CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia University President Gordon Gee paid his final visit to the Legislature as the University’s leader on Wednesday. Gold and blue were prominent through the halls of the State Capitol building on West Virginia University Day.
“Even though we get a limited amount of money from the state, it is still very important that they value what we are doing,” said Gee in an appearance on MetroNews Talkline broadcast live from the Rotunda of the State Capitol.
Gee defended the value of a four-year degree. The cost of collect and the chances of employment have caused many to question in recent years whether it is still worth the cost. Gee believed it was, but said it was the University’s job to steer students into degrees where jobs are available.
“If the come to school and just join a fraternity or sorority, them we haven’t done our job,” he explained.
But Gee said they have been more focused on post graduate opportunities for those who leave Morgantown with a diploma. The goals is to create an opportunity to get a job and stay in the state. He said such a goal is critically important to the university’s mission.
“Lincoln established the Land Grant Universities to be the people’s universities and to make certain everyone had access to the university for help. The state is our campus. We’re trying to deliver the university in every home. Our university is owned by 1.8 Million West Virginians,” he said.
Much like Marshall University, WVU has seen great success in the Ascend Program which is an effort to keep graduates in West Virginia after they are done.
“Stay with us, we’ll pay you, and we’ll get you good jobs and you can start building your life here in your community. We just started that with West Virginia University and Marshall University and we’re having a lot of response from out-of-state students who want to stay here,” Gee offered.
“We have exported coal, oil, gas, and talent. The opportunity for us right now is by creating jobs and prosperity we can now keep people here. The young out-of-state graduates would love to stay here, but we have to make sure they have a very economically viable future,” added Gee.
Gee also lauded his successor Michael T. Benson. Benson will take over the reins when Gee retires July 1st. Gee said Benson’s career arc had included stops in eastern Kentucky where he gained a firm grasp on the needs of the Appalachian region. He believed there were a lot of good candidates, but Benson was clearly the best choice for the job.