West Virginia University President James P. Clements will highlight the institution’s unique engagement with its home state on Jan. 19, addressing a sold-out crowd of alumni and friends at the WVU Alumni Association’s 15th Annual Capital Classic Luncheon.

More than 40 WVU affiliates, divisions, units, schools/colleges and other sponsors are participating in the noon event at the Charleston Embassy Suites on the afternoon of the WVU-Marshall men’s and women’s basketball games.

The focus of President Clements’ remarks will be on WVU’s new strategic framework.

“WVU is a caring community that stretches across our state and our world, and I hope to highlight how we are making an impact on enhancing the well-being and the quality of life for the people of West Virginia,” Clements said. “As a land-grant university, our roots are firmly planted in this mission and it remains one of our primary goals as we embark on a new strategic framework for the future.”

Clements will highlight such projects such as the Health Sciences and Technology Academy, a statewide partnership established 16 years ago to increase the college-going rate of minority, rural and underrepresented youth, and WVU Extension Service 4-H programming, which touches the lives of one in four of the state’s young people.

More than 500 alumni, government leaders, parents and friends of WVU will be on hand for the event. Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is expected to attend and offer greetings. The men’s and women’s basketball coaches and players will also make brief visits.

“Our alumni and friends are vital to the ongoing success of our flagship University, and the work that they do each day in their own communities – both in the State of West Virginia and beyond the borders of the Mountain State – are improving the lives of millions of people. Those efforts are a direct result of the great work done by our Mountaineer family,” said Steve Douglas, president and CEO, WVU Alumni Association.

“We are fortunate to have a wonderful contingency of alumni, parents and friends in the Kanawha Valley who carry the flag of WVU everywhere they go, and the Capital Classic luncheon is a great opportunity to lift up and celebrate WVU and our outstanding graduates.”

Alumni and fans are encouraged to attend both the women’s and men’s basketball games which tip off at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, at the Charleston Civic Center.

“Mike Carey and his staff have done a tremendous job in making WVU a national program in women’s basketball,” said Athletic Director Oliver Luck. “Their No. 6 national ranking is an all-time high and something all Mountaineer fans can be proud of. The Chesapeake Capital Classic in Charleston is the perfect opportunity for fans in the Kanawha Valley to see our highly ranked women’s team. I encourage all Mountaineer fans attending the Capital Classic to come at 5:30 p.m. for the women’s game and support our women’s – and men’s – teams.”

The women’s game will be broadcast on PBS while the men’s game will air on the Capital Classic Network. Both games are sold out.

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CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU Alumni Association
304-293-4731, tecurtis@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.