West Virginia University President David C. Hardesty and other WVU officials begin a three-day tour of five Ohio River counties Tuesday, May 28, to see firsthand the educational, economic and social challenges facing this region of the state.

WVU officials will meet with local business leaders, public officials, educators, media, students, community leaders, alumni and volunteers in a variety of settings in Cabell, Wood, Pleasants, Mason and Jackson counties.

Joining Hardesty on the trip with be Provost Gerald Lang, Associate Provost for WVU Extension Larry Cote and Special Assistant to the President for External Affairs Dave Miller. WVU -Parkersburg President Erik Bitterbaum will join the tour on Wednesday.

“The WVU tour is part of an ongoing series of visits to various regions of the state to explore ways that WVU , in partnership with business and education, can enhance the educational and economic vitality of West Virginia,”Hardesty said.

Since the tours began in 1999, WVU officials have visited southern West Virginia, the Northern Panhandle and the Eastern Panhandle.

All media are encouraged to attend the following events:

p. Tuesday, May 28

• 
  p. 2:30 p.m.Tour of Bobs Market and Greenhouses, Point Pleasant

6 p.m.West Virginia State Farm reception and tour, Point Pleasant

p. Wednesday, May 29

• 
  p. Noon WVU -Parkersburg Business and Industry Center tour

2 p.m.Pleasants County new 911 Center tour, St. Marys

*
p. Thursday, May 30

• 
  p. 8 a.m.Breakfast at WVU -Parkersburg Jackson County Center, Ripley

For more information on the tour, contact Ann Berry, WVU Extension Communications at 304-293-4221, ext. 3416.