West Virginia

WVU Board of Governors Faces a Reckoning – WV MetroNews

Published

6 months ago

June 18, 2025

WVU Board of Governors Faces a Reckoning – WV MetroNews

The West Virginia University Board of Governors (BOG) has had a tough stretch lately. It shows. Few observers would describe the group as a cohesive team.

The first public crack appeared in February, when the board voted 15-2 to name “Candidate A” as its choice to succeed E. Gordon Gee. That candidate, now publicly known as Dr. Michael Benson, failed to win unanimous support. Bray Cary and Steve Ruby voted no.

Unanimity isn’t required – and often isn’t healthy – but the division only offered a hint of what was coming.

By May 23, Bray Cary openly challenged the integrity of the search process, claiming that Benson’s selection was effectively made behind closed doors.

“Our chairman, Rick Pill, testified before a legislative committee in March that no votes were taken and no decisions were made during the executive sessions of the presidential search,” Cary said. “That statement wasn’t true based on how we selected the president in February.”

That same afternoon, Cary refused to participate in executive session. His fellow board members responded swiftly and forcefully.

“The proper process was followed in the hiring of the 27th president of West Virginia University,” said a joint statement from Chair Rick Pill, Vice Chair Patrice Harris, and Secretary Bob Reynolds. “Claims otherwise are false, inflammatory, and only serve to detract from the important groundwork being laid for the future of the state’s flagship university.

“The comments you reference are from a disgruntled BOG member who, candidly, had backed another candidate.”

That candidate? House Speaker Roger Hanshaw.

MetroNews’ Brad McElhinny reported regarding the 15-2 presidential vote, “discussions in an earlier closed session revealed a much closer split, with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw getting significant support. Sources indicated last week’s vote for BOG chairman reflected that.”

Later, fresh allegations surfaced – this time directed at Cary – suggesting a possible failure to disclose a conflict of interest presumably with Hanshaw.

“If a member of the [search] committee had a current or prior business relationship with a prospect or candidate and did not proactively disclose it, that would be troubling and should be reviewed,” said Patrice Harris, co-founder and CEO of eMed.

The latest development: last week’s election of Rusty Hutson, Co-Founder and CEO of Diversified Energy, as the new Board chair by a vote of 9-6.

Looking ahead, three board members are nearing the end of their terms; Cary, Pill and Alan Larrick. Filling those seats – by reappointment or new appointment – falls to Governor Patrick Morrisey.

From the outside, WVU’s Board is not what management guru Peter Drucker once described as a “tennis doubles team” – an ideal in which each member adjusts to the strengths and weaknesses of their partner and adapts to the evolving game. In Drucker’s 1990s Wall Street Journal piece, he argued such teams fuel real innovation. The WVU BOG is far from that model.

But the stakes couldn’t be higher. The landscape of college athletics is shifting dramatically. Enrollment is declining. Budget pressures are mounting. The university must adapt or risk falling further behind.

Fair or not, Hutson now shoulders responsibility for reshaping the institution’s governing board or making it work. Dr. Benson, while accomplished, is new to WVU. His success hinges on the Board’s willingness to support his vision. That, in turn, depends on Hutson’s ability to unify the board and move past internal squabbles.

Hutson has the credentials. Leading a large public company to success requires decisiveness, vision, and grit. But WVU’s governance comes with a twist: Hutson doesn’t control all the variables. He can’t change the board composition if a member crosses the line of constructive contrarian to destructive detractor.

That’s where Benson’s voice must emerge soon and strong. Like the CEO of a publicly traded firm, he must have the discretion to help shape the board as he enters. That includes working with Hutson and Governor Morrisey to fill or re-appoint upcoming vacancies with members committed to the institution’s future – not tied to old feuds – and the freedom, with the Governor’s backing, to make any board changes he deems necessary, in consultation with Hutson.

Absent the change of buy in or restructuring – probably both – the dysfunction will likely persist. And if that happens, West Virginia University – our flagship, our pride – will pay the price.

That cannot be allowed. Not now. Not ever.

Editor’s Note: Meadows is a WVU graduate.

Listen to the on-air version

Source link

West Virginia

West Virginia seeks Purple Hearts for two National Guard members

Published

5 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia seeks Purple Hearts for two National Guard members

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WTAP) – Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Friday that the state has requested that the Purple Heart be awarded to the two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C.

The Governor requested the Purple Heart to be awarded posthumously to U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the incident, and be awarded to Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was critically injured.

“Their actions on that tragic day meet the highest and clearest standards for the Purple Heart, a decoration that recognizes those wounded or killed in action against an enemy or during a hostile or terrorist act,” Morrisey said. “I could not think of two servicemembers more deserving of this award.”

Gov. Morrisey also reviewed broader work by the West Virginia National Guard and the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance during 2025.

The National Guard carried out overseas missions, including deployments to the Middle East and Europe, and operations along the U.S. Southwest border. The Guard also responded to two major flooding events in the state. In February 2025, more than 350 service members were mobilized across 14 counties, conducting swift-water rescues, distributing nearly 340,000 bottles of water and clearing more than 17,000 tons of debris.

A separate response to flash flooding in Ohio and Marion counties in June 2025 involved nearly 200 Guard members who cleared an additional 12,000 tons of debris.

When the federal government shut down in October, the National Guard helped ensure families had access to meals. One hundred sixty-four service members distributed more than 1 million pounds of food to over 400 food pantries.

The governor highlighted work by the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance. Services officers secured $5.4 billion in federal benefits for West Virginia veterans in 2025, an increase of $500 million from 2024.

The department also advanced facility modernization projects. The Veterans Home in Barboursville received upgrades to the kitchen, infirmary and HVAC systems.

Major renovations are underway at the Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, including construction of a new kitchen and installation of a modern nurse call system.

“Taking care of the common, everyday issues can make a huge difference in our everyday lives, and that’s just what Veterans Assistance is doing with these upgrades. Our veterans are fantastic people who don’t ask for much, and it’s great to see this great work being done on their behalf,” Gov. Morrisey said.

See an error in our reporting? Send us an email by clicking here!

Source link

West Virginia

More than 30,000 without power in West Virginia after strong winds overnight

Published

17 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

More than 30,000 without power in West Virginia after strong winds overnight

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A large portion of the Mountain State saw storms with gusty winds last night, which has resulted in several trees coming down across roads, thousands of power outages and schools being delayed and closed.

As of Friday morning, the WV 511 website displays multiple warnings of fallen trees and debris in roadways, including several in north-central West Virginia. Both Harrison and Marion County 911 logs show crews responding to several reports of trees down.

WV 511

The First Energy website also shows that a total of 36,688 of its customers are currently without power, with many still waiting for an estimated restoration time.

Due to these power outages, multiple schools throughout West Virginia have been delayed or closed for the day, including those in Barbour, Gilmer, Lewis, Marion, Ritchie, Taylor, and Upshur counties.

Regular trees weren’t the only ones forced down due to the winds. Christmas decorations, including the Bridgeport Christmas tree, were knocked over as well.

Source link

West Virginia

Man dies in southern W.Va. mining incident

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Man dies in southern W.Va. mining incident

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A miner died Thursday after an incident at a coal mine in Wyoming County, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.

The governor said it happened at the Lower War Eagle mine.

Morrisey released the following statement on Thursday evening:

“Denise and I were deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a coal miner today at the Lower War Eagle mine in Wyoming County. Our hearts go out to his family, loved ones, and coworkers during this sorrowful time.

“The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training responded immediately and is conducting a full investigation.

“Each day, West Virginia miners perform difficult and demanding tasks. They do this to provide for their families, to build the communities, and to forge a better future for the next generation of West Virginians. It is that work, their strength, and their dedication that defines our state and our nation.

“I ask that all West Virginians lift this miner’s family, friends, and community up in your prayers and keep them in your thoughts through the difficult days ahead.”

The victim’s name has not been released.

Source link