By Lauren Taylor, Savannah Jones and Samantha Smith, The Daily Athenaeum
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — University President E. Gordon Gee delivered his final State of the University address at the College of Law’s Fitzsimmons Event Hall Monday, addressing his challenges and accomplishments throughout his 10-year tenure at WVU.
Gee acknowledged “Academic Transformation” as one of his administration’s “difficult but necessary” challenges, ultimately resulting in the elimination of nearly 30 academic programs and over 140 faculty members.
He said the process allowed the University to realign similar programs, specifically referencing the mergers creating the College of Creative Arts and Media and Division of Land Grant Engagement.
“Through the difficult but necessary process of ‘Academic Transformation,’ we have better aligned complementary programs to serve students today and welcome to the future in new units … Reinvention allows us to bring more focus to programs of vital power to our academic portfolio,” he said.
Gee also discussed other challenges faced by his administration, including the death of Nolan Burch due to Greek Life hazing in 2014, floods across the state occurring in 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When a tragedy took place in 2014 we pledged change and reformed Greek life to become a national model. When floods ravaged West Virginia two years later, we all pitched in to help our fellow citizens recover. When a pandemic paralyzed the globe, we gave of ourselves to forge a path forward.”
Gee outlined several University accomplishments since 2014, revolving around four pillars: education, health, prosperity and purpose.
He discussed record-breaking preliminary freshman retention rates this fall, currently estimated at 83.2%, which he attributes to the dedication of faculty members at the University.
Gee also discussed WVU’s efforts to increase financial aid opportunities through the “Dream First” campaign. Created by the WVU Foundation, the campaign offers $50 million in scholarships to students and has contributed to WVU’s affordability as an R1 research institution.
