Southern West Virginia Community College
Encyclopedia
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College (Southern) is a community college
in southwestern West Virginia
, United States
.
Branch of Marshall College and the Williamson
Branch of Marshall College in 1960 and renamed as branches of Marshall University
when their mother institution achieved university status in 1961. It had community college jurisdiction over Logan County
and Mingo County
. In both cases, the schools were housed in the buildings that had been surplussed by the desegregation of public education.
In 1970, the two branches were merged and became a stand-alone community college. The college's jurisdiction was expanded to include Boone County
and Wyoming County
. Classes in these counties were held in leased locations until 1971, when a permanent building was constructed in Williamson.
In the 1980s, the college was refocused and permanent buildings were built in each county.
.
The service area of the school was expanded by 1995 legislation that divided West Virginia into eleven districts. Southern serves part of Raleigh County as well as all of Boone, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming Counties.
Approximately 2,000 students are enrolled. Almost all of them attend part time, and the vast majority are much older than traditional college age.
The school has no residential programs, and no athletics. It does have school colors, magenta and teal.
Campus locations are in Foster
, Mount Gay, Williamson
and Saulsville, West Virginia
.
Joanne Jaeger Tomblin, the wife of West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
is President of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
in southwestern West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
The school was founded as the LoganLogan, West Virginia
Logan is a city in Logan County, West Virginia, United States, along the Guyandotte River. The population was 1,779 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Logan County.-History:...
Branch of Marshall College and the Williamson
Williamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
Branch of Marshall College in 1960 and renamed as branches of Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
when their mother institution achieved university status in 1961. It had community college jurisdiction over Logan County
Logan County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,710 people, 14,880 households, and 10,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile . There were 16,807 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
and Mingo County
Mingo County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile . There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile...
. In both cases, the schools were housed in the buildings that had been surplussed by the desegregation of public education.
In 1970, the two branches were merged and became a stand-alone community college. The college's jurisdiction was expanded to include Boone County
Boone County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,535 people, 10,291 households, and 7,460 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 11,575 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
and Wyoming County
Wyoming County, West Virginia
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,796. Its county seat is Pineville. Wyoming County was created in 1850 from Logan County and named for the Delaware Indian word meaning "large plains."-Geography:According to the U.S...
. Classes in these counties were held in leased locations until 1971, when a permanent building was constructed in Williamson.
In the 1980s, the college was refocused and permanent buildings were built in each county.
Today
Southern provides both associates degrees in 2-year fields, and the first two years of a four year degree, in the anticipation of a transfer to a bachelor's level institution. The colleges, under its 2+2 program also hosts upper-level Marshall classes in its buildings, making it possible to earn a 4-year degree on its campuses, although most students do not do so in four calendar years. It also hosts classes of the Marshall University Graduate CollegeMarshall University Graduate College
Marshall University - South Charleston Campus is a non-residential branch campus of Marshall University located in South Charleston, West Virginia, which is primarily focused on extension graduate programs....
.
The service area of the school was expanded by 1995 legislation that divided West Virginia into eleven districts. Southern serves part of Raleigh County as well as all of Boone, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming Counties.
Approximately 2,000 students are enrolled. Almost all of them attend part time, and the vast majority are much older than traditional college age.
The school has no residential programs, and no athletics. It does have school colors, magenta and teal.
Campus locations are in Foster
Foster, West Virginia
Foster is an unincorporated community in Boone County, West Virginia, United States. Foster is located on West Virginia Route 3 northeast of Madison. Foster has a post office with ZIP code 25081....
, Mount Gay, Williamson
Williamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
and Saulsville, West Virginia
Saulsville, West Virginia
Saulsville is an unincorporated community in Wyoming County, West Virginia, United States....
.
Joanne Jaeger Tomblin, the wife of West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin is an American politician who serves as the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin is a member of the Democratic Party. Tomblin has served as President of the West Virginia State Senate for over 16 years. He became Acting Governor in 2010 following Joe Manchin's...
is President of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.