A philanthropic-minded couple, a distinguished trustee and University donor, a former associate dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and his wifea longtime WVU Honors College employeeare being honored asMost Loyalsduring the 61st annual Mountaineer Week, a celebration of Appalachian heritage, Nov. 8-16, on West Virginia Universitys campus.
The 2008 honorees are Steve and Rita Tanner, Most Loyal West Virginians; Hank Barnette, Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer; Nick Evans, Most Loyal Faculty Mountaineer; and JoAnn Evans, Most Loyal Staff Mountaineer. The group will be honored during halftime ceremonies of Saturdays (Nov. 8) WVU -Cincinnati football game at Milan Puskar Stadium.
The Most Loyal West Virginian and Alumni Mountaineer awards have been presented since 1974, while the Most Loyal Faculty and Staff Mountaineer award was created in 1994 and split into two separate awards in 2001.
Most Loyal West Virginians
The Most Loyal West Virginian exemplifies faithfulness to the ideals and goals of the state of West Virginia through business, professional and civic achievement as well as support for WVU .
Stephen D. and Rita D. Tanner of Morgantown have been loyal patrons of WVU and are charter members of the WVU Foundations most prestigious donor groupthe Woodburn Circle Society.
The Tanners have been especially generous in their support of the College of Creative Arts, College of Business and Economics, School of Medicine, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and WVU Hospitals. Both are Old Gold members of the WVU Alumni Association and Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund participants.
Stephen Tanner retired after a very successful career in accounting. He is a member of the WVU Emeritus Club and former member of the College of Creative Arts visiting committee.
He graduated from WVU with a degree in accounting while Rita Tanner earned her degree from WVU in sociology.
Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer
The Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer exemplifies faithfulness to the ideals and goals of the University and exhibits support for WVU activities and operations through leadership and service.
Curtis H.HankBarnette of Bethlehem, Pa., has been an active leader and faithful supporter of WVU for several decades.
He began his service to the University in the mid-1950s as student body president. He is a member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors and chairman of the search committee for the WVU vice president of health sciences. In June, he was recognized as chairman emeritus of the WVU Board of Governors after serving on that panel for two terms, including two years as chairman.
Barnette, who earned a degree in political science from WVU , spent more than 30 years with Bethlehem Steel serving in numerous positions, including chairman and chief executive officer. He is currently with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP .
In 1993, he was inducted into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
Barnette and his wife, Joanne, have fostered a long relationship of support for WVU , including the establishment of a professorship in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and several scholarships in the Eberly College and College of Law. The Barnetttes are members of the Foundations Woodburn Circle Society.
Most Loyal Faculty and Staff Mountaineers
The Most Loyal Faculty and Staff Mountaineers exemplify faithfulness to the ideals and goals of WVU and exhibit support for University activities and operations through leadership and service.
This year, a faculty/staff couple from Morgantown is being recognized.
Nicholas G.NickEvans and JoAnn J. Evans have provided consistent and dedicated service to WVU for many years.
Nick Evans joined the English faculty in 1967, but is best known for the many capacities in which he has counseled students.
He was an adviser in the English Department and then with the WVU Advising Center. He was also director of the Undergraduate Academic Services Center and served as associate dean for undergraduate education in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences from 1991 until his retirement from WVU last year.
Evans earned his bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees from WVU .
JoAnn Evans served more than 20 years as an administrative associate with the University Honors Program, now known as the WVU Honors College, before retiring in June.
Prior to that, she worked with the Faculty and Course Development in International Studies (FACDIS) program and the Department of Chemistry.
She is known for being an advocate, mentor and friend of students. During her time at WVU , she worked in many capacities to help students with academic, social and personal issues.