New WVU President To Embark On Statewide Tour

West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson will visit 18 counties during his inaugural “Welcome Home Tour” from Monday, July 28 through Aug. 1. 

Benson, who previously served as the president of Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, officially began serving as WVU’s 27th president on July 15. 

He will visit two dozen tour stops including historical sites, business locations and local communities across Barbour, Braxton, Brooke, Clay, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Marshall, Ohio, Pleasants, Randolph, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel and Wood counties.

At least one public event is planned for each day of the tour:

• Monday, July 28
  WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Parents Club and University student reception
  Oglebay Resort, 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling
  6-7:30 p.m. 
  
• Tuesday, July 29
  West Virginia Independence Hall tour
  1528 Market St., Wheeling
  9-10 a.m.
  
  WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Parents Club and University student reception
  The Blennerhassett Hotel
  320 Market St., Parkersburg
  5:30-7 p.m.
  
• Wednesday, July 30
  Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park tour
  137 Juliana St., Parkersburg
  10-11 a.m.
  
• Thursday, July 31
  WVU Jackson’s Mill tour
  160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston
  2:30-3:45 p.m. 
  
  WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Parents Club and University student reception
  Pete Dye Golf Club
  801 Aaron Smith Drive, Bridgeport
  6-8 p.m.
  
• Friday, Aug. 1
  Historic Philippi Covered Bridge visit
  200 North Main St., Philippi
  3:45-4:30 p.m.
  
  Mother’s Day Shrine tour
  11 East Main St., Grafton
  5-5:45 p.m.

In a press release, university officials say Benson plans to visit all of West Virginia’s 55 counties in the coming months.