'WELCOME HOME'

WVU President Michael T. Benson gets his first taste of the Mountain State

By West Virginia University

August 6^th, 2025

Sometimes, a rare alchemy transforms a new landscape into a lifelong home. For West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson, five days traveling our state’s country roads brought him to this place where he belongs.

The late July heat index averaged 95 degrees throughout his statewide tour, and the reception Benson received in community after community exuded similar warmth.

A history professor at heart, he explored West Virginia’s roots from its birth amid Civil War turmoil to its legacy of industrial innovation. And he spent hours talking to the men and women who are moving our state forward to scale new peaks.

He started and ended each tour stop with our WVU rallying cry: “Let’s Go!”

Benson with Matt Wicks and Elizabeth McIlvain, both of Fiesta Tableware Company

Benson checks out the colorful selection of Fiestaware.

In Newell, Benson visited the Fiesta Tableware Company to learn about the iconic and colorful Fiestaware it has produced since 1936.

In the main building, Benson shook hands with the receptionist, who mentioned that her daughter just graduated from WVU last year and had a wonderful experience. The daughter's graduation photo in her cap and gown sits on her desk.

From there, up steep, creaky stairs, Benson entered the historic Fiesta showroom. Current sets of dinnerware are displayed there, along with their seasonal collections, retired collections, and special collections that show their deep connection to the state.

Excited by these exhibits, Benson also visited the factory outlet and made his first Fiesta purchase.

Marra Tharp, of Moundsville, sophomore in biomedical lab diagnostics

Benson and WVU leaders at the World's Largest Teapot in Chester

Debbie Jones, of West Virginia Tourism, gives Benson a tour of Independence Hall.

Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of Form Energy

Martina Mayo, a registered nurse at WVU Weirton Medical Center

Benson also visited Form Energy in Weirton, a 400-employee company focusing on innovative energy storage. A huge economic driver for the region, Form Energy chose to locate in West Virginia due to a strong workforce and business-friendly environment. CEO Mateo Jaramillo took Benson on a tour of the facility and explained how he is working with WVU to build a talent pipeline.

Wheeling’s Independence Hall, where West Virginia’s journey to statehood began, captured Benson’s imagination as he started his own presidential journey. When the knowledgeable tour guide, Debbie Jones, asked if his group wanted to watch a 16-minute film detailing West Virginia’s birth, Benson’s eyes lit up as he replied, “Yes, absolutely!”

History also has a lighthearted side, as Benson and his team saw when visiting the World’s Largest Teapot in Chester. It stands 14 feet high just off Route 30, once part of America’s first coast-to-coast, the Lincoln Highway. Originally a barrel advertising Hires Root Beer, the teapot graced Chester as a tourist attraction since 1938.

The Blennerhassett Island mansion near Parkersburg, originally constructed in 1800.

At Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park in Wood County, where Aaron Burr once plotted treason, Benson toured the restored Blennerhassett House with Park Superintendent Craig Pyles, a two-time WVU graduate. A hammer dulcimer performance by tour guide Scott Cain introduced a delighted Benson to our state’s musical heritage.

Erin Carmicle, of Washington, WV, a junior double major in biochemistry and psychology

Scott Cain plays the hammered dulcimer at Blennerhassett Island State Park.

Craig Pyles (center), Blennerhassett Island superintendent and two-time WVU graduate

President Benson in thought inside the Blennerhassett Island Mansion

President Benson outside one of the WV legislative chambers at the state Capitol

After meeting with state leaders in Charleston, Benson toured both the House and Senate Chambers and stared up at West Virginia’s iconic rotunda under the Capitol dome.

As he walked down the building’s storied halls, he stopped to view former governors’ portraits and inquired about the state’s history, culture, and traditions.

In South Charleston, energy and excitement were contagious at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park, as Benson greeted more than 200 eager WVU partners, including government officials, business leaders, economic development officers, higher education leaders, alumni, and community members.

Benson told the crowd he aspires to be bold, set lofty goals, and work toward ensuring WVU is a leader in education for generations to come.

Clinton Cochran, district park manager for the Elk River Trail

After cruising the windy back roads of Clay County, Benson headed down a gravel trail to Clay County’s Elk River trailhead.

An outdoors enthusiast, he enjoyed walking along the trail, then picked up some rocks to throw over the bridge into the creek below.

Benson and a state park ranger — a WVU graduate — talked about trails, tourism, and outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the state.

Benson also met some of the youngest Mountaineers while showing off his "Let’s Go!" flag made at the Wetzel County 4-H camp, where 9–17-year-olds welcomed him.

Dave Clark, executive director of Woodlands Development, at the renovated Tygart Hotel in Elkins

Taking a selfie with Chris Derico and Gabrielle Rhodes

Touring the historic covered bridge in Philippi

President Benson at the historic covered bridge in Philippi

A visit to Philippi, site of the first land battle of the Civil War on June 3, 1861, provoked somber reflection, as well as wonder at the restored covered bridge that Union troops once used as a barracks.

Benson would end the week in Grafton at the International Mother's Day Shrine and Bluemont Cemetery, where several historical West Virginians are buried including individuals involved in the Buffalo Creek disaster and the Civil War.

The Mother's Day Shrine honors the legacy of Anna Jarvis, who conceived the idea for Mother's Day.

“This has been an unbelievable introduction to the state,” Benson said. “I can’t think of a better way to learn about its history, and how that history informs why people are the way they are and do what that they do, than actually going on location and meeting them where they are and hearing how much the University means to them.”