West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics held its ninth annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony yesterday to honor five of its most prestigious alumni.
The ceremony was held to promote business and education in West Virginia and to recognize those who have shown exceptional skills in entrepreneurship, said Tim Terman, director of communications at the College of Business and Economics.
"We wanted to show the students of West Virginia University successful role models to give them something to aim for," he said.
It also recognized the success of West Virginia University's College of Business in educating successful entrepreneurs.
"The ceremony gives everyone a feeling of thanks toward the school for the education and experience they've received," said Milan Puskar, founder of Mylan Inc. pharmaceutical company.
This year's inductees were W. Marston Becker, John T. Chambers, John W. Crites, Benjamin Hardesty, and Parry G. Petroplus.
All inductees have shown remarkable success in the business world, said William Trumbull, interim dean of the College of Business and Economics.
Chambers is a retired physician, real estate developer and venture capitalist. He owned a private practice in Charleston, W.Va. and was Chairman of the Department of OB-GYN at Charleston Memorial Hospital.
"I have always loved business.It's always been a fun and exciting world," Chambers said. "My main skill that helped me to succeed was the ability to look and plan ahead. I also always enjoyed working with people."
His son, also named John
Chambers, is the CEO of Cisco System, Inc.
"Success starts with education, and grows with the presence of role models," John said.
Becker is the chairman and chief executive officer of Max Capital Group Ltd., a global specialty insurer.
Crites, chairman of Allegheny Wood Products, Inc., said he is passionate about the industry he works in, as evidenced by his use of wooden business cards.
"I have always had a love for the forest and have always wanted to use it for good in society," Crites said.
Hardesty, a native of Shinnston, W.Va., is president of Dominion Exploration and Production Inc.
Petroplus is the president of Petroplus and Associates, Inc., a Morgantown development firm, and a former member of WVU's Board of Governors.
"I get people to make things happen," Petroplus said. "Risk and reward is finally starting to pay off."
Those admitted to the hall of fame all agreed that people were necessary to their success and were grateful to WVU for giving them the experience necessary to succeed.
"These men are the cutting-edge of entrepreneurship and industry in the state of West Virginia," said Neil S. Bucklew, Associate Provost for Academic Personnel at WVU.
is a member of the 
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