MORGANTOWN (WV News) — West Virginia University President Michael Benson set what he called a “think big goal” on Monday during his first State of the University address.

Benson, who succeeded Dr. E. Gordon Gee to become WVU’s 27th president in July, said he would like for WVU to become the newest member of the Association of American Universities.

The AAU, founded in 1900, is an organization consisting of America’s leading research universities. It currently has 71 members, including Harvard, Yale and Duke.

“Last year — this is fiscal year 2024 — they (AAU institutions) received 61% of all federal university R&D spending — $65.9 billion,” he said.

Benson pointed to South Florida University, which he said set a goal of joining the organization in 2007.

“If South Florida can do it — wh

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