West Virginia University

03/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/29/2026 06:50

WVU president to take ‘Welcome Home Tour’ to Doddridge, Ritchie, Wirt counties

WVU President Michael T. Benson will hit the 40 mark for official county visits in West Virginia after his Monday (March 30) "Welcome Home Tour" stops in Doddridge, Ritchie and Wirt counties. (WVU Photo/Brian Persinger)

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WHAT: West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson will next visit Doddridge, Ritchie and Wirt counties on his "Welcome Home Tour" of West Virginia to mark the first year of his presidency.

WHO: President Benson, University alumni and supporters, and local and community leaders

WHEN: Monday, March 30

Media members are invited to join President Benson for the following tour stops:

• Lunch with Doddridge County community leaders
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Doddridge County Park, 1252 Snow Bird Road, West Union

• Tour of Ritchie County Courthouse and Downtown Harrisville
12:15-12:45 p.m.
115 E. Main St., Harrisville

• Tour of Wirt County Courthouse and Downtown Elizabeth
3:30-5 p.m.
19 Court St., Elizabeth

NOTES:After the official stops in Doddridge, Ritchie and Wirt counties, President Benson will have visited 40 counties since becoming the University's 27th president last July. His goal is to get to all 55 counties by this summer.

Information about future tour dates will be released as details are finalized.

-WVU-

sj/3/29/26

MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Executive Director of Strategic Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; [email protected]

Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.

West Virginia University published this content on March 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 29, 2026 at 12:50 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]