GLENVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – First the north central West Virginia city of Glenville got a traffic roundabout. Soon they’ll be home to the state’s newest university.
Gary Z. Morris, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at what is now Glenville State College, made the university status announcement in a letter to school alumni.
Morris explained in the letter that “Glenville State College is on the verge of approval to offer two graduate programs, a Master of Art in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Art in Teaching.”
This will mark the first time GSC has offered graduate programs since its founding on February 19, 1872.
“Once Glenville State College is granted permission to offer graduate programs, it will also be eligible to change its status from college to university,” Morris added. “It is our intent to announce this change on GSC Day at the Legislature, February 22, 2022, when we will celebrate our 150th anniversary at the West Virginia state capitol.”
Morris said the change from college to university status will have several benefits for Glenville. “These include an increase in enrollment, an increase in prominence for the institution and increased marketability, more flexibility in expansion for academic programs and departments, and greater differentiation between us, a four-year institution, and community colleges. Furthermore, Glenville State College is one of two remaining public four-year institutions, among the ten in West Virginia, that has not changed its status to university.”
Morris pointed out that changing the school name from college to university will represent the fourth name change since its founding. The school was the Glenville Branch of the West Virginia State Normal School from 1872 to 1898, Glenville State Normal School from 1898 to 1930, Glenville State Teacher’s College from 1931 to 1943), and Glenville State College from 1943-2022.
“Each time the name has changed, it has been in response to things such as a change in mission, an increase in enrollment, or now the opportunity to offer graduate programs,” Morris wrote. “Each name change has reflected a positive change for the institution, and we anticipate that changing to university will also be positive.”
In regard to the new name, Morris said, “We are still working on what the new name will be but recognize that Glenville has been part of each of our past names and Glenville will continue to be a part of our name moving forward. In order to incorporate the community voice into this process, we ask for your feedback regarding the new name of our institution.”
For further information or to suggest the name change, contact the school directly by social media or email.