The West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences will honor alumna Beverly Railey Robinson with the Eberly College Alumni Recognition Award on Dec. 9, during the college’s graduation reception. Robinson will accept the award and give brief remarks to the graduating class in the Mountainlair Ballrooms prior to the convocation ceremony. The reception is from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. December graduates and their families are invited to attend.

“Beverly Railey Robinson has served the people of West Virginia, impacting countless lives through her work,” Dean Robert Jones said. “Her life’s work is a wonderful example of how a degree from West Virginia University can provide the foundation for a successful and meaningful career.”

Robinson graduated with a master’s degree in social work with specialization in rural community development from WVU in 1975. Since 1979, she worked for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, a regional independent foundation with grant programs in West Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pa. She spent her career working on rural health, human service, community development and education issues.

While at the foundation, Robinson was responsible for developing and following nearly 900 grants totaling $75.5 million. Her work focused on improving primary health care and wellness for children, oral health for children and pregnant women, early child development (with a focus on perinatal period to three years) and West Virginia end-of-life care. She served as vice president of the Benedum Foundation until her retirement in December 2009.

“My time at West Virginia University as a WVU graduate student, part of the rural community development program within the School of Social Work, and earlier as a WVU Extension Agent, planted seeds which were most helpful with my 30-year career at the Benedum Foundation,” Robinson said. “My life has branched out in many unpredictable, highly satisfying ways. I was privileged to work with hundreds of regional leaders and communities on improving the lives of many West Virginians. I am most grateful for this recognition by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.”

Robinson enjoys teaching and has taught the course Leadership in Philanthropy at WVU. She is currently serving on the board of the statewide Children’s Home Society and recently joined the board of West Virginia Senior Legal Services.

Beverly Robinson is married to Vic Robinson. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences established the Eberly College Alumni Recognition Award to acknowledge the important contributions alumni are making in their community and within their professions. Each recipient’s name is added to a memorial plaque in Woodburn Hall. Nominate deserving Eberly College alumni online.

For more information about the event, contact Brenda Riggle at 304-293-9205 or Brenda.Riggle@mail.wvu.edu

-WVU-

gd/11/30/12

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