INSTITUTE — Newly appointed West Virginia State University Board of Governors member Kenneth D. Gray is looking forward to serving on the board and helping the school move forward.
Gray graduated from West Virginia State University in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He received his law degree from West Virginia University College of Law in 1969. Gray was also commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Gray attended his first meeting in February and said it went very well.
"I enjoyed being a part of the group and having the opportunity to serve my alma mater," Gray said in an interview with The West Virginia Record. "It meant a great deal to me to be asked and to be selected by the governor to serve."
Gray said he was looking forward to the opportunity to give back to West Virginia State University and do his best to help the university move forward in the future.
"I enjoyed meeting the other members of the board and individuals there at West Virginia State University and the administration and others," Gray said. "The first meeting went very well."
Gray said he wants to help the university be successful.
"I'm looking forward to serving and I want to do everything I can to help the university and support the university and its students be successful in the future," Gray said.
Gray served on active duty in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and eventually became the Army Deputy Judge Advocate General. He is a graduate of the Judge Advocate General’s School Basic and Advanced Courses located on the grounds of the University of Virginia, and the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C.
Gray also served in various significant assignments during his military career culminating with his promotion to Major General and served as The Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Army from 1993 to 1997.
Gray is the first and only African-American general officer in the history of the Active Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps since its creation in 1775.
Gray previously serviced as vice president for student affairs at West Virginia University following his 30-year military career.
He is a member of the West Virginia State University ROTC Hall of Fame; received the Justicia Officium Award, which is the highest award given by the WVU College of Law; and received the National Bar Association’s Gertrude E. Rush Distinguished Service Award for outstanding leadership and devoted service.
Gray has also been recognized as a Distinguished West Virginian by Govs. Gaston Caperton, Cecil Underwood and Earl Ray Tomblin.
Gray is one of two new members recently appointed to the board. Mark D. Davis was also appointed by Gov. Jim Justice last month.
Davis is the vice president/Charleston region manager for City National Bank and he's been with the bank since 1991. Davis is a 1987 graduate of West Virginia State University and is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.
Davis currently serves on the board of directors of the South Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as FestivALL Charleston and the Bridge Road Neighborhood Association. He also serves on the board of advisors of West Side Main Street. He is a graduate of the professional development programs Leadership West Virginia and Leadership Kanawha Valley.