West Virginia State University Celebrates 25 Year Land Grant Status Reclamation, Further Investing in Agritech

By Paula Kaufman

Since reclaiming its university land-grant status, WVSU has strived to make up lost ground. They’ve played catch up the last three decades. They’ve been underfunded at least $862 million by the state government. But WVSU is charging forth with vim and vigor. Their recent investments in agriculture and technology are setting up future graduates for career success. 

WVSU has much to be proud of. On November 12th, WVSU President Ericke S. Cage was named chair of both the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Council of 1890 University Presidents and chair of the 1890 Universities Foundation Board of Directors. He will also serve as a member of the APLU Board of Directors.

This year, WVSU also celebrates  its 25th year regaining its birthright as a land-grant university. On the surface, this number may seem small. However, its significance is mighty. 

West Virginia State University (WVSU) first received land-grant status in 1891 when it was founded as the West Virginia Colored Institute. It is one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities established by the second Morrill Act of 1890. 

The late Dr. Hazo Carter  Jr, who was president of WVSU for twenty-five years, made regaining land-grant status a top priority as soon as he became president in 1987. In 2001, after a 10-year effort, the U.S. Congress officially restored the federal land-grant designation. Thanks to Dr. Carter’s tireless efforts, the only land-grant institution to have its status unceremoniously revoked, had it reinstated, unlocking critical grants. 

Now, under the leadership of  President Cage, WVSU launched the “Future State” five-year strategic plan and capital campaign. The university’s focus is fusing tech innovation with agriculture. In June 2024, Cage signed a new five-year contract, which will ensure continuity for this momentous work. 

One of WVSU’s most exciting initiatives is its focus on agritech—a combination of agriculture and technology. The $50 million Agricultural Research Laboratory, which broke ground this year, joins the Cybersecurity Innovation Center, opened in 2023. In August, WVSU received final approval to offer a four-year degree in cybersecurity.

Cage’s administration also launched WVSU’s first doctoral program in Education Leadership and expanded the university’s presence in downtown Charleston with the new WVSU Center. The university’s progress is attracting attention: on September 4, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation announced a transformational $1 million gift, one of the largest in its history.

So what is “agritech?” It is more than a buzzword. Agritech is becoming increasingly important as climate change threatens farm production. In 2023, Conserve West Virginia reported more than 1,100 wildfires burning over 42,000 acres—more than twice the average annual acreage burned between 2001 and 2016. And for rainfall, August 2025 was the second driest month ever recorded in West Virginia. With such weather changes, harnessing technology to ensure our agricultural systems continue to function consistently is critical. 

Cybersecurity is vital in modern agriculture. Farming now uses computers, sensors, drones, and automated machines. These tools track the environment, manage water, analyze soil, monitor livestock, and handle supply chains. All it takes is an insecure sensor, easily hacked passwords or unencrypted data to disrupt our food systems. By adding cybersecurity to farming, WVSU hopes to change that. This protects farmers’ investments, safeguards resources, and builds resilient food and water systems.

Through these initiatives, WVSU is equipping students to build a smarter, safer and effective agricultural future for West Virginia and beyond.