Colleagues:

The WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics initiated the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame Award in 2001 to recognize people with strong West Virginia ties who have made a significant impact on the business landscape.  We are now soliciting individual nominations from members of the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce for this award. Instructions and more details for nominating individuals are outlined below.  

Nominees must illustrate extraordinary leadership, have demonstrated a commitment to their community, and have a strong West Virginia tie as a native West Virginian, having been educated in West Virginia or having built their career in West Virginia. Nominations are not limited to, or focused upon, WVU graduates.  Publicly recognizing extraordinary business leaders and establishing a record of their achievement are important for many reasons. These individuals and their contributions remind us of the constant opportunity for economic success and the need for continued renewal and change, particularly in West Virginia. Moreover, they serve as role models for our state’s business students, those just beginning their careers, and for new entrepreneurs.

For more information, please contact John Lympany at john.lympany@mail.wvu.edu or Texie Wells at tpwells@mail.wvu.edu.  To submit a nomination, please follow the instructions below.

Make a Nomination

Nominations can be made at any time, but priority will be given to those submitted by December 31. To submit an individual for consideration with the committee, please submit the following documents via email to Texie Wells at tpwells@mail.wvu.edu:

• A 1-2 page letter that articulates how they have demonstrated the criteria listed below,
• A resume or biography that details their professional experiences and accomplishments.
• Additional documents, such as letters of support, that highlight the nominee's exceptional community involvement or demonstrate how they serve as a role model to students and professionals, are strongly encouraged as supporting materials.

Nomination Criteria

• No more than four individuals will be inducted annually,
• Nominations will remain active for three years and a person may be nominated again after sitting out one three-year cycle,
• Nominations are not limited to West Virginia University graduates.

Nominees will be judged on outstanding business performance coupled with high standards of ethics. The nominee must:

• Have an established record of distinction in his/her field and industry,
• Demonstrate a commitment to improving the community,
• Serve as a role model for business students/professionals,
• Have a clear West Virginia connection (for example: born in the state; extended years of residency; college attendance; business presence),
• Be present to receive the award. Posthumous inductees may be represented by a family member or business associate.