CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state capitol was filled with the Gold and Blue for West Virginia University Day in Charleston Wednesday.
WVU President Michael T. Benson said he’s been asked about the recent economic impact report released by the university and WVU Medicine. The Tripp Umbach Economic Impact Report showed the entities have an economic impact in the state of more than $14 billion, and one in every 28 jobs is either directly from the university, because of the university, or from investments in growth.
“Yes, people have been surprised by the magnitude of the numbers, but it translates into everyday impact in a positive way on every single citizen of our state,” Benson said on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Students, faculty, staff, and supporters demonstrated the wide variety of offerings in the WVU system. Benson said with the in-state resources, they have the ability to help students find a meaningful career path.
“It could be a two-year degree, it could be a trade, it could be a four-year degree out of Keyser or Potomac State, or in Huntington at Marshall, or Shepherd University,” Benson said. “The more we can cooperate and keep costs down and ensure access for every West Virginian, the better we’ll be served.”
Potomac State College President Jerry Wallace described that institution as one that can serve the needs of students who maybe aren’t ready for the Morgantown campus. Wallace referred to the institution as a hybrid educational institution that can help residents get anything from a GED to a four-year degree.
“People who may not fit in Morgantown, they are better in Keyser where the classes are smaller—about 17,” Wallace said. “And the professors definitely know you, so if you miss class at PSC, they’ll come find you.”
President of WVU Tech T. Ramon Stuart said they have a legacy in engineering education but can lean into WVU resources to widen available offerings. WVU Tech has the second-largest nursing school behind the WVU program in Morgantown and is home to the only 4-year construction management program in the state.
“We have big institutional resources that we can apply in small local areas,” Stuart said. “Which means you can start at Tech or Potomac State, and you can go anywhere.”
Between the resources in the WVU system and Marshall University, Benson said any student, traditional or non-traditional, will find a program right for them. The delegation was able to show and, in many cases, demonstrate the impact of their important investment of taxpayer dollars to the WVU system.
“We’re two very different institutions, but we’re complementary and working together,” Benson said. “The state is better served when we cooperate like that, but we are also functioning as two very different institutions addressing the challenges of the state and the country.”