There are a lot of ways to measure the strength of an alumni network. You can look at membership numbers, mailing lists, or the size of your alumni database. But sometimes, the best measure is much simpler: who shows up.
Over the past several weeks, West Virginia University alumni have done exactly that.
When the Mountaineers punched their ticket to their first-ever College World Series, WVU fans didn't need much convincing. Travel plans were made, flights were booked, and gold and blue started showing up all over Omaha. As WVU baseball made its long-awaited debut appearance, alumni and fans traveled hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of miles to be there. They filled restaurants, gathered in hotel lobbies, and turned Charles Schwab Field into a little slice of Almost Heaven.
For many, the trip was a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet fellow Mountaineers, introduce children and grandchildren to WVU traditions, and celebrate a team that had captured the attention of the entire WVU community. The crowds in Omaha were a reminder of something we already know: no matter where life takes our alumni, their connection to West Virginia University remains strong.
While baseball was bringing Mountaineers together in Omaha, another effort closer to home highlighted a different side of the WVU family. Earlier this month, the Bears and Blankets drive launched in support of WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital. Alumni chapters across the country are showing up with a simple goal: collect items that can bring a little comfort to children and families facing difficult days. Stuffed animals, blankets, and other donations may seem like small gestures, but they can make a meaningful difference in tough times.
That spirit of service is nothing new. Time and again, when there is an opportunity to help others, alumni and supporters step forward. The Bears and Blankets drive is simply the latest example of Mountaineers finding ways to care for their communities and support those who need it most.
That same spirit was also on display hundreds of miles from Morgantown, where the WVU Alumni Association's Low Country Chapter in Charleston, South Carolina recently hosted its 19th annual BBQ Bash. The event brought alumni and friends together for food, fellowship, and a shared commitment to supporting future Mountaineers. Proceeds from the gathering will help fund student scholarships, creating opportunities for the next generation of WVU students to pursue their education.
Scholarship support remains one of the most meaningful investments alumni can make in the future of the University. Every dollar raised helps open doors for students and strengthens WVU for years to come. The success of the Low Country BBQ Bash also reflects the important role alumni chapters play across the country. They keep Mountaineer traditions alive, build connections among alumni, and create opportunities to give back.
A ballpark in Omaha. A donation drive supporting pediatric patients in Morgantown. A scholarship fundraiser in the Low Country. The settings may be different, but the story remains the same. Mountaineers continue to show up for their University, for their communities, and for one another. That's the power of the Mountaineer family.
Let’s Go!
Kevin Berry ('94, '95)
WVU Vice President of Alumni Relations
CEO of the WVU Alumni Association, Inc.