Just more than two weeks into the start of the spring semester, President Michael T. Benson is promoting University priorities on campus, in Charleston and everywhere he goes, while getting the full Morgantown winter experience.
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As you know, I’m a recent transplant from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and, as such, I’ve been forced to adjust quickly in recent weeks to a winter that truly feels like winter. Two words: Base. Layers.
In such frigid conditions, we are all so thankful for the many employees on the Morgantown Campus and at WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley and WVU Potomac State College in Keyser who are working long hours to make sure our campus remains accessible to our students, faculty and staff.
I offer my sincere thanks to those who are out in the elements this week — clearing sidewalks, plowing parking lots, addressing repair needs, answering emergency calls, feeding our students, and generally giving their best in service to the University.
THANK YOU!
Tripp Umbach Report
Earlier this week, we
released the results of the most comprehensive report to date on the combined
economic impact of WVU and the WVU Health System. The report from Tripp Umbach,
a nationally recognized consulting firm, shows — together — our two entities generate
more than $14 billion annually for the state’s economy or 17% of West Virginia’s
total gross domestic product.
Wow.
We talk a lot about all the benefits for the Mountain State that come from WVU and WVU Medicine, and this study puts numbers on it that we can all reference, including:
• Support for more than 84,000 jobs, or one of every nine jobs in West Virginia.
• And the creation of $890 million in state and local taxes.
For specific areas, the statewide economic impact numbers break out like this:
• WVU Health Sciences, more than $811 million,
• WVU Athletics, more than $390 million,
• WVU Institute of Technology, more than $94 million,
• WVU Potomac State College, nearly $63 million,
• WVU Research, more than $400 million.
I encourage you to review the full report and share it with others. It’s evidence of the importance of the work we are all doing together each day.
You should all be especially proud that the study highlights the generosity of WVU faculty, staff, students, and physicians who contribute more than $86 million each year in charitable giving and volunteerism, including $46 million in donations and $40.3 million in the value of volunteer service.
And then there’s the WVU Alumni Network. In FY 2024, 115,958 working alumni in West Virginia put more than $8 billion into West Virginia economy. This is in addition to what WVU is generating statewide.
I knew West Virginia University was a special place when I started working here more than six months ago and, each day, you all reaffirm that for me.
Legislative Session
We’re spreading the good news about impact among our lawmakers and other supporters in Charleston where the regular legislative session continues through March 14.
Many of you will be joining us in Charleston next Wednesday, Feb. 4, for WVU and WVU Extension Day at the Legislature — our opportunity to show off our gold and blue pride at the State Capitol.
Exhibits will be available in the Capitol Upper Rotunda from 9 a.m. to noon and, after that, we’ll move to the West Virginia Culture Center for lunch with exhibitors, guests and legislators.
I will start out the day by presenting the WVU budget request during a 9 a.m. meeting of the House of Delegates Finance Committee. We’re proposing several potential new investments and I look forward to getting into the details while celebrating our most recent successes.
Stay tuned to ENews throughout the session for the latest updates from the Government Relations team in “Under the Dome.” It’s required reading for anyone interested in the decisions being made in Charleston.
Here are some additional updates:
• Incoming Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Beverly Wendland is already engaging on campus ahead of her official start day on July 1. In addition to being an experienced scholar and administrator, Beverly is also a seasoned sourdough bread baker, and she brought some delicious samples with her during a January visit.
• Members of the University Leadership Team are working through implementation specifics for the pillars that are key to the Strategic Compass, our established path forward for the University. I appreciated having the opportunity to discuss changes made to the Strategic Compass based on your feedback during a Jan. 12 Faculty Senate presentation with Leslie Miele, associate vice president and chief strategy officer for WVU Health Sciences.
• Congratulations to the 10 employees who are the first recipients of Talent and Culture’s Outstanding Mountaineer Award: Keith Barbe, Glen Blon, Sean Bulger, Mike Fox, Joshua Meadows, Marcie Milans, Rachel Nieman, Elizabeth “Liz” Rexroad, Karen Skaggs, and Joe Swan.
Selected from the 2025 Impact Award honorees, these employees represent the best of West Virginia University, and I enjoyed getting to talk with them and hear their stories during a Jan. 21 celebration.
People make the place and that’s especially true here at WVU.
As we head into February, stay safe. Stay warm. Stay positive.
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.