NC West Virginia News

The WVU Alumni Association will celebrate a summer tradition during the 37th annual Boone County Alumni and Friends Pig Roast and Mountaineer Music Frolic on Saturday, July 13, in Boone County. Since its inception in 1987, the chapter has raised over $1 million and provided more than 500 student scholarships through proceeds from this event.

“For such a small community, we’ve probably outpunched our weight,” said Charlie Piccirillo, a founding member of the chapter and an attorney with Shaffer & Shaffer. “Our going to college rate wasn’t very good when we started it and we got it going and it’s helped. We’ve had a lot of kids with success.”

President Gordon Gee is scheduled to attend the event at Water Ways Outdoor Amphitheater as part of his summer tour highlighting West Virginia University's impact on local communities.

“Our mission is to support kids heading from Boone County to WVU, including many who are the first in their family to go to college,” said Megan Atkins Warner, current president of Boone County Alumni and Friends. “We know the scholarships we provide make a positive impact for our local students.”

For the 2024-25 academic year, proceeds from the event funded over $40,000 in scholarships for 25 students. The scholarships are administered through the WVU Foundation.

“People know the reason they’re there,” said Denise Workman, past president of Boone County Alumni and Friends. “You want the kids with potential to have the opportunity to get that education.”

Mikel Hager, a past scholarship recipient and former Mountaineer mascot, noted: “Being a recipient of the Boone County Alumni and Friends scholarship played a big part in allowing me to live out my dream of attending WVU.”

This year’s event is dedicated to Dr. Robert “Bob” Atkins, a founding member and past president of Boone County Alumni and Friends.

“Blue and gold runs deep within my family,” said Atkins Warner.

Gates open at 3:30 p.m., with festivities beginning at 4:30 p.m., featuring musical performances from Tupelo Drive, Noah West, and Kate Boytek. Scholarship recipients will be introduced prior to these performances.

For additional information, contact Boone County Alumni and Friends via email at wvuboonealumni@gmail.com.

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