WVU faculty, staff, alumni and friends gathered in the Milano Reading Room at the Downtown Library on May 6 to celebrate the leadership and service of Gregory Dunaway as he prepares to conclude his tenure as Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and transition into a faculty role in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
The celebration honored Dunaway’s decade of leadership at West Virginia University, where he has served as dean since 2016. During his tenure, the Eberly College expanded academic programs, strengthened research initiatives, increased student success efforts and supported interdisciplinary collaboration across the University.
Remarks were shared by Paul Kreider, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs; Joshua Hall, Milan Puskar Dean of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics; Lori Blasinsky, Chief of Operations for the Eberly College; Ken Blemings, Dean of the Honors College; and Rebecca Chaffman, a member of the Eberly College’s Visiting Committee.
Throughout the event, speakers described Dunaway as a thoughtful and steady leader who consistently advocated for the value of research, teaching and the arts and sciences at WVU. They also highlighted his strong leadership during significant challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, and they praised his commitment to strengthening the college through initiatives such as faculty support and campus improvements.
Under his leadership, the Eberly College expanded and strengthened its future through historic fundraising success. Those resources helped create opportunities and initiatives across the college, including the Harriet E. Lyon Professorship in Women’s and Gender Studies, the Gaziano Family Professorship in English and the Center for Resilient Communities.
Dunaway also prioritized investments in academic innovation and campus spaces. During his tenure, nearly 90 major renovations and repairs were completed across the college. He helped create the Rockefeller Institute for Public Policy and develop the School for Mathematical and Data Sciences while also supporting student success efforts like the Foundational STEM Collaborative which contributed to a first-time freshman retention rate of 86.5% within the college.
“Statistics and accomplishments tell only part of the story,” said Kreider. “What many will remember most is Greg’s character, his openness, his respect for others, his calm presence during difficult moments, and his unwavering belief in higher education’s ability to transform lives. He led with humility, listened carefully, and always worked to bring people together in service of a common purpose.”
Pat Moline, Executive Director of Development at Eberly College, also read a letter on behalf of Judith Gold Stitzel, founding director of the WVU Center for Women’s and Gender Studies and English professor emerita.
“I wish Greg joy for his future in the College of Arts and Sciences which he led with affection, skill and loyalty, and I wish him many joyful years ahead with his wonderful family and many friends,” Stitzel wrote. “…and though neither of us are natives, we have been, are, and will always be, loyal Mountaineers.”
Duncan Lorimer, Eberly Distinguished Chair for Academic Excellence, concluded the program with remarks and an original song he adapted from “Willin’” by Lowell George. The lyrics said:
"…Mentored great minds, built programs from scratch
Raised up the college, nailed my colors to the mast
And I’m still… Willin’…"
“It has been an incredible privilege to serve as dean of the Eberly College,” Dunaway
said. “I am deeply grateful for the friendships, partnerships and shared accomplishments
that have defined my time in this role. I look forward to continuing to serve our
students and University as a faculty member.”
