The West Virginia University College of Business and Economics inducted eight business leaders as the first class of the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame today (Oct. 5) in a 2 p.m. ceremony at the college

The Hall of Fame induction will be an annual event and is being introduced as part of the colleges 50th anniversary celebration.

“These are 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.”

The individuals inducted represent leaders in insurance, Internet technology, banking, higher education, timber, coal, glass and pharmaceutical industries.

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

The 2001 West Virginia Business Hall of Fame inductees are: Ernest Hogan (posthumously), John Chambers, Michael Perry, Gaston Caperton, James H.”Buck”Harless, Milan Puskar and Edna B. and R. Emmett Lynch Sr.