West Virginia University Order of Vandalia inducted new members Saturday (June 2), adding six West Virginians to a distinguished list of recipients including Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, Hazel Ruby McQuain, Sen. Jennings Randolph, John Chambers, James "Buck" Harless and Jack Fleming.

 

The current inductees are:

 

• Robert L. Reynolds, member of the West Virginia University Foundation Board of Directors, WVU honorary degree recipient and Distinguished Alumni Award. Reynolds is a native of Clarksburg.

 

• George B. Bennett, member of the Alumni Association’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni and member of the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame

 

• Ellen S. Cappellanti, managing member and CEO of Jackson Kelly PLLC and former member of the WVU Board of Governors

 

• Stephen B. Farmer, co-founder of Farmer, Cline & Campbell PLLC and former member of the WVU Board of Governors

 

• Mannon E. Gallegly, Professor Emeritus of plant pathology in the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

 

• Kay Huffman Goodwin, former member and chairman of the WVU Board of Governors and recently named the WVU Alumni Association’s Most Loyal West Virginian

 

Reynolds is a driving force for innovation in the mutual fund industry and currently serves as president and CEO of Putnam Investments. He served his alma mater as co-chairman of the WVU Foundation State of Minds Campaign.

 

Bennett is a successful entrepreneur who has shared his expertise with the federal government and supported organizations such as the National Youth Science Foundation and Urban Improv to give children a brighter future.

 

Cappellanti is the first woman to serve as managing member and CEO of regional law firm Jackson Kelly, and she promoted education through her nine-year term on the West Virginia University Board of Governors. 

 

Farmer co-founded the law firm Farmer Cline and Campbell and has devoted much time and energy to advancing West Virginia University. He is a trustee to Hazel Ruby McQuain, the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust and the Ruby Foundation.

 

Gallegly, a noted researcher in plant pathology, devoted 69 years to West Virginia University as a professor and emeritus professor. Even in retirement, he has continued his research, developing two disease-resistant tomato varieties.

 

Goodwin, a nationally recognized expert in arts education, served for 16 years as cabinet secretary for the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts. She also served her alma mater on the WVU Board of Governors.

 

The Order of Vandalia award dates back to 1960 when then-president Elvis J. Stahr outlined his idea for a special honor bestowed upon the most loyal servants to WVU. It is the highest honor for service to the University.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured, from left, are Robert Reynolds, George Bennett, Ellen Cappellanti, Mannon Gallegly, Kay Goodwin and Stephen Farmer.