Savanna Hoffman
West Virginia State University (WVSU) is a public, historically black, land-grant university in Institute, West Virginia. Founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, it was established as a diverse and inclusive campus and was one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities created by the second Morrill Act of 1890 to provide for land-grant institutions for Black students in the 17 states with segregated schools. Following desegregation, WVSU's student population became predominantly white, and as of 2017, the university's student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American. WVSU has a rich history and has played a significant role in the advancement of African-American education and military service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of University | Public, historically black, land-grant university |
| Year founded | 1891 |
| Original name | West Virginia Colored Institute |
| Current total enrollment | 3,458 students |
| Full-time enrollment | 1,363 students |
| Part-time enrollment | 2,095 students |
| Ethnic diversity | 67.6% White, 7.37% Black or African American, 3.27% Two or more races, 2.17% Hispanic or Latino, 1.27% Asian, 0.174% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.0868% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 16% did not report their race |
| Gender diversity | 52% female, 48% male |
| Most popular Bachelor's degree concentrations in 2023 | General Business Administration & Management, General Studies, Criminal Justice - Safety Studies |
| Notable alumni | Jazz drummer Butch Miles, actor and theatrical director Lou Myers, journalist and football scout Bill Nunn, former West Virginia senator Richard Ojeda, librarian Leaonead Pack Drain-Bailey, former president of SUNY Old Westbury L. Eudora Pettigrew, basketball coach and NBA scout Will Robinson, US Army Major General Charles Calvin Rogers |
| Other notable facts | Established the first aviation program among historically black colleges in 1939, preparing African-American pilots for World War II; 48% of students are low-income |
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What You'll Learn
- West Virginia State University was founded as a Historically Black College (HBCU) in 1891
- The university's student population is now 67.6% white and 7.37% black
- In 1939, WVSU became the first HBCU to be authorised to establish an aviation program
- WVSU was established as the West Virginia Coloured Institute in 1891
- The university's most popular bachelor's degree concentrations are Business Administration, General Studies, and Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University was founded as a Historically Black College (HBCU) in 1891
West Virginia State University (WVSU) was founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, a historically black college (HBCU) and one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities established by the second Morrill Act of 1890. The second Morrill Act provided for land-grant institutions for Black students in the 17 states that had segregated schools.
The school opened its doors in May 1892 with an enrollment of over 40 students and a faculty consisting of President James Edwin Campbell, Byrd Prillerman, and T.C. Friend. The curriculum initially consisted of courses in agriculture, horticulture, mechanical arts, and domestic science, with teacher education courses added in 1893. Military education became an integral part of the school, and in 1899, West Virginia's legislature passed a bill to admit up to 60 cadets.
In 1909, African-American educator and statesman Booker T. Washington recommended his friend, Byrd Prillerman, as the institution's president. During Prillerman's 10-year administration, the school established itself as the centre of black intellectual life in the state. WVSU played a significant role in World War II, becoming the first of six historically black colleges authorised by the Civil Aeronautics Authority in 1939 to establish an aviation program. The program prepared many African-American pilots for the U.S. Army Air Corps, with several joining the Tuskegee Airmen.
Following desegregation, WVSU's student population slowly became more white than black. As of 2017, WVSU's student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American. More recent data from 2023 shows that the enrolled student population at WVSU is 67.6% White, 7.37% Black or African American, 3.27% Two or More Races, 2.17% Hispanic or Latino, 1.27% Asian, 0.174% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0868% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.
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The university's student population is now 67.6% white and 7.37% black
West Virginia State University (WVSU) was founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, a historically black college (HBCU). It was established as a diverse and inclusive campus, one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities founded under the second Morrill Act of 1890, which provided for land-grant institutions for Black students in the 17 states that had segregated schools.
Following desegregation, WVSU's student population slowly became more white than black. As of 2017, WVSU's student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American. This shift in demographics may be due to the university's evolution to serve a more diverse population in terms of ethnicity, geography, residential/commuter status, high school graduates, and adult learners.
WVSU's current student population is 67.6% white and 7.37% black or African American. This includes both full-time and part-time students, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The university has a total enrollment of 3,458 students, with 1,363 full-time and 2,095 part-time students. The gender ratio is skewed towards females, with 6% more female students than male students.
WVSU has a long history of serving the African-American community and fostering black intellectual life in the state. During the World Wars, WVSU played a significant role in educating and training African-American pilots for the U.S. Army Air Corps and producing several notable black alumni in various fields. Despite the shift in demographics, the university continues to be a HBCU, with a significant proportion of black students and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
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In 1939, WVSU became the first HBCU to be authorised to establish an aviation program
West Virginia State University (WVSU) is a public, historically black, land-grant university in Institute, West Virginia. It was founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities established by the second Morrill Act of 1890. The second Morrill Act provided for land-grant institutions for Black students in the 17 states that had segregated schools.
In 1939, WVSU became the first historically black college to be authorised by the Civil Aeronautics Authority to establish an aviation programme. The programme benefitted from the presence of the Wertz Field airport, which was adjacent to the campus. The aviation programme prepared many African-American pilots for the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. Several college aviators joined the 99th Fighter Squadron and 332nd Fighter Group (the Tuskegee Airmen), which served with distinction in the European Theatre. Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins, one of the original graduates of the aviation programme, was the first African-American woman to become a solo pilot in the Civilian Pilot Training Programme.
WVSU has a diverse student body, with 35% of students being minorities or people of colour (BIPOC). However, as of 2017, the university's student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American. This is a shift from the university's roots as a historically black college and its role as a centre of black intellectual life in West Virginia during the early 20th century.
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WVSU was established as the West Virginia Coloured Institute in 1891
West Virginia State University (WVSU) was established as the West Virginia Coloured Institute in 1891. It was founded as a land-grant college under the second Morrill Act, which provided for the creation of land-grant institutions for Black students in the 17 states with segregated schools. The institute was established on land sold by Maria Cabell-Hurt, whose father had bought the property in 1853 and taken steps to ensure that his family would not be sold into slavery. The school opened its doors in May 1892 with over 40 students enrolled. The curriculum initially included courses in agriculture, horticulture, mechanical arts, and domestic science. Military education became an integral part of the school, and in 1899, West Virginia's legislature passed a bill to admit up to 60 cadets.
In the early 20th century, the institution was influenced by African-American educator and statesman Booker T. Washington, who recommended his friend, Byrd Prillerman, as the institution's president in 1909. During Prillerman's 10-year administration, the school became the centre of black intellectual life in the state. WVSU was one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities established by the second Morrill Act of 1890 and has since evolved into a diverse and inclusive campus. Following desegregation, WVSU's student population slowly became more white than black. As of 2017, the student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American.
WVSU is recognised as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and has a total enrollment of around 3,458 students as of 2023. The ethnic breakdown of the student population includes 67.6% White, 7.37% Black or African American, 3.27% of Two or More Races, 2.17% Hispanic or Latino, 1.27% Asian, 0.174% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0868% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. While WVSU has a history as an HBCU, it now serves a diverse population in terms of ethnicity, geography, residential/commuter status, and educational background.
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The university's most popular bachelor's degree concentrations are Business Administration, General Studies, and Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University (WVSU) was founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, a historically black college (HBCU). It was established as a diverse and inclusive campus, and one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities created by the second Morrill Act of 1890, which provided for land-grant institutions for Black students in the 17 states that had segregated schools.
Following desegregation, WVSU's student population slowly became more white than black. As of 2017, WVSU's student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American. More recent figures from 2023 show that the student population is 67.6% White, 7.37% Black or African American, 3.27% of students identifying as two or more races, 2.17% Hispanic or Latino, 1.27% Asian, 0.174% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0868% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.
WVSU's most popular bachelor's degree concentrations are Business Administration, General Studies, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, 74 degrees were awarded in General Business Administration & Management, 34 in General Studies, and 25 in Criminal Justice - Safety Studies.
WVSU has an endowment of nearly $12 million as of the 2023 fiscal year. The university's Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute is divided into three programmatic divisions: the WVSU Extension Service, the WVSU Agricultural and Environmental Research Station, and The Center for the Advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CASTEM).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, West Virginia State University was founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, a historically black college.
The student body at West Virginia State University is 67.6% White, 7.37% Black or African American, 3.27% Two or More Races, 2.17% Hispanic or Latino, 1.27% Asian, 0.174% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0868% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders.
No, following desegregation, the student population slowly became more white than black. As of 2017, the student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American.
Yes, West Virginia State University has always admitted students of all races. However, it was established as a historically black college and has evolved to serve a diverse student population.
