All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Glenville State University awards Honorary Doctorate to State BOE President

Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty (center) was recently presented with an honorary degree from Glenville State University. (GSU Photo/Dustin Crutchfield)

GLENVILLE, WV – Glenville State University President Dr. Mark Manchin has presented an honorary doctorate to West Virginia State Board of Education President, L. Paul Hardesty.

The degree was presented to Hardesty during a brief ceremony on March 23. West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker was on hand to help bestow Hardesty with a ceremonial hood and Manchin read an official proclamation of the degree conferral. Several friends and colleagues were on hand to share in the celebration.

“My deepest thanks to Glenville State University for this prestigious recognition. The fact that it was presented to me by Dr. Manchin, a man who I have long admired and respected, is an added honor. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my family and friends for their support and guidance along the way, and to all of those working together to continue to move West Virginia forward,” Hardesty said.

“I am pleased to be able to recognize the tremendous advocate we have in Paul Hardesty. He is a dear friend and colleague to me, to our institution, and to the great State of West Virginia. Paul has given a lifetime of service to this state, particularly as it relates to public education. So, for that work and his ongoing commitment to excellence in education, we could not be happier to have presented him with this honorary degree,” said Manchin.

The honorary degree at Glenville State University serves the purpose of recognizing extraordinary individuals and inspiring students. It is awarded to distinguished individuals who merit special recognition for genuine achievement and distinction compatible with the mission of the institution.

In addition to his position with the West Virginia Board of Education, Hardesty is also the managing member of PDH Business Solutions, a business development and consulting company based in Logan, West Virginia. He has a 30-year career of public service on both the county and state levels. He has previously served as a three-term member of the Logan County Board of Education, Logan County Board of Education President, Logan County Administrator, Director of the Office of Coalfield Development and legislative liaison for Governor Bob Wise, Director of the Public Energy Authority and a member of the legislative staff for Governor Joe Manchin, and a West Virginia State Senator. Hardesty was appointed to the West Virginia Board of Education to an unexpired term beginning December 2021 and ending in November 2029.

Hardesty, a 1981 graduate of Richlands Virginia High School, resides in Holden, West Virginia with his wife Debby. He has one daughter, Brooke.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.