Akinkugbe to deliver 2023 Statler College Commencement Address

Olayemi Akinkugbe

CNX Resources Corporation Chief Excellence Officer Olayemi Akinkugbe, a 2005 graduate of West Virginia University, will be the speaker for the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources 2023 Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum. 

Story by Brittany Furbee, Communications Specialist
Photos by Paige Nesbit, Director of Marketing

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Akinkugbe has served as the chief excellence officer of CNX Resources Corporation since July 30, 2019, during which he managed all corporate and operations support functions and stood the company’s unique environmental, social and governance vision and philosophy. He was critical in the strategic transitioning of the 150-year-old coal company to a leading natural gas company in the Appalachia basin and is currently leading CNX’s Appalachia First strategic vision.  

Prior to this role, Akinkugbe served as Director of Virginia Operations since 2018 and held various other positions, including roles within the engineering department, with increasing responsibility since joining CNX in 2003.   

Akinkugbe received his bachelor's degree in mineral engineering from the Federal University of Technology Akure in Nigeria, a master’s degree in mining engineering with a specialty in rock mechanics from the Statler College at WVU, and a master’s degree in business administration from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. 

He is a current member of the Statler College Visiting Committee, which is comprised of highly respected and accomplished alumni, donors and friends from academia to industry who provides insight to the college through engagement, mentorship and support to strengthen the academic experience for future generations of engineers and computer scientists.  

Read more about WVU’s May Commencement, including schedules, locations and livestreaming link. 

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