Don Knotts: Remembering a Legendary Alumnus • By Charlene Lattea
Before Don Knotts was known as a bumbling famous deputy on television, he was a WVU student and a star of many plays here. He entertained small crowds around Morgantown and the University with his dummy named “Danny” and performed with high school (and lifelong) friends

Shining in the Spotlight • By Jim Bissett and Kathy Deweese
Speech pathology professor Carolyn Atkins teaches WVU athletes how to deal with the media in an articulate manner. She’s able to excise the “ums” and “you knows” from their speech. For her efforts, she became the 2005 West Virginia Professor of the Year.

A New Home for Mountaineers • By Tara Curtis
Representing over 165,000 alumni is no easy task. But with continued help from the Erickson family and many others, the WVU Alumni Association will soon have a new building to call home. With increased space the Association will be able to expand current services offered to alumni and develop new programs such as mentoring.

Medical Miracle at WVU • By Bill Case
The sole survivor of the Sago mine disaster, Randal McCloy, was brought to WVU’s Ruby Memorial Hospital where a team of doctors, nurses, and others assisted in his remarkable recovery. He continues to improve with intensive physical therapy, impressing his medical team with his progress and tenacity.

Keeping Miners Safe: WVU at the Center of Mine Safety Initiatives • By Susan Case
Recent mining disasters have focused a spotlight on mine safety in West Virginia and across the world. Faculty in the WVU Department of Mining Engineering and Mining Extension are conducting research and educating engineers ad miners, and are ready to do even more.

Mountaineer Sees Through Disability • By Janey Cink
Representing WVU as the Mountaineer is no easy task. The buckskin clad mascot attends hundreds of events every year. He can whip a crowd into a frenzy or comfort a sick child in the hospital. Derek Fincham donned the uniform for two years and fulfilled his duties with honor—even though he’s legally blind.

DEPARTMENTS

A Note from the President
Lab Notes • Compiled by Bill Nevin
Newswire • Compiled by Jim Davis
Giving Back
Bookshelf
From the Field
Class Chatter
Alumni Voice • By Brian Wachur
Great Aspirations • By Kelly Whalen
Expressions • By Craig W. Meyers

FRONT COVER

A new home for Mountaineers. Rendering by IKM Incorporated.