WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 29, 2022 — West Liberty University once again marks its Founders Day on March 30 as it celebrates 185 years of history and looks forward to the future.
“This spring, the university marks 185 years of providing higher education to the public. We are pleased to fulfill our mission as we continue to evolve and embrace the needs of our changing world and prepare our students for a successful future,” said Dr. W. Franklin Evans, WLU president.
Founded as a private academy by the Virginia legislature in 1837, and first called West Liberty Academy, WLU traces its roots to a time when the state of West Virginia didn’t even exist.
The Virginia legislature granted the charter that established WLU as a private academy in West Liberty, then the county seat of Ohio County, Virginia.
In honor of Founders Day, WLU Foundation is offering donors who give a minimum of $185 a special gift of a logo lapel pin to show appreciation for support on Topper Day of Giving. This annual Day of Giving takes place on Wednesday, April 6, both online and by phone.
West Liberty University includes four colleges offering more than 80 programs for undergraduate students and 11 master degree programs. Offering an inclusive, student-centered community, WLU seeks to cultivate scholarly exploration, experiential learning, creative expression and global citizenship.
Considered the first public university in the state, West Liberty’s inaugural class of 65 students met in the home of the Rev. Nathan Shotwell in 1838, the principal of the new school. Current enrollment includes more than 2,300 students.
Principals led the Academy till 1918, when John C. Shaw became the officially named first president. President Evans is the 37th president.
WLU has gone through various names over its lengthy history including: West Liberty Academy (1837 – 1870), West Liberty Normal School (1870 – 1931), West Liberty State Teachers College (1931 – 1943), West Liberty State College (1943 – 2009) and West Liberty University (2009 – now).
To read a brief history of WLU as reported in the West Virginia Encyclopedia and written by retired professor emeritus Dr. David T. Javersak, please click here.