West Virginia University at Parkersburg this morning announced a $10 million gift from the Ross Foundation, the largest gift in the history of the school and possibly in the history of the Community and Technical College System in West Virginia. The funds will be used to purchase the former Ohio Valley University and establish the West Virginia University Parkersburg Technology Center. Posing with the ceremonial check are, from left, Becky Deem-McGinnis of the WVU Parkersburg Foundation, Delegate Vernon Criss, Tres Ross of the Ross Foundation, Joe Oliverio of the Board of Governors, Steve Hardman of the Board of Governors, WVU Parkersburg President Tori Jackson and Donna Smith of the Board of Governors.

WVU Parkersburg announced this morning a $10 million gift from the Ross Foundation to buy the former Ohio Valley University where it will establish the WVU Parkersburg Technology Center.

The WVU Parkersburg Foundation will use $4.6 million to buy the property and the remainder will be used for renovation, college President Torie Jackson said. A timeline has not been established, she said.

The technology center will focus on the growth of degrees in technological fields and include the space for 25 technology-based business incubators and incubating student businesses, Jackson said.

“I look forward to being a part of this,” Tres Ross of the Ross Foundation said. Ross is the son of the late Sam Ross, a businessman and philanthropist from Parkersburg.

Read the full story in The News and Sentinel this weekend.