The West Virginia University Alumni Association was founded on June 19, 1873, by 16 graduates who met in the University Chapel at the call of Reverend Alexander Martin, the University’s first president.
The group was composed of Marmaduke H. Dent (first president of the Alumni Association), Class of 1870; Oliver H. Dille, Class of 1871; William E. Jolliffe, Class of 1871; Benjamin W. Smith, Class of 1872; and these members of the Class of 1873: Daniel B. Purinton, Edmund T. Bullock, Taylor B. McClure, John T. Harris, Charles M. Babb, James T. Waters Jr., William T. Pritchard, James F. Brown, George P. Lynch, William L. Boughner, Thomas H. Price and Marcellus L. Temple, who signed the first Constitution in that order.
Today, the WVU Alumni Association represents more than 170,000 graduates worldwide. The Association is housed in the beautiful Erickson Alumni Center which opened its doors in October 2008. This home away from home for alumni and friends provides visitors with a place to visit and reminisce with old friends, read one of the books in our alumni library or enjoy the campus scenery.