In the midst of a torrent of criticism over much needed cuts and consolidations at West Virginia University, the school also was proving it takes its mission very seriously. So much so that it was named an “Innovation and Economic Prosperity University” by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

“I am so proud of our faculty, staff and students whose sustained and excellent work to bring needed and valued solutions to real-life problems within the pillars of education, health care, prosperity and purpose has led to this distinction among our peers,” WVU President Gordon Gee said. “This prestigious designation underscores West Virginia University’s unique role as a leader in the state and region and across the country.”

Research taking place at the university has me thinking about the break-throughs I and my friends accomplished. Best I can recall is figuring out how to get a certain family farm’s “wine” out of carpet. But then again, I was not focused on the kinds of lofty goals I see WVU students working toward now.

A sampling from just the last month: “WVU researcher to help send swarm of marine robots on climate change quest beneath ocean ice,” “WVU bioenergy researcher digging into the root of sustainability,” “WVU engineers study how to pull carbon out of building air to make methanol,” and “WVU astronomer hunts for glowing ghosts of supernovas.”

But on top of the research — I didn’t even get to the progress being made on Alzheimer’s/dementia and addiction — there is real work being done to improve quality of life for everyone in West Virginia, now.

There are the WVU Extension offices, of course, but also a collaboration with the Coalfield Development Corporation as part of the “Build Back Better Regional Challenge,” the Center for Excellence in STEM Education, the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, the Innovation Corporation and West Virginia Brownfields.

“The (Innovation and Economic Prosperity) designation is a great achievement not only because of the designation itself, but also because the application process allowed us to take a deep look inside our University and realize how much we do individually and collectively to innovate and advance economic prosperity for our state,” said Extension Dean Jorge Atiles. “As a land-grant university, this is a clear recognition of our past, current and future commitment to community and economic engagement.”

Why am I bragging so much on my alma mater? There is still too much grumbling that WVU shot itself in the foot by recognizing the need to right-size and refocus. What must be understood is that those with the courage to do the right thing have just set up WVU for a chance to do even greater things (and do better for its students) for far longer than if responsible parties had allowed things to continue as they had always been.

Federal research dollars don’t go to institutions with a reputation for being wasteful and irresponsible with that money. Ratings agencies don’t dole out top tier bond ratings to institutions they think are headed for disaster. (In a May 2023 report, Fitch Ratings offered an “a” operating risk assessment to WVU because of “WVU’s solid capacity to control expenses,” for example.)

From economic development to health care, education and energy, WVU has set itself up to do even better for its students and its state. Rather than wallowing about what’s done and gone, it’s time to look forward to what’s next.

Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com