Governor Jim Justice delivers annual Poundstone Lecture

Students and faculty members from the Department of Mining Engineering with the 2019 Poundstone Lecturer Governor Jim Justice.

Governor of West Virginia Jim Justice delivered the Poundstone Lecture on Thursday, September 19, as part of West Virginia University’s Department of Mining Engineering’s William N. Poundstone Lecture Series at the Erickson Alumni Center.

By Olivia Miller
Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Justice is the 36th Governor of West Virginia and is a successful coal mining and agricultural businessman.

A native of West Virginia, Justice has always had a strong interest in nature and the outdoors. He started Justice Family Farms in 1977. Under his direction, it has grown to be a major agricultural enterprise. In 1993, he became the president and CEO of Bluestone Industries, Inc. and Bluestone Coal Corporation. In 2009, Justice acquired The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, the luxury resort and national historic landmark that has been welcoming guests from around the world since 1778.

“Gov. Justice has built a very successful professional career and his presence at this lecture series creates excitement, confidence and curiosity among mining engineering students,” said Vladislav Kecojevic, the Robert E. Murray Chair and Professor of Mining Engineering.

Following the lecture, students and faculty members had the opportunity to connect with Justice and other industry professionals.

“Giving students an opportunity to connect with the highest office in our state provides reinforcement of the potential that lies ahead,” Kecojevic said. “Having Gov. Justice speak as a Poundstone lecturer acknowledges the importance of mineral resources to the state and recognizes the contribution of the Department of Mining Engineering educating future leaders in this fourth industrial revolution, promoting sustainable mining practices for the state, nation and world.”

The Department of Mining Engineering established the William N. Poundstone Lecture Series in 2000 to honor Poundstone, a distinguished alumnus of the Department, and to bring mining industry experts to campus to share their expertise with students and faculty. Poundstone, who passed away in 2015, was inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016.

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