From Logan County to Morgantown: WVU President Highlights Statewide Reach

West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson gave his first State of the University Address in Morgantown on October 13.

Shana Nelson | WVOW News

LOGAN Just hours before delivering his State of the University address on Monday, West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson joined WVOW for an exclusive interview to discuss what WVU’s future means for Southern West Virginia.

The conversation centered on community, connection, and the university’s reach across every corner of the Mountain State.

“I’m prepared. I’m excited about some of the good news we can share with people,” Benson told WVOW. “But also to kind of chart out a very bold future for our campus and our institution… It’s an exciting time to be at West Virginia University.”

Benson has been traveling extensively for his “Welcome Home Tour” as he makes his way to all of the state’s 55 counties. Recently, he made a stop in Logan County.

President Benson went underground at the Mountain Laurel Mining Complex during his stop in Logan County on his "Welcome Home Tour."

“I had spent time in Logan County at the state park. We went to Main Street Coffee one morning, went to McCormick’s Furniture… and I had a chance to visit Mountain Laurel Mine, which was really an experience,” he said. “I’ve been in a mine before, but this was my first one in West Virginia.”

As of this week, Benson has visited 28 of the state’s 55 counties, and plans to make his way to the Eastern Panhandle next. 

“My message to West Virginians is, ‘We want you to consider us and be your first choice if you choose to stay in the state,’” he said.  

With campuses in Morgantown, Keyser, and Beckley, he stressed that there is a WVU campus that is the right fit for any student. 

For students who aren’t sure what they want to study, Benson guides them to the open enrollment institution at Potomac State in Keyser. If they want a smaller campus with a focus on technology or engineering programs, WVU Tech in Beckley is what he suggests. For those who want an on-campus experience at a flagship, Research I, Division I university, he recommends WVU’s Morgantown campus. 

No matter which campus a student picks, his main goal is to give all students fitting options for their future.

“I tell high school students all the time, find what’s right for you. When you step foot on that campus, it has to feel like home,” he said.

13 weeks into his position, President Benson feels WVU presents unique opportunities for growth and a bold future.

With this being his 5th Presidency at a university, Benson highlighted elements that make West Virginia University stand out to him: enrollment opportunities through three campuses, WVU Extension services in all 55 counties and WVU Medicine’s 25 hospitals in four states, and rising academic and research programs. 

In addition, Benson discussed rising fall enrollment numbers and the university excelling in the highest level of research as a Research I institution. Particularly, he highlighted innovations coming out of WVU’s Health Sciences, Heart Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics Departments, and cited that the university’s research had raised $282 million in the 2024 fiscal year.

“That’s quite a bit of money given by our donors, by our supporters who believe in the mission of the institution. They like the research that’s going on, the support of our faculty and staff, and of course they help fund scholarships,” Benson said. “There’s a lot going on that people can get excited about, but the research and innovations part of that, I think is key, and something we’re really going to invest in even more.”

As Benson continues to tour the state, he says one thing stands out everywhere he goes: the people.

“The people of West Virginia are kind. They’re gritty. They work hard. They’re self-effacing,” he said. “They don’t boast about what they do, they let their actions speak for themselves. And I really appreciate that. That’s the way I was raised.”

Although he grew up in Texas, he says he feels right at home here. According to him, the pride West Virginians have in their state is something that he deeply resides with. 

“I’ve really come to appreciate that having grown up in Texas, there are two states that love their state history. One is Texas, of course, and the other is West Virginia. People love their history here, and they appreciate it.”

Ultimately, Benson says that this pride West Virginians have in both their state and their university is what fuels his mission.

“I’ve met people whose grandfathers came to WVU on the GI Bill in 1945 or ‘46, and it changed forever his or her life, whoever those grandparents were. And as a result, there’s this real affinity for the university that’s been passed down kind of generationally,” he said. “And that really inspires, it’s inspiring, but it’s also very humbling because I recognize how much this university means to the people of the state and the responsibility I have to make them even more proud of it.”

As Benson continues into his 13th week as President and travels the state on his “Welcome Home” tour, one thing is clear: he’s focused on a bold future not just for WVU, but for the entire state.

“We’re just so grateful and happy to be here,” he said.

Click here to watch President Benson's full State of the University Address.

PHOTOS | West Virginia University, MetroNews