An honorary degree and a fancy dinner

WVU alum and best-selling author Stephen Coonts was awarded an honorary doctorate at the recent Eberly College commencement. Coonts was born in Buckhannon and earned his undergrad degree at WVU before going on to the military, then law school, and then a very successful writing career.

Creative writing students and faculty enjoyed meeting with Coonts on the Friday before graduation and hearing about what it's like to write for a living. We also learned that one of Coonts' favorite WVU classes from way back when was "The Bible as Literature." He was pleased to see that we still offer that one.

And on Saturday, Professors Harms, Taylor, and I joined Dean Bob Jones and Coonts, his wife, Deb, and some of their relatives and friends for a lovely dinner at the Montmartre at the Hotel Morgan where we talked about everything from encounters with bears to small town politics to the value of writing courses in which students get real attention from teachers.

All in all, a great visit and well-earned honorary degree.