Focus on the BIG picture.
Thursday, Oct 30, 2025
Outside the box.
West Virginia University Launches New Washington Center, Director Yet to Be Appointed
Governor Morrisey unveils $1.5 million bill to establish the centre at WVU, charged with teaching America’s founding and Western tradition
The West Virginia University in Morgantown will host a newly created institution, the Washington Center for Civics, Culture & Statesmanship, following the ceremonial signing of House Bill 3297 by Patrick Morrisey, Governor of West Virginia, in June 2025. The legislation tasks the centre with educating students in political philosophy, constitutional governance, economic thought, Western history and culture, and the founding principles of the United States.
The governor said the initiative will allow students to be taught “how to think, not what to think”.
The law mandates the university to dedicate at least $1.5 million to establish the centre and appoint a director selected by the governor ‘‘in consultation with’’ the university and with Senate approval.
According to the bill, the director must be a recognised expert in the Western tradition and American constitutional thought, and will oversee hiring, curriculum and budget for the centre, including the creation of a seven-member academic council limited to one regular university employee.
Governor Morrisey said the centre represents his priority to reinforce foundational civic values and resist what he describes as ideological influence in higher education.
“Here in West Virginia, we are going to educate, not indoctrinate,” he stated at the bill-signing.
The university’s president welcomed the expansion of civics instruction and said the institution looks forward to recruiting faculty and launching the centre ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
As of mid-October the governor’s office has not yet announced a director for the centre, though the legislation sets a deadline for naming the academic council by early November.
Some observers at the university have expressed concern about the speed of selection and potential for political influence over academic governance, in light of recent staff reductions.
The university officials say they are working with the governor’s office to finalise appointment details and begin recruitment of five new tenure-track faculty for the centre.
Once operational, the Washington Centre will offer certificates, minors or graduate programmes in statesmanship, and will be located within WVU’s Morgantown campus.
The centre’s mission aligns with broader state policy goals to promote civic literacy and Western-based curricula at public universities.
The governor said the initiative will allow students to be taught “how to think, not what to think”.
The law mandates the university to dedicate at least $1.5 million to establish the centre and appoint a director selected by the governor ‘‘in consultation with’’ the university and with Senate approval.
According to the bill, the director must be a recognised expert in the Western tradition and American constitutional thought, and will oversee hiring, curriculum and budget for the centre, including the creation of a seven-member academic council limited to one regular university employee.
Governor Morrisey said the centre represents his priority to reinforce foundational civic values and resist what he describes as ideological influence in higher education.
“Here in West Virginia, we are going to educate, not indoctrinate,” he stated at the bill-signing.
The university’s president welcomed the expansion of civics instruction and said the institution looks forward to recruiting faculty and launching the centre ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
As of mid-October the governor’s office has not yet announced a director for the centre, though the legislation sets a deadline for naming the academic council by early November.
Some observers at the university have expressed concern about the speed of selection and potential for political influence over academic governance, in light of recent staff reductions.
The university officials say they are working with the governor’s office to finalise appointment details and begin recruitment of five new tenure-track faculty for the centre.
Once operational, the Washington Centre will offer certificates, minors or graduate programmes in statesmanship, and will be located within WVU’s Morgantown campus.
The centre’s mission aligns with broader state policy goals to promote civic literacy and Western-based curricula at public universities.
