We hope you will be able to attend today’s gathering at the Mountainlair’s Vandalia Lounge at 10:30 a.m.

If not, you may view the live webcast. Quicktime is required to view video and can be downloaded at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.

As you watch, you may leave comments by clicking “Reply to article” below.

President Mike Garrison opened today’s gathering by briefly summarizing the last several months of forums and conversations from his blog. People all around the state have joined in the conversation, both online and in person.

The theme of this week’s inauguration events is “Coming Home,” a theme that really resonates with those connected to the University, said President Garrison.

“This pride, this sense of belonging makes us unique,” he said.

One of the many events planned in conjunction with Friday’s inauguration ceremony was a “Coming Home” student writing contest organized by Professor James Harms in the Department of English. More than 100 entries were submitted, and from those, five winners were selected.

“We tried to pick just four, but at the last minute I got permission from the President?s office to select five,” Harms said, praising the quality of the entries received.

Professor James Harms

Four of the five winners are in attendance today to read excerpts from their selections: Holt Barnitz, English major; Brian Elliott, multidisciplinary studies major; Kathleen Naglee, history major; and Daniel Summers, English major. Professor Harms read from the fifth winning submission written by sport management major Kirk Madsen.

“Do others of you have thoughts of this University as home, or your own thoughts on Homecoming week?” President Garrison asked. “How many here were not born in West Virginia? How do you think of Morgantown or WVU as your home?”

Maria Yester, Director, Center for Executive Education, College of Business and Economics

Among those speaking about their relationship with the University was Maria Yester, director of the Center for Executive Education in the College of Business and Economics, who said she began and hopes to end her career at WVU.

“WVU is a place where lives are changed….While I have had opportunities to go elsewhere, I felt that my role and impact I would make would not be as great as they are here,” she said.

In closing, President Garrison invited the audience to record their own “Coming Home” videos in the Umoja Room in the Student Organization Wing of the Mountainlair, or to submit their stories and videos online.