Gaining a foothold: Glenville State University grows enrollment, programming and support

“Our enrollments just keep improving,” Morris said. “We’ve got good professors, good coaches. Many have been quite dedicated for some time. And it makes a difference. We’re family at Glenville.”

Morris and his family have been rooted in — and rooting for — Glenville State success for some time. When others in the state saw the rural university as chopping block fodder, Morris and his family saw opportunities for the youth of rural Central West Virginia.

The Glenville State cause has had plenty of support, including a dedicated Board of Governors currently led by Ann Green. An alum, whose parents met at Glenville, she's excited about the growth — and the future.

"We have been getting incredibly positive reports at our Board of Governors meetings and just couldn't be more excited," Green said. "Given particularly, you feel like higher education has got a bit of headwinds right now and you see other institutions having some challenges.

"We're certainly not going to be naive enough not to think that that there aren't challenges because there are, but we've been taking, I think, a very measured approach to what we do — a very thoughtful approach. And I think it's paying off for us."

Green, Morris and Glenville State President Dr. Mark A. Manchin have worked tirelessly because they know what the university means to the community and Central West Virginia.

“We play such an important role for the region and really other parts of rural West Virginia,” Manchin said. “It’s a role and responsibility that we take very seriously and are committed to continuing.”

Under Manchin’s leadership, the effort has gained tremendous momentum. The longtime public educator and one-time state legislator, Manchin has shown the acumen to spur growth when other higher education institutions has seen enrollment decline.

Adding new programs on campus, as well as through remote classes, Glenville State University now offers master’s degrees in teaching, education administration, business and will be adding one in criminal justice this fall.

Manchin also has his eye on adding a master’s in social work/counseling and is working toward adding a physician’s assistant program in the coming years.

"I think we've made very thoughtful decisions to offer programming that will make a difference in Central West Virginia," Green said. "Health sciences, education, criminal justice, and we continue to offer land management, business and our other popular majors."

Glenville is working to balance the changing world of higher education with meeting the needs of its rural education mission. It offers a vibrant on-campus opportunity for students who come to Glenville, as well as a growing remote education model as well.

“We continue to invest in our campus, but we also invest in our remote learning,” Manchin said. “We have to do both, and we’re focused on improving our campus and educational offerings.”

The school is working to dramatically upgrade its on-campus amphitheater and will use it to provide quality-of-life events for students and the community. And the planned improvements at the Waco Center, adding the new health sciences renovations, soon will unfold.

The growth in enrollment and academic offerings has led to great financial success, all of which is reinvested into the institution.

In February, Glenville State set a Founders Day of Giving record with more than $1.2 million raised.

"We just had a great Founders Day effort with over a million dollars raised, which is very exciting for our foundation," Green said. 

“Looking around at other institutions, other than Marshall and West Virginia University, I don’t think any of them can match what little old Glenville did,” Morris said. He added that the increased giving and enrollment income has put the university on solid financial ground, which was recently noted by the state auditor.

Manchin was quick to give Morris and his family credit — the Morris Family Foundation provided a $500,000 matching grant, which pushed the total to record level.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the collective dedication and commitment of our Pioneer family and friends. Their belief in our mission and their continued support have propelled us to reach this significant milestone,” Manchin said. “And of course we are grateful for the tremendous support of Ike and his family. It’s a transformative contribution."

“This momentous accomplishment is a testament to the unwavering support and generosity of our esteemed donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends,” said Vice President of Advancement David Hutchison. “To all those who have contributed to this remarkable success, we offer our most sincere thanks. Your generosity will empower us to continue providing exceptional educational experiences and transformative opportunities for generations to come.”

Besides the great alumni and community support, Green credited the dedicated faculty and staff for helping Glenville State University turn the corner from being on the chopping block to being an example of success.

"I'm so impressed with the staff and the faculty here. I went to Glenville, as did virtually all the board members. And it's just we're really proud of what we've got right now. And it's exciting. Given the headwinds that higher education has it just feels very encouraging to us right now."

For Green, the board and Glenville State's legion of supporters who, as Green said, "bleed blue and white," the story that is unfolding touches their hearts.

"It was true when I went to school here and it's still true, if not for Glenville State a lot of students wouldn't be able to go to college, to have these opportunities in good careers," Green said. "We are just so committed to make sure that we do everything we can to make sure that the institution is here for the people of Central West Virginia.

"You know, we're kind of that little best kept secret in the middle of the state. We have a whole lot of folks who really, really care about the institution and what it can do — and does do — for the state."