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University of Charleston

Coordinates: 38°19′59″N 81°36′59″W / 38.332917°N 81.616524°W / 38.332917; -81.616524
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University of Charleston
File:Charleston-uni-logo.jpg
Former names
Barboursville Seminary of the Southern Methodist Church
Morris Harvey College
TypePrivate
Established1888
Endowment$28.1 million[1]
PresidentEdwin H. Welch
ProvostLetha Zook
Students1,315
Undergraduates1,090
Postgraduates225
Location
Charleston
,
West Virginia
,
U.S.A.
CampusUrban
ColorsMaroon and Gold   
NicknameGolden Eagles
Websitewww.ucwv.edu

The University of Charleston ("UC") is a private accredited university based in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. The university also has locations in Beckley, West Virginia and Martinsburg, West Virginia, known as UC-Beckley and UC-Martinsburg, respectively.

The school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of the university's programs are available online.

History

The school was founded in 1888 as the Barboursville Seminary of the Southern Methodist Church. In 1901, it was renamed Morris Harvey College, in honor of a devoted supporter.[2]

A building behind a wall that reads "University of Charleston" and another building with a glass parapet, with a river running in front
The University of Charleston from across the Kanawha River

In 1935 the school moved to downtown Charleston and affiliated with the Mason College of Fine Arts and Music. In 1940, it became independent of the Methodist Church. In 1947, the school moved to its present campus in the Kanawha City section of Charleston across the river from the State Capitol. In 1951, it purchased the Young-Noyes House as the home of the college president.[3] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[4]

The college fell on hard times after the end of the military draft and the college deferment and offered itself to the state in 1975, which refused the gift. In December 1978, the school changed its name to the University of Charleston. Beginning with the inauguration of the current president, Dr. Edwin H. Welch, the school has undergone a physical and academic transformation. Four new residence halls, a parking garage, a fitness center, an academic building housing the library, computer and science labs, and a new school of pharmacy have been built since 1998.

On January 1, 2013, UC established its first branch campuses in Beckley and Martinsburg. Both had previously been campuses of Mountain State University, a Beckley-based institution that had lost its accreditation.[5]

Academics

The University of Charleston is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.[6]

The university employs a unique outcomes-based model of education whereby students learn and master six competencies by graduation: Citizenship, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Ethical Practice, and Science.

There are over twenty undergraduate major programs at UC, with two majors being somewhat unique to the region, with few other colleges offering similar programs: Interior Design and Radiologic Science. Besides these two programs, other top majors at UC include English, Sports Administration, Education, Communications, Accounting, Nursing, and Athletic Training.

Rankings

In 2012, UC was ranked 14th by U.S. News and World Report for regional colleges in the South.[7] In 2011, UC was the top ranked regional college in West Virginia, according to U.S. News and World Report. Additionally, UC has been recently added to the Princeton Review's best 371 colleges and universities in the country.

Graduate Schools

In 2006, UC opened its first doctoral program, the UC School of Pharmacy. In 2008, the university opened a graduate business school which grants four business masters degrees: Master of Business Administration and Leadership (MBAL), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) with a concentration in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Management (EMBA- PHM), and Executive Master of Forensic Accounting (EMFA).[8]

In 2012, the school announced a new Physician Assistant program.[9]

Athletics

UC's athletic teams, known as the Golden Eagles, compete in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) in NCAA Division II. In June 2012, UC was one of nine WVIAC members that announced their plans to leave to form a new Division II conference. Two months later, the new conference was unveiled as the Mountain East Conference (MEC), with UC as one of 12 charter members. The MEC is scheduled to begin play in the 2013–14 school year.

In 2005, UC entered into a partnership with the local school board to refurbish the school board–owned Laidley Field, which was renamed University of Charleston Stadium. The campus also boasts new or renovated softball, football, baseball, and soccer fields, and competes in 14 Division II sports.

References

  1. ^ As of June 30, 2009. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2008 to FY 2009" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  2. ^ http://www.ucwv.edu/AboutUC/History.aspx
  3. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form" (PDF). Young-Noyes House. State of West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Historic Preservation. 2009-04-04.
  4. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  5. ^ "UC-Martinsburg takes root in Panhandle". The Journal. 2013-01-10. {{cite web}}: Text "Holly Shok" ignored (help); Text "author" ignored (help)
  6. ^ http://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,1666/
  7. ^ http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-charleston-3818
  8. ^ http://www.ucwv.edu/AboutUC/Quick_Facts.aspx
  9. ^ http://www.ucwv.edu/PA/

External links

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38°19′59″N 81°36′59″W / 38.332917°N 81.616524°W / 38.332917; -81.616524

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