WVU President Gee Kicks Off Summer Tour of W.Va. In Mingo, Logan

West Virginia University President Gordon Gee kicked off a 55-county tour this week with a visit to Mingo and Logan counties. He traveled with doctors and medical students from WVU who were making rounds to a clinic in Gilbert, and then split off to visit other areas of the counties as well. 

President Gee said he was able to visit all 55 counties last year and this year he hopes to do the same. He started with this trip to southern West Virginia. WVU has recently announced plans to establish a branch of the university in Beckley. Gee says his trip to Mingo and Logan counties was partially inspired by the development.

Gee visited a health clinic in Gilbert, in Mingo County, along with the two WVU doctors who started the clinic over a decade ago: Dr. James Brick and his brother Dr. John Brick. Gee joined community members in honoring the brothers for their work in Gilbert. For years the two doctors  have been visiting the clinic once a month to render specialty care.

“I also had an opportunity to visit Mingo Central High School. Met wonderful students. Humble, and smart,” Gee said. “Then I met with our community leaders in Williamson and had an opportunity to really celebrate the role of 4-H and of our extension programs.”

Gee points out that 4-H is one of the largest youth programs in the country, and that West Virginia has one of the premiere 4-H programs in America. He says his trip to southern West Virginia gave him insight into the program and what the university needs to be doing to support that effort.