ALUMNI “WALL OF HONOR” The West Liberty University Alumni Board of Directors instituted a project in 1990 to demonstrate to current students, visitors, and friends that the college has some very successful graduates. This project, known as the “Alumni Wall of Honor,” is a dramatic way to honor some of the college’s most distinguished alumni and display pride in the accomplishments of its graduates. The concept was suggested by then Associate Professor of Physics Robert W. Schramm, who is a 1958 graduate of the college and a 2002 Alumni Wall of Honor inductee. The Alumni Wall of Honor is housed in the south end of the Union known as the Alumni Lounge.
Barbara J. Laifer, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Inducted 2020A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Barbara “Barb” Laifer is a 1975 graduate of West Liberty State College with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in music, speech and theatre with a minor in speech therapy. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology from Tennessee State University. She earned the CCC-SLP accreditation from the American Speech and Hearing Association and is an Actors’ Equity member.
Barb has performed on stages from Wheeling to Europe and toured nationally as part of the New Seekers. She has been a featured soloist in diverse musical styles including Mendelssohn Choir directed by Dr. Robert Page, Pittsburg Opera, Nashville Symphony Chorus, Nashville Opera, and “For Me and My Gal” musical at Opryland that brought her to Nashville in 1983. She also founded and was soloist for Barbara Laifer and Ye Olde Carolers in Wheeling and Nashville.
As a teacher, her students were consistently recognized for excellence, including selection to sing at Carnegie Hall, and with a letter of recognition from former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Her therapy work ranged from children to military veterans.
She initiated the Vernon D. “Mike” Riemer Scholarship Fund at WLU to honor the late speech professor.
In her spare time, she volunteers with numerous Nashville organizations, rescues animals, and pursues sports.
Barb is the daughter of the late Joshua and Rebecca Laifer of Wheeling. She lives in Nashville, TN.
