A LIFETIME OF SUPPORT

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mining engineer

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BENJAMIN M. STATLER

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West Virginia University is proud to

announce the naming of the College

of Engineering and Mineral Resources

after businessman, philanthropist, and

alumnus Ben Statler. The Benjamin M.

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral

Resources stands as a testament to the

tremendous generosity and support of

Ben and his wife, Jo, both natives of

Monongalia County, to WVU and

the College.

The gift from the Statlers will transform

the College of Engineering and Mineral

Resources for generations of students

to come. It includes funds for the new

advanced engineering research building

to be built on the Evansdale campus

beginning in 2012, and the establishment

of the Statler Research Scholars program.

The endowment, when matched by the

state’s Research Trust Fund, will provide

scholarships and research support for

20-plus undergraduate students majoring

in engineering. This College-wide initiative

will provide an opportunity to reach a large

number of meritorious undergraduates,

easing their financial burden to attend

WVU and enriching their education through

research experiences.

The gift also creates and supports three

endowed faculty chairs in energy research

and funds a graduate research fellows

program. The matching dollars from the

state will be used initially for research

focused on energy.

This commitment will help the College

develop a strategic research agenda in

energy, with the initial focus on fossil

energy resources.

“This gift will transform the College for generations of students to come. We are forever grateful to the Statlers for their trust and generosity in our vision. We pledge to honor their names by providing exemplary opportunities for our students and faculty to contribute to technological advancements.” - Eugene V. Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean

A Transformational Gift

A third generation coal miner, Ben Statler earned his

bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from WVU in 1973.

While in college, Ben began his career at CONSOL Energy,

working as a laborer. For 30 years, he held various positions

with the company before starting his own mining company,

PinnOak Resources LLC. He served as its president and

chief executive officer until its sale in 2007. Currently, Ben

is co-founder and CEO of Gulf Coast Capital Partners, a

private investment firm founded in 2008 that is focused on

acquiring and providing capital to middle market companies

in special situations.

Ben has served on the advisory committee for WVU’s

Department of Mining Engineering and was named to the

Board of Directors of the WVU Foundation in August 2008.

Jo Statler, who worked for WVU’s School of Dentistry,

has been a strong supporter of her community and our

University. She helped launch Bonnie’s Bus, which provides

digital mammography services to women in remote areas of

West Virginia. The bus is named after Jo’s mother, Bonnie

Wells Wilson, who died of breast cancer.

The Statlers have received numerous honors from WVU,

including Most Loyal West Virginians, the WVU Foundation’s

Outstanding Philanthropist Award, and the Milan Puskar

Award. In 2009, they received honorary doctorates from

WVU during its commencement ceremonies.

The Statlers currently reside in McMurray, Pa., and Naples,

Fla. They are the parents of two children, Julie and Ben II,

and the grandparents of three grandsons.

Our Benefactors

“This is an extraordinary gift from extraordinary people. Ben and Jo Statler’s ties to WVU go back to their childhoods when they met in 4-H and through their many gifts those ties will go on forever. From healthcare, to athletics, to academics, the Statler’s have been extremely generous in helping WVU help others. The College of Engineering and Mineral Resources is already outstanding on many fronts and this gift will truly take the College to the next level and benefit the students, faculty, and staff in countless ways. On behalf of a very grateful University community, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Ben and Jo Statler for their incredible support of excellence in our academic mission.”- James P. Clements, WVU President

A Lifetime of Support

In 2008, the Statlers pledged $25 million to WVU, which was the largest gift

in the University’s history. A portion of that gift, coupled with an additional

commitment, will be dedicated to the newly named Benjamin M. Statler

College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Eleven million dollars of the

donation will be matched by the state of West Virginia’s Research Trust Fund,

making the total value of the naming gift $45 million. The direct impact of

their lifetime of support to WVU is nearly $60 million.

In addition to their support of WVU, the Statlers have been supportive of

many community needs including the building of Statler Wilson Gymnasium

at their high school alma mater, Clay Battelle, as well as the renovation of the

Metropolitan Theatre.

“We are very grateful to Ben and Jo for their continued generosity and commitment to WVU. The impact of this transformational gift will be experienced by students and faculty now and for many years to come. From scholarships, to advances in research, to improved facilities, the benefits from this donation will be far reaching.” - Wayne King, WVU Foundation President and CEO

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