There will be more students returning to class and campus this weekend as West Liberty University students arrive for move-in weekend, Friday, Aug. 24, through Sunday, Aug. 26
“We are expecting an increase in enrollment this fall, and we are looking forward to the hustle and bustle of students back on campus and getting settled. We extend a very special welcome to new students as they begin their college career and remind them that we’re here to help during move-in and Topperfest activities,” said Dr. Stephen Greiner, WLU president. “We want students to feel that the Hilltop is home.”
New students move in on Friday, Aug. 24, and returning students get comfortable on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-26. Classes begin at The Highlands Center campus on Aug. 25 and on the main campus on Aug. 27.
Campus improvements over the summer include the addition of the Wow American Grill and Wingery located in the College Union. Headquartered in New Orleans, La., this franchise café promises chef-inspired food with signature sauces.
Other campus improvements include a reopening of the historic Shotwell Hall, which will now house a centralized International Center that includes the International Student office, along with study, prayer, relaxation and kitchen space for internationals. Shotwell also will house the office of Study Abroad.
Other campus progress includes work on the new West Family Athletic Complex (track and soccer field complex), groundbreaking for the new Belmont Savings Bank Indoor Practice Facility, updates to dorms that increased premium single rooms in Curtis Hall and the opening of more off-campus housing options with the addition of Topper Towers.
WLU also recently added a new Ohio County Sheriff substation to campus.
“We want our students to be comfortable and safe, and over the summer, we’ve worked hard to increase housing options, reopen Shotwell Hall and add the Wow Café, all things that our students want, and we are pleased to offer. We also added two more graduate degree programs over the summer with dental hygiene and clinical psychology now enrolling students, so we are looking forward to a busy and successful academic year,” Greiner added.
Housing and Student Life staff coordinates Topperfest activities, which get started Friday. The two-week festival is designed to welcome students with informative and entertaining events. There are a total 45 resident assistants, four hall directors and three graduate assistants working this year in Student Life, led by a professional staff that includes Executive Director of Student Services/Director of Housing and Student Life Marcella Snyder, Director of Student Activities/Title IX Coordinator Kate Billings and Housing Area Manager Camille Bernabei.
These events give new students the chance to learn the ropes of college life and start off with success. Topperfest includes a Family Picnic from 11-2:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 24, and continues with a variety of entertainment, meetings and more. The picnic will be held in the Marketplace cafeteria.
Other Topperfest events include:
- 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 24, comedian performs in College Union
- 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, Topper Wars on the Quad as dorms compete
- 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 26, Movie on Quad
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 28, Commuter Lounge open house
- 9 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 29, hypnotist performs in College Union
- 7-10 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30, Blast from the Past, College Union
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 5, Organizational Fair on Quad
- 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 7, bonfire, s’mores, music and more on Quad
- 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5, WLU FCA Light Up the Hilltop concert and speaker
- 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, WLU vs. WVWC, West Family Stadium, tailgate
The last day to enroll for the fall semester or to add a class is Sept. 6.
For more information, visit www.westliberty.edu or call 304-336-8076.
