News

Supporters of West Virginia University donated a record $15.5 million Wednesday (March 9) during the University’s fifth Day of Giving, a 24-hour online fundraising event held across the University system. More than 5,600 gifts were made, also a new record. The $15.5 million figure tops 2021’s WVU Day of Giving record of $11.9 million raised from just over 5,000 gifts.

“I am very grateful for the generosity of our alumni and friends,” President Gordon Gee said. “Their support illustrates the power of West Virginia University’s purpose and our land-grant mission, which is so near and dear to my heart. These gifts will allow us to continue improving education, health care and prosperity, ultimately transforming lives in our state and our world – now and for future generations.”

The campaign for West Virginia University Student Government Association ended Wednesday evening (March 9) as the SGA Judicial Court certified Chloe Hernandez and Pareera Uqaily as president and vice president, respectively, for the 2022-23 academic year. The pair represents the first female-minority ticket to win an SGA presidential election.

Hernandez, a junior double-majoring in neuroscience and psychology from Lorton, Virginia, is the first Hispanic woman elected to the post. She currently serves as the senator-at-large with the Student Government Association, vice president of philanthropy for the Panhellenic Association and vice president of recruitment for the Professional Greek Council. Hernandez is a member of Minorities Association of Pre-Healthcare Students, Mi Gente and Delta Gamma. She also serves as a Mountaineer Guide for the WVU Visitors Centers.

Our faculty and staff are always doing amazing things. View the latest Department Digest to see what they have been up to and catch what they’re saying  in the media. 

On Friday, March 25, the Chambers College recognized exceptional alumni who are leaders in financial information, law, technology and higher education as part of the 11th class of the  Roll of Distinguished Alumni.  The inductees in the 2021 class are John Berisford, president of S&P Global Ratings; David DeCenzo, president emeritus of Coastal Carolina University; and Nanette Heide, partner at Duane Morris LLP’s corporate practice group.  Tina Bigalke, chief diversity officer of PepsiCo, was also recognized at this year’s in-person event with the 2021 class. Bigalke was inducted virtually as part of the  2020 class .

The  West Virginia University  John Chambers College of Business and Economics will induct a new class of exceptional alumni who are leaders in financial information, law, technology and higher education as part of the 11th class of the  Roll of Distinguished Alumni.

The inductees in the 2021 class are John Berisford, president of S&P Global Ratings; David DeCenzo, president emeritus of Coastal Carolina University; and Nanette Heide, partner at Duane Morris LLP’s corporate practice group.

The National Institutes of Health has called COVID-19 testing “the key to getting back to normal.” Yet testing rates have dropped nationwide, even as the Delta and Omicron variants accelerated the virus’ spread. 

West Virginia University researchers Brian Hendricks and Brad Price are using machine learning and geographic information systems to identify communities in West Virginia where COVID-vaccine uptake is especially low. What the technology reveals can help get testing resources to the people who need them the most: those who live where low vaccination rates make persistent, localized outbreaks likely.

Since 2020, COVID-19 has squeezed the healthcare industry into a stranglehold that’s caused staffing shortages and restricted access to quality patient care. This forced some policymakers to enact temporary waivers of licensing restrictions to ease up those burdens.

Researchers at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University recognized these events and decided to offer their own expertise on how to address the primary care shortage stemming from the pandemic.

Najee Goode may be a Cleveland, Ohio native, but when it was time for college he chose “a school in the hills” and left a piece of his heart behind.

Goode enrolled in engineering at West Virginia University and committed to playing football for the Mountaineers. Advisors warned him it would be a challenge – a college athlete graduating with an industrial engineering degree – but his family kept him motivated. His father, an NFL player himself, reminded Goode he was capable of doing big things. In fact, it was at IHOP eating blueberry pancakes with his father when he found out he was going to be drafted to the NFL.

On March 9, West Virginia University received $15.5 million during the University’s fifth  Day of Giving – a 24-hour online fundraising event. Not only does the $15.5 million figure tops 2021’s WVU Day of Giving record of $11.9 million (raised from just over 5,000 gifts), but the total gifts also topped last year's with more than 5,600 gifts made.

Supporters of West Virginia University’s Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 9, will have many opportunities to boost the impact of their gifts by participating in a number of challenges scheduled throughout the day.

WVU Day of Giving, now in its fifth year, supports the University’s greatest priorities and opportunities, as well as scholarships and unrestricted funds at both the University and unit-specific levels. The 24-hour fundraising event is organized by the WVU Foundation and encompasses the entire WVU System.

Four students who are eager to represent West Virginia University as the 68th Mountaineer Mascot will compete in a cheer-off during the men’s basketball game vs. Texas at 2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 26) in the WVU Coliseum.

Selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students based on an essay and interview, the four finalists vying for the 2022-23 title will be judged on their performances and interaction with the crowd as they lead traditional game day cheers.