Contact: Jack Bailey (304) 766-4109 Jbaile19@wvstateu.edu

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) will celebrate the inauguration of Ericke S. Cage as its 13 president with a week of activities April 10-14.
Beginning Monday at 1 p.m. WVSU will hold an announcement at 107 Capitol St. in Charleston to announce plans for a WVSU Downtown Center to be located on the first floor of the Kanawha Banking and Trust Building.
On Tuesday at 2 p.m., university officials will be joined by representatives from Huntington National Bank for the announcement of a transformative financial commitment from the regional bank that will allow the university to expand multiple services and scholarships. The announcement will take place at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the Dr. Hazo W. Carter Jr. Integrated Research Extension Building (No. 36 on the.)
On Wednesday at 10 a.m. President Cage will be joined by members of the WVSU Extension Service and Diversified Energy Corp. for a ceremonial tree planting at the President’s House on campus (No. 10 on the campus map). The tree planting is part of a partnership with the WVSU Extension Service and Diversified Energy Corp. that will see 10,000 trees being planted around the state of West Virginia this year. A total of 13 trees will be planted on campus next week in honor of President Cage’s inauguration as the university’s 13 president.
On Thursday at 10 a.m. an investiture ceremony will take place to formally inaugurate Cage as the university’s 13 president. The ceremony will take place in the P. Ahmed Williams Auditorium in Ferrell Hall and will feature a keynote address from Norfolk State University President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston as well as remarks from Marshall University President Brad Smith, West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw and other local civic and government leaders. A public reception will follow inside the Walker Convocation Center.
Then at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Berry Hills Country Club will be Dinner with the Ton3s. Known formerly as The Hamiltones, the trio will be performing during a celebration dinner for President Cage’s inauguration. Tickets are limited for this event and are available at . On Friday, April 14, the ninth annual WVSU and West Virginia State University Foundation Black & Gold Gala will take place at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. The black tie event recognizes the generosity of donors while also serving as the capstone event for President Cage’s inauguration week activities. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and the program recognizing honorees. Individual tickets are on sale now for $150 and can be purchased online at .
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