West Liberty University
West Liberty University (WLU) is a public university in West Liberty, West Virginia. Located in the state's Northern Panhandle, it is the oldest college or university in West Virginia.[2] It offers more than 70 undergraduate majors plus graduate programs, including a master's degree in education, a physician assistant studies program, and an online MBA. WLU's athletic teams, known as the Hilltoppers, are charter members of the NCAA Division II Mountain East Conference with nearly 400 student-athletes participating in 16 intercollegiate sports, including football, basketball, wrestling, track, acrobatics & tumbling and baseball.
For the private Christian university in Virginia, see Liberty University.
Former names
West Liberty Academy (1837–1870)
West Liberty State Normal School (1870–1931)
West Liberty State Teachers College (1931–1943)
West Liberty State College (1943–2009)[1]
March 30, 1837
WVHEPC
$20.3 million (2021)[2]
Dr. Tim Borchers[3]
143
2,525 (Fall 2018)
303
Fringe rural[4], 290 acres (1.2 km2)
The Trumpet
Black and gold[5]
Topper the Bear
History[edit]
What is now West Liberty University was established as West Liberty Academy on March 30, 1837, before the state broke away from Virginia during the American Civil War. Under the guidance of Reverend Nathan Shotwell, it was created to respond to the need for higher educational opportunities west of the Appalachian ridge. The institution was originally a normal school and was named after the town in which it is located. West Liberty was so named in the late 18th century as the westernmost point of the new liberty proclaimed by the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Under the direction of Paul N. Elbin, the youngest president of a four-year college in the U.S. at age 30, the West Liberty Academy transitioned to West Liberty State Teachers College and eventually West Liberty State College. Under Elbin's 35-year leadership, the college developed a full curriculum, faculty, staff, student services, and activities including music and theatre.
West Liberty was approved to become a university by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in November 2008.[6] The West Liberty Board of Governors voted to change to West Liberty University on May 3, 2009. The bulk of its student body comes from the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and western Pennsylvania.
Dr. Tim Borchers was appointed as the 38th president on May 12, 2023 by the West Liberty University Board of Governors.
Student life[edit]
There are seven residence halls on campus.
West Liberty University offers 9 organizations made up of fraternities and sororities, 18 academic and professional organizations, 10 honoraries, 6 sports and recreational clubs, 6 religiously affiliated groups and 23 special interest groups. There is a physical education club for students majoring in physical education, and an intramural program covering activities such as basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, swimming, racquetball, ping pong, billiards, flag football, aerobics, euchre, and 3-on-3 basketball. This program is operated by the office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.
West Liberty University has nine Greek organizations on campus. The national fraternities and sororities include Phi Delta Theta, Alpha Xi Delta and Chi Omega. The remaining organizations are local sororities and fraternities, including the sororities Delta Theta Kappa, Lambda Psi Sigma and Beta Rho Epsilon. Fraternities on campus are Chi Nu, Kappa Delta Kappa, and Beta Theta Gamma.
Former fraternities and sororities include Delta Chi, Theta Xi, Kappa Delta Rho, Phi Sigma Kappa, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Sigma, Delta Zeta Pi, and Delta Tau Chi.
Alumni[edit]
Alumni association[edit]
The West Liberty University Alumni Association was founded in June 1877 with 103 members. From its beginning, the growth and development of the Alumni Association has been dedicated to promoting the interests of West Liberty University and strengthening the loyalty of and fostering support among its graduates, former students, and friends. The association serves as the liaison between the alumni of West Liberty University and its administration, staff, faculty, students, and friends. Today, the Alumni Association represents nearly 20,000 alumni and continues to foster a spirit of unity and fellowship through communications, development, publicity, special events, recruiting, and career exploration.
Alumni association "Wall of Honor"[edit]
The West Liberty University Alumni Association Board of Directors instituted a project in 1990 to demonstrate to current students, visitors, and friends that the college has some very successful graduates. This project, known as the "Alumni Wall of Honor," is a dramatic way to honor some of the college's most distinguished alumni and display pride in the accomplishments of its graduates. The concept was suggested by then Associate Professor of Physics Robert W. Schramm, who is a 1958 graduate of the college and a 2002 Alumni Wall of Honor inductee. The Alumni Wall of Honor was formerly housed in the south end of the Union known now as the Student Leadership Center and is currently located on the second floor of the Elbin Library.
Liberty Oaks Alumni House Bed and Breakfast[edit]
First occupied in 1936 and serving as the residence for the Presidents of West Liberty University until 1997, Liberty Oaks Alumni House Bed & Breakfast is a stately mansion located on the West Liberty campus.
Clyde D. Campbell Alumni Park[edit]
Alumni Park was home to three black granite pyramids displaying the engraved names of alumni and friends of West Liberty University. Alumni Park was located in the "heart" of the campus – just outside Main Hall and adjacent to the Union, at the edge of the 'quad'. In the summer of 2017, these structures were removed due to deterioration. A replacement wall of alumni and friends is expected to be erected within the breezeway of Main Hall.[11] Currently, a fire globe is situated in Alumni Park.