West Virginia University Information: Under the terms of the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, the West Virginia Legislature created the Agricultural College of West Virginia on February 7, 1867. The school officially opened in Morgantown, West Virginia, on September 2 of the same year. On December 4, 1868, lawmakers renamed the college West Virginia University to represent a broader range of higher education. Enrollment is about 30,000.
E. Gordon Gee began serving his second term as president of the university in January of 2014. As president of Ohio State University, Gee referred to TCU as a "Sister of the Poor" school in terms of athletics and in particular, football, in 2011, when the Frogs played in the Rose Bowl.
West Virginia University has an enrollment of nearly 23,000 students.
When it was formed, West Virginia was required to have a Cadet Corps under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1862. The US Department of War -- a predecessor of the US Department of Defense offered military equipment to the university at no charge, forming the basis of the school's Military Tactics department. The heavy military influence led to opposition of female enrollment that lasted through the first decade of the university. The trend changed in 1889, when 10 women were allowed to enroll and seek degrees at the university. In June 1891, Harriet Lyon became the first woman to receive a degree from West Virginia University, finishing first in the class ahead of all male students. Lyon's academic success supported the acceptance of women in the university as students and educators.
During the University's early years, daily chapel services and roll call for all students were mandatory, limiting time for student recreation. Following the removal of these obligations, students became active in extracurricular activities and established many of the school's first athletic and student organizations. The first edition of the student newspaper known as the Athenaeum, now The Daily Athenaeum, was published in 1887, and the West Virginia Law Review became the fourth-oldest law review in the United States when it was founded in 1894.
In 1957, WVU opened a Medical Center and founded the first school of dentistry in West Virginia. The university also is noted for having established the first mining program in the nation.
WVU also is known for its Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, which was built to link WVU's distributed campuses (Downtown, Evansdale, and Health Sciences) and to reduce student traffic on local highways. The PRT began operation in 1973 and has nearly nine miles of guideway track and five stations. Students, faculty and staff ride for free. The PRT handles about 16,000 riders per day and uses approximately 70 cars. The unique aspect that makes the system "personal" is that a rider specifies their destination when entering the system and, depending on system load, the PRT can dispatch a car that will travel directly to that station.
The Art Museum of West Virginia University opened in August of 2015. The 5,300-square-foot facility features touring exhibitions of works of art from the Appalachian region, Asia and Africa.
E. Gordon Gee began serving his second term as president of the university in January of 2014. As president of Ohio State University, Gee referred to TCU as a "Sister of the Poor" school in terms of athletics and in particular, football, in 2011, when the Frogs played in the Rose Bowl.
West Virginia University has an enrollment of nearly 23,000 students.
When it was formed, West Virginia was required to have a Cadet Corps under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1862. The US Department of War -- a predecessor of the US Department of Defense offered military equipment to the university at no charge, forming the basis of the school's Military Tactics department. The heavy military influence led to opposition of female enrollment that lasted through the first decade of the university. The trend changed in 1889, when 10 women were allowed to enroll and seek degrees at the university. In June 1891, Harriet Lyon became the first woman to receive a degree from West Virginia University, finishing first in the class ahead of all male students. Lyon's academic success supported the acceptance of women in the university as students and educators.
During the University's early years, daily chapel services and roll call for all students were mandatory, limiting time for student recreation. Following the removal of these obligations, students became active in extracurricular activities and established many of the school's first athletic and student organizations. The first edition of the student newspaper known as the Athenaeum, now The Daily Athenaeum, was published in 1887, and the West Virginia Law Review became the fourth-oldest law review in the United States when it was founded in 1894.
In 1957, WVU opened a Medical Center and founded the first school of dentistry in West Virginia. The university also is noted for having established the first mining program in the nation.
WVU also is known for its Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, which was built to link WVU's distributed campuses (Downtown, Evansdale, and Health Sciences) and to reduce student traffic on local highways. The PRT began operation in 1973 and has nearly nine miles of guideway track and five stations. Students, faculty and staff ride for free. The PRT handles about 16,000 riders per day and uses approximately 70 cars. The unique aspect that makes the system "personal" is that a rider specifies their destination when entering the system and, depending on system load, the PRT can dispatch a car that will travel directly to that station.
The Art Museum of West Virginia University opened in August of 2015. The 5,300-square-foot facility features touring exhibitions of works of art from the Appalachian region, Asia and Africa.
Notable West Virginia Alumni: Notable alumni of West Virginia University include: filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, US Senator Joe Manchin; Don Knotts, television and movie actor; Conchata Ferrell, actress; Taylor Kinney, actor; Stephen Coonts, New York Times best-selling author; Gregory Babe, CEO, Bayer Corporation; Heather Bresch, CEO of Mylan; John Chambers, president and CEO of Cisco Systems; Karen S. Evans, de facto CIO of the United States under President George W. Bush; athletes Jerry West, Jim Braxton, Marc Bulger, Avon Cobourne, Mike Compton, Noel Devine, Cecil Doggette, Mike Gansey, Major Harris, Chris Henry, Joe Herber, Jeff Hostetler, Chuck Howley, Sam Huff, Darryl Talley, "Hot Rod" Hundley, Adam "Pacman" Jones, Joe Stydahar, Dan Mozes, Kevin Pittsnogle, Jerry Porter, Todd Sauerbrun, Steve Slaton, Ray Gaddis, Rod Thorn, Oliver Luck, Mike Vanderjagt, Pat White, Quincy Wilson, Amos Zereoue, Greg Jones, Joe Alexander, Owen Schmitt, Georgann Wells, Geno Smith, and Jedd Gyorko; Jay Chattaway, a Star Trek music score writer; Fuzzy Knight, writer of the WVU Fight Song and country-western actor; Kathy Mattea, country music singer; James Valenti, tenor at the Metropolitan Opera, New York; William Wallace Barron, 26th Governor of West Virginia; Virginia Mae Brown, first woman to head the Interstate Commerce Commission; Becky Cain, past president of the League of Women Voters; William G. Conley, 18th Governor of West Virginia; William Harrison Courtney, special assistant to President Bill Clinton; William E. Glasscock, 13th Governor of West Virginia; Howard Mason Gore, 17th Governor of West Virginia; Kathleen M. Hawk, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons; William C. Marland, 24th Governor of West Virginia; Arch A. Moore, Jr., 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia; Ephraim F. Morgan, 16th Governor of West Virginia; Matthew M. Neely, 22nd Governor of West Virginia; Asra Nomani, former Wall Street Journal reporter, author and Islamic reform and feminism activist; Cecil H. Underwood, youngest (25th) and oldest (32nd) Governor of West Virginia; Jon McBride, astronaut.
West Virginia Traditions:
Here are some traditions observed by West Virginia students and alumni:
West Virginia Traditions:
Here are some traditions observed by West Virginia students and alumni:
Colors: "Old gold and blue" are the official university colors, having been selected by the upperclassmen of 1890 from the West Virginia state seal. While the official school colors are old gold and blue, a brighter gold is used in official university logos and merchandise. This change in color scheme is often cited for the lack of a universal standard for colors during the 19th century when the university's colors were selected. Additionally, the brighter gold is argued to create a more intimidating environment for sporting events. The university accepts "gold and blue" for the color scheme, but states clearly that the colors are not "blue and gold", to distinguish West Virginia from its rival, the University of Pittsburgh.Nickname and Mascot: WVU incorporated the Mountaineers nickname in 1905 after the coining of West Virginia's state motto, "Mountaineers are Always Free." Prior to 1905, the team was referred to as the "Snakes."
The Mountaineer was adopted as the official school mascot and unofficially began appearing at sporting events in 1936. A new Mountaineer is selected each year during the final two men's home basketball games, with the formal title "The Mountaineer of West Virginia University." The new Mountaineer receives a scholarship, a tailor-made buckskin suit with coonskin hat, and a period rifle and powder horn for discharging when appropriate and safe. While not required, male mascots traditionally grow a beard. During football games, the Mountaineer mascot will fire a blank shot from his musket upon the team's entrance prior to kickoff, at the conclusion of each quarter and following every score.
Songs: John Denver's hit song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is the unofficial song of the University and, as of March 8, 2014, one of the official songs of the State of West Virginia. The song has been played at every Mountaineers home game since 1972. After a Mountaineers win, the players lead the crowd in singing the song. Listen: here and here
The "West Virginia University Alma Mater" was composed in 1937. Listen: here
The school fight song is "Fight Mountaineers." Listen: here
Another song associated with the university is "Hail, West Virginia." Listen: here
The Carpet Roll: The Carpet Roll is a West Virginia men's basketball tradition. In 1955 Fred Schaus and Alex Mumford devised the idea of rolling out an elaborate gold and blue carpet for Mountaineer basketball players to use when taking the court for pre-game warm-ups. In addition, Mountaineer players warmed up with a special gold and blue basketball. The University continued this tradition until the late 1960s when it died out, but former Mountaineer player Gale Catlett reintroduced the carpet when he returned to West Virginia University in 1978 as head coach of the men's basketball team.
The "West Virginia University Alma Mater" was composed in 1937. Listen: here
The school fight song is "Fight Mountaineers." Listen: here
Another song associated with the university is "Hail, West Virginia." Listen: here
The Carpet Roll: The Carpet Roll is a West Virginia men's basketball tradition. In 1955 Fred Schaus and Alex Mumford devised the idea of rolling out an elaborate gold and blue carpet for Mountaineer basketball players to use when taking the court for pre-game warm-ups. In addition, Mountaineer players warmed up with a special gold and blue basketball. The University continued this tradition until the late 1960s when it died out, but former Mountaineer player Gale Catlett reintroduced the carpet when he returned to West Virginia University in 1978 as head coach of the men's basketball team.
Marching Band:
The Pride of West Virginia is the university's marching band. The
370-member band's football pre-game show includes traditions such as the
Drumline's "Tunnel" and "Boogie" cadences, the 220-beat per minute
run-on cadence to start the performance, marching the "WV" logo down
field to "Fight Mountaineers", expanding circles during Aaron Copland's
"Simple Gifts" and the formation of the state's outline during "Hail,
West Virginia." The band also performs "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
Listen: here
FallFest: FallFest welcomes students to the university by providing an evening of entertainment and musical performances on the Sunday before the start of classes. The event was established in 1995 to provide a safe alternative to partying and has since become one of the largest university-sponsored events, typically drawing crowds of 15,000 or more. The celebration has been highlighted by a series of evening concerts performed by renowned artists. A dance party, film festival, comedy show and several indoor musical performances are traditionally featured as well.
FallFest: FallFest welcomes students to the university by providing an evening of entertainment and musical performances on the Sunday before the start of classes. The event was established in 1995 to provide a safe alternative to partying and has since become one of the largest university-sponsored events, typically drawing crowds of 15,000 or more. The celebration has been highlighted by a series of evening concerts performed by renowned artists. A dance party, film festival, comedy show and several indoor musical performances are traditionally featured as well.
Mountaineer Week: Mountaineer Week is a celebration of WVU tradition and Appalachian heritage that began in 1947. Festivities have expanded over the years to include competitions among WVU students, designed to honor school and state pride. A beard-growing competition was introduced in 1949 that has continued throughout the event's history. Participants must shave before the panel of judges that also chooses the winner at the end of the competition. The Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer competition has been included in Mountaineer Week since 1962, honoring one male and one female student who show outstanding school spirit, academic excellence, and extracurricular involvement. The annual PRT Cram features the PRT system. Students compete to fit the maximum number of riders on a special-model PRT car with the windows removed. The record was set in 2000, when 97 students fit inside one PRT car. Mountaineer Idol, a university version of American Idol, is a relatively new event that begins during Mountaineer Week in September and extends through November.
Lighting of Woodburn Hall: The Lighting of Woodburn Hall is an annual university ceremony held in early December to light historic Woodburn Hall for the holiday season. The event began in 1987 and is open to the public. Christmas carols are typically sung, and donations are taken at the event to support community organizations.
WVU "Up All Night": "Up All Night" is a program designed to provide a safe environment for WVU students to socialize during weekends. The Mountainlair has hosted "Up All Night" every Thursday through Saturday during the fall and spring semesters since 1998. The University provides free food and beverages and entertainment. Administrators estimate the program's cost at $350,000 annually.
Lighting of Woodburn Hall: The Lighting of Woodburn Hall is an annual university ceremony held in early December to light historic Woodburn Hall for the holiday season. The event began in 1987 and is open to the public. Christmas carols are typically sung, and donations are taken at the event to support community organizations.
WVU "Up All Night": "Up All Night" is a program designed to provide a safe environment for WVU students to socialize during weekends. The Mountainlair has hosted "Up All Night" every Thursday through Saturday during the fall and spring semesters since 1998. The University provides free food and beverages and entertainment. Administrators estimate the program's cost at $350,000 annually.
Gold Rush: Introduced by head football coach Rich Rodriguez during the 2007 season, "Gold Rush" is where during one particular home game, fans dress all in gold.
Mountaineer Mantrip: Instituted during the 2011 football season by head coach Dana Holgorsen, the Mountaineer Mantrip is a recognition of the significance of West Virginia's coal industry. Named for the shuttle that transports coal miners into and out of an underground mine at the start and end of their shift, the Mountaineer players and coaching staff walk along the pathway dividing the parking lot outside of Mountaineer Field. They are accompanied by the Mountaineer mascot, the Pride of West Virginia Marching Band and the Mountaineer cheerleaders. WVU students and fans line the path to create a tunnel-like effect for the passing team members, providing for an interactive and enthusiastic environment. When the team reaches the east end of Mountaineer Field, they stop to rub a 350-pound chunk of coal donated by Alpha Natural Resources from the Upper Big Branch coal mine.
Mountaineer Mantrip: Instituted during the 2011 football season by head coach Dana Holgorsen, the Mountaineer Mantrip is a recognition of the significance of West Virginia's coal industry. Named for the shuttle that transports coal miners into and out of an underground mine at the start and end of their shift, the Mountaineer players and coaching staff walk along the pathway dividing the parking lot outside of Mountaineer Field. They are accompanied by the Mountaineer mascot, the Pride of West Virginia Marching Band and the Mountaineer cheerleaders. WVU students and fans line the path to create a tunnel-like effect for the passing team members, providing for an interactive and enthusiastic environment. When the team reaches the east end of Mountaineer Field, they stop to rub a 350-pound chunk of coal donated by Alpha Natural Resources from the Upper Big Branch coal mine.
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