West Virginia Universitys College of Business and Economics will induct eight business leaders as the first class of the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, in the college’s fourth-floor atrium.

The Hall of Fame is being introduced as part of the college’s 50th anniversary celebration, Oct. 3-6.

“We will be honoring eight business leaders who are icons of leadership, skill, innovation and determination,”said B&E Dean Jay Coats.”They are benchmarks for what can be accomplished and examples for entrepreneurs in our state and nation.”

Coats said the persons being inducted have made”significant and lasting contributions”in one or more of these categories: national/international businesses, state-based enterprises, and entrepreneurial and family businesses.

All but one of those being inducted will attend the ceremony, and an announcement of who they are will be made Oct. 5 in state newspapers.