MORGANTOWN -- The West Virginia University College of Business and Economics established the Business Hall of Fame in 2001 to recognize people who have made a difference in West Virginia.

Thursday, the tradition continued as five new inductees were added to the list of extraordinary leaders.

The Ninth Annual West Virginia University College of Business and Economics was held at the Waterfront Place Hotel Nov. 19.

West Virginia University welcomed home all five of this year's inductees, all of whom attended WVU.

"Each and every single one of them serves as a role model to other business leaders in this state," said WVU President James Clements.

Two of those five carry out their business in our area.

The first, Parry Petroplus, is responsible for the building in which the ceremony was held.

He is a partner of Petroplus and Associates, Inc. responsible for Morgantown's Waterfrom Redevelopment.

"You know, it really hasn't set in," said Petropolis before the ceremony. "I'm very proud of it, don't get me wrong, but it's just not me, it's everybody that's helped me."

Second is Ben Hardesty, President of Dominion Exploration and Production Incorporated.

Hardesty grew up in Shinnston, and says he couldn't find a better place to base the business but close to home in Jane Lew.

"I want to say I'm proud of our state," said Hardesty. "Although I've always worked here, I've had temporary assignments all over the country and we have the greatest workforce, the best loyalty, honesty and just professionalism of anyplace I've ever had my duties."

Other inductees included John W. Crites, Chariman of Allegheny Wood Products Incorporated; John T. Chambers, M.D., retired physician, real estate developer and venture capitalist; and W. Marston Becker, chairman and chief executive Officer of Max Capital Group Limited, and chairman of the board of West Virginia Media, the parent company of WBOY.

For more information on all the inductees into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame, visit the link below.