WVU Tech will host its annual Homecoming at its new campus in Beckley, West Virginia, September 23-28, featuring a parade, tailgate, and ribbon cuttings for new facilities.
Celebrating its third homecoming since opening the campus at Beckley, the university's student population is now 1,700 and growing, and community leaders are excited.
"It's really obvious that the uptown is going to flourish as a result of WVU Tech," Beckley councilman Tom Sopher said of the school's influence on the community.
"The activity around the campus makes it feel like the city is growing, and the students are having a very positive effect."
Sopher says faculty and students are participating in many community activities, volunteering for initiatives such as stream clean-ups with the local Piney Creek Watershed Association.
A division of West Virginia University at Morgantown, West Virginia, the tech campus was moved three years ago from Montgomery, West Virginia, to the former campus of Mountain State University.
The school has since engaged in a remarkable renovation of the campus, which has including landscaping and infrastructure improvements along South Kanawha Street, one of the city's old main thoroughfares.
On Friday at 3:30 p.m., university president Carolyn Long will deliver the school's annual State-of-Tech address in the auditorium of the WVU Tech Administration and Extension Building on Neville Street, according to Jen Wood Cunningham, director of university relations.
At 6:30 p.m. Friday, officials will unveil the new Barrett-Kelley Athletic Hall of Fame at 720 S. Kanawha St. and the university's new Welcome Wall.
Saturday activities include a 10:30 a.m. parade along South Kanawha Street through campus followed by the unveiling of a new display in Carter Hall honoring WVU Tech's Alumni of Distinction.
On Saturday afternoon, the community is invited to cheer on the Golden Bears at the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex for men's and women's soccer games at 3 and 5 p.m. The university will host a tailgate at the complex starting at 2 p.m.
Weekday activities are geared towards students with a series of Campus Cup challenges, including team-based games, trivia, and a lip-sync battle, Cunningham said.
For the full schedule and to see the parade route, visit homecoming.WVUTech.edu.
