A century ago, the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established the United States Cooperative Extension System, a partnership of the Department of Agriculture, land-grant colleges, and state and local governments. This extended the educational, social, and economic benefits of higher education beyond the campus—into communities across the state.

WVU Extension county offices are the front door to the University in all 55 West Virginia counties. The faculty agents, specialists, and staff are indeed the “extension” of West Virginia University.

You are invited to join faculty and staff from West Virginia University and across the nation as we celebrate this anniversary with a research symposium, Century Beyond the Campus: Past, Present, and Future of Extension, which kicks off with the Magrath Lecture, a panel discussion of University presidents reflecting on the importance of the Smith-Lever Act to higher education.