MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A high-priority renovation project for Morgantown High School has received a financial contribution on a state level.
Monongalia County Delegate John Williams presented a $50,000 Legislative Economic Development Assistance (LEDA) grant to administrators of the Monongalia County School System to support the ongoing MHS Auditorium renovation project. Williams, a Morgantown High graduate from the Class of 2008, presented the check with close to two dozen MHS students in attendance alongside Monongalia County Board of Education member Mike Kelly and Mon County Schools Superintendent Eddie Campbell.
“I’m here with some LEDA funds, these are funds that are appropriated to the House of Delegates for members to use in their districts on worthy projects, and this auditorium is undergoing a very worthy renovation, and I wanted to help my alma mater out a little bit,” said Williams.
The contribution will support the $4.4 million MHS Auditorium Capital Campaign that has been active for over two years. The wide range of contributions includes a Mon County Board of Education match of $2 million along with private sector contributions, a $40,000 contribution through the state senate headed by State Senator Mike Oliverio, and an $80,000 contribution from the City of Morgantown. The funds will be combined to support a complete renovation of the seating and staging areas along with modernized lighting and an audio system.
“We started this effort when I was a senior, so in 2021 and initially it was a slow process, just getting it off the ground, but we’ve really gained momentum,” said Morgantown High Foundation President Matthew Bolling. “We’re close to the finish line, and hopefully we’ll start construction in 2027.”
Administrators with the Monongalia County School System expressed appreciation that the MHS Auditorium project was able to receive another grant on a state level. The project was put on the forefront due in part to the ongoing hosting of theater productions at the Morgantown Metropolitan Theater and the transportation of students off campus for any band concerts due to the auditorium’s closure.
“We’re so appreciative of it, you know this has been an ongoing campaign for several years now, and this is something that is sorely needed at Morgantown High School,” said Campbell. “When we get folks like John Williams who are committed to projects like this, it certainly moves the needle forward.”
Once renovations are complete, the Morgantown High School Auditorium will be open for events for the first time in over 20 years. The goal remains in place of having the project completed by the end of 2027. For longtime MHS administrators, it’s going to bring an important aspect of Mohigan life fully back on campus.
“School isn’t just about books and core classes, it’s about the experience we give kids,” said Morgantown High Principal Paul Mihalko. “And the experience of our theater department, our arts department, is just absolutely incredible, and the fact that this auditorium is going to be able to house that for us is truly something special.”
