Governor Patrick Morrisey Celebrates Legislation to Establish the Washington Center at WVU

Chester, W.V. - On June 26, 2025, Governor Patrick Morrisey ceremonially signed House Bill 3297 establishing the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship at West Virginia University. The center will place an increased focus on American constitutional studies, mold students into responsible leaders and informed citizens, and present fact-based instruction on America’s founding and the achievements of Western Civilization. 

“Here in West Virginia, we are going to educate, not indoctrinate,” said Governor Morrisey. “Students should be taught HOW to think, and not WHAT to think. The Washington Center will accomplish this goal while also providing students with instruction on America's founding and a focus on classical education.”

House Bill 3297 officially establishes the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship within West Virginia University to educate university students in political philosophy, constitutional governance, economic thought, western history and culture, and the principles that inform republican self-government. The Center will also expand the intellectual diversity of the university's academic community and educate students in the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship and to cultivate future generations of leaders in West Virginia.