News

A West Virginia University student is continuing on the path of service he started while in high school — as a volunteer for community canned food drives, trail maintenance and garbage cleanup projects — thanks to private scholarship support.

A West Virginia University alumna is simultaneously paying tribute to her alma mater and honoring her parents with three planned gifts to benefit future students.

Today, the Mountaineer Athletic Club is moving forward as the MAC, a simpler name, for sure, but those three letters representing the fundraising unit of West Virginia University athletics are going to be critical to future success of Mountaineer Athletics.
 
It's not overstating things to say collegiate sports has reached a pivotal point in its existence, and for WVU to remain relevant in these uncertain times, everyone must get involved.
 
To achieve this, the MAC's mission is to become a simpler, more inclusive organization, flexible and agile enough to help Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker navigate today's ever-changing environment.
 
Baker has made it abundantly clear that West Virginia University athletics is approaching a key moment in its history. What we are doing today is going to have a profound impact on tomorrow.
 
The Mountaineer Athletic Club was created in the early 1980s to support scholarships and to generate overall funding support for the Athletics Department. Through the years, additional programs were established for such things as priority seating, naming opportunities, capital projects, athletic endowments, annual giving, personal experiences, caravans, facility tours and many other important initiatives.
 
But eventually, some prioritizing was in order.
 
The MAC staff, led by Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Development Officer Ben Murray, began contemplating a comprehensive rebranding last fall when the $2.78 billion House vs. NCAA settlement was announced, requiring an estimated $20 million per school in annual revenue sharing be allocated for student-athletes - primarily players competing in revenue producing sports. Scholarship caps have also been lifted, mandating athletic departments spend additional dollars.
 
For example, if an athletics department's total operating budget is $100 million, one-fifth of that will have to be earmarked for revenue sharing, a significant amount of money!
 
Baker has indicated numerous times that he is committed to getting West Virginia University in a competitive position when this goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
 
Part of this will require the MAC to become more streamlined and flexible.
 
MAC membership levels have been trimmed down to eight, and any contributions will now be counted, including gifts made to the Country Roads Trust dating back to July 1, 2024.
 
Each donation matters, from $100 all the way up to Summit Society membership. Every donor, no matter the amount, will have a point of contact within the MAC.
 
Earlier today, the MAC relaunched its new website with a video explaining why ALL Mountaineers must move forward together!
 
Why become a MAC member?
 
You are strengthening the team behind the team. Membership means becoming part of a close-knit community that advocates and supports the successes of our student-athletes, coaches and staff.
 
You are helping empower student-athletes by providing scholarship support and resources that enable them to pursue their academic and athletic dreams, creating opportunities that might otherwise be unreachable.
 
You are supporting a winning future. To attract the best coaches, the most advanced technology and the most efficient team travel, MAC support is vital. These funds directly influence the successes of all our athletic teams.
 
The MAC annual giving program features three important areas: Priority Seat Contributions, the Mountaineer Unrestricted Fund and the Country Roads Trust.
 
For those capable of becoming a Summit Society member, the experiences are significant from exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences, to team travel and behind-the-scenes access that will deepen your connection with the teams and players you love. 
 
The Summit Society is WVU Athletics' leadership giving society, recognizing MAC donors making philanthropic gift commitments of $25,000 or more (separate from priority seating contributions gifted over five years) in support of state-of-the-art facilities, the Athletic Director's Opportunity Fund, as well as other philanthropic designations.
 
In recognition of this generous support, members of the Summit Society will gain access to an exclusive stewardship program. Summit Society pledge payments count toward MAC membership levels and many donations are also tax-deductible, offering you an important financial benefit while supporting a cause we are all passionate about.
 
MAC membership is also about establishing a legacy of success to ensure that today's support helps build a brighter future. West Virginians are hard-working, loyal people, proud of our history and passionate about our future.
 
Our future is now, which means the time to give is now!
 
We encourage you to explore the website, review the frequently asked questions and get to know our staff.
 
Including Ben Murray, the MAC is now 11 full-time members strong. John Patterson, senior associate athletics director and executive director, oversees the MAC's day-to-day operations. 
 
The MAC staff also includes Doug Wallace, associate athletics director for athletics development, Cory Chambers, senior director of athletics development, Matt Waggoner, director of development for annual giving, Madison Clayton, director of donor relations and communications, Hannah Saleme, assistant director of donor relations and communications, Kyle Poland associate director of athletics development, Bryce Moore, assistant director of athletics development, Connor Smith, assistant director of premium seating and annual giving, and Lisa Thomas, program assistant.
 
They are all eager to get to know you better as we move forward together building a stronger athletics department.
 
Together we can, and together we will!
 
The MAC membership year for 2025 is August 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. All athletics giving during this timeframe sets your MAC membership level for the upcoming 2025-26 athletic year.

One West Virginia organization’s holiday tradition has continued to spread seasonal cheer with its yearly gift to WVU Medicine Children’s. Mountain Loggers Group, Inc., donated more than $212,723, a holiday tree, and toys that will support patients and families receiving treatment at the hospital. 

The West Virginia University Foundation is celebrating 70 years of private philanthropy to benefit the University and its land-grant mission.

Construction is set to start in the new year on an extensive West Virginia University School of Dentistry expansion and renovation project being supported, in part, by a $12.6 million award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made possible by the support of U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin.