Throughout the country, West Virginia University is known for the pride and loyalty of its alumni and friends. Branch Banking & Trust Co. (BB&T) is one of those dedicated friends. The WVU Alumni Association is pleased to announce that BB&T has contributed $200,000 to support The Erickson Alumni Center.

The gift from BB&T will be used to name a salon in the Ruby Grand Hall where, since the opening of the new center, nearly 2,000 major events have been held, including weddings, conferences, scholarship receptions and other activities.

“The WVU Alumni Association is grateful that BB&T recognizes the importance of this building to programs for alumni, university scholars and the community alike,” explained Stephen L. Douglas, president and CEO, WVU Alumni Association. “We have enjoyed a mutually valuable relationship for more than 75 years in which we are able to provide more than 400 scholarships to deserving students annually. During its 73-years history, the LPEF has experienced significant growth in assets, which has enabled us to assist more than 4,000 West Virginia students to obtain a college education at WVU.”

“WVU provides a tremendous value to the people of West Virginia and the region,” said Calvin Barker, regional president, BB&T, WV North Region. “The quality of education is top notch and the graduates of WVU are leaders in education, government, and business around the region and the nation. BB&T is very proud of our close relationship with WVU and pleased to support the alumni of this great institution by supporting the alumni center. We know that this center will benefit WVU and the community for years to come.”

Since 1937, BB&T has managed the WVU Alumni Association’s Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund – the oldest scholarship program at WVU. The first gifts and fund principal were invested at one of the bank’s early predecessors, Central Banking & Trust in Charleston.

About BB&T
BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with more than $157.2 billion in assets and market capitalization of $16.7 billion, as of Sept. 30, 2010. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company operates approximately 1,800 financial centers in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is consistently recognized for outstanding client satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Greenwich Associates and others. More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at www.BBT.com.

For more information, please contact the WVU Alumni Association at 304-293-4731 or visit http://alumni.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

rt/12.9.10

CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU Alumni Association,
304-293-0972, tecurtis@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.