Fall is here in Morgantown, and it's a great time to be in West Virginia! The leaves are starting to change, and the camera roll on my phone is filled with images of campus sunsets. It also means that events are happening here on campus and around the country! I'd like to give a special thank you to our Austin Chapter for hosting a fantastic tailgate for Mountaineers from all over who came to cheer on WVU as we took on the Longhorns. The energy from the fans before and during the game was unmatched. If you're in the Austin area and want to get involved in the chapter, visit their Facebook page here.
Just before the Austin game, members of the Alumni Association team and I visited our nation's capital as President Gee spoke on the life-changing research, innovation and perseverance happening on our campus. I echo his remarks about West Virginia University being the launchpad to help change the trajectory of West Virginia and how education is the key that opens countless doors for our towns, cities and country. The work that's being done here in Morgantown reaches farther than many of us know, and the impact that our 200,000+ alumni have on others is immeasurable. I'd like to thank President Gee for his transformational leadership during his tenure, and I speak for many other Mountaineers in saying that we're fortunate to have you.
In a little over a week, we have the pleasure of welcoming current students' families to campus for Fall Family Weekend from October 14-16. The weekend gives parents and families the chance to take a glimpse into the life of a WVU student while getting to enjoy all of the beautiful fall colors around campus. There are numerous events happening around campus and throughout Morgantown, so there's sure to be something that your family will enjoy. I hope to see some of our alumni that are returning to campus to visit their students! As always, we encourage you to stop by The Erickson Alumni Center - the "home away from home" for our alumni when they come back to Morgantown. Click here to register for Fall Family Weekend.
Right behind Fall Family Weekend is Homecoming, and it's the perfect way to close out the month of October. Of course, there will be the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 28, but we have a special event happening right before you head to High Street. Meet us in Woodburn Circle on Friday from 4-5:30 p.m. with your old college friends and family to grab a free group photo in front of Woodburn Hall! We know it's been a while since some of you have been back on campus, so let us capture the moment.
Look for more announcements to come regarding this year's Homecoming festivities, including our 2022 Alumni Association Homecoming and Alumni Service Award winners. These amazing individuals truly embody what it means to be a Mountaineer and will be honored during halftime of the WVU vs. TCU game.
To stay up-to-date on the latest events, including college-specific gatherings, visit the Homecoming Events page and see what looks interesting to you. I speak for all of us at the Alumni Association when I say we can't wait to welcome you back to campus, and I'm looking forward to seeing some new (and old!) faces around campus.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this month's From Down the Hall and for being a part of this exciting time in the WVU Alumni Association's history. If you would like to support our mission of better connecting alumni after their time in Morgantown has come to a close, please consider becoming a member. If you're already a member, I sincerely thank you because what we're doing wouldn't be possible without you!
Let's Go!
Kevin Berry ('94, '95)
WVU Vice President of Alumni Relations
CEO of the WVU Alumni Association, Inc.