News

After West Virginia University student Anthony Garber’s friend’s dog accidentally received a hard pull on the neck from a retractable leash, Garber began searching the dog leash market for a product that wouldn’t yank so harshly. When he couldn’t find a leash that fit his idea, he began brainstorming.

That brainstorming led to The Easy Leash, a braked dog leash Garber is in the process of creating. Garber, a senior industrial engineering student in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, explained that this leash functions similar to a standard bike brake.

Two experienced West Virginia University administrators will take the lead in the key areas of business education and innovation for the University, following today’s (June 16) announcement that Milan Puskar Dean of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics and Vice President for Start-up West Virginia Javier Reyes will become provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Reyes’ appointment begins Aug. 16, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Chambers College alumni and friends:

Five years ago, I was welcomed to West Virginia as I began my journey as Milan Puskar Dean of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics.

Gov. Jim Justice joined leaders with DataRobot, the leader in Augmented Intelligence, at a ceremony today to announce that the company is opening an office in Vantage Ventures in Morgantown. The new office will further the company’s mission to democratize AI through expanded hiring in software engineering, professional services, and customer support.

In addition to opening office space and hiring locally, DataRobot and  West Virginia University are beginning to work together on the formation of a national center, based in West Virginia, that will provide technologically-focused solutions on critical pandemic and emergency response and preparedness and rural health.

Four eminent West Virginia University alumni were appointed to serve the WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors at its fourth quarterly meeting on Friday, June 4. Kamau Brown, Gabrielle St. Léger, Nesha Sanghavi and Monté Williams have been selected to serve six-year terms.

During the meeting, the board also elected Todd Mount of Charleston to his first term as chair; Darren Feeley of Falls Church, Virginia, as vice chair; Tracy Schoenadel of Stamford, Connecticut, as secretary; and Greg Darby of Beckley as treasurer.

Professor of Management Ed Tomlinson and Associate Professor of Accounting Kip Holderness had their research paper, "Adding fuel to the fire: How non-contingent bonuses relate to entitlement and affect pursuit of worker self-interest” accepted for publication in the Journal of Forensic Accounting Research, which is an A-level journal on the Accounting department list. They partnered with Utah Valley Associate Professor of Accounting Kari Olsen on their paper.

Associate Professor of Management Xiaoxiao Hu had her research paper, “Thinking about thinking about work: A meta-analysis of off-job positive and negative work-related thoughts” accepted for publication in the Journal of Business and Psychology, which is an A-level journal in management.

I hope that everyone is well and looking forward to a better 2021, with the hardships of the pandemic hopefully receding into the background for you and your families.

It has been a challenging year for us all, including for our graduate students, faculty and staff. Diamonds are made under pressure, and these challenges have allowed us to shine with the depth and caliber of our graduate offerings in the online space. I am incredibly thankful to the faculty, staff and students who delivered with enthusiasm, professionalism and energy over the last year. Some of our points of pride include:

Four West Virginia University women have been awarded the Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State, recognizing their commitment to language learning and personal growth. The awardees will participate in fully-funded virtual intensive language and cultural immersion programs this summer.

Valerie Browne, a rising senior from Martinsburg, will spend this summer studying Russian. Browne is a Russian studies and English double major with a minor in political science in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.  

(Editor’s note: A comprehensive  photo gallery is available and will be updated with additional images.) 

Following a year of missed milestones, celebrations and traditions,  West Virginia University’s first in-person commencement ceremony since December 2019 ushered in a renewed sense of optimism for the nearly 4,500 graduates who walked across the stage to receive their diplomas in four ceremonies this weekend (May 15-16).

In Fall 2017, West Virginia University freshmen entered Milan Puskar Stadium for the traditional “Monday Night Lights” event during Welcome Week to form our state’s outline in the middle of the field.

On Sunday, May 16, our 2021 graduating class is the first group to end their college career where it all started.