WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Aug. 2, 2022 — West Liberty University’s new Director of Alumni Affairs Amanda Bennett came up with a great way to meet and greet local alumni this summer that is proving to be a big success.
“We began our ‘Alumni Traveling Happy Hours’ in the spring and they are proving very popular,” said Bennett, who has been at the helm of the alumni office since last March.
“These gatherings offer a new way to engage our many alumni off the hilltop, and at this point it’s been a good mix of staff and alumni. We’re finding many alumni reconnecting and enjoying the chance to get together casually at convenient locations. It’s been a lot of fun,” Bennett said.
Networking is the main event at the monthly happy hours and Bennett plans to continue them through the fall months. Any local tavern or restaurant who wants to host a traveling happy hour (at no cost to them) can contact Bennett to get on the location list.
The August happy hour will take place from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 at Ruttenbuck’s, located at 1309 Wheeling Ave, in Glen Dale, W.Va.
“Our traveling happy hours are often spurred by alumni, and in this case, Executive Director of the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Scott Reager suggested Ruttenbuck’s,” Bennett said. Reager is a 1993 graduate of WLU.
Bennett earned her undergraduate degree at WLU in 2013 and went on to earn an MBA, also at WLU, in 2018.
West Liberty University alumni founded its first alumni group in June 1877 with 103 members.
From its beginning, the growth and development of the Alumni Affairs office has been dedicated to promoting the interests of WLU and strengthening the loyalty of and fostering support among its graduates, former students and friends.
Alumni Affairs serves as a liaison between alumni and current WLU administration, staff, faculty, students and friends.
To reach Bennett or the Alumni Affairs office, please call 304.336.8844 or visit westliberty.edu/alumni, or visit WLU’s Alumni Facebook page.