By Tara Curtis
“As an alumna of WVU, you have an attachment with the school, with the people who taught you, and the lifelong friends that you made while you were here.” —Judge Irene C. Berger, ’76 |
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY is a special place for its more than 165,000 graduates. It’s the place where we made lifelong friends. A place that opened doors to new adventures and helped us discover who we are. A place that helped us realize our dreams. It’s the place Mountaineers call home.
Soon, when alumni and friends return home to WVU they will find a new alumni center on campus to reminisce and celebrate these special memories. The WVU Alumni Association, in partnership with the WVU Foundation, Inc., has embarked on a $12 million capital campaign to build a new alumni center that will serve alumni, friends, and the University community.
“The Erickson Alumni Center has been our home for nearly 20 years and has served us well,” says Jim Gardill, chair of the WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors. “As the University has grown, so has our alumni base. With more than 165,000 graduates worldwide and record enrollment at WVU, this new facility will position the WVU Alumni Association to better meet the changing needs of our alumni and friends.”
Located less than 400 yards from Milan Puskar Stadium, the facility will bring the downtown tradition to the Evansdale campus. As alumni and visitors approach the new center, they will immediately be drawn to the landmark bell tower, reminiscent of Woodburn Hall. The tower will feature a set of genuine bronze carillon bells along with a custom multi-bell digital touch screen carillon instrument which can be programmed to play some of WVU’s most popular songs, such as the Alma Mater, Country Roads, Simple Gifts, and the WVU Fight Song.
With more than 44,000 square feet of space, the new center will more than triple the size of the current Erickson Alumni Center and feature terraces, multiple meeting and banquet facilities, an outdoor fireplace, and waterfall. A Hall of Honor will pay tribute to some of WVU’s most distinguished and memorable alumni. WVU traditions and memorabilia will also find a home at the new alumni center. Alumni will be able to view old yearbooks and magazines, special keepsakes, and other items that tell the history of our Alma Mater.
A Home Away From Home
Whether in town on business or visiting campus with their families, alumni will be able to take advantage of added conveniences, including an alumni privacy office. The office will contain a phone, computer, and wireless Internet access. The new center will also provide ample meeting space for alumni and University events, including a club room where visitors can pull up a chair, relax, and catch up with old friends.
Located on a beautiful park-like setting with walking paths and gorgeous landscaping, the new alumni center will offer unique event space under the sun or stars. Featuring a waterfall and outdoor fireplace, alumni and friends will be able to enjoy reunions, chapter events, and pre-game pep rallies in the adjacent courtyard.
With an entire floor to call its own, the Alumni Association will be able to provide for future growth. The expanded office space will also allow the Association to grow its current internship program for WVU students.
A Home for Future Alumni and the University Community
The Alumni Association hopes this new facility will further enhance student involvement in the University as they prepare to be ambassadors for WVU. Programs such as the Zero-Year Reunion, Student Alumni Association, class ring ceremonies, and internship opportunities are just a few currently in place for our future alumni. The organization also plans to create new traditions and programs for students. With more space, the Alumni Association will be able to develop a mentoring program where students can be matched with alumni who will provide practical advice and guidance about careers and other post-graduate topics.
“It’s impossible to describe how important this new alumni center will be in the future for our alumni and the WVU community.”
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The University community will also be able to take advantage of the new technology resources as well as event space, making the new center valuable to the entire campus. Each year, the current alumni center plays host to hundreds of University events,including meetings, awards ceremonies, and other special occasions. The expansion of meeting facilities in the new center is sure to attract more campuswide events.
“The new alumni center is truly one of the most important capital projects for the University,” says President David C. Hardesty Jr. “This new center will enhance student programming, provide additional services for alumni, and serve as the home of future generations of Mountaineers.”
A Home of Family Tradition
The late Charles O. “Charlie” Erickson, a noted businessman and philanthropist, believed that alumni associations play important roles in the lives of the institutions. In the 1980s, he provided financial support to many colleges and universities in West Virginia to build alumni centers, including the current Erickson Alumni Center at WVU. His son Charles F. Erickson is proud to carry on that family tradition.
“I am so honored to be part of this historic campaign,” says Erickson, chair of the Erickson Foundation. “This new building will bring a renewed sense of pride and spirit to alumni and to the University. I know my father would have been extremely proud of this new facility and the services it will provide to students, alumni, and the University community.”
The new center will retain the Erickson name in honor of the family’s continued generosity. In addition to the gift made to fund the current facility, the Erickson Foundation has generously provided a $1 million gift to the WVU Foundation, Inc. for the new alumni home.
“We are so fortunate to have friends like Charles and Laurie Erickson,” adds Gardill. “They have played an integral role in making this new alumni center a reality. We look forward to their leadership and guidance in moving this project forward.”
Groundbreaking for the new alumni center is expected to take place in 2007 with an anticipated completion date of fall 2008. Once the new facility is complete, the old alumni center will be transferred to WVU and will be renovated to house a museum of art under the direction of the College of Creative Arts.
WVU Alumni Association and the WVU Foundation Launch Capital Campaign The new alumni center is one of the University’s most important capital projects. The building will cost approximately $12 million and will be funded completely through private contributions. “The WVU Foundation recognizes the importance of this new facility, and we are pleased to be a part of the campaign,” says F. Duke Perry, president and CEO of the Foundation. “Our success will be dependent upon the generosity of WVU alumni worldwide.” Earlier this year the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust pledged a generous gift of $1.5 million to the building campaign. The gift will be used to build the grand hall and gardens at the new center. Several naming opportunities are still available at the new alumni center. All WVU alumni and friends will have an opportunity to participate in this historic capital campaign. We hope you will join us in building a “New Home for Mountaineers.” For more information about how you can be involved in building “A New Home for Mountaineers,” contact Ellen Gibson Goodwin, ’71, executive director for development at 1-866-WVU-ALUM. |