Good morning, Morgantown.

President Michael T. Benson thanked the University community and invited faculty and staff to the Woodburn Hall Lighting event on December 2—starting at 6 p.m. with live music, cocoa and cookies to mark the holiday season.

He also highlighted a $50,000 innovation contribution, record retention rates and plans to enhance cyber research and strategic initiatives at the University.

WVU’s Research Vault now lets faculty and staff store 5TB of low- and medium-risk research data free of charge and replicates data to an off-site location for cyber threat protection—those needing more than 5TB will incur a $365 fee per extra terabyte, and users must request migration from the old system.

Morgantown faculty and instructors are invited to join a new community that supports the professional development of graduate teaching assistants, which will meet from December to May—faculty can apply by Nov.

24 if they oversee or mentor these assistants.

Yesterday, the WVU Ukrainian Mountaineers Association and Army ROTC hosted a welcome dinner at 300 Orchard Crossing #1725 where community members met veterans who shared insights from past battles.

Today at 9:30 a.m., Lt. Mykola Melnyk — who advanced 10 km during the 2023 counteroffensive — and fellow veterans, Oleh Bonchynsky and Dennis Hayda, will update the community on the Russia-Ukraine front in the Mountainlair, Rhododendron Room.

Staff Council praised the Lane Innovation Hub—located on the ground floor of the Engineering Sciences Building in Evansdale—for offering a 10,000 square foot maker space and custom manufacturing services to help turn ideas into real items.

Since it opened in November 2021, the hub has produced more than 2600 designs and continues to support projects from faculty, staff, students, entrepreneurs and the community.

The West Virginia University Foundation is honoring philanthropists David and Jo Ann Shaw and corporation Hope Gas for their strong support of WVU— the Shaws have donated over $9.5 million to various programs and Hope Gas has committed funding for new signage at Hope Coliseum and a facelift to the WVU water tower— marking their leadership in local philanthropy.

The EPA has released a proposed rule called Waters of the United States to update water protection guidelines and opened a 45-day period for public comment.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said West Virginia will provide input to shape a clear rule—reflecting changes from the Sackett case.

Four Girl Scouts from Black Diamond Council—Emma O'Loughlin, Charlotte Hoblitzell, Eleanor Hoblitzell, and Abigail Phillips—will attend the 70th UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York where they will speak for girls' rights and access to justice.

The WVU men’s soccer team will host St. John’s in the NCAA tournament first round on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Dick Dlesk Stadium— the match winner will travel on Sunday to face High Point.

Rich Rodriguez expressed frustration after WVU narrowly lost to Arizona State because the team earned only 68 rushing yards (well below average) and missed key red zone opportunities (costly mistakes he warned will hurt against Texas Tech).

WVU women's basketball team won a memorable game against No.15 Duke at The Greenbrier—using only five players after halftime—and showed true resiliency.

The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Lyell B Clay Concert Theatre — Ticket info not provided — Experience a unique blend of rock and classical music in a candlelit atmosphere.

West Virginia Mountaineers Women's Basketball vs. Texas Southern Lady Tigers

7-9 p.m. — Hope Coliseum — Check for ticket prices — Witness a thrilling matchup as the Mountaineers take on the Lady Tigers in a competitive basketball showdown.

Women's Basketball: West Virginia vs. Georgia Tech

7-9 p.m. — Hope Coliseum — Check out an exciting clash between the Mountaineers and the Yellow Jackets in women's basketball action.

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — Almost Heaven Bar & Grill — Tickets required — Celebrate the holidays in your ugliest sweater while enjoying festive activities and prizes.