West Liberty unveils plans for $15 million center

WHEELING - Within the next two years, those looking to study chemistry, biology or nursing at West Liberty University should receive a $15 million gift in the form of a science center.

"In science, you have to keep up - you cannot fall behind," university President Robin Capehart said during a special dinner featuring alumni, faculty members and current students Monday at Oglebay Park. "We need a signature academic building."

Capehart said $12.5 million of the center funding should come in the form of a state grant, pending the legislation receiving Gov. Joe Manchin's signature. The university will need to raise the remaining funds.

As part of the effort to increase public support for the new center, the university is enlisting the help of some distinguished alumni, including Gerald Crabtree, Larry Moreland and Philip Stahl. These three men serve as professors at Stanford University, the University of Alabama-Birmingham and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., respectively.

"It is a major challenge, but an important one," said Crabtree regarding West Liberty's efforts. "The current economic climate makes money for research difficult to obtain."

The 1968 university graduate said the institution has a "wonderful history of superb teachers."

"The teachers were always very flexible. ... They would tailor their teaching to the individual," Crabtree added.

Another alum, Rachel Mitchell, is currently a second-year pharmacy student at West Virginia University.

"I believe in West Liberty and the education I got," she said. "I cannot stress how well I was prepared by West Liberty."

Robert Kreisberg, dean of West Liberty's College of Sciences, said the university has seen a 245 percent increase in enrollment in natural sciences and mathematics courses over the past five years. He said the school is currently looking to add a physician's assistant program to its curriculum.

Wheeling physician Dr. Hugo Andreini said the physician's assistant program would serve the area well because he generally has a difficult time finding them for his practice.

"It would be very intelligent for the school - there is a tremendous demand for physician's assistants," Andreini said.

Senior biology major Lucas Dvoracek plans to attend medical school next year. Though he is not quite sure which school he will choose, Dvoracek said the university was "the best choice I could make."

"I was impressed that the dean (Kreisberg) and others took the time to actually sit down with a prospective student," he said of his enrollment experience.

"At West Liberty, there are incredible opportunities," Dvoracek added.