The West Virginia University Alumni Association will host the 12th annual Alumni Leaders Institute from 3-8 p.m. Friday (April 17) in the Kennedy Club Room at the new Erickson Alumni Center.

The event serves as an opportunity for chapter and constituent leaders to network, celebrate their alma mater and collaborate on new strategies to meet the current and future needs of alumni.

This institute will include alumni from across the country, and I am particularly excited about the opportunity to learn about and discuss the unique things other chapters are doing to stay connected to West Virginia University,said Bobbie Godbey, an officer with the University Chapter and an admissions counselor at WVU .As a two-time WVU graduate, a WVU employee and an officer in the local University Chapter, I experience WVU every day.

Fridays events begin with presentations from several speakers on topics relevant to alumni chapterssuccess and tours of the Erickson Alumni Center. A networking reception and presentation of Golden Musket Awards will immediately follow.

In 2007, the Alumni Association created the Golden Musket Award to honor chapters that have demonstrated extraordinary service in scholarship, community service, career/mentoring opportunities, student recruiting and social networking.

Alumni leaders and friends will return on Saturday morning (April 18) for a pregame tailgate reception prior to the WVU football teams annual Gold-Blue spring football scrimmage. The event will provide leaders with another opportunity to network and cheer on their alma mater.

The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. at Milan Puskar Stadium. Tickets are $5 each. Proceeds benefit the WVU Childrens Hospital.

There is an overwhelming amount of Mountaineer pride that far exceeds our state lines,said Stephen Douglas, president and chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association.Our chapter leaders have been responsible for keeping alumni informed and involved in the life of WVU . Whether they are recruiting future students, raising money for scholarships or providing mentoring and networking opportunities, these graduates are deeply committed to their alma mater. We are pleased to bring them back to campus and recognize them for their service.

The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 170,000 University graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the nation and about 60 other countries. The association has more than 100 chapters and constituent groups. Leaders from more than 15 states are expected to attend the Alumni Leaders Institute.

WVU Alumni Association on the Net: http://alumni.wvu.edu/