West Virginia State University
Points of Pride
From a Storied, Historic Past…
- We are proud of our contribution to the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-Americans to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corp. (the precursor to today’s U.S. Air Force). In 1939, West Virginia State College, now University, became the first of six historically black colleges, authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Authority, to establish an aviation program. Consisting of several West Virginia State graduates, in command and support positions, the Tuskegee Airmen personified unparalleled bravery, tireless commitment, and inspiring fortitude.
- We are proud of the Booker T. Washington Institute of West Virginia State University, a program formed from an alliance between the Booker T. Washington Association, the Midland Trail, and the former Cabin Creek Quilts Cooperative. Together, we plan and implement the ideals of Booker T. Washington, an influential figure in national history.
- We are proud of our U.S. Army ROTC Yellow Jacket Battalion, which has produced over 900 Officers, including 15 Generals. More than 100 West Virginia State University alumni have achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or higher; these distinguished Yellow Jackets are recognized in our ROTC Hall of Fame.
…Looking to an Exciting Future
- We are proud of our connection to Charleston, West Virginia’s largest city and capital. With a city and regional population of over 300,000 people, the Charleston area provides our campus community easy-access to a wealth of cultural and historical activities, music, festivals, entertainment, and the arts.
- We are proud to be home to the Judge Damon J. Keith Scholars Hall, the first new residence hall at West Virginia State University since 1969. With suite-style living including two-, three-, and four-bedroom suites, in addition to a cyber café, gaming room, and academic and meeting spaces, the $25.2 million, 291-bed hall features the unique academic and living environment students expect on a university campus and will greatly assist the University in recruiting and retaining new students.
- We are proud of our national alumni base who, through active engagement and unequaled participation in the University’s well-being, serves as State’s backbone and unwavering support system. Their tremendous support will ensure the future success of our great University.
- We are proud of be recognized by Tree Campus USA. A national program created by the Arbor Day Foundation, this designation recognizes the University’s achievement for effective campus forest management and our campus community’s commitment to conservation and decreasing our environmental footprint.
…Featuring Award-Winning Academics…
- We are proud of our over 200 full- and part-time award-winning faculty members spanning 23 academic degree programs, many of whom have achieved national recognition and distinction within their fields of study.
- We are proud of the immense variety and diverse range of research conducted by our outstanding faculty. With groundbreaking discoveries in fields such as aquaculture; environmental microbiology and biotechnology; horticulture crops and production systems; urban forestry and natural resource management; vegetable genomics and plant breeding; and beetle biodiversity, our faculty and research scientists are making great advances for the future.
- We are proud of our comprehensive Honors Program which provides enriched academic opportunities with advanced scholastic achievements, allowing our students to augment traditional studies with enhanced cultural opportunities as they pursue excellence in their chosen areas of study.
- We are proud of our low student-to-faculty ratio (17-to-1), which allows our faculty to provide individualized learning environments, one-on-one mentoring, and highly effective instruction. At West Virginia State University, our students are not just a number! Our students are future leaders, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs.
- We are proud to offer students the ability to develop individually designed, one-of-a-kind majors. With degrees in such important and cutting-edge fields as energy management (the first of its kind in the state!), science, mathematics, business, and education, as well as opportunities in pharmacy, West Virginia State University is leading the way into a better, brighter future for our students, their families, and for citizens across our state!
- We are proud to offer five fully-online programs. The fully-online degree programs are: criminal justice, business administration with a concentration in accounting, business administration with a concentration in management, English (Technical Writing), and a master’s degree in instructional educational leadership.
- We are proud of our Research Rookies program, through which highly motivated students with a strong commitment to STEM initiatives are provided with the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research, explore their intended major, develop relationships with faculty, and cultivate critical thinking skills.
- We are proud of our distinction as one of Great Value Colleges’ 2015 100 Most Affordable Small Colleges East of the Mississippi. West Virginia State University ranked fourth most affordable out of 100 institutions of higher education. In addition, WVSU’s Biology program ranked third of the 50 Best Value Small Colleges for a Biology Degree 2015; the Social Work program ranked tenth of the 50 Most Affordable Selective Schools for a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work); and the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration ranked third of the 50 Best Value Small Colleges for a Business Administration Degree 2015 demonstrating our commitment to providing affordable, quality education for our students!
…Exceptional Athletics…
- We are proud of our diverse and multi-faceted athletics teams. Our campus boasts five men’s sports (baseball, basketball, football, golf, and tennis) and five women’s sports (basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, and volleyball).
- We are proud of our student-athletes, who consistently excel both in and out of classroom. With championship-winning teams, who are determined to achieve excellence, our student-athletes prove daily that purposeful hard work and committed sportsmanship create champions.
- We are proud of be home to world-class athletic facilities. With the $19 million renovation of Fleming Hall and the February 2014 dedication and opening of the D. Stephen and Diane H. Walker Convocation Center, a new era has dawned for student-athletes and sports fans at West Virginia State University. The dedication ceremony alone drew national attention as we honored and featured State alum and NBA legend Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to play in the NBA, as well as other NBA legends Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell.
…Unmatched Research…
- We are proud to contribute to the development of our faculty’s research offerings through the institution of Promoting Excellence in Education through Research (PEER) program. This exciting project provides support to encourage and foster the advancement of research, and to leverage these resources to attract funding to promote and support the enrichment of academia and student learning to the University.
- We are proud to be committed to the betterment of West Virginia through our Agricultural & Environmental Research Station (AERS), part of the Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute. Through the AERS program, we maintain a competitive portfolio of research programs driven by national and state agendas. Through the development of knowledge, engagement in technology, and economic development, we are able to achieve great benefits for all of West Virginia. From on-campus research labs, field plots and greenhouses to laboratory space at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park, AERS is rapidly increasing its presence in agricultural and environmental research.
- We are proud of the West Virginia State University Energy and Environmental Science Institute (WVSUEEI), a compelling new program that enhances State’s capacity to participate in the evolving opportunities in energy and environmental research, teaching, and outreach by facilitating collaboration across disciplines and engaging stakeholders at the local, state, national, and international level. Through the WVSUEEI, work is currently taking place in such diverse and exciting fields as soil science, plant genomics, environmental policy, organic chemistry, microbial ecology, energy security, anaerobic digestion, and STEM outreach.
…and Community Enhancing Public Service…
- We are proud of our culturally-enriching 4-H Youth Development programs. We have adopted a non-traditional approach to 4-H, focusing on youth arts initiatives and STEM education. With programs such as performing arts camps and youth mentoring, our 4-H offerings are encouraging healthy, active lifestyles—one child at a time!
- We are proud of our expansive agricultural outreach programs that focus on alternative agriculture, sustainability, urban forestry, and community, youth, and adaptive gardening. Through these prolific programs, including agriculture and small fruit workshops, SCRATCH Project, and Junior Master Gardener classes, our extension agents are extending knowledge and changing lives across West Virginia.
- We are proud of our Center for the Advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CASTEM), which works to increase participation and retention of underrepresented youths in grades K-12 in STEM fields. With locations on campus and in southern West Virginia, CASTEM staff have brought science education to thousands of the state’s young people.
- We are proud of “Orchestra of the Hills,” an event that helped flood victims following the historic flood in June 2016. WVSU partnered with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra to host the fundraiser that benefited high school music departments in West Virginia who were affected by the severe flooding in the region.
- We are so proud to put a spotlight on homesteading, urban growing and small fruit production through the fourth annual Urban Agriculture conference. WVSU Extension Service partners with the Capitol Conversation District, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia University Extension Service to host this dynamic gathering of farmers, gardeners and homesteaders.
…One Thing is CLEAR!
West Virginia State Has a LOT to be Proud of!