If it seems like old times for WVU President Gordon Gee this week when he addresses the crowd at the annual Alumni Foundation Luncheon at the National Press Club, it’s because he’s done that before. It’s just that in this case, it’s been a mere 30 years or so in between appearances! The popular Gee is the featured speaker at this week’s event in Washington, DC, and tickets are still available.
Gee’s comments in a WVU press release issued earlier today illustrate how pleased he is to be back in familiar surroundings, both as the university president in Morgantown, and as the keynote speaker at one of the most successful alumni chapter events in the country. The luncheon honors West Virginia’s outstanding congressional delegation and their staff, and the work they do in Congress on behalf of WVU, and is one of the primary fundraisers for the WV National Capital Area Chapter’s John F. Nicholas Jr. National Capital Area Chapter Scholarship Fund.
The fund raises scholarship money for DC area students to attend WVU, and to date the chapter has raised more than $150,000 for that purpose. This year’s sponsors include The Hill newspaper, Consol Energy, The Greenbrier, Hamilton Insurance, and Widmeyer Communications, a Finn Partner company. In addition, nearly 20 WVU colleges and educational units support the lunch with table sponsorships. A Mountaineer Mixer, sponsored by The Hill, begins at 11:00 am at the Press Club, which is located at 529 14th Street, NW, followed by the luncheon at noon.