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Health Sciences Alumni Affairs begins new year with transition

Health Sciences Alumni Affairs begins new year with transition

WVU Health Sciences Alumni Affairs is starting off the new year with a new organizational structure.

Lynda Nine, executive director for WVU Health Sciences Alumni Affairs and director of School of Medicine Alumni Affairs, retired effective Dec. 31 after 40 years at WVU. Throughout her career, she created the alumni program and developed it into an Association of American Medical Colleges award-winning initiative.

Lynda pictured with Dr. Laurie Gutmann, class of 1986, at the SOM alumni run during alumni weekend 1993

Nine’s efforts include collaborative implementation of on-campus events in recognition of important milestones for current students and alumni, including white coat ceremonies, a research induction ceremony, graduation brunch, award programs, family orientation program and alumni weekend. She also assisted in planning regional alumni dinners to help Mountaineers living outside Morgantown connect with their peers.

For the campus community and visitors alike, Nine’s impact can be seen in the Health Sciences Center Pylons Commons through the William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciences and Cavanaugh's.

Dedicated in 2022, Nine was instrumental in bringing the late Dr. William Neal’s vision to life with the creation of a museum that highlights West Virginia’s groundbreaking innovations and discoveries, chronicling breakthroughs from the frontier days in West Virginia to WVU’s modern advancements.

Cavanaugh’s, a coffee shop, was dedicated in 2007 and named for Elise Cavanaugh who owned and operated a cafeteria in the original Basic Sciences Building from 1958-1973. Nine was the driving force behind the shop to recognize a special person who through her unselfish concern for others and her personal sacrifice made life a little easier for those at WVU’s Health Sciences Center.

Nine pictured with Dr. Lee W. Shaffer, Class of 1948, past president of the Alumni Association, during the 2012 Alumni Weekend two-year school dinner.

Nine also shared her expertise with others outside the University, including serving as a consultant for Temple University through its development of a School of Medicine alumni program and organizing a South Region Association of American Medical Colleges Group of Institutional Advancement annual conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

“We are so grateful for Lynda’s many years as a loyal supporter and leader of our health sciences students, alumni and programs,” Clay Marsh, MD, chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said. “She is one of the most dedicated individuals I’ve known, and her legacy will continue to help us build the relationships and bonds that will carry us into the future.”

Health Sciences Alumni Affairs members Brian Jimmie, Gina Slaugenhoup and Debra Throckmorton will continue to operate as part of the Office of the Chancellor and Executive Dean. The new structure will allow the team to continue coordinating special events and activities with students and alumni while also creating an opportunity to work more closely with the WVU Foundation team.

Those who would like to share well wishes with Lynda may do so via email.

Photo at Top: Health Sciences Alumni Affairs members Debra Throckmorton, Gina Slaugenhoup, Brian Jimmie and Lynda Nine during the 2023 Alumni Weekend.