A new slate of officers have taken the helm of the West Virginia University Alumni Associations board of directors.

Officers elected during the boards annual meeting include James J. Fagan of LaGrangeville, N.Y., chair; James C. Gardill of Glen Dale, vice chair; Phyllis M. Osenton of Logan, secretary; and David Alvarez of Bridgeport, treasurer.

The WVU Alumni Association is committed to ensuring that WVU grows and thrives for the next generation of Mountaineers,Fagan said.This year, our focus is on increasing our membership to record levels; enhancing our programs and services to reach alumni from all age groups and locations; strengthening our alumni chapters; and expanding opportunities for networking. In addition, we will continue to reward academic excellence through our scholarship program, recruit new students and serve as advocates for WVU .

Fagan, who received a bachelors degree from WVU in 19 67, has been the voice of NBC sports promotions, the Olympic Games, the NFL , the NBA , Notre Dame football and the Arena Football League. Since 1991, he has been narrator and host of NBA Action, an internationally syndicated weekly show. In 1995, Fagan was elected to the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni. He has lent his talents to numerous University projects, including narrating theBuilding Greatness Campaignvideo, which raised more than $336 million for the University.

Gardill received his law degree from WVU in 1973. He is a partner in the law firm of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser&Altmeyer and has been associated with the firm in commercial, tax, and estate planning practice for about 30 years. He is a member of the boards of directors of Wheeling Hospital Inc., the Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center Inc., Reynolds Memorial Foundation Inc. and Reynolds Memorial Healthcare System Inc. He formerly served on the boardsof directors of WesBanco Bank Inc. and WesBanco Inc., where he served as chairman of the board for 13 years.

Osenton received bachelors and masters degrees from the WVU College of Creative Arts with an emphasis in music. She retired from the Logan County School system after 42 years as supervisor of music, director of academic programs, school choral director and music instructor. Osenton is past president of Alpha Phi State ( West Virginia) Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and currently serves as chairman of the bylaws and standing rules committee. She is past president of the West Virginia Music Educators Association, where she is a member of the Hall of Fame; WVU Music Alumni Association; and the West Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

Alvarez, president of MEC Construction in Bridgeport, received a bachelors degree from WVU . He presently serves on the board of several professional and community organizations. He has been a board member of United Hospital Center since 2000 and currently serves as secretary. He is a past president and current board member of the United Health Foundation and has been integral in the planning process to build a new hospital in Harrison County. During his tenure on the board, UHC initiated a joint Interventional Cardiology Program between the United Hospital Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital and the WVU Medical School. Alvarez is also a member of the Mountain State Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization, secretary of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, president of the West Virginia Utility Contractors Association and past president of Associated Builders and Contractors of West Virginia.

Also serving on the board are: Todd M. Beckwith of Martinsburg; Irene Berger of Charleston; C. Michael Fulton of Kensington, Md.; Michael S. Garrison of Charleston; James L. Herndon of Ashburn, Va.; Herman Moses of Morgantown; Shelia S. Price of Morgantown; James J. Rowe of Lewisburg; Joy Faini Saab of Morgantown; Douglas R. Van Scoy of Sullivans Island, S.C.; Alfred F. Ware of Nokomis, Fla.; Joseph Wells of Dravosburg, Pa.; and Norman W. White of Madison, W.Va.

Our Board is extremely dedicated and loyal to West Virginia University,said Stephen Douglas, president and chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association.Each year, these men and women devote countless hours to the Alumni Association. With their support and guidance, we will continue to extend our reach to our more than 158,000 alumni, expand our services and promote the efforts of the University.

The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 158,000 University graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the nation and approximately 60 other countries. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the associations 26,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs.

More about the WVU Alumni Association on the Net:www.wvu.edu/~alumni/