MORGANTOWN — Research at institutions of higher education provide opportunities. Opportunities to learn and grow. Opportunities to cure illnesses or discover innovative processes that enhance technology.

As West Virginia University continues to set itself apart from other colleges and universities for research initiatives, financial support of these efforts is critical moving forward. That is the reason Dr. James Caveney and his wife, Karen, established the James and Karen Caveney Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award.

The couple provided a $100,000 gift to the WVU Alumni Association to endow the award, which will provide WVU’s top faculty with additional resources to support their research. Faculty can apply for the award, which can be used for travel, research, technology enhancements, library resources and staff/student support.

“West Virginia University plays an important role on the state, national and global stage in terms of research,” Caveney said. “Karen and I want to support the outstanding research taking place at our alma mater that will forever change the lives of people not only in West Virginia, but all over the world. We are proud to be able to do that through this new faculty excellence award.”

Recipients will be nominated by their respective deans’ offices from each of WVU’s colleges and schools. The first James and Karen Caveney Faculty Excellence Award will be presented in 2016. To qualify for the award, recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a continuing appointment (at or above the rank of assistant professor or the equivalent);

• Demonstrate exceptional teaching and innovation in instruction, excellence in research, acquisition of grants;

• Show a commitment to the people of West Virginia, on and off campus; and

• Maintain a good moral reputation and community standing.

Nominations must be submitted by Jan. 16, 2016, to be considered for the first award. This gift reflects the Caveneys long-standing commitment to higher education at WVU.

In 2014, Dr. and Mrs. Caveney established the WVU Wall of Academic Scholars at The Erickson Alumni Center, which honors and celebrates our Marshall, Truman, Rhodes, Goldwater and Fulbright scholars.

The couple previously provided financial support to establish the Caveney Conference and Creativity Center at WVU Health Sciences Center, and they continue to serve their alma mater in a variety of roles. Karen is a member of the WVU Alumni Association’s Graduate Emeritus Board of Directors, while Dr. Caveney, a member of the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni, founded the Dr. Merrow Millennium Society to support the Department of Orthodontics.

He has served on the WVU Student Advisory Committee during the terms of five WVU presidents, and also serves on the Visiting Committee for the dental school and as an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Orthodontics.

Dr. Caveney received three degrees from WVU, including a bachelor’s degree, a doctor of dental surgery and a master’s degree in orthodontics. Karen graduated from WVU in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. The couple, their three children and immediate family hold 19 degrees from WVU.

For more information about WVU Alumni Association giving opportunities, contact Nicole Riggleman at 304-293-4731.