West Liberty University continues to enjoy enrollment growth and has reported a total student number of 2,804 for the 2012 fall term.

This number is the largest fall enrollment since 1973 and the seventh year in a row for an increase, according to Dean of Enrollment Scott Cook. The official enrollment report was presented to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission on Oct. 15.

“We are pleased to report a fall enrollment number that represents the largest number of students on the Hilltop in nearly 40 years. As many schools struggle to attract students, West Liberty has been blessed with distinguished faculty, new initiatives and motivated staff, that continue to bring success,” said President Robin C. Capehart, who has led the University since 2007 and was responsible for driving the campus to University status.

“Our admissions department continues to expand our efforts. We have been recruiting more in North Carolina and the Northeast. We have also expanded our metro tuition rate in Ohio to include counties west to Columbus and north to Cleveland,” said Cook.

First year WLU students enrolled for fall 2012 number 526. WLU also launched its new physician assistant master’s degree this past summer, adding numbers to its graduate division.

“Our graduation rate now exceeds the national average by 10 percent and we are ranked high for return on investment, which is helping our enrollment stay strong,” added Capehart.

“We are in the midst of a capital campaign and focused on campus improvements to keep up with our growth. We look to the future and the fulfillment of our mission and the role of the institution as an integral part of a public system of higher education in West Virginia,” he said.

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.  Established as West Liberty Academy in 1837, it was created to respond to the need for higher educational opportunities west of the Appalachians. For more information on WLU, please visit westliberty.edu or call 1.866.WESTLIB.