About West Virginia State University West Virginia State College had its origins with federal legislation known as the Second Morrill Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1890. The Act provided that no land grant institution of higher education could enjoy the benefits of federal funds provided by the Act unless adequate provisions were made for the education of black youth as well as white youth. West Virginia University had been in existence for the benefit of white students for more than two decades. To assure federal funds for West Virginia University, the West Virginia Legislature enacted legislation to create a new land grant institution in Kanawha County for black students. The legislation was signed on March 17, 1891 by Governor Fleming. March 17 is celebrated annually on the campus as Founders Day. The new institution was known initially as West Virginia Colored Institute. Land was purchased by the State. The first building of red brick and stone was a three-story structure costing $9,456. During its first year, the main purpose of the Institute was to teach agriculture, horticulture, mechanical arts and domestic science. Teacher training was added the second year and has remained an important emphasis throughout the school's history. In the early years, students came by train or by packet boat on the Kanawha River and were primarily residential students. In 1915, the name was changed to West Virginia Collegiate Institute. While training was offered in subjects such as agriculture, blacksmithing, brick laying and plastering, and dress making and millinery; there was an increase in emphasis on subjects such as music, military instruction, mathematics, literary subjects and science. The first college degrees were awarded in 1919. The institution was first accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1927 and has remained continuously accredited since that date. In 1929, the legislature changed the name of the institution to West Virginia State College. Throughout the decades, the institution has grown under the dynamic leadership of talented administrators and faculty. During the 1930s and 1940s, it came to be recognized nationally as one of the premier institutions in the education of black students. In 1954, when the U.S. Supreme Court, in BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION, ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional, West Virginia State College had an enrollment of 837 students. Within the next few years, the enrollment increased dramatically and West Virginia State College was transformed to a racially integrated institution. It gained nationwide recognition as a "living laboratory of human relations." Today, with an enrollment of about 5,000 students, the College maintains its reputation of academic excellence. It continues to be known as a model for human relations with a student body that averages about 88% white; 11.5% black; and .5% Asian, Hispanic and other. To a wide range of bachelor's degree programs, the past decade has seen the addition of a Community College Division to administer a variety of West Virginia State College alumni can be found in positions of leadership and public trust throughout West Virginia, in most other states, and in some foreign countries. Future graduates will join alumni well-grounded in the liberal arts, skilled in their chosen occupations or professions, and sensitive to and appreciative of people of other races and ethnic backgrounds.
associate degrees. Emphasis also is placed upon programs through the Continuing education/Community Service office. Students are able to couple classroom instruction with actual work experience in their major through the Cooperative Education program. Priority is given to planning and cooperating with business, industrial, governmental, educational, and professional leaders as West Virginia State College moves into its second century. The institution's current administration is confident in the knowledge that it will continue to meet, with distinction, the challenges which will come with the decades ahead.