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Zoo science majors welcomed

WELCOME — Stephen Greiner, president of West Liberty University, speaks during a welcome dinner for the 23 students comprising the university’s inaugural class of zoo science majors. The program, operated through the auspices of West Liberty’s science department, features a collaboration between the university and Oglebay’s Good Zoo. -- Contributed

WELCOME -- Stephen Greiner, president of West Liberty University, speaks during a welcome dinner for the 23 students comprising the university's inaugural class of zoo science majors. The program, operated through the auspices of West Liberty's science department, features a collaboration between the university and Oglebay's Good Zoo. -- Contributed

WELCOME — Stephen Greiner, president of West Liberty University, speaks during a welcome dinner for the 23 students comprising the university’s inaugural class of zoo science majors. The program, operated through the auspices of West Liberty’s science department, features a collaboration between the university and Oglebay’s Good Zoo. — Contributed

WEST LIBERTY — The inaugural class of 23 students enrolled in West Liberty University’s new zoo science major and their parents, were welcomed at a dinner held at the Oglebay Good Zoo recently.

The students learned about the cooperation and effort that went into the creation and approval of the new science major. The students also were presented with a special T-shirt uniform to wear during the time that they work at the actual zoo.

“What began about a year ago as a ‘wouldn’t it be great if…’ discussion has turned into an exciting new academic program at West Liberty University. Shortly after Dr. Joe Greathouse joined the science department at WLU, he, Dr. Zac Loughman and Dr. Karen Kettler began talking about how exciting a collaborative program between West Liberty University and Oglebay Good Zoo could be,” explained Stephen Greiner, WLU president.

After several months of groundwork and discussion, these ideas were embraced by Robert Kreisberg, dean of the College of Sciences at West Liberty University, and agreed on by Greiner and Stephen Hilliard, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission.

The team worked together to develop the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree with a zoo science major, one of only four in the country.

Classes are conducted at West Liberty University, as well as at the Oglebay Good Zoo and other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. Students learn from zoo professionals and are exposed to a variety of animal care facilities including small and large zoos and aquariums, conservation centers, nature centers, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and fish hatcheries.

As part of the evening was when the students interacted with some of the species they will care for as part of the major, including a baby sloth and serval kitten.

The College of Sciences includes the departments of Health Sciences, Natural Science and Mathematics and the Physician Assistant program.

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