West Virginia University – at least some of it – will move to Charleston for a day next week for the annual WVU & WVU Extension Day at the Legislature, filling the Capitol Complex with gold, blue – and a little 4-H green.
The annual event provides the opportunity for WVU’s many campuses to highlight outreach programs and research to people from across the state.
More than 30 of the University’s educational programs will exhibit in the Capitol’s upper and lower rotundas on Tuesday (Feb. 23) from 9 a.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m. Hundreds of 4-H’ers, Master Gardeners, Community Educational Outreach Service members and other WVU Extension volunteers from all across the state will be in attendance.
“For many of our 4-Hers and volunteers, this is their first time seeing the Capitol,” said Dave Miller, associate provost and director of WVU Extension Service. “We want to provide them with an opportunity to see how decisions are made in their state and to see what higher education has to offer them.”
New exhibits include:
_“Put Yourself in the Pride,” where attendees can dress up as member of the WVU Marching Band;
_What’s a Watt?,” a stationary bike that powers an electric light bulb; and
_Do You Know WV Agriculture?, a hands-on game show display that will test participants’ knowledge of West Virginia agriculture.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. in the West Virginia Culture Center on the Capitol grounds as the WVU Collegiate 4-H Club provides entertainment and some of the University’s most familiar faces address the group.
WVU President James Clements, Mountaineer Mascot Rebecca Durst and WVU Hospital Cardiologist Dr. Geoffrey Cousins, will join Miller in talking about following their dreams.
WVU’s Day at the Legislature isn’t the only way West Virginians can access WVU’s resources. WVU Extension Service has offices in all 55 West Virginia Counties.
The Kanawha County WVU Extension office offers interaction with the Family Nutrition Program, which targets youths who come from limited resource families with tools and skills to lead a healthy lifestyle. It also works closely with Energy Express, a summer learning and nutrition program for underserved West Virginia children. The new, spacious offices with free parking are located at 4700 MacCorkle Avenue in Kanawha City.
The County also manages chapters of the Community Educational Outreach Service (CEOS) and the Master Gardener program.
For more information about WVU & WVU Extension’s Day at the Legislature, visit www.ext.wvu.edu. For more information on the Kanawha County Extension Office, call 304-768-1202 or visit www.kanawha.ext.wvu.edu.
WVU will also fill the Culture Center Tuesday evening with a preview exhibit of the collection to be on display in the soon-to-open Art Museum of West Virginia University. A reception sponsored by the WV Division of Culture and History honoring WVU First Lady Beth Clements will be held at 5:30 p.m. with a program featuring selections from the University’s collection beginning at 6:30 p.m.
-WVU-ES-
CONTACT: Ann Bailey Berry
304.293.5691; ann.berry@mail.wvu.edu