subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Feb 10 2010 

Published: May 07, 2009 11:05 pm    print this story  

MSU

What would Beckley be without it?

What would Beckley be without Mountain State University?

Smaller? Less diverse? Perhaps even poorer?

The university announced this week that its latest growth spurt has come in the form of approval for a new doctoral degree program, plus new campuses outside the state. That’s good news, but it comes as no surprise.

Since Dr. Charles Polk took his position as the institution’s president in 1990, it has grown steadily. More students. More buildings. More degree programs. More campuses. More opportunities.

It was 1991, but it seems like only yesterday that this newspaper was reporting the good news that Beckley College was transitioning from a two-year to a four-year college called The College of West Virginia. The “Cow-V” cheer didn’t last long, though. By fall of 2001, we were reporting that it had become a master’s level institution and its name had changed to Mountain State University.

Whatever its name, for 76 years this institution of higher learning has been doing a tremendous service for Beckley — not just Beckley residents, but the community as a whole. MSU has benefited Beckley financially, educationally, culturally and in appearance.

Beckley is prettier because of MSU. As the campus has grown, so have the university’s beautification efforts. The MSU stretch of South Kanawha Street is something of which this community should be proud. Look downtown, too. Remember the dilapidated appearance of the former Heilig-Meyers building? MSU has turned it into an attractive anchor for the Neville Street area.

Beckley is smarter because of MSU. Many area residents have picked up an MSU class here or there, and many more have obtained degrees. Each one is a better person for it, and our community has benefited as a result.

Beckley is more culturally diverse because of MSU. Fifteen years ago, how many residents could say they’d ever spoken to someone from Nepal? Foreign students and Americans from all 50 states have shared much more with our area than tuition fees and housing rent. They’ve enriched our lives, and we hope we’ve done the same for them.

Beckley is financially better off because of MSU. It’s difficult to say exactly how much of an economic impact MSU has had on Beckley. But without a doubt, it’s been significantly positive. A growing campus means new construction, and that means jobs for local people. Need we mention the contributions of the 8,000 students enrolled there each year?

What would Beckley be without Mountain State University? We don’t want to find out.

Our community needs to get behind the growth of this campus. Take ownership in it, and be proud. Support the school’s athletics, and rejoice when our headlines deliver more good news from MSU. The university is bound to share more of it soon.

print this story  



autoconx

Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

STORE ATTENDANT
Now taking applications for Store Attendant. This position is responsible for the movement of furniture in the store, l...>MORE

LOVE THE OUTDOORS? NATURE?
LOVE THE OUTDOORS? NATURE? HUNTING? FISHING? PEOPLE? SALES?Expanding, established land development co. in the Clarksburg...>MORE

REGISTRAR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE. Institute, WV. Invites applications for the following positions: • Reg...>MORE

COMMERCIAL TIRE SERVICE MANAGER
Commercial Tire Service Manager in the Crab Orchard, WV area. Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years medium commercial...>MORE

UNDERGROUND COAL MINING POSITIONS - MAMMOTH
MAMMOTH COAL, a subsidiary of Massey Energy is accepting experienced underground applicants. Our expanding operations ar...>MORE

CNAS - MONTGOMERY GENERAL ELDERLY CARE
Montgomery GENERAL ELDERLY CARE is accepting applications / resumes for Certified Nursing Assistants. Applicants may app...>MORE

CERTIFIED SURFACE MINE ELECTRICIANS
Republic Energy is accepting applications and resumes for certified surface mine electricians. Experience with electric ...>MORE

CERTIFIED WV UNDERGROUND COAL MINER OPERATORS
GMS Mine Repair and Maintenance is seeking experienced Certified West Virginia Underground Coal Miner Operators. Immedia...>MORE

HOUSE PARENTS
HOUSE Parents needed for Davis-Stuart Group Homes. Requires the ability to live in the group home while on duty. Competi...>MORE

PROGRAM STAFF POSITION
Mountain State Centers for Independent Living is now accepting applications for a Program Staff Position to work with pe...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Jobs

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index