WVU president reports positive University outlook to Board of Governors as year closes

A day ahead of pomp and circumstance for thousands of new West Virginia University graduates at the Hope Coliseum, President Michael T. Benson told members of the Board of Governors the University has hit a 10-year high in applications for the next class of Mountaineers during a Friday (Dec. 19) meeting.

"But it's not enough to simply get students here," Benson said. "We must make the necessary investments to support our students on their pathways to graduation. All of us play a role in this."

Overall, he reported, the University's four-year graduation rate has increased 7.8% over the last five years.

In addition to the record retention rate of 85.1% for the WVU Morgantown Campus that was announced earlier this fall, retention is at 78.6% specifically for first-generation college students - reflecting an increase of 2% since last year and nearly 9% over the last five years.

To highlight the incoming class of Mountaineers, President Benson recently surprised Evan Prendergast, a newly admitted accountingmajor for the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economicsfrom Nicholas County, with a visit to his home. Watch the video.

"As we prepare to welcome 2026, I am thankful for your partnership as we work together to ensure WVU is positioned to educate our students and serve this state - now and far into the future," President Benson told the Board.

During his report, Fabrizio D'Aloisio, vice president for Enrollment Management, detailed expanded fall recruitment efforts that have included campus tours, other on-campus events and strategic marketing.

To add to offerings for incoming students, the Board approved the creation of a new Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music and Technology in the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, which will be available starting with the Fall 2026 semester.

Designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving commercial music industry, the program will drive high-impact research, including work focused on the use of artificial intelligence.

"We have so much to be proud of when it comes to the people of WVU and the work we do to improve the lives of others," Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Kreider said.

"The future for all of WVU is bright - and we continue to find ways to improve upon and support our campuses and academic units."

The Board also approved the required, comprehensive WVU Personal Rapid TransitAgency Safety Plan.

View the Dec. 19 BOG regular meeting agenda and meeting materials.

The next regular BOG meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20.

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