MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Two new members were welcomed to the West Virginia University Board of Governors Thursday. Robert R.”Rusty” Hutson Jr. was installed to replace Taunja Willis-Miller and Steven R. Ruby will succeed Tom Jones.
Hutson began his work life as a banker, founded Diversifies Energy, named the 2019 West Virginia Oil and Gas Man of the Year. Hutson is also a 2023 inductee to the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame in 2023 and will serve a term through June 30, 2028.
“I am committed to helping build a stronger West Virginia for future generations and I am honored to serve as a member of the WVU Board of Governors and the State’s flagship, land-grant University,” Hutson said.
Ruby began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Robert B. King in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals before joining one of the top law firms in the country before returning home to serve as a federal prosecutor. Ruby’s areas of expertise are civil litigation, criminal defense, gaming regulation, and state and federal administrative law. His term will also run through June 20, 2028.
“I can think of no greater privilege than to have the opportunity to be a steward of West Virginia University, becoming part of its rich history and helping to steer it toward a brighter future,” Ruby said.
Dr. Patrice Harris, BOG vice-chair, has also been reappointed to the Board by Gov. Jim Justice for a term ending June 30, 2028. Harris also serves as chair of the Presidential Search Committee which will begin listening sessions this month to gain critical information from all stakeholders as part the presidential search that is underway.
The Board also approved committee structures and board assignments for 2024-2025 along with approving adjustments to deferred maintenance projects at WVU Potomac State College and the WVU Institute of Technology to address the most pressing projects.