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Celebrating 50 years The College
the Community Built		 1961-2011

WVU Parkersburg's first home College anniversary: 1961 to 2011
It was 1961 ... John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States.  Chubby Checker was singing “Pony Time” and the Shirelles asked “Will You Love Me Tomorrow."  Movie theaters featured "West Side Story" and "The Parent Trap.”  Popular tv shows included "Bonanza," "Perry Mason" and "My Three Sons."  The average cost of a new house was $12,500 and the average annual income was $5,315.  A gallon of gas cost 27 cents, and a new car was approximately $2,850.

And, in the Fall of 1961 ... 104 students became the first Mid-Ohio Valley residents to attend the Parkersburg Branch of West Virginia University.

Fifty years later, West Virginia University at Parkersburg invites you to join in a celebration of the Mid-Ohio Valley's commitment to higher education as well as the college's contributions as an Exceptional Place to Learn ... to Work ... and to Partner. 

WVU Parkersburg:  "The College the Community Built."
50th Events News Releases
 and Articles		 Historical Documents Proclamations
and Letters		 College History College Lists The Bell The College
in Photos		 Board of Governors  Executive
Staff		 WVU at Parkersburg Foundation


WVU Parkersburg logo

Some historical information featured on this site is derived/excerpted  from "Four Diamonds in the Rough,"
a manuscript of the college's history written by Dr. Bernard L. Allen, Professor Emeritus of History and Philosophy. 
Dr. Allen retired from WVU Parkersburg in 1999.