Hoppy Kercheval
Hoppy Kercheval, a longtime news broadcaster and West Virginia University alumnus, will receive a Presidential Honorary Degree at December’s graduation ceremony.
Considered the radio “dean” of West Virginia broadcasters, Kercheval earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from what is now the Reed School of Media and Communications in the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media. As a student, he joined the staff of WAJR Radio, part of WVRC Media based in Morgantown, and was hired as the news director shortly after his graduation in 1977. He later earned his master’s degree in journalism, also from WVU.
“This is a deeply meaningful and frankly unexpected honor,” Kercheval said. “My experiences at WVU set me on a life course to a successful career. I'm eternally grateful for that."
A native of Summit Point, West Virginia, Kercheval has dedicated his broadcasting career to his home state. He helped launch MetroNews, a statewide radio network with programming that is carried by more than 60 radio stations in West Virginia and surrounding states, and he currently serves as the organization’s vice president of operations.
Since 1993, Kercheval has hosted the popular statewide current events talk show, MetroNews “Talkline,” a signature daily network program that has become mandatory listening for state leaders and policymakers, among others. He also draws on his former experience with the Mountaineer Sports Network to co-host the leading sports podcast, “3 Guys Before the Game.” In 2015, he was inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
“Hoppy is incredibly deserving of the Presidential Honorary Degree,” said Diana Martinelli, Vice Dean of the College of Creative Arts and Media and Director of the Reed School. “He exemplifies the integrity, curiosity and unwavering dedication to journalism that we aim to instill in our students, and he has dedicated his career to serving the people of West Virginia."
Kercheval will receive the honorary degree at the graduation ceremony for the College of Creative Arts and Media, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, College of Law, and College of Applied Human Sciences on December 21 at 9 a.m. in the WVU Coliseum.
For more information about the journalism program, visit mediaandcommunications.wvu.edu.