INSTITUTE, WV (LOOTPRESS) — West Virginia State University (WVSU) today announced the public launch of its boldest fundraising initiative in the institution’s 134-year history — the State of Tomorrow Capital Campaign, with a goal of raising $25 million to accelerate student success, fuel innovation, and strengthen the University’s impact for generations to come.
The launch was celebrated at a special Homecoming event at the Davis Fine Arts Center, where alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community partners gathered to mark this historic milestone. To date, WVSU has already secured more than $22 million in commitments toward the $25 million goal.
“This campaign is about more than dollars, it is about delivering on our mission as a historically Black, land-grant university and ensuring that every student who comes to West Virginia State has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive,” said WVSU President Ericke S. Cage. “Through State of Tomorrow, we will expand scholarships, strengthen our academic and athletic facilities, and build the financial foundation needed to secure our University’s future. Together, we are creating a lasting legacy for West Virginia and beyond.”
The State of Tomorrow campaign is organized around three pillars:
- Elevate — Expanding scholarships, supporting faculty innovation, and enhancing academic programs.
- Strengthen — Investing in new facilities, including a School of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, state-of-the-art labs, and a dedicated track complex for student-athletes.
- Sustain — Growing the University’s endowment and establishing the Future Fund to ensure long-term financial stability
Campaign Co-Chair Ed Gaunch ’70, former West Virginia Secretary of Commerce, praised the momentum already underway. “What an exciting day for West Virginia State University,” Gaunch said. “We celebrate the collective spirit of giving that is building the State of Tomorrow. Together, we are making history, and I invite every one of you to join us on this journey.”
The university emphasized that support of all sizes is vital to the campaign’s success.
“Every gift, every act of support, and every story shared makes a difference,” said Trey Jones, Vice President of Advancement and President of the WVSU Foundation. “When we stand with State, we shape not only tomorrow for our students but also the future of our communities and our state.”
For more information on the State of Tomorrow Capital Campaign, or to make a gift, visit www.wvstateu.edu/stateoftomorrow.
