WVU Foundation announces 2024 Outstanding Philanthropy Awards

This year's awards recognize Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation Antero Resources and Statler alumni Wayne and Kathy Richards for Milan Puskar Outstanding Philanthropists for their generous support (Photo/WVU Foundation).

The West Virginia University Foundation is honoring three individuals and a local corporation with 2024 Outstanding Philanthropy Awards for their tremendous generosity, leadership and dedication.

Story by WVU Today
Photos by WVU Today

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Recognized this year for their commitment to WVU and its land-grant mission are Milan Puskar Outstanding Philanthropists Wayne and Kathy Richards, Hazel Ruby McQuain Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropist Alexis Pugh and Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation Antero Resources.

Wayne and Kathy Richards

South Charleston natives Wayne and Kathy Richards have provided nearly $5 million in financial support for WVU with more than 125 individual gifts benefiting 12 different areas across the University system. Their gifts have helped fund the improvement of athletic facilities while also providing outstanding resources for additional facilities, faculty support, cancer care and more.

The generosity of the Richards can be seen throughout campus, both in the people and facilities their funds have helped support and the spaces that bear their name. In 2015, a generous gift funded the renovation of what is now known as the Wayne and Kathy Richards Family Men’s Basketball Locker Room. At the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, the Wayne and Kathy Richards Faculty Scholars Fund has provided financial support leading the way to research, education and academic excellence.

Beyond financial support, the couple’s leadership has helped propel WVU forward. Wayne Richards currently serves as the vice chair of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors as well as chair of the WVUF Nominating and Governance Committee. In this capacity, he has a hands-on role in the University’s overall fundraising goals and can carry out his passion while motivating others to do the same. Wayne also represents WVU on the national stage as a member of the Big 12 Business Advisory Board.

Wayne Richards is a 1981 graduate of WVU and holds an honorary doctorate in engineering, while Kathy is a 1982 graduate of West Virginia Tech, now part of the WVU System, and holds a degree in dental hygiene. Wayne and Kathy reside in Richmond, Texas.

Alexis Pugh

After graduating from WVU in 1973, Alexis Pugh went on to have a successful career in the advertising and public relations industry and has established herself as a dedicated and steadfast supporter of her alma mater. Over the last 14 years, Pugh has been an avid benefactor of the WVU Foundation and the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, contributing nearly $1.4 million across a variety of initiatives.

Alongside her husband, Jim Pugh, Alexis made a transformational gift of $250,000 to establish the Alexis and Jim Pugh Media Innovation Lab at Martin Hall. A representation of Pugh’s dedication to educating the next generation of media professionals, this first-class facility provides students and faculty with the space and technology they need to succeed and learn at the highest level. Further embodying Pugh’s support for the future of media at WVU is a $1 million pledge to the journalism program, which will enhance the lives and experiences of future students.

As a volunteer and role model, Pugh has been inspirational to many. She has served on the WVU Foundation Board of Directors and its Resource Development Committee as former chair, and the Visiting and Campaign committees for the former Reed College of Media. In addition, Pugh has served as the chair of the Women of WVU Leadership Council, for which she worked tirelessly to engage and inspire like-minded women with a passion for WVU.

Alexis and Jim Pugh reside in Winter Park, Florida, where they graciously opened their home to fellow Mountaineers when the WVU football team visited the University of Central Florida.

Antero Resources and Antero Midstream

Since 2013, Antero Resources Corp., Antero Midstream Corp. and the Antero Foundation — collectively known as Antero — have become valuable philanthropic corporate partners of WVU. Antero has invested more than $5 million in WVU, including the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, Athletics, WVU College of Law, WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, WVU Medicine Children’s, WVU Cancer Institute and the National Research Center for Coal and Energy. 

A highlight of Antero’s giving is a $4 million pledge — its largest philanthropic donation to date — to petroleum and natural gas engineering in the Statler College. This gift will support graduate students in petroleum and natural gas engineering through scholarships and fellowships, establish the Antero Professorship, and support upstream engineering graduate programs as well as a newly developed online master’s degree and certificate program in midstream engineering. 

Beyond financial contributions, Antero has actively engaged with PNGE through faculty mentorship, research collaborations, co-op opportunities and internship placements. This collaborative approach has enriched the educational experience for PNGE students, providing them with valuable real-world exposure to industry best practices. The Antero companies have truly proven to be outstanding philanthropic corporations, making a lasting impact on the University and its students.

Antero Resources is West Virginia’s largest producer of natural gas and natural gas liquids. Antero Midstream is West Virginia’s leading supplier of midstream services, which include high- and low-pressure gas gathering, compression, processing, water handling and fractionation. The Antero companies’ focus is on supplying reliable energy from unconventional formations within the Marcellus and the Utica shale plays, which span the Appalachian region.

The WVU Foundation is the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliated entities. Since 2005, the WVU Foundation has recognized individuals, companies and organizations for outstanding civil and charitable devotion to WVU.

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