provost and vice president
for academic affairs soon. We appreciate everyone who participated in the open
sessions for the four finalists for this critical position during their recent
visits to campus.
The spring semester will also bring hires for positions that include chief financial
officer, and deans of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Law,
and Libraries.
While these are important leadership positions, everyone working at WVU — no matter the position — plays a role in preparing this institution for the future.
• Just a couple more weeks remain to see the lights of Woodburn Hall. We hope you’ve enjoyed the return of this holiday tradition.
After the start of January, the temporary lights will come down to make way for a more permanent display. Stay tuned for more details on that.
• It was a treat to sit beside Rich Rodriguez and Pat White during the 67th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner which included the official induction of Mountaineer great Steve Slaton into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Slaton is the 14th player with WVU ties to become part of the College Football Hall of Fame. We are all so proud of “Super Steve.”
• The Benson Family is growing with the addition of Benny, a micro Goldendoodle, who — I think you will agree — is highly photogenic.
Benny Benson (Photo courtesy of the Benson family)
Lately, while enjoying the beautiful holiday decorations at Blaney House, I’ve been working through a cool, jazzy piano arrangement of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” I’ll share that with the University community in the coming days.
Until then, I leave you with some of the lyrics:
“I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”
May this season be one of peace and joy for you, your family, and friends.
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.