Honorees include Bayer CEO, AMA president, communications exec
The West Virginia University Alumni Association will induct an internationally respected business leader, the president of America’s largest physicians organization and a public relations executive into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, in the Ruby Grand Hall of the new Erickson Alumni Center.
The 2009 class includes Greg Babe, president and chief executive officer of Bayer Corp. and Bayer MaterialScience LLC; Dr. Nancy Nielsen, president of the American Medical Association and senior associate dean of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; and Scott Widmeyer, chairman and CEO of Widmeyer Communications.
“The accomplishments of this group are very impressive,” said Stephen L. Douglas, president and CEO of the WVU Alumni Association. “This is a wonderful testament to what our graduates can achieve with the experiences and education provided by WVU. They are very deserving of this honor, and we are thrilled to recognize them with induction into the academy.”
Scott Widmeyer
Widmeyer, a native of Martinsburg, fondly recalls his days as a reporter and editor for The Daily Athenaeum, WVU’s student newspaper. He said the skills and lessons he picked up during his time at the University helped him launch a successful career in communications.
From working as a newspaper reporter in the 1970s to running major media operations for national campaigns, Widmeyer is highly respected in the communications field. His track record of successes in education, health care, politics, campaign finance, technology, trade and other public policy matters illustrate his impact as a “change agent” in things that matter most to America.
In 1988, Widmeyer founded Widmeyer Communications, which provides strategic counsel on the top issues of the 21st century. The firm, with offices in Washington, D.C., and New York, has a client base that includes Nestle, Pfizer, the College Board, Pearson Education, Coca-Cola, the Association of American Publishers and the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, among others.
During his 30-year career, Widmeyer has advised scores of decision-makers, from presidents to governors to CEOS to union leaders – including former President Jimmy Carter, former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Widmeyer is involved in a number of civic and philanthropic causes. In 2007, he was named a David Rockefeller Fellow, a highly coveted one-year program of the New York City Partnership. He also was the longest-serving board chair of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, and he was on the board of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
His current board memberships include the New York City Leadership Academy, the Education Writers Association (advisory board), Bizbash and Council for Unity. He is active in the Council of Public Relations Firms, Public Relations Organisation International, Friends of the High Line, the National Press Club, the Appalachian Community Fund, St. Gregory’s Church and PENCIL.
Widmeyer, a 1974 graduate of WVU’s P.I. Reed School of Journalism, remains dedicated to his alma mater. He established two scholarship funds to benefit both black and first-generation West Virginians seeking degrees in journalism. To date, more than 30 students have benefited from these scholarships, and in 2007, the Widmeyer family and Widmeyer Communications endowed a professorship in public relations, the first of its kind in the nation.
He has been a visiting professor at WVU’s School of Journalism and a guest lecturer at Brown University, the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University. Continuing his commitment to WVU, Widmeyer chairs the School of Journalism advisory committee. In 2003, he received WVU’s most prestigious award in journalism, The Perley Isaac Reed Achievement Award.
In 2005, then-Gov. Bob Wise honored Widmeyer with the Distinguished West Virginian Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements and meritorious service to his home state of West Virginia.
Academy induction ceremony
This is the 22nd annual academy inductions. The event is open to the public. Tickets for the event can be purchased for $60 per person (price includes pre-event reception/three-course dinner). For more information, contact the WVU Alumni Association at 304-293-4731 .