The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 7, 2008

MSU featured on seventh ornament

By Fred Pace

This year marked Mountain State University’s 75th successful year of providing educational opportunities to students locally and from around the world.

“We are proud of where we have been, proud of where we are today and excited about our promising future,” MSU President Charles Polk said earlier this year at an event celebrating the school’s unique history.

Thousands of men and women have attended Mountain State University since it was founded as two-year Beckley College in 1933, Polk said.

Today, MSU is a four-year institution that also offers graduate programs.

The university’s 75th year also inspired the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce to select it as the seventh historic Christmas ornament in its Treasured Scenes collection.

“Each year we try to pick a location of significance within the community,” chamber president Ellen Taylor said. “The 75th anniversary this year of Mountain State University, we think, is very significant.”

Since 2002, the chamber’s Christmas ornaments have offered area residents an opportunity to spruce up their holidays with bit of local history.

Last year, the chamber selected Crestwood, the Beckley mansion owned by former Gov. and Beckley native Hulett Smith.

Other ornaments in the Treasured Scenes collection have featured Wildwood House, home of Beckley founder Gen. Alfred Beckley; the Raleigh County Courthouse; First Baptist Church, the oldest church in Beckley; the Superintendent’s House at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine; and the Flying Eagle, mascot of Woodrow Wilson High School.

“It raises money for the chamber, but more importantly, it preserves a little bit of history,” Taylor said.

The ornaments, Taylor said, have been popular, with more than 1,800 sold in six years.

“Some people give them as gifts,” Taylor said, “especially to people who have moved away as a nice little reminder of home.”

The limited edition Christmas ornaments, which are $10 each, are available at the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce at 245 N. Kanawha St. and at the MSU Bookstore. Shipping is also offered.

“Our goal is to create a unique series of tree ornaments that depict a new theme each year,” Taylor added.

Taylor said the first six ornaments in the series remain available as well.

Those seeking more information can contact the chamber at 304-252-7328 or 1-877-987-3847. You can also e-mail chamber@brccc.com.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com

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