ATHENS, W.Va. (The Hinton News) – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attended the inauguration ceremony of Dr. Bethany Meighen as the 13th president of Concord University in Athens, W.Va.
The ceremony, which was held at the Alexander Fine Arts Center, brought together university leadership, faculty, students, alumni, and members of the community to celebrate President Meighen and mark a new chapter for the university.
“Concord University has a long history of providing West Virginia students with a quality education and the tools they need to succeed, and I was glad to join the university community for this special occasion,” Senator Capito said. “As Concord begins this exciting new chapter, I look forward to working with President Meighen to build on the university’s successes, expand opportunities for students, and support the next generation of leaders in our state.”
BACKGROUND:
Senator Capito has been a longtime supporter of Concord University and its mission to provide educational opportunities for students across southern West Virginia. Throughout her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has secured more than $11 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) awards to support the university, with a particular focus on expanding health care education and strengthening West Virginia’s health care workforce.
- In Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), Senator Capito secured $2.45 million in CDS funding to help establish Concord’s nursing program, including $1.6 million for facility renovations, technology, and equipment, as well as $850,000 to support personnel and program development. Since its launch, the program has begun graduating nurses prepared to serve communities across West Virginia, helping address critical nursing shortages in the state.
- Senator Capito continued her support in FY23, securing $1.05 million to establish Concord’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.
- Most recently, in FY26, she secured an additional $7.5 million to support construction, renovations, and equipment for the expansion of Concord’s Center for Rural Healthcare Workforce Solutions, which will house nursing, physician assistant, and other health care programs.
President Meighen began her tenure as Concord University’s 13th president on July 1, 2025. She brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education leadership, including her previous role as vice president for academic and student affairs for the University of North Carolina System.
