Campus is busy again as students return for the fall semester. From move-in weekend to the first week of classes, there is an energy in Morgantown that signals the start of another exciting year. The sidewalks are full, classrooms are buzzing, and campus feels alive again. For those of us who have been through many fall semesters, it is always a reminder of what makes West Virginia University special.
Football season is one of the most anticipated times of the year, and we are just days away from kickoff! Whether you are heading to Milan Puskar Stadium or planning to watch from home, now is a time to celebrate our traditions and support our team. The sound of the Pride of West Virginia, the Mountaineer leading the team onto the field, and the sea of gold and blue in the stands are moments that never lose their impact.
Game watches hosted by alumni chapters across the country will also bring Mountaineers together. If you can’t make it back to Morgantown, I encourage you to find a watch party in your area and connect with your local alumni chapter and experience game day with fellow fans.
Marmaduke Dent Benefit: Friday, September 12
We are also preparing for the 29th edition of one of the Alumni Association’s biggest traditions, the Marmaduke H. Dent Benefit, which will be held at the Erickson Alumni Center on Friday, September 12, at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is a “Mountaineer Roundup,” featuring country and western entertainment and flair.
The evening will include:
- Live music from acclaimed country artist Dixon Hall
- Line dancing with the WVU Country Line Dancing Club
- A performance from the WVU Mountaineer Marching Band Drumline
- A silent auction, available both in person and online, featuring items from World Series tickets to signed WVU memorabilia
- Delicious food and specialty drinks
The Marmaduke Dent Benefit is more than just an evening of fun. Every dollar raised supports student scholarships and alumni programming, allowing the WVU Alumni Association to continue supporting Mountaineers for generations to come. Named for WVU’s first graduate and first president of the WVU Alumni Association, Marmaduke H. Dent, the event continues to be our largest fundraiser of the year.
This is the time of year when the WVU spirit is at its strongest. Whether it is on campus, at a chapter game watch, or at the Marmaduke Dent Benefit, I encourage you to take part in the traditions that bring us together. Each time Mountaineers gather, we carry forward the pride and friendship that make our alumni family one of a kind. We look forward to seeing many of you in Morgantown and across the country in the months ahead.
Let’s Go!
Kevin Berry (‘94, ’95)
WVU Vice President of Alumni Relations
CEO, WVU Alumni Association, Inc.