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Celebrating 150 Years

One hundred and fifty years — and what a ride it’s been. From humble beginnings as an agricultural college in 1867, West Virginia University has become a premier research institution with a focus on world-changing innovations that are making a lasting impact in the fields that matter most.

Explore Our History
Commemorative Coin

Purchase the Highland Mint West Virginia Mountaineers 150th Anniversary Gold Coin

Celebrate 150 years of the West Virginia University with this limited edition West Virginia Mountaineers gold mint coin.

Purchase

We’re West Virginia’s University

We’ve been around for 150 years, and each day we’ve had the same mission - to make the lives of West Virginians better. We’ll do that for the next 150 years, too.

150th Birthday Events

It's a birthday party 150 years in the making — and you're invited.

No events available at this time.

View all events.
Student wearing the winning shirt. The winning shirt is blue with a gold emblem on the front containing the Mountaineer and the Flying WV. Around the emblem are the words "Take Me Home".

Winning Design

Viewers celebrated 150 years at WVU by voting for their favorite shirt from April 3-10. We have a winner! "Take Me Home" will be available at your local WVU retailer and online this May.

View the Winning Shirt

150 Reasons to love WVU

You’ve been sharing your reasons with us. Now it’s time to compile the list. We will unveil a new reason each day.

View Reasons to Love WVU

Today’s Reason

Pile of WVU 150th birthday celebration buttons

What things do you think will change in these next 150 years?

Share your reasons with us by using #WVU150.

Memories of WVU

See the memories you shared.

View Memories

Memory of the Day

Sitting in the stands at old Mountaineer Field

Old Mountaineer Field

Then and Now

Compare photos of historical landmarks over time.

See Then and Now Photos

Browse our history and traditions.

Learn about the people and events that shaped our first 150 years.