12th Annual Black & Gold Gala

The 12th Annual Black & Gold Gala will be held April 10, 2026, 6:00 pm, at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. 

Join us for an elegant evening celebrating excellence, service, and the Yellow Jacket spirit! This black‑tie gala recognizes the generosity of WVSU donors and raises funds to support student success and university programs.

The evening will also honor two exceptional civic leaders with the WVSU Presidential Award — the late Katherine “Kitty” Dooley and Tom Heywood — for their lasting contributions to West Virginia and beyond.


Katherine “Kitty” Dooley

Katherine “Kitty” Dooley was well known throughout the state of West Virginia for her law practice and her social justice advocacy. For many years she served as the principal of The Dooley Law Firm, P.L.L.C. In addition, she served on various boards and was a founding member of African-American Philanthropy in Action. She received many awards for her community service including the Governor’s Civil Rights Award sponsored by the West Virginia Human Rights Commission. She passed away in October 2025.


Tom Heywood

Tom Heywood is the Chair of Business Development and the immediate past Managing Partner of the law firm of Bowles Rice, a position he held from 2008 to 2022. As a former Chief of Staff to the Honorable Gaston Caperton, Governor of West Virginia, Heywood has extensive experience working with government officials at the federal, state and local levels, and is an active member of the Bowles Rice Government Relations team. He is active as a leader in many civic initiatives and organizations, and has received numerous awards for his public service.