Contact: Dr. Donna M. Simon (304) 766-3363 dsimon@wvstateu.edu

CHARLESTON – Dr. E. Gordon Gee, president of The Ohio State University, will be the keynote speaker at a Saturday, April 6, dinner gala designed to raise funds to support student scholarships and programs at West Virginia State University (WVSU).
The Black and Gold Gala, sponsored by the University and the WVSU Foundation, will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Charleston Town Center Marriott with a social hour featuring performances by Bob Thompson and the WVSU Jazz Quintet. In addition, art from WVSU students will be on display.
“This is an evening to showcase West Virginia State University and our students, as well as to raise money in support of scholarships and other university programs that are vital in providing many promising State students the opportunity to go to college,” said university President Brian O. Hemphill.
Dinner will follow at 7 p.m. and feature comments from Gee in addition to student entertainment and a video presentation highlighting major university donors and WVSU student scholarship recipients talking about what the financial support has meant to them.
“The students and the University are so appreciative of the gifts given to support students’ success at State,” added Patricia Schumann, vice president for University Advancement and president of the WVSU Foundation. “The philanthropy of our alumni and friends is making a huge impact on students’ everyday lives on our campus and on their preparation for careers after graduation.”
A former president of West Virginia University, Gee oversees Ohio State’s six campuses, 63,000 students, and 42,000 faculty and staff. He is among the most highly experienced and respected leaders in higher education, having been named in 2009 by Time magazine as one of the top 10 university presidents in the United States. In addition, Gee has also served as president of Vanderbilt University, Brown University and the University of Colorado.
Dancing will start at 9 p.m. and feature music by Santa Cruz.
Individual tickets for the Gala are on sale now at a cost of $150.
Sponsors for the evening are the Cecil I. Walker Foundation, Arnett Foster Toothman, Steptoe & Johnson, Loved Ones in Home Care, PJ Dick Trumbull, A&F Financial Advisors, Thompson Hospitality, AVI Food Systems, United Bank, CrownMax, Jackson Kelly, Carpenter Treatment Solutions, the Marriott, Men’s Wearhouse, Ghareeb Dental Group, BB&T—Carson Insurance Services, Bailey & Wyant, Ray Winton & Kelly, American Technology Rentals, The Dow Chemical Company, Thomas Memorial Hospital, Silling Associates and the Kanawha Valley Chapter of the WVSU National Alumni Association.
For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities contact the WVSU Foundation at (304) 766-3130, or .
The WVSU Foundation Inc. is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization and gifts are deductible to the extent provided by federal and state law.