By Steve Douglas
It has been an incredible year for West Virginia University.
Student enrollment at WVU reached more than 26,000 students in 2005—the largest enrollment in the history of the University. Our academic programs continue to gain national recognition, including the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program, which was featured on CNN in January.
And of course there is the success of our athletic programs. The women’s basketball team had a great year, making it all the way to the WNIT championship game. Greg Jones placed himself among wrestling’s elite, winning the national title three times during his career at WVU. He was also honored with the Hardman Award—an award given to the West Virginia Amateur Athlete of the Year. Megan Metcalfe ran her way to a NCAA championship title in the outdoor 5,000—only the third female track and field athlete in school history to accomplish such a feat. Our men’s and women’s soccer teams both earned NCAA tournament berths, another testament to the strength of our athletic programs.
The men’s basketball team captured the hearts of the nation during the Big East and NCAA tournaments. I don’t think there is a Mountaineer among us who will ever forget the teamwork and tenacity of this team as they made it to the Elite Eight.
To top off the year, the football team, led by two talented freshmen, captivated Sugar Bowl audiences with a team who worked and played well together. This unbelievable team beat Georgia in one of the most exciting bowl games of the year and brought home our first-ever win in a BCS bowl.
We are extremely proud of our athletic teams and are equally proud of our alumni and fans that came out to support these young men and women in their quest for success. The gold and blue was worn proudly throughout the nation and world as we watched our alma mater make national headlines.
Equal in dedication to our athletic teams is the loyalty and commitment shown by our alumni and friends throughout the nation. This past year, WVU grads came out in huge masses to attend alumni events, often traveling thousands of miles just to be part of the excitement and tradition. On our trip to the campus of UCLA in January, some of our University’s most distinguished alumni, including Jerry West; David Selby and his wife, Chip; and Ray Lane and his wife, Stephanie, came out in support of the team. Mark Robertson traveled across the globe from Greece to Atlanta to be part of the Sugar Bowl festivities, a true testament to the loyalty of our alumni worldwide.
While the past year has certainly been a celebration for WVU, it was also a time of tragedy for many across the nation. Mountaineers proved their hearts extend far beyond WVU. When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated communities, our alumni responded by opening their hearts and their wallets to help. Alumni chapters across the country joined together to raise thousands of dollars for the hurricane victims. Our alumni living in the Houston area pitched in to help sort food and volunteer their time at the Astrodome. Some even traveled to Louisiana and Mississippi to do whatever they could to assist in the restoration efforts.
Earlier this year, the state of West Virginia was thrust into the national spotlight as tragedy struck the Sago and Alma mines. In this difficult time, our alumni once again came together and showed their true Mountaineer spirit. The RTP Alumni Chapter, serving the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, area, raised more than $2,000 in one evening to benefit the families of the miners. And, our own alumnus, Governor Joe Manchin, made us proud as he showed compassion and resilience during this time of unbelievable tragedy.
Yes, it is a year like this that makes me truly proud of my alma mater. In the words of Tony Caridi, “It’s a great time to be a Mountaineer wherever you may be.” Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to support WVU.
Steve Douglas is president and chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1974 and a master’s degree in physical education in 1979, both from WVU. Steve has been with the Alumni Association for more than 20 years.