HUNTINGTON, W.Va – The leaders of West Virginia’s two largest universities are pledging to work together to better prepare the Mountain State for future educational challenges.
West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee traveled to Huntington on Tuesday for a “meeting of the minds” with Marshall University President Stephen Kopp.
In addition to an exchange of philosophies, the presidents discussed West Virginia’s higher education issues and talked about ways to establish a closer working relationship between their universities.
“I think as we’re looking at the challenges that lie ahead for public higher education, not just here in West Virginia, but across the nation, it’s very important for the two largest public universities in the state to get together and begin to put together plans for the future,” Kopp told MetroNews.
Kopp also took Gee on a tour of the Huntington campus to showcase changes made since Gee’s last visit which came during his first stint as WVU’s president. Both Marshall and WVU are currently making long-term improvements to their campuses with new buildings and technology.
Gee first held the presidential position at WVU from 1981-1985. He returned in January of this year to serve as interim president and is now serving permanently.
Kopp is currently in his ninth year as president of Marshall University.