WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 1, 2017 — Students in the College of Liberal Arts had a chance to learn first hand just what the issues are in downtown revitalization as Wheeling’s Mayor Glenn Elliott spoke to Professor Robert Kruse’s class of geography and planning majors.

“This was a great chance for our students to meet and hear from our mayor and I appreciate him visiting class and taking time out of his busy schedule,” said Kruse, who is one of two full-time professors teaching the program.

Mayor Elliott visited with students in the seminar on Urban and Rural Geography. The class discussion centered on the ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Wheeling and included a 45-minute presentation which was followed by a lively discussion.

The Geography and Planning major is a popular major at WLU. The science of place and space, geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another and how people interact with their environment. West Liberty University offers a major in geography and planning for social science majors as well as a minor for students majoring in a wide variety of other areas of study.

With an additional focus on planning, the Geography and Planning major prepares students for jobs relating to land use and economic development, urban and regional planning, and positions in local government and organizations.

The curriculum includes a required internship in which students apply concepts of geography and planning beyond the classroom. Such experiences frequently lead to employment opportunities.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kruse at rkruse@westliberty.edu or 304.336.8257.