MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — WVU President Michael T. Benson announced a significant long-term goal Monday during his first State of the University address: Get the university into the Association of American Universities.

Benson told a crowded Fitzsimmons Hall at the WVU School of Law that this was a “think big” goal, but he thinks it can be done over time.

“This is a really seminal moment for our institution and it’s one of those stretch goals that I know is going to push us. I see ourselves in there with any of those other institutions,” Benson said.

“I’m going to say it. It’s a goal that we can accomplish. I don’t know when, but the process of doing it is going to make us better. It’s going to make us a stronger and more academically focused institution with support for our faculty and our s

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