Every West Liberty Hilltopper has a tale to tell, and the West Liberty University Office of Alumni Affairs along with the WLU Foundation is eager to hear yours. West Liberty University Office of Alumni Affairs and WLU Foundation are partnering with Publishing Concepts, Inc. to Create Oral History. With a network of over 25,000 alumni, meeting each of you individually would be a monumental task. That’s why we’ve embarked on a new endeavor to gather stories from alumni like you. These narratives will be immortalized in a book celebrating the profound impact West Liberty has had on your lives and your journey to who you are today. Every story left untold feels like a missed opportunity, and we’re thrilled to kick off this initiative!

Have You Moved?

As part of this initiative, we’re also seizing the chance to help you stay connected to West Liberty. Publishing Concepts Inc. (PCI) will assist us in gathering updated contact information from those who may have relocated and inadvertently lost touch with their alma mater

Your Story:

What West Liberty Memory Will You Share?

• Do you have a faculty or staff member who left a lasting impression on your life?
• Did you meet your Hilltopper sweetheart at West Liberty?
• Is there a pivotal moment at West Liberty that influenced your future?
• Have the connections you forged on campus blossomed into lifelong friendships?
• Were you present on campus during a historic event?

PCI Partnership

With our limited resources, we’d never be able to tackle a project like this. By partnering with PCI, we’re able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into this oral history project book that we can share with all Hilltoppers. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

Do I Have to Buy Something?

No. This project is being done at NO COST. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the oral history book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other West Liberty branded merchandise such as a blanket, pullover, and more. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the book. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.

What’s Next?

If you haven’t already, you’ll receive a postcard and email from PCI, on our behalf, with two significant invitations:

– An opportunity to update and verify your contact information, strengthening our West Liberty alumni network and keeping you abreast of the latest developments at the university.

– An invitation to share your West Liberty experience. What are your fondest memories from your time on campus? PCI has a dedicated team ready to capture your stories.

The PCI team will be collecting stories through November, 2024. Following that, they will enter a post-production phase, editing the data. Our aim is to have the book distributed by May 2025. You’ll have the chance to buy the Oral History Book, but there’s no obligation to do so. We urge all alumni to share their stories. Additionally, you can buy apparel and contribute to the WLU Foundation, but it’s not mandatory. We eagerly anticipate hearing from each and every one of you about the memories you cherish from your time at West Liberty!

What to Look For:

A postcard you’ll receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from West Liberty University Office of Alumni Affairs and WLU Foundation, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and schedule an interview to share your Hilltopper Story!

For more information or questions, please contact Shawn Ullom, Director Of Development—West Liberty University Foundation. Shawn.ullom@westliberty.edu, 304-336-8401.