College Begins New Era                             

News Release

Contact Dr. Erik Bitterbaum, president of WVU Parkersburg, (304) 424-8200.

For the first time in 18 years, West Virginia University at Parkersburg has a new leader at its helm.

Dr. Erik Bitterbaum is completing his first official week as WVU-P president and regional vice president of WVU.

A vice president for academic affairs and professor of biology at Missouri Southern State College since 1994, Dr. Bitterbaum was named WVU-P’s president in March after a nationwide search. He replaces Dr. Eldon Miller who retired in June after 18 years as president.

"This is a fine institution and I hope to help evolve it to greater heights," Dr. Bitterbaum noted.

"WVU-P’s staff and faculty believe in the institution and its mission. The college’s strength lies in its outstanding faculty who are dedicated to teaching and learning," he continued. "My goal is to build and improve on what already is being done."

Taking that further, the fifth president of the Parkersburg institution has another objective in mind. "My goal is for WVU-P to be known for offering the finest undergraduate education in the region," he said.

Dr. Bitterbaum believes the commitment that WVU has to its regional campuses is key to achieving this goal.

"President Hardesty and Provost Lang view WVU-P not as an individual campus but as an institution working in concert with the University to provide the best in educational opportunities," he said.

He cited WVU’s delivery of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Regents Bachelor of Arts to the Parkersburg campus as a reflection of the commitment and true partnership that the University has with its regional campuses. Discussions to deliver other programs, such as the Bachelor of Science in Social Work, are in progress.

"There is an excitement within the community about its future and I’m please to see that," he added. "People here are very enthusiastic. They helped to build this institution. Many of the employers in the community have employees who got their start at WVU-P and they give credit to the quality instruction they received. I’m honored to be a part of that."

Dr. Bitterbaum received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Occidental College and his doctorate in zoology from the University of Florida. He is married to Ellen Burton and the couple has two children, David and Anna.

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
Director, Institutional Advancement
Office: (304) 424-8203 
Fax: (304) 424-8315

7/7/00