Each year, West Virginia University recognizes a select group of dedicated Mountaineers who go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of others and make the University a special place as part of Mountaineer Week.

This year’s “Most Loyal” recipients are alumni, faculty, staff and friends who embody commitment to WVU.

The 2024 honorees are Steve Conrad, Most Loyal West Virginian; Scott Branham, Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer; Rebecca Fint-Clark, Most Loyal Faculty/Professional Staff; and Donna Staggs, Most Loyal Staff Mountaineer.

This group will be honored and recognized during halftime ceremonies of the WVU home football game against Baylor at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday (Nov. 16).

To be considered for the honor, recipients must display the loyalty, ideals and goals of WVU and the state of West Virginia through professional and civic engagement, business, service and leadership.

The Most Loyal recipients are selected by a joint committee representing the WVU Foundation, WVU Alumni Association, WVU Staff Council, WVU Faculty Senate and the Mountaineer Week organization committee.

Steve Conrad graduated from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry in 1964 and subsequently served in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot, amassing 496 carrier landings and 129 combat missions in Vietnam.

Conrad has remained highly engaged with the University since then.

He has demonstrated his dedication through his service on various committees and projects, as well as financial support to establish the Conrad Farms Agriculture Scholarship.

Conrad recently served eight years as a Visiting Committee member for the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and remains an emeritus member.

He continues to make new connections and strongly advocate for the work of the WVU Davis College and its research farms.