Stories | WVU Today | West Virginia University

WVU releases Dean’s, President’s and graduate lists for Spring 2026

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

West Virginia University has released its Spring 2026 Dean’s and President’s lists, as well as the full list of spring semester graduates.

See the three lists.

WVU School of Medicine students’ podcast explores careers of rural physicians

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:01:00 -0400

Through a student-led podcast, future doctors at the West Virginia University School of Medicine are capturing personal stories from medical professionals while exploring the realities of practicing medicine in Mountain State communities. What started as a learning opportunity is growing into a statewide effort to connect students, physicians and the future of rural health care.

Going strong, WVU ends fiscal year on solid financial footing, bolstered by exemplary academics and athletics

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:52:22 -0400

With a focus on investments in the future of West Virginia University, the Board of Governors approved a $1.3 billion operating budget for the coming fiscal year during a Friday meeting (June 19) that opened with the announcement of a first-of-its-kind research partnership with Johns Hopkins University and a celebration of the historic College World Series run for the WVU baseball team.

“Through WVU Athletics, we show the state and nation what it means to be a Mountaineer,” President Michael T. Benson said. “The same keys to success we’ve been cheering for on the field — hard work, grit, determination, perseverance — can be applied off the field.”

Johns Hopkins and WVU launch research partnership to advance joint solutions for shared challenges

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:45:00 -0400

Tapping into the power of collaboration, Johns Hopkins University and West Virginia University are launching a new partnership to bring together researchers from both institutions to address complex challenges in health, science and society while positioning faculty teams to compete for future external funding.

Announced during Friday’s (June 19) WVU Board of Governors meeting, the initiative is designed to catalyze high-impact collaborations between faculty at both institutions. Through a new joint funding program, researchers will receive seed support to develop innovative projects, generate preliminary findings and build the foundation for larger externally funded research efforts.

WVPEC, WVU partner with Pittsburgh Penguins to take hockey-themed STEM lessons into classrooms

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Elementary school students in West Virginia and Pennsylvania will soon explore science through the lens of hockey thanks to a new partnership involving the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the STEAM Technical Assistance Center, housed in the West Virginia University Office of the Provost, and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.

The initiative — the Pittsburgh Penguins Science Champions — has brought together a diverse group of over 200 educators to co-create, test and refine lessons that use hockey as a fun and familiar entry point to make learning both meaningful and engaging for students in grades two and three.

WVU health care AI researcher wins prestigious NSF CAREER award

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:30:00 -0400

A West Virginia University researcher who studies health care providers’ trust in artificial intelligence has been named a Faculty Early Career Development award winner by the National Science Foundation.

Avishek Choudhury, an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering within the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, works at the intersection of patient safety, artificial intelligence and clinical decision-making.

Refugee experience inspires WVU retiree’s gift to aid international students

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:01:00 -0400

For Doina Jikich, the inspiration to support international students at West Virginia University began with a journey shaped by hardship, resilience and gratitude. Now retired and living in Daytona Beach, Florida, she is creating opportunities for a global community with a scholarship gift to benefit WVU international students.

WVU researchers probe spacetime ripples with nearly $6M NSF grant

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Backed by $5.9 million in National Science Foundation funding, West Virginia University researchers are using stars that function like celestial clocks to search for spacetime ripples known as gravitational waves.

The sources of those ripples could be supermassive black holes. They could be “cosmic strings” — cracks in the universe that have only been theorized. They could even be reverberations from the Big Bang.

WVU researcher develops soft and ‘squishy’ robotic hand for harvesting delicate fruits like strawberries

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:30:00 -0400

A new robotic gripper designed to pick fruit could mean supermarket shoppers enjoy better quality produce as well as new options like pawpaws, a West Virginia University researcher said.

Anand Mishra, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering at the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, was part of a team of roboticists behind the development of a soft gripper capable of gauging the size, curvature, color and ripeness of fruits like strawberries and avocados.

WVU to induct 4 into Order of Vandalia

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:30:00 -0400

(Editor’s Note: This release was changed after its initial publication to indicate the ceremony will be held on a date to be determined later this year.)

In recognition of their loyalty and service to West Virginia University, four Mountaineers will be inducted into the Order of Vandalia during a ceremony to be held later this year.