Staying connected to your alma mater can take many forms, and there’s no single “right” way to engage. Attending chapter events, volunteering in the community, sharing Mountaineer pride on social media, and donning the Gold and Blue are just a few of the countless ways that alumni show their bond with WVU every day.
These moments of engagement may seem small on their own, but together they create something powerful. Each interaction strengthens the relationship between alumni and the University and keeps traditions alive well beyond Morgantown. No matter if your connection grew from lifelong friendships sparked in Braxton Tower, unforgettable experiences at Mountaineer Field, or simply feeling a deep sense of pride in WVU, staying engaged helps preserve and nourish those bonds.
Connection also looks different depending on the season of life you’re in. It may be front and center right after graduation, ebb and flow as careers and families grow, and reemerge years later through a reunion, Homecoming week, or sporting event. What matters most is that there are always ways to reconnect, and that every alum has a place in the broader WVU community.
That ongoing connection is what alumni membership is designed to bolster and support.
I’m excited to share that the WVU Alumni Association recently welcomed a new membership coordinator, Madalyn Ford. Originally from Clarksburg, West Virginia, Madalyn is a 2025 graduate of WVU’s Reed School of Media and Communications and a former Alumni Association intern. Her background gives her a unique perspective on the alumni experience, both as a recent graduate and as someone who has already been working behind the scenes to support alumni engagement.
In her role, Madalyn will focus on fostering relationships with alumni, helping members better understand the benefits available to them, and ensuring that membership continues to support the mission of the Alumni Association and serve our alumni to its highest potential. Her knowledge and love for WVU make her a great addition to the team, and we’re thrilled to have her helping lead our membership efforts.
Membership is one of the most impactful ways to stay immersed in WVU. In addition to offering meaningful benefits, alumni membership directly supports student scholarships, alumni programs, and initiatives that enrich the University community. These contributions help create opportunities for today’s students while also strengthening the alumni network for generations to come.
As a small thank-you, those who join or renew their membership before February 27 will receive an exclusive Alumni-branded beanie to help get through the (hopefully brief) remainder of cold weather.
We’re also looking ahead to what’s next. New benefits will be introduced soon, all designed to further enhance the membership experience. Stay tuned, more details will be announced shortly!
As alumni, you play a unique role in the life of the University. You are WVU’s only permanent stakeholders. Long after graduation, and as faculty and staff transition over time, alumni remain linked to the institution that helped shape their lives while also shaping the life of our alma mater. We often say, “Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer,” and that enduring connection is what keeps our alumni family moving forward together.
Alumni carry WVU into the world every day. Through your work, service, leadership, and advocacy, you reflect the values and spirit of the University in your communities. Regardless of when you graduated or where life has taken you since Commencement, your experiences and perspectives help bridge generations of Mountaineers and create a shared sense of belonging that spans time and geography.
Your involvement through volunteering, attending events, or countless other ways of supporting the University keeps the Mountaineer community strong. Every connection you make helps current and future students and tightens the bond among alumni. Together, we carry WVU’s spirit forward and ensure it continues to have an impact in Morgantown, the state, and beyond.