West Virginia State University to Rename Land-Grant Programs for Gus Douglass
News Date March 13, 2006
West Virginia State University (WVSU) will hold a ceremony during Founders Week to officially designate its land-grant programs as the Gus R. Douglass Institute for Agricultural, Consumer, Environmental, and Outreach Programs. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, in the Wilson University Union. Officials at the University opted to rename its land-grant programs division in honor of West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Douglass due to his unwavering support of WVSU's efforts to regain its status as an 1890 land-grant institution and to become a university. The Institute will continue to carry out the historic land-grant mission of education, research and extension to the community.
Douglass received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from WVSU in 1998.
In addition to Douglass, representatives from Governor Joe Manchin's and Senator Robert Byrd's office will take part in the event, along with WVSU President Hazo W. Carter, Jr., Dr. Orlando McMeans, dean and director of the Institute, and other University administrators and faculty members. (Contact: Buddy Davidson, 304/558-3708)