Heather and I were privileged to recently host the Emeritus Club at a breakfast at Blaney House. It was delightful to see alumni from the Class of 1958 and beyond return to campus—some for the first time in 50 years. Imagine their amazement to see the development of the Evansdale and Health Sciences Campuses, the PRT winding its way through town, and the new athletic fields and traditions.

In addition to taking tours, they honored Athletic Director Ed Pastilong and his coaches at a luncheon and inducted members into their esteemed ranks at an elegant dinner.

At breakfast, I met folks like Betty Jo and Neil Swann (Class of ‘54) from Blanco, Texas, and Richard and Pat Brindley (Class of ‘49) from Norfolk, Virginia—and spoke with old friends like former WVU administrators Ed and Ellie Flowers (Classes of ‘52 and ‘54), Carolyn Zinn (Class of ‘55) and Harold Shamberger (Class of ‘48).

It was also great to see long-time community and University supporters like Jimmy McCartney (Class of ‘41), Gloria Cunningham (Classes of ‘43, ‘63) and Mike and Louise Caruso, (Classes of ‘51, ‘56).

And, I watched as good friends and 1958 classmates Mary Curence from Charleston and Jerry Kessel from Morgantown reunited.

While many of these men and women are retired, there are others still going strong in the work force, among them award-winning journalist and University professor George Esper (Class of ‘53) and entrepreneur Eddie Barrett (Class of ‘52) and his wife Betty.

It was great to have these loyal alumni back on campus and to know that they helped lay the foundation for those of us who follow.

You?ll find a gallery of photos from this weekend here.