High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* New West Virginia University President Michael Benson visited Parkersburg last week to visit with donors, alumni and incoming students — but also because he couldn’t resist the lure of landmarks such as the Blennerhassett Hotel and Blennerhassett Island State Park. While he learned about this part of the state, he also emphasized the change that is in the air in Morgantown, infusing meaning into things as simple as the “Let’s Go!” cheer we love so much. He said that tagline can act as an acronym, with the O standing for words such as “outwork, outperform.” In a state like ours, where “they’re gritty, they work hard. They don’t take anything for granted,” as Benson put it, that’s important. No doubt like his predecessor Benson will make many return trips to Parkersburg during his tenure. But it’s OK if he doesn’t rush back soon. It sounds as though he’s got big plans and a lot of work ahead of him. Among his goals is to expand WVU’s reach to encourage more out-of-state students to enroll. He’s not the only one who should be thinking about how we make the state attractive again — to newcomers and to those we hope will stay. So while Benson gets to work, we should join him. Let’s go!

* D.J. Allen, former coordinator of Little Kanawha Resource Conservation and Development, had received the Distinguished Mountaineer award from the state for her service from 2006 to 2024. The award recognizes that Allen devoted her life to helping and improving the lives of others, using skills ranging from grant writing and administration to volunteering to work construction. “D.J. has volunteered thousands of hours to her community and her love and compassion for supporting her fellow West Virginian is the epitome of the true Mountaineer spirit,” the award said, adding she “was recognized as a caring and giving person and her dedication and commitment to her community, career and the great state of West Virginia has been an outstanding example to us all.” Thank goodness there are people here willing to serve as Allen has. Congratulations!