News

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.

A leadership gift to West Virginia University from longtime supporters Ken and Randy Kendrick will allow the John Chambers College of Business and Economics to transform economics education through innovative programs for high-schoolers and educators statewide via the new Kendrick Center for an Ethical Economy.

The $40 million partnership with the Kendricks complements broader efforts to make WVU a purpose-driven leader in higher education. Over the next 10 years, WVU will dedicate approximately $20 million – including repurposed funds, in-kind support and new investments – to the project, while the Kendricks will contribute $20 million over that same time period, making their commitment one of the largest gifts in the history of the Chambers College.

I chuckle when I hear from others that they could never ask someone for money, or that my job is difficult.

Whether I am at the college or out with a donor, I spend my days with people who want to make our world, our state, and individual lives better. I operate in a sacred space that brings together the people who want to use their resources to positively impact others and the boots on the ground doing that good work.