August 14, 2015
My Dear Mountaineers,
A fresh, new school year awaits us. It has been a lonely, quiet summer in Morgantown without you. But on the flip side, your return means it will now take me two hours to drive across town.
All kidding aside, to me, the start of the fall semester represents rejuvenation. It is that magical time when Mountaineers from all walks of life come together again as one in these hills we call home.
It is a time when we forge our common goals into motion – to work smart and to play smart, to lift up our friends and community, to rise above all challenges and to ultimately achieve the American Dream.
The start of the fall semester is, in fact, my favorite part of the year. And I hope you share this excitement with me.
For those of you who are new to this campus – the sooner you explore it, the sooner you will fall in love with it. Take advantage of the scenic beauty, the academic offerings, the student life, the sports programs, the friendly people, the traditions and the pioneering spirit.
If you are a returning upperclassman, you already know this.
And as proud representatives of our Mountaineer nation, it is just as crucial to support the city of Morgantown. The community has so much to offer – from outdoor activities to unique restaurants to great cultural events and great people. Morgantown is continually ranked as one of the best small towns in America, and it only gets better and better.
I hope everyone had a fantastic summer, and I hope you will have an even better fall semester. It is important that you strive to do your absolute very best at West Virginia University. Study hard. Learn all that you can. That is my expectation of you – that you become the very best student you can be.
But I also want you to have a life outside the classroom where you can have great debates over pizza and join activities that feed your soul. This is your moment to become the person you were born to be.
So, get out there my fellow Mountaineers. Take advantage of everything this great institution has to offer. And together, we will make West Virginia University one of the best universities in the country.
What are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Sincerely, E. Gordon Gee