Founded in 1867, West Virginia University is the flagship land-grant, doctoral degree-granting research university in the state of West Virginia.

WVU's primary mission is to provide high-quality programs of instruction at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels; to stimulate and foster both basic and applied research and scholarship; to engage in and encourage other creative and artistic work; and to bring the resources of the University to all segments of society through continuing education, extension, and public service activities.