Good morning,
It’s been one and three-quarter centuries since Alexander Campbell established this mountaintop campus, the oldest institution of higher education in West Virginia and one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the nation.
We are today West Virginia’s only national liberal arts college, and a true leader in American higher education.
Established in wilderness before a transportation infrastructure was in place or even envisioned, the College saw its earliest students arrive on horseback, by stagecoach, even by trolley for a time, and eventually over the rugged forerunners of today’s two-lane highways.
Today, this small liberal arts college continues to fulfill the goals of our founder—a vision of personal achievement and intellectual and spiritual fulfillment—while adapting programs to the needs of a global, knowledge-based economy.
More than 22,000 alumni have gone forth to become national and international leaders. They include (to name a few):
David Jolliffe, author and professor at the University of Arkansas, and our speaker this morning.
Bob McCann, CEO of UBS Group Americas;
Jeffrey Seglin, a Harvard lecturer and ethicist;
Thomas Buergenthal, a former judge of the International Court of Justice;
I look forward to seeing you at our many Founders Day events.
