The West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame, a joint initiative between the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute and the West Virginia Coal Association and housed at the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in Morgantown, will induct its newest class of honorees during a ceremony scheduled for March 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hall of Fame honorees will be recognized at an event at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in Charleston, where the West Virginia Coal Show and West Virginia Coal Association symposium are being jointly held. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s honorees include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the 28th class of inductees for the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame, which began in 1998. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese individuals are mining industry trailblazers who have led industry-wide innovations and advancements in coal mine extractive techniques, mine safety programs, land restoration and philanthropy over the course of their long careers,\u201d Chris Hamilton, president, West Virginia Coal Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey have had an incredibly positive impact on the coal industry and the State of West Virginia and are absolutely deserving of this honor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jared Forman, president of the West Virginia Coal Mine Institute, added: \u201cAdditionally, these individuals have tirelessly served the State of West Virginia and their contributions to the modern coal mining industry have been recognized, not only on a national, but also an international level. Their hard work and dedication for the continuous improvement of the coal mining industry have been exemplary and their induction to the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame is more than deserving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n