WVU Reaccredited Through 2014
WVU has been reaccredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The HLC extended WVU's accreditation through 2014, the maximum possible extension.

The report applauds WVU's efforts in maintaining its high quality during tough economic times.

"The report is very positive and commends the University for providing excellent academic programs in these times of fiscal constraints," Provost Gerald Lang said.

WVU has been accredited by the Commission since the 1920s. The University's accreditation is at the doctoral and first professional level.

Enrollment Tops 25,000 with Higher Academic Credentials
It's a story of quantity and quality at WVU this fall. Not only did the University enroll the most students ever, but it also welcomed a historically high-quality freshman class.

Enrollment stands at 25,255, a 4.1 percent increase over the 2003 fall enrollment. Officials plan to increase enrollment to 30,000 over the next five years.

WVU's freshman class boasts the highest academic profile in recent history, with an average ACT composite score of 23 and an SAT combined average of 1,072. Both of those numbers are well above the national averages of 20.9 for ACT and 1,026 for the SAT. The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen has risen to 3.31.

It doesn't surprise WVU's president that more and more students are choosing to attend WVU. "The total package at WVU today is a good one—competitive price, high quality, excellent student life, and private and public support for our students during and after college," President David C. Hardesty Jr. commented.

A PR(T)oud Papa
Samy Elias, a former WVU industrial engineering professor regarded as "the father of the Morgantown PRT," stands before a PRT car at the engineering station that now bears his name. A dedication ceremony was held in October for the Samy Elias Engineering PRT Station. Elias joined the engineering faculty at WVU in 1965 and remained at WVU until 1982. He was one of many engineers and traffic experts around the country exploring new transit systems in the 1960s to alleviate smog-ridden traffic congestion plaguing urban America. "The PRT is probably the most challenging and enjoyable work of my life. It still remains the most technically advanced system of its kind in the world," said Elias.

Elias passed away on November 6, 2004. At the time of his death, he was associate dean for research at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln's College of Engineering and Technology.

Forensic Professionals Join WVU
The two latest hires to WVU's forensic science curriculum have a world of crime-solving experience between them.

They are Dr. Keith Morris, the former director of the South African National Forensic Laboratory System; and Michael Bell, a former crime scene analyst and forensic chemist for the New Mexico State Police who also worked as a facilities manager at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Morris will work as a project manager. He managed 900 employees in the South African crime lab system while overseeing operations of four separate facilities equipped with 42 bomb-disposal and explosive control units.

Bell has already taught classes at WVU as an adjunct professor and will oversee operations at the program's crime scene houses, which serve as a training ground for the 400 students enrolled in forensic classes.

Another boost to the forensic science program came when Senator Robert C. Byrd added $1.25 million to the legislation for the renovation of Oglebay Hall to house the forensic science research and academic programs. In previous years, Byrd has provided $2 million for the $10 million renovations.

WVU to House Crime-Solving History
WVU became home to a hundred years of crime-solving history when it assumed the library holdings of one of the world's largest and oldest forensic science organizations.

The International Association for Identification chose WVU to house its volumes on the strength of its popular Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program. This is the first time the IAI has loaned its holdings to any outside organization. WVU will house the collection for ten years.

Students Get Sea Legs
Three WVU students acquired virtual "sea legs" after helping to design computer programs for the U.S. Coast Guard fleet over the summer.

Chris McNemar, a graduate student in computer science; Stephen Schoenberger, a sophomore computer engineering and computer science major; and Andrew David Del-Colle, a junior advertising major, participated in a ten-week internship program with QSS Group Inc. QSS is the primary contractor with the Coast Guard Operations Systems Center in Martinsburg.

"The internship gave me an opportunity to test what I had been taught before I left school for a full-time job," said McNemar. "After this summer, I now have more confidence in my abilities and skills that I learned at WVU."

"The Coast Guard has many critical tasks, such as homeland security, search and rescue, and drug interdiction," McNemar said. "That they chose to bring WVU students into an organization that performs these important tasks says much to the quality of an education at WVU."

WVU Earns National Fitness Center Designation
WVU is whipping into shape as it becomes one of 20 universities in the nation to be named an American Council on Exercise-licensed school.

The ACE designation means the WVU School of Physical Education can churn out more fitness trainers, who are in growing demand as people become more conscious about their health.

This designation for the University means that the School of Physical Education can now teach ACE-licensed courses. There are two courses that can be taught: a personal trainer course offered during the fall and spring semesters and a summer group fitness instructor course (for aerobics instructors). Both courses will help prospective personal trainers take the national certification exam. WVU is now a host site for the national certification exam.

New Commuter Lounge Opens
For students who commute to WVU, their morning routine often consists of getting dressed in a hurry, rushing out of the house, and then fighting traffic on University Avenue.

Add to that occasional feelings of disconnect with the campus, and the life of a commuter can be frustrating, said Julie Whiteman, student life program manager at WVU. So she came up with the idea of a commuter lounge, a place where students can take a break in between classes, study, and socialize.

The lounge opened in the fall semester in the Purinton House. Here students find all the comforts of home—a large couch and plenty of study tables and chairs in a cozy setting. Computer stations, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a television may be added in the future.

Law Library Renamed
In his 48 years as a practicing attorney in Morgantown, George Farmer Jr. has carved out a reputation as an able, fair, and compassionate steward of justice.

In September, WVU's College of Law officially named its law library in Farmer's honor.

Farmer was quick to point out that the day wasn't all about him. No, he said, the day was just as much about a longtime benefactor to Morgantown and WVU—a woman who put her stamp on the community just as Farmer put his in law. Farmer handled legal affairs for Hazel Ruby McQuain, who literally gave millions of dollars to Morgantown and the University right up to her death two years ago at the age of 93.

One of those gifts—this one private with an undisclosed amount—was to the College of Law in 1988. One of the gift's stipulations was that the 300,000-volume library be named for Farmer, who earned his law degree from WVU in 1956.

"It is an honor for me," Farmer said, "but it also honors Hazel and her contributions and gifts to the community. She was a real friend to me and to all of us who live here."

Mountaineer Field Tribute
A large horseshoe-shaped monument between the Business and Economics and Life Sciences buildings now honors the similarly shaped stadium that once filled the loop area.

Photographs from memorable moments at the old stadium appear on the monument, along with information such as the Mountaineers' overall record in the stadium (169-81-12) and the outcome of the team's first and last games there (the Mountaineers defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 21 to 6 in September 1924, and lost to Pitt 17 to 24 in November 1979).

The monument also includes a list of all head coaches during those years and a list of the All-Americans who played there.

The monument was made possible by the WVU Alumni Association, the Office of the Provost, and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Provost Gerald Lang spearheaded the project in response to alumni demand.

"Old Mountaineer Field is an important part of the traditions and history of West Virginia University," Lang said. "Many great players participated in some truly memorable football games there. It was only right that we mark the location of the field with a lasting tribute to this glorious past."

Kudos

Hardestys Receive Honors
WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. has been awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, and he and his wife Susan were awarded the Dr. Earl L. Core Award.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is granted to Eagle Scouts who, after 25 years, have distinguished themselves in their life's work and who have shared their talents with their communities on a voluntary basis.

The Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. and Mrs. Hardesty with the Dr. Earl L. Core Award, the Chamber's most prestigious recognition.

The Core Award honors a community resident who exhibits an exceptionally strong commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of Monongalia County.

Outstanding WVU Alumnus Named
Devoted. Loyal. Dedicated. Those are the words that describe the 2004 WVU Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumnus, David K. Hendrickson. Hendrickson was honored at halftime of the November 6 WVU­Temple Homecoming game.

The Charleston attorney graduated cum laude from WVU in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in history and received his law degree from WVU in 1982. He is a former student body president and member of Mountain Honorary.

Hendrickson has maintained a steadfast commitment to WVU for more than 20 years. He was a member of the WVU Alumni Association's Board of Directors, serving as president in 1999, and was instrumental in establishing the Marmaduke H. Dent Society, an endowment that supports alumni programming.

He continues his support of the endowment by assisting in fund-raising efforts, including the annual Gold and Blue Weekend golf tournament and Kanawha Valley Chapter scholarship dinner/wine-tasting event.

Faculty Awards
Many of WVU's faculty and staff have been busy earning awards in their respective fields.

Briane K. Turley, research assistant professor of geography in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, has received WVU's first Fulbright Alumni Initiative Award.

Donald E. Hall is the 2005 Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Cultural Studies at Karl Franzens University in Graz, Austria.

Laura Brady, director of the Center for Writing Excellence, was named West Virginia Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Excellence and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Professor Ruth Kershner is Health Education College/University Professor of the year. Kershner teaches undergraduate and graduate-level courses in school and community health.

Betty L. Miller, associate professor emerita of mathematics, is the recipient of the 2004 Student Affairs Outstanding Achievement Award.

Herman L. Moses, Kenneth R. Sears, and Joe Summers were named to the Student Affairs Hall of Fame.

James Harms, director of the creative writing program has been awarded a Literature Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Five industry leaders with strong ties to West Virginia have been named to the 2004 West Virginia Business Hall of Fame.
Those honored were:

John C. Allen, president of J.F. Allen Co., one of the nation's top 100 federal highway contractors. He is a director of the WVU Foundation, Inc. and served on the Building Greatness campaign committee. In 2004 he was inducted into the Order of Vandalia.

Elmo J. Hurst, retired president of Elgin National Industries Inc., a highly diversified group of companies involved in engineering, construction and manufacturing. He graduated from WVU in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in mining engineering.

William T. McLaughlin, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Huntington Banks West Virginia. He graduated from the University in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Michele V. McNeill, founder of Kern McNeill International, a research firm that pioneered work in providing access to investigational drugs for serious and life-threatening illnesses. McNeill received her B.S. degree in pharmacy from WVU in 1975.

Robert H. Quenon, retired president and chief executive officer of Peabody Energy Corp., one of the top 10 energy-producing companies worldwide. He earned a bachelor's degree in mining engineering from WVU.

WVU Selects "Most Loyals"
The 2004 "Most Loyals" honorees were honored during the 57th annual WVU Mountaineer Week November 11­21. They are: Alfred F. Ware of Nokomis, Florida, Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer; Dr. Thomas S. and Jean Clonch Clark of Bruceton Mills, Most Loyal West Virginians; Dr. Douglas D. Glover, Most Loyal Faculty Mountaineer; and Betty Bea Cox, Most Loyal Staff Mountaineer. A special Spirit award was given posthumously to Dr. Anthony DiBartolomeo, who died in April.

Outstanding Parents Club Chapters Honored
Sabrina Cave, left, Mountaineer Parents Club director, congratulates Gail and Jim Woolwine, of the Northern Virginia Club, and Peg Holmes, of the Harrison County Club, as they display banners signifying them as having outstanding Parents Clubs. Susan Hardesty, national chair of the Mountaineer Parents Club, is at right. The awards were presented during halftime of the September 18 WVU­Maryland game during Fall Family Weekend.

Spring 2005 Contents

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