Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Editorial: West Virginia University welcomes a new president
By Staff Editorial
The Daily Athenaeum, West Virginia U.
March 06, 2009

The Daily Athenaeum welcomes the University's expectant new leader, and congratulates his appointment as our University's 23rd president.

Here are some of the things we hope you help preserve and further develop at West Virginia University:

Loyalty

We Mountaineers are some of the most loyal fans and citizens in the nation. When it comes to sports, WVU and Morgantown go all out to cheer on the Mountaineers.

We were even named the third most-spirited student section by ESPN Magazine in September 2008. Despite some setbacks like inappropriate chants and fiery incidents, our dedication to celebrating athletics at WVU is unwavering and helps define our identity as a University.

The same enthusiasm is often applied to our state. Hearing the blare of Country Roads or seeing flying blue and gold decor is common.

Though we sometimes have to defend West Virginia on the national scale, our love and respect for the state doesn’t falter.

We hope our new president takes as much pride in our community.

Hard work

With nearly 30,000 students enrolled and the numbers steadily increasing, it is clear that countless people see something special in WVU. The University's 13 colleges and schools offer 185 bachelors, masters, doctoral and professional degree programs.

In addition to these opportunities, WVU students work diligently in extracurricular activities and their rerspective student organizations.

With the selection of clubs, teams and honoraries, new students will be hard-pressed not to discover an organization that suits them.

Having a president who promotes hard work in education and enthusiasm to make the best of the college experience can only better our school.

Integrity

The dedicated students and faculty at this University were wronged by its administration last year.

The eyes of our country were fixed upon us and not for reasons we would like.

Because of the hidden actions of a few during a scandal involving Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter Heather Bresch, the reputation of this educational establishment was tarnished significantly.

We are taught to be honest and to live and learn with dignity and integrity, both at WVU and when we move on to the working world.

It is not too much to ask that our administration conduct themselves in the same manner.

Hopefully, a new president will usher in a year of transparency, security and respect shared throughout all levels of WVU, from administrators, to professors, to students and beyond.

We look forward to the possibilities ahead and hope our University has learned from its past.

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