Will miss Dec. 21 commencement
West Virginia University President Gordon Gee will have hip replacement surgery Thursday at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
“While no one looks forward to surgery, I am looking forward to getting relief and being better than new,” Gee, 75, said Tuesday in a statement released by the university.
Gee, who has dealt with worsening back pain for a number of years, said a recent diagnosis showed a deteriorating hip joint that needed to be replaced sooner rather than later. Gee said he is otherwise in excellent health and expects a speedy recovery.
“I am incredibly grateful to the physicians who have identified the problem area and will equip me with a new hip that will have me running circles around everyone again soon.”
The upcoming hip replacement is a first-time hip surgery for Gee. He will miss the Dec. 21 commencement.
The university did not release the name of Gee’s surgeon.
“My major regret is that for the first time in 40 years, I will have to miss commencement,” he said. ‘’Commencement is fuel to my soul, but I will most definitely be there in spirit — and perhaps in video, as well.”
