Division of Public Administration to host city management expert

Morgantown, WV, October 2, 2006: A distinguished West Virginia University alumnus will visit campus in October as the inaugural visiting resident in the Division of Public Administration, housed in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at WVU.

Greg Devereaux is a Parkersburg native and a graduate of West Virginia University. He is currently the City Manager for the City of Ontario, Calif. Devereaux has worked in state and local government for more than 30 years, serving in various capacities including Deputy Commissioner of Culture and History for the State of West Virginia, Acting Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Long Beach, Calif.; Director of Community Development and Housing and Neighborhood Development for the City of Garden Grove, Calif.; and City Manager of Fontana, Calif.

Devereaux’s residency will be October 12 and 13. He will guest lecture in two Master of Public Administration (MPA) program seminars. On Thursday, October 12, he will speak to a graduate capstone seminar on the topic of “Career Lessons from City Management” and on Friday, October 13, he will present “Random Thoughts on Local Government from an Unrepentant City Manager” to students in a graduate course that focuses on local government administration.

“The Public Administration residency is an opportunity for leaders and experts in the field of public administration to visit campus and share insights on public management and administration,” said Dr. Chris Plein, Chair of the Division of Public Administration.

The Division of Public Administration will also sponsor a drop-in reception on Tuesday, October 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Knapp Hall, room 400. Faculty, staff, students, and the general public are invited to attend.

“The value of these visits is immeasurable. Students can gain knowledge on the practice of public administration from those who have had experience in the field,” Plein said. “This is a major event for us and will be the highlight of the Division of Public Administration’s Homecoming week.”

This residency is made possible through the support of Dan Richards, a 1978 graduate of West Virginia University and a true Mountaineer.

For more information, please contact Chris Plein at lplein@wvu.edu or at 304-293-2614, ext. 3157.

W-V-U