WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 6, 2015 — West Liberty University is planning an open house on Saturday, March 28. Much like all college open houses, there will be lots of information for both prospective students and their parents. But unlike other open house programs, 10 visiting students will walk away with $1,000 scholarships — just for attending.
“We wanted to do something different and pump up the excitement, so what better way that with new scholarships for eligible incoming students?” said Director of Admissions Brenda King. Students must be new students enrolling at WLU to be eligible. The scholarship money is the result of fundraising and comes from private donors, contributing to the annual campaign.
The open house begins with registration from 8 – 8:50 a.m. in the College Union. Admissions and campus life leaders then present an overview for prospective students in College Hall and answer any specific questions students might have.
Campus tours follow from 10 – 11 a.m. After the tours, the academic and campus life information fair takes place in the College Union, followed by lunch in the Marketplace.
One of the best parts of open house is the chance to meet and talk to faculty and current students.
“Open House truly gives an incoming student a real feel for college, everything from academics to dorms, clubs and sports is explained. We do everything we can to help them see a little bit of what life as a Hilltopper entails,” King said. She also is an alumna and has spent 32 years working in the admissions department.
Twelve student Admission Ambassadors will be present and lead tours as well as mix and mingle with the prospective students to answer their questions. Jillian Laslo is a junior and has been an ambassador for two years. A biology/premed major, she enjoys meeting and sharing the West Liberty lifestyle with incoming students.
“It’s a chance to make new friends and encourage them on this important decision. I love attending school at West Liberty and am happy to answer the questions that prospective students and their families have. They always are glad they attended an open house because it helps so much in picking a college,” Laslo said. Typically, 150 families or so attend the spring open house, according to King.
West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public university steeped in a rich heritage as West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education.
For more information or to register for Spring Open House, please click westliberty.edu/visit or call 304-336-8125 or 1-866-westlib.