BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — The president of West Virginia University’s College of Technology in Beckley said he looks forward to working with the city of Beckley’s next mayor and the four newly elected Beckley City Council members who will soon be taking office.
The newly elected officials, along with interim Mayor Billy Trump, are scheduled to be sworn in on July 1, 2024.
Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, a Welch native, made the comments on Monday, June 24, 2024, the day before the current Beckley City Council met for the last time.
Dr. Stuart said the city and the university “community” He said he remains committed to the partnership in his next chapter with the city.
“Our focus was on making sure the Mayor and the new City Council knew who we were, what we were doing, and that they knew we could, must and were willing to do it with them,” Dr. Stuart said.
The university president said officials from West Virginia University's College of Technology will be distributing welcome gifts to the new mayor and new members of the city council.
Dr. Stewart's comments followed those of new Mayor Ryan Neal, who said he supports the idea of including WVU Tech as part of the city's identity.
Outgoing Mayor Rob Rappold, who did not run in the last election, promoted the idea of turning Beckley into a “cool college town” when he was first elected mayor in 2016.
