Tuesday marked the annual WVU Day at the Legislature, recognized in the Senate with a resolution and in the House with a citation.
In the Senate, WVU President Gordon Gee, Mountaineer Mary Roush and other officials watched from the balcony as Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, presented SR 18, which was adopted unanimously.
In the House, Delegate Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, read the citation, identical to the resolution.
Oliverio quoted Gee, whom he said likes to call WVU Mr. Lincoln’s university. Oliverio noted that WVU has more than 30,000 students on three campuses and has awarded more than 40,000 degrees in last six years. It has a $4.8 billion economic impact, and accounts for 3.8% of the state’s GDP. Among 4,500 institutions across the nation, it is just one of 146 to received an R1 research institution designation.
SR 18 adds that WVU is the state’s first and largest land-grant university, serving the state for nearly 155 years. The WVU Extension serves as the primary outreach arm, with an office in each of the state’s 55 counties.
Jorge Atiles, dean, WVU Extension and Engagement, previously explained that WVU Day at the Legislature gives university representatives an opportunity to showcase WVU and WVU Extension programs for
4-H youth, families and businesses.
Visitors were also able to check out the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources’ EcoCar, which was on display outside the Capitol on Governor’s Drive.
