Imagine a time when only 1,100 students were enrolled at West Virginia University, and the biggest controversy on campus was the construction of the president’s house.

That was 1904. Daniel Boardman Purinton was WVU president. His house, unauthorized by the West Virginia Legislature, cost $42,611.94 in change and caused quite a ruckus.

That same year, a group of WVU students decided to form a group. Only men would be allowed and they called it Mountain.

A lot has changed in 100 years.

Student enrollment has shot up to 23,000; the former WVU president’s home is now called Purinton House; and that group of students now includes women.

This weekend, Mountain honorary will proudly celebrate its centennial anniversary.

More than 300 memberspast and presentare expected to converge on campus for a myriad of activities.

On Friday, April 16, there will be a private reception and rifle exchange ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in the commons area of the Student Recreation Center.

During the ceremony, Derek Fincham, a junior religious studies major from Petersburg, will be honored as WVU ’s 2004-05 mascot.

The Mountaineer is selected each year by Mountain, the school’s prestigious service honorary.

The ceremony will help kick off Fincham’s tenure before his first official performance at WVU ’s annual Gold-Blue spring football game Saturday at Mountaineer Field,said Brian Anderson, Mountain Centennial Planning Committee member.

In addition, Trey Hinrichs, who served as Mountaineer mascot from 2002-2004, will be recognized for his outstanding service to WVU . Hinrichs will then officially pass the rifle to Fincham.

Other activities slated for the weekend include campus tours, an alumni tailgate before the Gold-Blue game and formal banquet at Lakeview Resort in Morgantown. A highlight of the evening will be the unveiling of a video recapping Mountain’s first 100 years.

Mountain was established in 1904 as a ranking honorary for men at WVU . Since then, it has evolved into a diverse, service organization for student leaders.

Each semester, 12-14 juniors and seniors are offered membership by their peers based on their character, commitment to West Virginia and WVU , leadership and good academic standing, said Ron Justice, assistant dean of students.

Throughout Mountain’s 100-year history, some of its notable accomplishments include creating a committee of 55, consisting of one person from each county to provide a direct tie to the University, in 1948; and campaigning for funds to erect a statue of the Mountaineer on campus in 1950.