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West Liberty University

Colleges and Universities Section 1 of 34

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West Liberty University started in 1837 as a private academy in Ohio County, north of Wheeling. The first class met in 1838, and a big brick building was built in 1857. Boys studied subjects like Greek and Latin, while girls learned literature and geography. During the Civil War, the school lost students and money, so in 1870, the state took over and turned it into a teacher training school.

For many years, the school also included a high school, and early on, student clubs called literary societies were very popular. After World War I, the school stayed in West Liberty despite attempts to move it.

In the 1920s and 1930s, new buildings were added, and during the Great Depression, federal programs helped improve the campus. New programs in art, music, home economics, and dental hygiene were created. A branch opened in Wheeling in 1938, which later became a separate community college.

World War II caused enrollment to drop, but after the war, many veterans used the GI Bill to attend, boosting student numbers. By 1960, over 1,000 students were enrolled, and the school grew quickly, adding dorms, arts buildings, a library, and sports facilities.

In 2009, West Liberty State College officially became West Liberty University, continuing to offer popular programs like criminal justice, education, and business.

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