INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) has announced a $2.2 million gift from distinguished alumnus Dr. Langley A. Spurlock (’59). Of this transformational donation, $2 million will establish the Spurlock-Cabell Cybersecurity Endowment, while $200,000 will support The Future Fund, an initiative designed to strengthen the University’s long-term capacity to meet its mission.
“This extraordinary gift from Dr. Spurlock is both historic and visionary,” said WVSU President Ericke S. Cage. “By investing in cybersecurity education, Dr. Spurlock is helping position WVSU students at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing and most important fields of our time. His generosity will leave a lasting impact on our University, our state, and our nation.”
A direct descendant of Samuel Cabell and Mary Barnes Cabell — through their daughter Eunice Cabell Brown — Spurlock has deep ties to both the university and the community of Institute. He graduated from WVSU in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, where his stepfather, Paul Moore, served as chair of the Chemistry Department for many years.
Spurlock went on to earn a doctorate degree in organic chemistry from Wayne State University before embarking on a remarkable career in higher education and research. He served as a chemistry faculty member at Brown University and Temple University, later working for the National Science Foundation. His contributions to the field include more than 40 published works and three U.S. patents.
When he retired from his career as a chemist, Spurlock pursued his passion for the arts, becoming a full-time artist.
“West Virginia State provided the foundation for my academic and professional career,” Spurlock said. “It is my hope that this endowment will help prepare students for the future, particularly in fields like cybersecurity that are critical to our nation’s progress and security.”
The Spurlock-Cabell Cybersecurity Endowment will support WVSU students pursuing degrees and careers in cybersecurity and related fields, providing resources for scholarships, program enhancements, and expanded learning opportunities. The gift also reflects Spurlock’s enduring connection to the Cabell family’s historic legacy in Institute and his vision for advancing educational opportunity at his alma mater.
In addition to the cybersecurity endowment, Dr. Spurlock designated $200,000 to The Future Fund, WVSU’s strategic fund for supporting mission-driven initiatives and ensuring long-term sustainability.
“Dr. Spurlock embodies the very best of West Virginia State University’s legacy,” added Trey Jones, Vice President of Advancement and President of the WVSU Foundation. “His career achievements in science, research, and the arts, combined with his philanthropy, reflect a lifelong commitment to learning, discovery, and opportunity. We are humbled and grateful for his generosity.”
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