New officers were selected at the June 4 meeting of the West Liberty University Board of Governors. The officers will begin their duties in the next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014. 

“I thank our distinguished Board of Governors for their service and congratulate our new officers in their leadership roles at West Liberty University,” said President Robin C. Capehart.

Wheeling healthcare leader George Couch will be the Chairman of the Board. Couch will serve a one-year, renewable term. He replaces Chairman Richard Carter, who served as chairman for two years. Carter remains on the Board of Governors as a member.

Couch is vice president of Wheeling Hospital. He was first appointed to the WLU Board of Governors in August 2010 by then Gov. Joe Manchin III. He served as board secretary beginning in July 2011 and was board vice chairman most recently.

Vice chairman is now Patrick Kelly of Charleston, W.Va. Kelly is the chief executive officer for the West Virginia Health Care Association in Charleston.

Wheeling attorney Sandra Chapman will be the new secretary. She is a partner in the law firm of Casey and Chapman, headquartered in Wheeling.

Also serving on the WLU Board of Governors are Beverly Burke, WLU Classified Staff representative; Joe Carey, Carey Strategic Communications; Brian E. Joseph, Touchstone Research Laboratory; Evan Newman, WLU student government president; Frank Noble, Jr., WLU Faculty representative and B. Ann Thomas, Wheeling.