New WVU president to travel across West Virginia on ‘Welcome Home Tour’

WVU President Michael T. Benson speaks with Pedro J. Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean, WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Scheduled for July 28 to Aug. 1, the inaugural "Welcome Home Tour" for President Benson will take him to 18 counties. (WVU Photo/Brian Persinger) Download full-size WHAT: West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson will visit 18 counties during his inaugural "Welcome Home Tour," which will take him into historical sites, business locations and local communities as the University's 27th president. WHO: President Benson, University students, alumni and supporters, and regional, state and community leaders WHEN: July 28 to Aug. 1 WHERE: More than two dozen tour stops are planned across nearly 20 counties: Barbour, Braxton, Brooke, Clay, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Marshall, Ohio, Pleasants, Randolph, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel and Wood. Media members and University supporters are invited to join the tour at the following stops: Monday, July 28WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Parents Club and University student receptionOglebay Resort465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29West Virginia Independence Hall tour1528 Market St., Wheeling9-10 a.m.WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Parents Club and University student receptionThe Blennerhassett Hotel320 Market St., Parkersburg5:30-7 p.m.Wednesday, July 30Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park tour137 Juliana St., Parkersburg10-11 a.m.Thursday, July 31WVU Jackson's Mill tour160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston2:30-3:45 p.m. WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Parents Club and University student receptionPete Dye Golf Club801 Aaron Smith Drive, Bridgeport6-8 p.m.Friday, Aug. 1Historic Philippi Covered Bridge visit200 North Main St., Philippi3:45-4:30 p.m.Mother's Day Shrine tour11 East Main St., Grafton5-5:45 p.m. Media members needing additional meeting point details or those interested in other tour stop locations should contact Shauna Johnson, executive director of Strategic Communications, via email at [email protected]. NOTES: President Benson officially began serving as the University's 27th president on July 15. Future tour dates taking him to all 55 West Virginia counties and into surrounding states will be scheduled in the coming weeks and months. More information will be released as details are finalized. The fall semester at WVU begins Aug. 20. -WVU- sj/7/23/25 MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna JohnsonExecutive Director of Strategic CommunicationsWVU Strategic Communications and Marketing304-293-8302; [email protected] Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday. Media Advisories President Benson