West Virginia University is on the map. With record enrollment, praises from higher ed organizations, and a student body on the move, WVU is coming into its own. As we continue to raise the bar, it is more important than ever to find students who represent the tradition of academic excellence of our alma mater.

WVU is a place where greatness is learned. Did you know that more than 85 percent of the full-time faculty hold a doctorate and more than 70 percent of WVU classes are taught by full-time faculty? WVU's undergraduate student to faculty ratio is 21 to 1. WVU is one of 151 institutions recognized nationally by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as Doctoral/Research University-Extensive. U.S. News & World Report (2005) included WVU in the third tier of the Best National Universities—Doctoral category, which covers 248 universities that offer an array of undergraduate majors and master's and doctoral degrees. WVU excels in so many areas, the accolades continue to build each year. You can read the latest by visiting the awards Web page at www.wvu.edu/Rankings/academic_excellence.html.

As alumni, you play a pivotal role in helping us to bring the best and brightest to WVU. With more than 160,000 loyal alumni worldwide, we have the networks and opportunities to recruit students who will continue to make WVU one of the nation's premiere institutions of higher learning.

How can you get involved? By participating in the National Alumni Recruiting Network (NARN). NARN was established in 1988 to assist WVU with it recruiting efforts. As a volunteer with NARN, you can offer to represent WVU at local college fairs and career days in your area; visit area high schools to deliver applications and recruiting materials; call or write accepted students to express congratulations and answer questions; and attend periodic training seminars (on-campus or locally sponsored). NARN volunteers are valuable resources as we work to promote WVU nationwide. Loyal alumni can make the personal difference in this recruitment effort. A smile, handshake, and a personal invitation can make an emotional impact on a family searching for the right university.

In addition, local chapters of the Alumni Association have taken an active role in the recruiting process. Alumni across the country participate in local activities such as the Parents Club Summer Sendoffs and college fairs. Many of our chapters also now offer scholarships to students wishing to attend WVU. This is a great tool to let the world know about WVU and the excellence it has to offer. Your involvement can also be as simple as sending us information on prospective students. You can complete the tear-out card in this issue and send it back to us so that we can mail prospective students information about WVU. Our recruitment staff can't be everywhere, so we rely on our loyal alumni to be the eyes and 'Eers in their own communities.

As an alumna, I have greatly enjoyed traveling all over the state to help spread the word about the opportunities that are abound at WVU. My parents, siblings, husband, and all three children are, or will be, alums of WVU, and we are happy to continue to invite prospective students to campus to enjoy the advantages that can be gained at this fine university. We encourage you to join our network of hometown representatives who make a personal impression on new Mountaineers. Together, we can build upon our blue and gold legacy! For more information about NARN, please contact Courtney Jennings or Amber McLaughlin at (304) 293-6871.

Spring 2005 Contents

Home