Celebrating
the Community 's Commitment

The College’s Evolution

WVU Branch

The Parkersburg Branch of WVU

The citizens of Wood County initiated a campaign in the late 1950s to establish a public-supported higher education institution in the Parkersburg area.  The state Legislature responded during its 1961 session by authorizing the establishment of branch campuses.  Following action by the Board of Governors of West Virginia University, the Parkersburg Branch of WVU opened in September 1961, in a condemned and abandoned public school building provided by Wood County Schools.  The branch, with 104 students and six faculty members, offered general education courses for transfer to WVU.  Todd Bullard was the branch's first director from 1961-63.

The Wood County Infirmary, circa 1916

 As a result of efforts by area residents, the college became (and remains) the only state-supported institution in West Virginia funded by a local initiative.  A $3.6 million bond issue, with matching federal funds, was passed by Wood County voters in 1965 to build a new educational complex on land provided by the Wood County Court.  The property was the original location of the Wood County Infirmary or "poor farm."  The institution’s name changed to West Virginia University-Parkersburg Center in 1966.  Construction on the new facility was completed in 1969.  Four additional capital improvements projects have been added to the main campus building, the most recent in 2005-2006. 

Community College Establishment

Community College Status.  In July of 1971, the West Virginia Board of Regents established the institution as a comprehensive community college following enactment of legislation for a statewide community college system.  The Parkersburg campus, named Parkersburg Community College, had grown sufficiently – with an enrollment of more than 2,000 – to offer a wide range of courses in college-parallel, technical and occupational programs as well as community services.

WVU at Parkersburg

WVU Parkersburg

WVU Regional Campus.  In 1989 the state Legislature established the college as West Virginia University at Parkersburg as part of legislation which also revamped the state’s higher education governance structure.  The institution was designated a regional campus of West Virginia University.  A $175,000 special appropriation was provided for the college to seek appropriate accreditation and pursue delivery of four-year degrees in business administration and elementary education, two popular baccalaureate programs which were being offered at WVU Parkersburg by Glenville State College.

Future Institutional Role Studied.  The promise of baccalaureate degrees being available through WVU Parkersburg and the positive linkage with WVU resulted in a 15 percent increase in enrollment in the fall of 1989.  At the direction of the Legislature, the state’s Secretary of Education and the Arts undertook a study to determine the institution’s future role.  Public hearings and input were sought.  Submitted to the Legislature in 1990, the resulting study recommended that the institution develop and implement selected baccalaureate programs.

Mission Approved.  The West Virginia University Board of Trustees approved the college’s mission statement in December of 1990.  Application to the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools was sought to change WVU Parkersburg’s accreditation status and an on-site visit was completed in April 1991.  The institution was approved to offer selected bachelor’s degrees in the summer of 1991.

About the College

Regional Overview.  Located on a 128-acre tract, the WVU Parkersburg campus is four miles east of Parkersburg.  Because of its industrial base, Parkersburg has a high demand for customized training and the college serves as a regional workforce development hub. WVU Parkersburg develops and implements programs to assist area business and industry in nurturing their workforce skills.  The state-established Polymer Alliance Zone in the Mid-Ohio Valley encourages businesses related to the plastic industry to expand or relocate in the area.  WVU at Parkersburg is the educational training source for the Zone.

Caperton Center for Applied Technology

High-Tech Delivery.  In responding to service area needs, WVU Parkersburg has sought creative partnerships and collaborations.  The $7 million Caperton Center for Applied Technology which opened in 1999 on the Parkersburg campus represents a collaboration among the college, Wood County Schools, and area business, industry and labor.  The center’s concept is a unique response to prepare and develop the regional workforce to meet the needs of current and potential employers through a seamless curriculum from high school to college.  This is accomplished through a one-of-its-kind partnership between public and higher education in which the college and the public school system share facilities, faculty, and curriculum.  High-tech programs designed with assistance from area industry are housed in the center and include popular computer information technology degrees and the state’s only Bachelor of Applied Technology degree.  WVU Parkersburg has active articulation agreements with every vocational/technical center in the state’s public education system.   

WVU Regional Campus.  WVU Parkersburg’s role as a regional WVU campus focuses on access.  The Parkersburg campus extends WVU’s capacity to fulfill its statewide mission by responding to the educational needs of the Mid-Ohio Valley region.  WVU Parkersburg accomplishes this through delivery of a blend of technical, transfer and baccalaureate programs as well as the availability of graduate offerings and other University programs and services.  Since becoming a part of WVU in 1989, WVU Parkersburg has integrated many of its programs and services with the University resulting in efficiencies, collaborative resources, student-benefiting enhancements and shared expertise. 

Unique Mission.  WVU Parkersburg is WVU’s largest regional campus. WVU Parkersburg is the sixth largest public higher education institution in the state. The Parkersburg campus is the only community college in West Virginia accredited to offer baccalaureate programs.  

As an open admission institution, WVU Parkersburg serves as a “close to home” entry point to WVU for those area residents who may be geographically, culturally and/or economically placebound.  Students have options:  they may complete certificate or associate programs and enter the job market; they may complete one or two years at WVU Parkersburg and transfer to WVU or other institutions or they may pursue one of several baccalaureate degrees locally.  More than 3,800 students enroll in courses each semester at the Parkersburg commuter campus.  More than 400 area residents pursue graduate education courses delivered by WVU to WVU Parkersburg.  The college maintains its Jackson County Center, which first opened in 1974, to meet the educational needs of area residents in Jackson and Roane counties.  More than 700 students attend the Ripley center.   

Student Demographics.  Approximately 56% of WVU Parkersburg’s enrollment is derived from Wood County.  A mix of traditional-aged and adult students is enrolled at WVU Parkersburg; the average age is 26.   Nationally, 58% of community college students are women.  At WVU Parkersburg, female students comprise 63% of the total enrollment.  Jackson County residents represent another 19% percent of the student base. 

Serving the Mid-Ohio Valley. WVU Parkersburg serves the west central counties of Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood.  The Parkersburg campus offers affordable, convenient higher education opportunities tailored to demand-indicated needs in a student-centered environment.

WVU Parkersburg has built a reputation for providing quality transfer programs, demand-indicated baccalaureate programs, cutting-edge technical instruction and workforce development training.  

The Parkersburg institution has come full circle, from its beginnings as a branch campus of WVU in an elementary schoolhouse to its current mission as a regional campus of WVU with a continuing commitment to provide affordable and accessible offerings which best respond to the needs articulated for the 21^st Century.

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