Good morning, Morgantown.

United Way is counting unhoused residents in Morgantown today to gather data that will guide local support services.

The effort aims to update resources for residents in need.

Next month, the WVU School of Art & Design will host the West Virginia Mountaineer Short Film Festival in Morgantown, inviting filmmakers and digital artists from around the globe to showcase their work (more details to come).

WVU's student food pantry, The Rack, reached a six-year high with 1,055 intake forms this academic year (a 23% rise from last year).

Program assistant Sydni Vega credited new campus locations and rising grocery costs for the boost.

WVU Potomac State College received a $1 million legacy gift from alum Lois Elizabeth Miltenberger to support students, academic programs, and agricultural projects (including a namesake scholarship fund for students with need from Mineral or Hampshire counties) that will strengthen the college’s offerings for years to come.

Students at WVU criticized the Eberly Edge professional development program for its heavy 18 credit load and limited course options & the university will add more flexible registration with 33% more class choices in Fall to ease scheduling challenges.

President Michael T. Benson updated WVU faculty and staff on spring plans, including a new vice president for Research search, his classroom lesson at Mountaineer Middle School on Friday, and a Downtown Library presentation at noon Friday with McKay Coppins.

He celebrated the community with recent events and student engagement.

Four candidates for the new Eberly College dean will present in public forums starting Monday, March 2 at Mountainlair, Gluck Theater (with a virtual option available) and continuing on March 4, 9, and 10.

Sessions run between 1 and 3:15 p.m., with candidate details shared via ENews.

WVU will adopt Slate by Technolutions in Fall 2028 to meet enrollment goals and simplify recruitment and admissions for first-year and online students on campus & the enrollment management team will create a detailed transition plan from Salesforce.

Paul Kinder, research assistant professor and director at the Natural Resource Analysis Center, received the American Legion Department of West Virginia 2025 Educator of the Year Award on Feb.

13 at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling and has volunteered with Patriots 4 to create outdoor programs serving veterans.

The Office of Sustainability will host a book recycling event during the week of March 16 for hardback books and paper items.

Offices must submit requests by March 11, while Health Sciences staff drop items at Room G351A until March 13 and the public can use the Mountaineer Station lobby March 11-13 (service offered annually).

West Virginia lost 292 children to foster care annually at a rate of 83.40 per 100,000, eight times the national average.

Child welfare advocates and officials called for stronger prevention efforts and family support programs to tackle issues like substance abuse + poverty.

WVU’s baseball team played amid fresh snow on their home opener at Wagener Field and won nineteen to six against Ohio after a half hour delay—now the team will head to Kennesaw State for a three game series Friday at 4 p.m.

The MHS boys bowling team clinched the state championship in their second season last week at Morgantown High, with junior Matthew Brown finishing as the top individual with a series score of 658.

Coach Nathan Houser credited local support from Suburban Lanes for the team’s rapid improvement.

Gardner Winter Music Festival

5 p.m. – 10 p.m. — South Middle School — $5 for adults, free for musicians and kids under 7 — Celebrate winter with Appalachian music, dance, and workshops.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. UCF Knights

8-10 p.m. — Mountainlair Student Union — Ticket prices vary — Charge or defend? It's Mountaineers vs UCF tonight!