PRT Reaches Milestone

By Jim Davis

What began as a mass transit prototype to accommodate WVU students and alleviate traffic congestion in downtown Morgantown is 30 years old.

The first phase of the Personal Rapid Transit was dedicated October 24, 1972; Tricia Nixon, daughter of then-President Richard Nixon, was on board one of the five test cars for the first demonstration ride. Since then, the PRT has undergone expansions and renovations and managed to pick up a few honors along the way.

After three decades the PRT is still serving the transportation needs of WVU students, faculty and staff, and Morgantown residents. The system will remain a vital alternative mode of transportation as the University and city continue to grow.

The PRT was the brainchild of Samy E.G. Elias, then a WVU Claude Worthington Benedum Professor of Transportation who is now associate dean for research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Engineering and Technology. Elias was one of many engineers and traffic experts around the country exploring new transit systems to alleviate smog-ridden traffic congestion plaguing urban America. He and his colleagues at the WVU College of Engineering proposed a guideway system of cars powered by electricity and controlled by computers as their transportation model. They also proposed Morgantown as the demonstration site.

The project and the site obtained approval from the federal government in July 1969, and grant money totaling $123.6 million began filtering in shortly thereafter to pay for studies and eventual construction. Phase I of the system consisted of 45 vehicles running from Walnut Street to the Evansdale campus and began carrying passengers in October 1975. Phase II extended the system to the Health Sciences Center, added 28 more cars, and began running in July 1979.

In 1998, the PRT underwent a $5.2 million computer upgrade and other improvements, most noticeably a paint job transforming the system's passenger cars from a bland white to Mountaineer blue and gold. The PRT has transported more than 57 million passengers since its dedication 30 years ago. Its 71 cars carry an average 14,000 passengers a day over 8.7 miles of guideway, with stations at Beechurst Avenue, Walnut Street, Evansdale (engineering and Towers), and Heath Sciences.

The PRT has attracted its share of recognition over the years. In 1972, the National Society of Professional Engineers named the system one of the nation's top ten engineering achievements of the year, and the PRT guideway across Monongahela Boulevard was cited as one of the 18 most beautiful new steel bridges to be built. In 1998, the PRT beat out Disney World's famed monorail as The New Electric Railway Journal's pick for best overall people-mover. Elias, meanwhile, won the first Henry Gantt Medallion Award from the Institute of Industrial Engineers in July 2001 for his innovative design of the PRT.

College of Law Kicks off Quasquicentennial Celebration
The College of Law launched its Quasqui-centennial Celebration September 17 at the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston with an event cosponsored by the Kanawha County Bar Association.

Established in 1878 as WVU's first professional school, the College of Law has a history rich in tradition and spirit. It has been accredited by the Association of American Law Schools since 1914 and by the American Bar Association since 1923. A chapter of the Order of the Coif, which recognizes the top ten percent of a graduating class for academic excellence, was established at the College of Law in 1925. Additionally, the West Virginia Law Review is the fourth oldest law review in the country.

Throughout the 125-year history of the state's only law school, the College of Law has benefited from a professional working relationship with the legal community in West Virginia. Members of the bench and bar have provided important counsel and advice to the law school community, which has enhanced the continued success in providing quality legal education.

WVU Press Releases New Fall Catalog
The fall catalog of the WVU Press is rich in Appalachian fiction, history, and music while also containing academic texts in a variety of areas. New to the catalog is the first release of a limited edition of rare collectable art prints from the Gramlee Collection of Early American Commercial Wood Engravings.

In 1977, two Pittsburgh businessmen, Bob Graham and Pat Lee, bought the entire inventory of more than 2,000 engraving blocks, dating back to 1895, from the S. George flour milling company of Wellsburg. The company had used the blocks to imprint its flour bags with the designs for almost 100 years. The collection was later donated to WVU.

College of Creative Arts Partners with Oglebay Institute
The WVU College of Creative Arts and Wheeling's Oglebay Institute are entering into a new collaboration that includes performing arts attractions, art exhibitions, and educational opportunities for Ohio Valley students.

"I'm thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Oglebay Institute," said Bernie Schultz, dean of the College of Creative Arts. "Oglebay Institute is one of the most respected institutions of its kind in the nation, and our partnership will offer many wonderful opportunities to the citizens of northern West Virginia."

"Partnering with other educational institutions is an essential part of Oglebay Institute's mission and ensures the public that it can rely on us for vigorous new directions and inspiring presentations," said Frederick A. Lambert, president of Oglebay Institute.

Included are collaborations with the College of Creative Arts and the Oglebay Institute's visual arts department. One exhibition,

"From Enoch to Strange Creek," will be shown from February 20 to March 22. "From Enoch to Strange Creek" is a painting installation by Michael Paxton, a native of West Virginia who lives in Chicago. The works reference six generations of Paxton's family history, lived at the juncture of Clay, Braxton, and Nicholas counties in West Virginia.

WVU art faculty were also involved with the Regional Student Art Exhibition at Oglebay that was held January 16 through February 8. The exhibition included programs that offered local students free art portfolio reviews by WVU professors.

A new scholarship given by Oglebay Institute and WVU also was awarded to an incoming freshman in the Division of Art. The $500 scholarship was presented as a result of the portfolio reviews during the Regional Student Art Exhibition.

Former Owens Corning CEO Joins B&E for Fall Semester
The former chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Owens Corning taught at WVU's College of Business and Economics as a faculty executive-in- residence during the fall 2002 semester.

Glen H. Hiner, who recently retired from Owens Corning, taught a graduate course in business ethics in the college's industrial relations program.

During his time as Owens Corning CEO, Hiner established and implemented a global vision for the company focused on customer satisfaction, individual dignity, and shareholder value. The company introduced new products and built new manufacturing facilities around the world. The company's business strategy drove sales by shifting its focus from individual products to system-driven solutions. The company launched a major restructuring initiative in early 1998 and achieved more than $110 million in cost savings.

A native of Morgantown, he holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from WVU and received an honorary doctorate in science from his alma mater in 1989. Also in 1989, he was inducted into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

WVU Receives Multimillion- Dollar Contract to Help Persons with Disabilities
A national jobs clearinghouse based at WVU that matches positions with the needs and talents of disabled people has won a $9.5 million, five-year contract to continue its work for the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), the only nationwide program of its kind, answers more than 32,000 calls each year, primarily from employers and their workers with disabilities.

JAN is housed within the WVU College of Human Resources and Education's International Center for Disability Information and is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. A staff of 25 runs the jobs network.

This funding ($1.77 million in the first year with the possibility of renewal for four subsequent years) will further help JAN perform its mission of assisting in the hiring, retraining, retention, and advancement of persons with disabilities by providing accommodation information in a confidential manner.

The funds will be used to improve three primary electronic services:

• A web site that serves as a gateway to information on accommodations, disability laws, publications, and other resources to assist employment of people with disabilities (www.jan.wvu.edu);
• Project SOAR, a Searchable On-Line Accommodation Resource to provide information on accommodation options and products (www.jan.wvu.edu/soar); and
• The Small Business and Self-Employment Service to provide information about resources available for people with disabilities who wish to be self- employed or to start a small business.

Student Affairs Honors Four
WVU's Office of Student Affairs presented an Outstanding Achievement Award and inducted three into the Student Affairs Hall of Fame at the annual Student Affairs awards ceremony in October.

This year, the University honored James R. McCartney with the Student Affairs Outstanding Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to higher education. McCartney was student body president from 1940-41 and a member of the Mountaineer basketball team.

After leaving the University, his commitment to higher education continued with service in various capacities, including serving as a member of the West Virginia Board of Regents, a trustee of the WVU Alumni Association Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund, a member of the Board of Trustees for West Virginia Wesleyan College, and as a long-time chapter advisor for the Gamma Delta chapter of the WVU Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Three former WVU employees were inducted into the Student Affairs Hall of Fame: Geraldine C. Belmear, Arlene T. Hahn, and Emma M. Jackson.

In 1978, as the student advisor for the first Black Student Office, Belmear initiated and implemented new programs and publications that contributed to the growth and well-being of WVU's African American students.

She also planned and initiated leadership workshops and conferences for the WVU African American population and was pivotal in developing the current Center for Black Culture and Research. Belmear also worked for West Virginia Extension, where she planned and conducted Barbour County's first 4-H camp for African American children.

She graduated from West Virginia State College in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in home economics, and in 1962 she received a master's of science degree in home economic education from WVU.

From 1965-81, Hahn served as the administrative associate/receptionist in Towers Residence Halls, where she supported staff and students within the Evansdale Residential Complex.

In 1981, Hahn began a new career as the office manager for the Office of Student Life. She retired in 1990.

For 31 years, Jackson served as the room assignments clerk/assistant with the Department of Housing and Residence Life.

This is the fifth year Student Affairs Hall of Fame awards have been presented.

Five State Business Leaders Named to Hall of Fame
Governor Bob Wise was on hand to congratulate the 2002 West Virginia Business Hall of Fame inductees. Pictured left to right are: Verl O. Purdy, president and owner, AGDATA Inc.; A. Bray Cary Jr., president and CEO, West Virginia Media Holdings LLC; Charles E. Ryan, chairman and CEO, Charles Ryan Associates Inc.; Gov. Wise; Richard M. Adams, chairman and CEO, United Bankshares Inc.; and G. Ogden Nutting, chairman, Ogden Newspapers Inc.

"We could not have been more pleased with the number and caliber of nominations this year. It was a competitive field and the selection committee had a difficult task," said B&E Dean Jay Coats. "The five we are honoring are among the top in accomplishment and definitely serve as role models for our students and other businesspeople."

Those inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame must have connections to West Virginia, either by birth, residence, education, or business presence. They must also have established a record of distinction in their field and industry in the categories of national/international businesses, state-based enterprises, or entrepreneurial and family businesses.

WVU Honors Outstanding Mountaineer Parents Clubs

Sabrina Cave, left, Mountaineer Parents Club director, and Susan Hardesty, right, national chair of the Mountaineer Parents Club, congratulate Audrey Faust of the Lehigh Valley, Pa., Parents Club and Kathy and Bill Watson of the Preston County Parents Club. The Lehigh Valley and Preston County clubs were selected as this year's outstanding Mountaineer Parents Club groups and were honored at halftime of the WVU­East Carolina football game.

Homecoming Honors
Royalty
Two WVU students who hail from southern West Virginia were named homecoming king and queen October 19 during halftime of the WVU—Syracuse football game.

Tim Valentine of Charleston and Angella Piccirillo of Madison were crowned by University President David C. Hardesty Jr. before a Homecoming game crowd of about 45,000.

Valentine is a senior music education major. He was sponsored by the Gamma Beta Phi Society and serves as the organization's state and local president. As president, he will be the host of the organization's regional conference this fall and is leading his members to raise money and toys for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in a project called U-Haul for Life.

Piccirillo is a senior broadcast news major. She was sponsored by Alpha Xi Delta and is active in the sorority. She has served as philanthropy chair when the sorority received best philanthropy designation. She has also served as the vice president of public relations for Panhellenic Council.

Alumni Association Honors Three
The WVU Alumni Association honored three distinguished members of the University community—all from Morgantown—at this year's Homecoming celebration.

Past chair of the WVU Board of Governors Vaughn Kiger received the 2002 Outstanding Alumnus Award. Horace and Geraldine Belmear served as Homecoming parade marshals. All participated in the annual Homecoming parade and were honored during halftime of the WVU—Syracuse game.

"These individuals have honored WVU for decades by tirelessly working to advance the interests of the University, its students, and the cause of higher education in West Virginia," said Stephen L. Douglas, chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association.

Vaughn Kiger, president of Dorsey & Kiger Realtors of Morgantown, is past chairman of the WVU Board of Advisors and WVU Board of Governors, where he remains a member and serves on the Executive, Business Affairs, Compensation, and University Relations Committees.

The Morgantown native earned a bachelor's degree in history from WVU in 1966. He has been a member of the WVU Alumni Association for more than 25 years, serving as president of its board of directors from 1992-93.

Horace Belmear, a native of Bardstown, Ky., earned a master's degree in physical education from WVU in 1951. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Belmear taught social studies and physical education at Dunbar High School in Fairmont for 18 years. While at Dunbar, he coached football, basketball, track, and baseball.

In 1971, Belmear came to WVU as director of foreign student admissions. In seven years, he tripled the number of foreign students and the number of countries represented at WVU. In 1979, he was named assistant dean of admissions and records. The following year, Belmear took on formal responsibility for the recruitment and retention of black students at WVU, which became his full- time role until his retirement in 1993.

His wife, Geraldine Carpenter Belmear, was valedictorian of Dunbar High School, and obtained a master's degree in home economics education from WVU in 1962.

For nearly 30 years, Mrs. Belmear worked with the State Cooperative Extension Service, ultimately supervising a staff of 15. She made history when she was placed in charge of the Marion County Homemakers Program, becoming the first black woman in the nation to hold this rank.

After retiring from the Extension Service, Mrs. Belmear joined her husband at WVU, serving successively as black student advisor, assistant dean for minority affairs, and assistant coordinator of minority affairs from 1978 until her retirement in 1987. She helped create the Center for Black Culture and Research and counseled high- and low-achieving students and their parents, making a lasting impact upon a generation of students by serving as a "surrogate grandmother."

Together, the Belmears created an annual welcome reception for incoming minority freshmen; this event is now named in their honor.

A professor, a retired administrator, an accountant, a retired CEO, and a dedicated volunteer were honored as "Most Loyals" during the 55th annual Mountaineer Week, a celebration of Appalachian heritage, held November 1­9 on WVU's campus.

The 2002 honorees were Royce Heiskell Keller of Morgantown, Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer; James R. and Clara C. Thomas of Charleston, Most Loyal West Virginians; and Carolyn Peluso Atkins and Neil E. Bolyard, both of Morgantown, Most Loyal Faculty and Staff Mountaineers, respectively. The group was honored during halftime ceremonies of the WVU vs. Boston College football game Saturday, November 9.

Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer
An exercise physiologist major from Beaver, Jill Thomas, and a biology major from Conklin, N.Y., Michael Morgan, are this year's Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer.

I am thrilled," Thomas said. "This is an incredibly high honor."

Morgan agreed. "It's great to know your teachers and peers think so much of you to even consider you for this award, let alone win it."

Candidates are nominated independently, or by a student organization, college dean, or director. They must complete an application and a 600-word essay on what being a Mountaineer means to them. They are interviewed by two separate panels who choose both the finalists and the winners.

December Convocation

Sage Advice

WVU alumnus and president of the NBA's New Jersey Nets, Rod Thorn, told graduating seniors that the professional world has changed. "It used to be that if you joined a top firm, you stayed with them and changed jobs within the company. Today, people have five and six careers and may move to different parts of the country. Be ready for that," he said. Thorn also encouraged WVU's 1,200 December graduates to have a game plan. "You gotta have a plan . . . clear goals. And don't be afraid to fail or to try new things." The NBA executive, who has been a player, coach, and general manager, knows of what he speaks. He had settled into a comfortable career as vice president of operations for the National Basketball Association until about two years ago when the Nets came calling. "My wife said, 'Are you crazy?' But I needed a new challenge." That challenge resulted in the team going to the playoffs in only his second season with the club and Thorn being named NBA Executive of the Year.

Honored

Dr. Warner Schaie, the Evan Pugh Professor of Human Development and Psychology at Penn State University's Gerontology Center (center) returned to campus for December Convocation to accept an honorary doctor of science degree from President David C. Hardesty, left, and Provost Gerald Lang. Schaie was chairman of WVU's Department of Psychology some 30 years ago, starting it on its path to national prominence. He said it was an honor to be remembered for his professional accomplishments, but even more so for the friendships he forged.

WVU Faculty Participate in Institute
Some WVU faculty are participating in the second annual Snowshoe Institute at West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Ron Lewis, the Robbins Chair of History; Mitch Finkel, professor of medicine, on "Heart Disease and Depression"; Bill Pettit, assistant professor of behavior medicine and psychiatry, on "Mind, Consciousness, and Thought-Finding"; and a presentation by College of Creative Arts Dean Bernie Schultz, and his wife, Cookie, on the life and work of Blanche Lazzell. Also, the James Miltenberger Jazz Quartet will perform, led by a WVU faculty member.

The Institute, modeled after the famed Chautauqua Institute in New York, will feature a broad spectrum of engaging performers, scholarly speakers, and creative workshops. The event is a collaborative effort with WVU, Marshall University, the West Virginia Humanities Council, and Snowshoe Mountain.

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