Contact: Kimberly Osborne (304) 766-3363 kosborne@wvstateu.edu
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University (WVSU) chapter of the NAACP has been recognized for the second year in a row by the national NAACP for its increase in membership.
The WVSU chapter was awarded the 2014 Chairman’s Trophy for highest membership increase since 2012-2013 at the 105 annual NAACP Convention in July in Las Vegas.
The student chapter has grown from six members to 40 in the past two years.
Charity Hightower, the former president of the WVSU chapter, said the group’s biggest membership builder is during State Stride, which takes place each August as a welcome for new students coming to campus.
Jolyssa Morris, the new president of the NAACP chapter, added, “Another way we have built membership is by setting up a booth during Homecoming.”
Morris added that Homecoming is also a great time for WVSU alumni to see the progress the chapter has made in recent years.
Oree Banks, associate professor of Health and Human Performance, has been the faculty adviser to the WVSU Chapter for three decades and said he is thrilled the chapter has won again and is, “hoping to win again for the third time in a row.”
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