MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The energy provided by students will return at West Virginia University Monday.
“We sort of have these peaks and valleys of breaks and vacations in the summer time when there fewer students around and even faculty and staff take time with their families and go on holiday, but when they come back, my gosh, that energy just shoots up and makes us excited,” anticipated Corey Farris, WVU Dean of Students.
It is the beginning of the 2017 spring semester.
“Students will of course have New Year’s resolutions that we’ll be excited to help them out with whether it’s with a new major or better grades or working out or getting that job if they are graduating seniors,” Farris added.
The New Year will continue to include an emphasis on community engagement and volunteerism.
“Those service opportunities and internships are still very important. Coming up on January 16 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We’re going to have a day of service where our students are going to be going from Charleston to Fairmont and here in Morgantown and doing service,” said Farris.
University officials announced a mission to get students in and out with their bachelor degrees in 4 years. The academics, Farris noted, are important. But, students need to have a well-rounded resume upon graduation.
“All those things are still valuable and still incredibly important to make those students look different when employers are seeking out their newest hire.”
According to the dean of students, 2017 will be a year of celebration for the university.
“This is WVU’s 150th year. So, we’re going to have a kick off celebration on Feb. 7 that’s going to last throughout the year. I’m excited about some of the programs that are upcoming that will go on throughout the year.”
Farris said the next 12 months will be a great time to rediscover the alumni influential in roles in the state, country and world.
“We’re humble and we go out and do our work and change the world quietly. Then you look behind the scenes and it’s someone affiliated with WVU and it will be nice we’ll be able to celebrate some of those things for a whole year.”