WVU President reflects on travel in Middle East

MORGANTOWN W.Va. — West Virginia University President Gordon Gee believes that sometimes, the farther away from Morgantown you travel, the more passionate the WVU alumni are. If that is the case, it may be hard to find alumni more passionate than the WVU graduates who came to the university from places such as Kuwait and Bahrain.

Gee and several other WVU administrators recently traveled to the Middle East, spreading the Mountaineer spirit some 7,000 miles away from campus.

“We had an opportunity to meet significant people who are interested, or supportive or involved with the university,” Gee told WAJR-AM.

The goodwill tour of the Arabian Gulf included visits to Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar where Gee and other university officials met with dignitaries and even opened the first alumni chapter in the Middle East.

The trip started at the Royal University for Women, which formed a partnership with WVU in 2009 following recruiting trips to Bahrain by Tom Sloane, executive director of International Student Life and Global Services, David Stewart, associate vice president of International Student Life and Global Services, and Michael Wilhelm, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars.

“We want to have lots of students internationally, here on this campus to make sure that we’re a diverse, interesting and intellectually lively place,” said Gee.

Gee believes the globalization of higher education is important to the future of the university and important to the growth of the state.

“As a university we need to be connected to the world to do what we should be doing for 1.8 million West Virginians. Also, it is important for us to learn from other areas of the world as to what they are doing and the quality issues they’re dealing with.”





More News

News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 28, 2024 - 6:20 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm