Coming Home: Lifelong Connection to WVU Inspires Mufflys’ Planned Gift

For WVU alumnus and planned gift donor John Muffly, Morgantown has always been home. He grew up in the area, attended local schools and pursued higher education at WVU, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1969. The University played a vital part of his journey.

“The John Chambers College of Business and Economics has grown substantially since I was in school,” he said. “Everything we had at the B&E back in the ’60s was in one building, Armstrong Hall. Now the College is one of the biggest at the University! Supporting its efforts will hopefully also help us grow as a state.”

Following graduation, Muffly moved to Sandusky, Ohio, where he worked in the operations department for Cedar Point. After six years, Muffly moved to Gurnee, Illinois, where he continued his career in business operations. Eventually, he transferred to maintenance and construction, serving as buildings and grounds manager and later as vice president.

He met his wife, Irene, in Illinois, and she continues to support him and his wishes. After retiring and being away for almost 30 years, Muffly returned home to Morgantown.

As he reflected on WVU’s impact in his life, Muffly and his wife decided to “give back” for the great experiences he had at the University through a gift in their wills. The Mufflys’ estate gift in excess of $2 million will support their existing John and Irene Muffly Football Scholarship and also endow a new scholarship to aid West Virginia students at the Chambers College.

“This has always been home, and I'm extremely close to the University. I always have been,” John Muffly said. “It's just a thing about being from Morgantown that the University becomes a part of your life because you grow up with it. You're seeing it all the time and you're supporting the athletics, going to events and getting to know people. It is just a great experience all in all.”

Muffly said the purpose of his family’s estate gift is to help students obtain a good education and encourage them to stay local for their careers or follow in his footsteps by coming back. The couple hopes that recipients of their scholarships will also follow their example by providing continued support for the state and WVU.