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HALFWAY THROUGH ALMOST HEAVEN

Buckwheat and coal highlight the midpoint of WVU president's statewide tour

By West Virginia University

October 1^st, 2025

West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson promised he'd visit all 55 counties of the Mountain State within his first year on the job.

Not even three months into the gig, Benson has passed the halfway point. As of Sept. 26 (2025), he has already touched through 28 counties to spread the gospel of the gold and blue, soak in the traditions of his new home state and listen to the hopes and dreams of West Virginians.

This round of visits led Benson to Boone, Gilmer, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo and Preston counties. Here are some snapshots from the road, as well as reflections from the president.

WVU President Michael T. Benson readies to flip a hot buckwheat cakes at the 83rd annual Preston County Buckwheat Festival (2025) in Kingwood, West Virginia.

Joined by son Truman on his venture to Preston County, Benson immersed himself into the 83rd annual Buckwheat Festival in Kingwood, West Virginia. The festival celebrates the rich history and heritage of buckwheat farming in the area and was created to mark the autumn harvest. It has since grown into a five-day event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually to enjoy carnival rides, parades, arts and crafts, live music, livestock and, of course, the centerpiece of the festival, buckwheat cakes.

“I had a chance to flip a few cakes, enjoy the sausage and, most importantly, meet some really nice people,” Benson said. “It's clear that people here have a tremendous amount of pride in their community. This festival’s got a long tradition, and I really enjoyed it.”

That sense of local pride, Benson noted, has been a recurring theme of his county tour.

“One thing I’ve come to appreciate is everybody’s very proud of their community,” he said. “They refer to where they’re from by their county. West Virginians are welcoming, humble, gritty and hardworking. And the beauty of the state is as advertised — it’s just stunning.”

President Benson and his son Truman (left) look for hungry diners at the Kingwood Community Building.

President Benson and his son, Truman, chat with folks eating breakfast at the Kingwood Community Building.

President Benson roaming through the fairgrounds at the 83rd annual Preston County Buckwheat Festival.

President Benson popped into the "Cow Palace" at the Preston County Buckwheat Festival to check out the livestock competitions.

President Benson stops to meet people inside the "Cow Palace" of the Preston County Buckwheat Festival.

President Benson and his son Truman admire one of the many furry farm animals at the 83rd annual Buckwheat Festival.

Arthurdale marked another stop for Benson in Preston County. A bonafide history buff, Benson listened intently to tour guides at the Arthurdale Heritage Museum, which celebrates and preserves the town's distinction as the first New Deal homestead project established under Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The project sprung out of a visit by Eleanor Roosevelt to the impoverished coal camps of Scotts Run in 1933. The First Lady witnessed firsthand the hardships experienced by those families, and would advocate for the U.S. government purchasing farmland to build the first experimental community in what would become Arthurdale. The government received more than 1,000 applications from families in north central West Virginia to be the first Arthurdale homesteaders.

Kenny Kidd, director, and Elizabeth Satterfield, curator, of the Arthurdale Heritage Museum strike a pose with a cutout of Eleanor Roosevelt with President Benson.

President Benson walks into The Forge, where blacksmiths worked to make metal for the town of Arthurdale, West Virginia.

President Benson peeks at a tractor at the Arthurdale Heritage Museum.

President Benson observes a World War II veterans plaque outside the Arthurdale Heritage Museum.

Elizabeth Satterfield, curator of the Arthurdale Heritage Museum; Truman Benson; and President Benson.

In the southern part of the state, Benson went underground at Core Natural Resource's Mountain Laurel Mine in Logan County.

“I will never again take for granted turning on a light, using electricity or anything else that’s powered by coal because people work so hard and, in many ways, put their lives on the line every day and sacrifice so the rest of the world can enjoy the quality of life that we have,” Benson said while exiting the elevator shaft after going down 310 feet and taking the mantrip a mile-and-a-half underground at Mountain Laurel.

President Benson poses with Core Natural Resource’s COO George Schuller, WV State Sen. Rupie Phillips, WV Coal Association President Chris Hamilton and a mine crew underground at the Mountain Laurel Mine in Logan County.

Benson expressed his full support for continuing Statler College programs in mine engineering and mine safety to enhance the talent pipeline from the classroom to the field.

“I’m in awe of the technology, equipment and safety precautions, and truly grateful for the Core team’s hospitality,” he said. “On the heels of visiting the Mine Wars Museum (in Matewan) and learning more about the history of the mines and mining communities in southern West Virginia, I came away inspired and grateful.”

President Benson slips on his boots before going underground in a Logan County coal mine.

President Benson gears up to go underground.

President Benson meets coal workers underground in Logan County.

President Benson chats with a member of Core Natural Resource's Mountain Laurel Mine.

Elsewhere on this stretch of the tour, Benson visited students and counselors at George Washington and Lincoln County high schools, the WVU Extension annual retreat, Boone Memorial Hospital and popular West Virginia eateries such as the Custard Stand in Flatwoods and Tudor's Biscuit World.

For Benson, the purpose of the tour is more than sightseeing. He emphasized that WVU belongs to the people of West Virginia.

“I may be the face of the University, but they need to know that their University is here for them,” Benson said. “Whether it’s through WVU Medicine, Extension programs, online learning or family ties as alumni, it’s important for the president of the state’s flagship university to be visible and to listen. I want to hear about their experiences and how we can do better.”

At Chief Logan State Park, President Benson raises a fist by an "Almost Heaven" state outline.

President Benson indulges in two of his favorite past times, eating ice cream and surveying maps, at the Custard Stand in Flatwoods.

President Benson starts the day the West Virginia way — with a biscuit at the legendary Tudor’s Biscuit World in Lincoln County.

President Benson spent part of this stretch of the tour in Matewan (Mingo County).

Spreading Mountaineer spirit — President Benson shares the WVU "Let's Go!" flag with Lincoln County High School students Dez, Will and Wesley.

A West Virginia map shows where President Benson has visited as of Oct. 1, 2025.

Check out President Benson's first stretch of the tour.

Footnotes

Story by Jake Stump and Katie Farmer. Photos by Scott Lituchy, Katie Farmer and Kristina Gore. Illustration by Savanna Leech.

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FootNotes

Story by Jake Stump and Katie Farmer. Photos by Scott Lituchy, Katie Farmer and Kristina Gore. Illustration by Savanna Leech.

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HALFWAY THROUGH ALMOST HEAVEN

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