Dr. E. Gordon Gee, president of West Virginia University, will retire in June after more than 11 years leading the institution. Known for his signature bow tie collection and charismatic personality, Gee has become a beloved figure on campus, earning admiration from both students and faculty alike.
His engaging style and approachable demeanor have left a lasting impression on the WVU community. Former WVU Faculty Senate Chair Scott Wayne said Gee’s personal touch will be missed.
“If you have any interaction with Pres. Gee, a couple of days later, you’re gonna get a personal email from him that acknowledges the conversation you had, and that’s pretty special,” Wayne said.
Gee first served as WVU’s president from 1981 to 1985 before taking leadership roles at Ohio State, Brown, Vanderbilt, and Colorado. He returned to his alma mater in 2014 for a second tenure as president.
During his second tenure leading the university, Gee oversaw the establishment of the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, the creation of the WVU Purpose Center, and the university’s achievement of R1 research status, a designation given to the nation's top research institutions.
However, staff say it’s programs like the Purpose Center, which helps students identify and develop their strengths, that will continue to bear his influence long after his retirement.
“The people of West Virginia, we are a loving, friendly group, and because a majority of our students aren’t from West Virginia, we’re gonna miss that,” student experience manager at the WVU Purpose Center Jessie Barclay said.
Former WVU Student Body Vice President Brogan Dozier noted the impact Gee had on students.
"You don’t see at other universities, students as soon as they touch ground as freshmen getting excited to run up to the university president and take a selfie," Dozier said. "He has such a big personality and he’s such a welcoming person."
Gee’s tenure has not been without controversy, though, particularly during the academic transformation process. In 2023 and 2024, the university faced severe criticism when it cut 28 programs and laid off 143 faculty members to close a $45 million budget gap. Despite the pushback, Dozier believes that Gee acted with the best interests of the students in mind.
"I think he never stopped showing up for students, and that’s really important. He never stopped going to places, he never stopped showing his support, he never stopped caring," Dozier said.
After retiring, Gee plans to take a year off before returning to WVU to teach at the College of Law.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI then edited by human journalists for accuracy and clarity. WVU News leverages AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy while maintaining a strong commitment to ethical reporting and human oversight.