West Virginia University President Michael Benson had a lot of big ideas in his first State of the University address this week. They come as he is in the middle of an effort to visit every county in the state — an important attempt to truly understand his new home and the state his university serves.

Sure, it’s nice to learn the holiday lighting party will return to Woodburn Hall this year, but it is also encouraging to hear Benson has a realistic understanding of the challenges faced by the university, and the need to tackle them — with help from those who responded to the Strategic Compass Feedback Survey and other stakeholders.

To “win West Virginia” when it comes to in-state enrollment, WVU will have to be realistic about declining high school graduation figures.

“That’s just a fac

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