MORGANTOWN , W.Va.West Virginia Universitys Interim President C. Peter Magrath will present the State of the University Address on Capitol Hill to a sold-out audience at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, June 17. Alumni, friends and others can view the event beginning at 12:15 p.m. at: http://www.webcast.wvu.edu

Each year, the National Capital Area Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association hosts the event honoring West Virginias congressional delegationSen. Robert C. Byrd, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, Rep. Nick Joe Rahall, Rep. Alan Mollohan and Rep. Shelley Moore Capitoas well as alumni and friends of WVU .

Emily Calandrelli, a Truman and Goldwater Scholar and member of USA Todays 2009 All-USA College Academic First Team, will introduce Dr. Magrath who will provide remarks and introduce a special video highlighting WVU s land-grant mission. President-elect James Clements will also address the audience.

The State of the University Address, which is celebrating its 31st year, is a highlight of the WVU calendar thanks, in large part, to the efforts of the National Capital Area Alumni Chapter.

This event is one of the longest-running alumni events in our history,said Stephen L. Douglas, president and CEO of the WVU Alumni Association.We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of alumni volunteers who coordinate this event so that we can showcase the success stories at West Virginia University. It is truly a signature event for alumni and friends living in the area.

Event coordinators attribute the success to volunteer support as well as the involvement provided by corporate sponsors. This years event sponsors include Chesapeake Energy, Foundation Coal, GolinHarris International and Widmeyer Communications. In addition, more than 15 WVU colleges and units have provided sponsorships for this years event.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the John F. Nicholas Jr. National Capital Area Chapter Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students in the D.C.-Metro area attending WVU , as well as the new alumni center building campaign. To date, more than $100,000 has been raised for scholarships, making it the second largest scholarship fund provided by a WVU Alumni Association chapter.

We always look forward to welcoming WVU to the nations capital,said Kevin Nodianos, president of the National Capital Area Chapter.This event renews our enthusiasm for the University and allows us to share in the tremendous accomplishments of WVU students, faculty and staff.

The State of the University Address will be held at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://alumni.wvu.edu .