West Virginia State University
Encyclopedia
West Virginia State University (WVSU) is a historically black
public college in Institute
, West Virginia
, United States
. In the Charleston-metro
area, the school is usually referred to simply as "State" or "West Virginia State". It is one of the original 1890 Land-Grant colleges and the smallest land-grant institution in the country.
for black
students in the 17 states that had segregated schools. Booker T. Washington, noted African American educator and statesman, was instrumental in having the institution located in the Kanawha Valley. Dr. Washington visited the campus often and spoke at its first commencement exercise.
From 1891 through 1915, the school provided the equivalent of a high school education, with vocational training and teacher preparation for segregated public schools. Renamed in 1915 as West Virginia Collegiate Institute it began to offer college degrees. It became West Virginia State College in 1929.
East Hall
and the Canty House
, home of "Colonel" James Munroe Canty, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1988.
During World War II
, West Virginia State College was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program
which offered students a path to a Navy commission.
to desegregate public education, the college transformed from an all-black college with a primarily residential population to a predominantly commuter school with mostly white students. WVSU's student body of 3,003 students in 2009 included 480 (16%) black and 28 (1%) Hispanic students.
In 1957, WVSU lost its land grant status, the only land-grant institution to ever do so, in part due to desegregation. Although land-grant university funding is governed by federal laws, the federal aid is conditioned upon matching state funds. The WV State Board of Education voted to end the matching state funds in 1957 and WVSU also lost the federal funds for instruction, research and extension activities. Under the leadership of President Hazo W. Carter, Jr., a 12-year quest was begun to restore the land-grant designation. The first step toward regaining the status came when Governor Gaston Caperton signed a bill on February 12, 1991 that had been passed by the WV legislature to recognize the land-grant status on the state level. With the assistance from WV Senator Robert C. Byrd, the land-grant status was regained in 2000, effective in 2001. WVSU's birth right was restored and is recognized as an 1890 land-grant institution with recognition at the Federal level along with funding to carry out the mission of teaching, research, and public service. The land-grant institution of WVSU is named the Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institution.
, established in 1953, was separately accredited as the West Virginia State Community and Technical College but remained administratively linked to West Virginia State College. In 2004, West Virginia State College gained university status, becoming West Virginia State University and began to offer graduate degrees in Biotechnology and Media Studies. In 2008, the legislature fully separated the community and technical college. However, both schools continue to share the same campus. In 2009, the Community and Technical College went through a name change. The new name was announced on April 20, 2009 as Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College. Beginning in the fall 2012 semester, KVCTC will move to its new location where the former Dow Chemical
research facility is located in South Charleston, West Virginia
.
Past presidents include James Edwin Campbell, John H. Hill, J. McHenry Jones, Byrd Prillerman, John W. Davis, William J.L. Wallace, Harold M. McNeill, and Thomas Winston Cole, Jr. Several buildings on campus are named after the presidents (Campbell Conference Center, Hill Hall, Jones Hall, Prillerman Hall, Davis Fine Arts Building, Wallace Hall, McNeill Facilities Building, and Cole Complex)
. The event took place at West Virginia State University's Booker T. Washington Park in Malden, West Virginia
. The monument also honors the families of African ancestry who lived in Old Malden in the early 20th Century and who knew and encouraged Booker T. Washington. Special guest speakers at the event included West Virginia Governor
Joe Manchin III, Malden attorney Larry L. Rowe, and the president of WVSU. Musical selections were provided by the WVSU Marching Yellow Jackets.
February 24, 2010 was named WVSU Day by the West Virginia legislature. President Hazo W. Carter, Jr. and other WVSU officials were on hand to witness the declaration. WVSU Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute extension agents and staff members presented various demonstrations and interactive displays throughout the day with a performance by the WVSU Jazz Band.
WVSU's Fall
and Spring
Commencement Ceremonies
are held in December and May, respectively, at the Charleston Civic Center
in Charleston
. Until 2009, WVSU and KVCTC, when it was WVSCTC, had joint Commencement Ceremonies.
's Division II as a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
. Students of KVCTC also play on these teams, but at games, only WVSU is recognized as being the school the team is from. WVSU athletics teams are men's football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, and track & field and women's basketball, cheerleading, golf, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
The band marches in a "corps-style" fashion, the only band of its type at an HBCU, as most have a "show-style" band.
Over the last few years, the Yellow Jackets Marching Band, known as the "Marching Swarm", has broken enrollment records under the direction of Mr. Scott E. Woodard (claiming to be the fastest growing music department in WV). Mr. Woodard has been the Director of Bands since 2006 and as of 2010, is also the Chair of the Music Department of WVSU. When he became the Director of Bands, only 7 students were enrolled. The Assistant Band Director is Mr. David Lawson who is also a music professor for WVSU (2011-present). Mr. Keaton Neely is the Percussion Instructor (2011-present). The band does a different marching show at every home football game, with the exception of homecoming because half-time is taken up by the presentation of the homecoming court and a short speech by the president. The bands pre-game show consists of a "funky" version of the school's fight song, "Hail to the Team", while spelling out WVSU. This is then followed by the playing of the "National Anthem" and WVSU's Alma Mater.
The band performs in one parade unless invited to others: the WVSU Homecoming Parade. The band also plays for the president's "State of the University Address" and for WVSU's ROTC Hall of Fame Ceremony (in 2011, they also played for the Founder's Day ceremony). The marching band has served as the exhibition band at high school marching band festivals; Nicholas County's Mountain Band Spectacular (2008-2010) and Poca High School's Invitational Festival in Poca, WV
(2009-2011). In 2008, the Band was invited to go to Chicago with the football team for the Chicago Football Classic to participate in the Battle of the Bands competition; the only competition the band has participated in. The competition occurred after the game and was against Central States Marching Band, "The Invincible Marching Marauders", to which they won because of their "show-style" marching to which the audience enjoyed more.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble takes place during the last month of the Fall Semester and the entire Spring Semester. The Wind Ensemble performs two concerts (unless invited to do others); before the end of the Fall Semester and at the end of the Spring Semester. There are also concerts for student conductors in the beginning Instrumental Conducting class (offered every 4 semesters) and the Advanced Conducting studio of Mr. Woodard (offered every semester; generally featured on the main Wind Ensemble concerts). The student conductor concerts are a unique feature that WVSU offers to its conducting students. Plans are underway for the Wind Ensemble to tour through Europe
. In addition to the Fall and Spring Semester concerts, the Wind Ensemble also plays at WVSU's Fall and Spring Commencement Ceremonies. The pieces played for the Commencement Ceremonies include the "Star Spangled Banner", the "Fanfare and Processional", WVSU's Alma Mater
, and for the recessional, the "Raiders March". There are also selected pieces played before the "Star Spangled Banner" as a prelude for the event.
Other instrumental groups at WVSU/KVCTC include the Jazz Band, the Brass Ensemble, the Guitar Ensemble, the Percussion Ensemble, the Indoor Percussion Ensemble (I.P.E), and the Woodwinds Ensemble.
In November 2007, the WVSU Jazz Band traveled to Austria
to perform in Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg. The Jazz Band is one of the most visible group performing for various events on and off campus.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
public college in Institute
Institute, West Virginia
Institute is an unincorporated community on the Kanawha River in Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA. The community lies off of Interstate 64 and West Virginia Route 25, and has grown to intermingle with nearby Dunbar...
, 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...
. In the Charleston-metro
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
area, the school is usually referred to simply as "State" or "West Virginia State". It is one of the original 1890 Land-Grant colleges and the smallest land-grant institution in the country.
History
WVSU is located on Mound Builder Native American land granted to George Washington for his service in the King's Military before the Revolutionary War. As a slave plantation, it belonged to Governor Cabbel. His son, Sam Cabbel, married one of his slaves, Mary Barnes. After his death she sold the land to the state as the site of the West Virginia Colored Institute. Sam and Mary Cabbel and their children are buried on the campus.Early history
The school was established as the West Virginia Colored Institute in 1891 under the second Morrill Act which provided for land-grant institutionsLand-grant university
Land-grant universities are institutions of higher education in the United States designated by each state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890....
for black
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
students in the 17 states that had segregated schools. Booker T. Washington, noted African American educator and statesman, was instrumental in having the institution located in the Kanawha Valley. Dr. Washington visited the campus often and spoke at its first commencement exercise.
From 1891 through 1915, the school provided the equivalent of a high school education, with vocational training and teacher preparation for segregated public schools. Renamed in 1915 as West Virginia Collegiate Institute it began to offer college degrees. It became West Virginia State College in 1929.
East Hall
East Hall (Institute, West Virginia)
East Hall is a historic home located on the campus of West Virginia State University at Institute, Kanawha County, West Virginia. It was built in 1893, and is a modest, two-story frame building with a hipped roof. In 1937, it was moved from the east side of campus to the west quadrangle...
and the Canty House
Canty House
Canty House, also known as "The Magnolia," is a historic home located on the campus of West Virginia State University at Institute, Kanawha County, West Virginia. It was built about 1900, as a simply designed, two-story frame farm house. In 1923, it was remodeled to its present form in the...
, home of "Colonel" James Munroe Canty, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1988.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, West Virginia State College was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
which offered students a path to a Navy commission.
Desegregation
In 1954, following the Brown decisionBrown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
to desegregate public education, the college transformed from an all-black college with a primarily residential population to a predominantly commuter school with mostly white students. WVSU's student body of 3,003 students in 2009 included 480 (16%) black and 28 (1%) Hispanic students.
In 1957, WVSU lost its land grant status, the only land-grant institution to ever do so, in part due to desegregation. Although land-grant university funding is governed by federal laws, the federal aid is conditioned upon matching state funds. The WV State Board of Education voted to end the matching state funds in 1957 and WVSU also lost the federal funds for instruction, research and extension activities. Under the leadership of President Hazo W. Carter, Jr., a 12-year quest was begun to restore the land-grant designation. The first step toward regaining the status came when Governor Gaston Caperton signed a bill on February 12, 1991 that had been passed by the WV legislature to recognize the land-grant status on the state level. With the assistance from WV Senator Robert C. Byrd, the land-grant status was regained in 2000, effective in 2001. WVSU's birth right was restored and is recognized as an 1890 land-grant institution with recognition at the Federal level along with funding to carry out the mission of teaching, research, and public service. The land-grant institution of WVSU is named the Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institution.
University status
In 2003 the school's community collegeCommunity 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...
, established in 1953, was separately accredited as the West Virginia State Community and Technical College but remained administratively linked to West Virginia State College. In 2004, West Virginia State College gained university status, becoming West Virginia State University and began to offer graduate degrees in Biotechnology and Media Studies. In 2008, the legislature fully separated the community and technical college. However, both schools continue to share the same campus. In 2009, the Community and Technical College went through a name change. The new name was announced on April 20, 2009 as Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College. Beginning in the fall 2012 semester, KVCTC will move to its new location where the former Dow Chemical
Dow Chemical Company
The Dow Chemical Company is a multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. As of 2007, it is the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization .Dow...
research facility is located in South Charleston, West Virginia
South Charleston, West Virginia
South Charleston is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, U.S. The population was 13,450 at the 2010 census. South Charleston was established in 1906, but not incorporated until 1919 by special charter enacted by the West Virginia Legislature...
.
Leadership
Hazo W. Carter, Jr. became the first president of West Virginia State University in 2004. He was previously the ninth president of West Virginia State College when WVSC was granted university status. In August 2011, the faculty, by majority, voted "no confidence in his leadership" and as such, President Carter plans to retire in June 2012 (or as soon as a new president is found) with the Board of Governers hoping to find a replacement by July 1, 2012. Hazo W. Carter, Jr. is the longest serving college/university president in the state of West Virginia.Past presidents include James Edwin Campbell, John H. Hill, J. McHenry Jones, Byrd Prillerman, John W. Davis, William J.L. Wallace, Harold M. McNeill, and Thomas Winston Cole, Jr. Several buildings on campus are named after the presidents (Campbell Conference Center, Hill Hall, Jones Hall, Prillerman Hall, Davis Fine Arts Building, Wallace Hall, McNeill Facilities Building, and Cole Complex)
Other
On October 19, 2009, West Virginia State University dedicated a monument to the memory of noted African American educator and statesman Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
. The event took place at West Virginia State University's Booker T. Washington Park in Malden, West Virginia
Malden, West Virginia
Malden is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States, within the Charleston metro area. The ZIP code for Malden is 25306 and the area code is 304. Malden is set in the Eastern Standard Time Zone.-History:...
. The monument also honors the families of African ancestry who lived in Old Malden in the early 20th Century and who knew and encouraged Booker T. Washington. Special guest speakers at the event included West Virginia Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Joe Manchin III, Malden attorney Larry L. Rowe, and the president of WVSU. Musical selections were provided by the WVSU Marching Yellow Jackets.
February 24, 2010 was named WVSU Day by the West Virginia legislature. President Hazo W. Carter, Jr. and other WVSU officials were on hand to witness the declaration. WVSU Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute extension agents and staff members presented various demonstrations and interactive displays throughout the day with a performance by the WVSU Jazz Band.
WVSU's Fall
Autumn
Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
and Spring
Spring (season)
Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and...
Commencement Ceremonies
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
are held in December and May, respectively, at the Charleston Civic Center
Charleston Civic Center
The Charleston Civic Center is a municipal complex located in the downtown area of Charleston, West Virginia. Originally completed in 1959 at the cost of $2.5 million, the Charleston Civic Center has undergone numerous renovations and expansions...
in Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
. Until 2009, WVSU and KVCTC, when it was WVSCTC, had joint Commencement Ceremonies.
Athletics
The athletic teams, known as the Yellow Jackets, compete in the NCAANational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division II as a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which historically operated exclusively in the state of West Virginia, but has now expanded into Pennsylvania...
. Students of KVCTC also play on these teams, but at games, only WVSU is recognized as being the school the team is from. WVSU athletics teams are men's football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, and track & field and women's basketball, cheerleading, golf, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
Marching Band & Wind Ensemble
In the mid-late 1990s, the band saw a period of resurgence under the direction of Chris Card. From 1995 until 2000, the band had an enrollment of between 35-50 members. Many of the members during this time period were scholarship recipients, and the band often contained 5-10 veterans or active members of Drum Corps International. The band was known for its small size and huge sound.The band marches in a "corps-style" fashion, the only band of its type at an HBCU, as most have a "show-style" band.
Over the last few years, the Yellow Jackets Marching Band, known as the "Marching Swarm", has broken enrollment records under the direction of Mr. Scott E. Woodard (claiming to be the fastest growing music department in WV). Mr. Woodard has been the Director of Bands since 2006 and as of 2010, is also the Chair of the Music Department of WVSU. When he became the Director of Bands, only 7 students were enrolled. The Assistant Band Director is Mr. David Lawson who is also a music professor for WVSU (2011-present). Mr. Keaton Neely is the Percussion Instructor (2011-present). The band does a different marching show at every home football game, with the exception of homecoming because half-time is taken up by the presentation of the homecoming court and a short speech by the president. The bands pre-game show consists of a "funky" version of the school's fight song, "Hail to the Team", while spelling out WVSU. This is then followed by the playing of the "National Anthem" and WVSU's Alma Mater.
The band performs in one parade unless invited to others: the WVSU Homecoming Parade. The band also plays for the president's "State of the University Address" and for WVSU's ROTC Hall of Fame Ceremony (in 2011, they also played for the Founder's Day ceremony). The marching band has served as the exhibition band at high school marching band festivals; Nicholas County's Mountain Band Spectacular (2008-2010) and Poca High School's Invitational Festival in Poca, WV
Poca, West Virginia
Poca is a town in Putnam County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 974 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Poca is located at . It is sited at the confluence of the Kanawha River and the Pocatalico River....
(2009-2011). In 2008, the Band was invited to go to Chicago with the football team for the Chicago Football Classic to participate in the Battle of the Bands competition; the only competition the band has participated in. The competition occurred after the game and was against Central States Marching Band, "The Invincible Marching Marauders", to which they won because of their "show-style" marching to which the audience enjoyed more.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble takes place during the last month of the Fall Semester and the entire Spring Semester. The Wind Ensemble performs two concerts (unless invited to do others); before the end of the Fall Semester and at the end of the Spring Semester. There are also concerts for student conductors in the beginning Instrumental Conducting class (offered every 4 semesters) and the Advanced Conducting studio of Mr. Woodard (offered every semester; generally featured on the main Wind Ensemble concerts). The student conductor concerts are a unique feature that WVSU offers to its conducting students. Plans are underway for the Wind Ensemble to tour through Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. In addition to the Fall and Spring Semester concerts, the Wind Ensemble also plays at WVSU's Fall and Spring Commencement Ceremonies. The pieces played for the Commencement Ceremonies include the "Star Spangled Banner", the "Fanfare and Processional", WVSU's Alma Mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, and for the recessional, the "Raiders March". There are also selected pieces played before the "Star Spangled Banner" as a prelude for the event.
Other instrumental groups at WVSU/KVCTC include the Jazz Band, the Brass Ensemble, the Guitar Ensemble, the Percussion Ensemble, the Indoor Percussion Ensemble (I.P.E), and the Woodwinds Ensemble.
In November 2007, the WVSU Jazz Band traveled to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
to perform in Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg. The Jazz Band is one of the most visible group performing for various events on and off campus.
Vocal ensembles
There are currently two vocal groups - WVSU Choir and the State Singers The State Singers consist of eight vocalists with a required audition. The State Singers also perform as the WVSU Vocal Jazz Choir and consists of ten vocalists.Student life
Many of the students who live in dorms on campus are from large urban areas outside of West Virginia or from the rural counties in the state. Those who stay on campus generally congregate at Wilson Student Union.Greek life
- National Pan-Hellenic CouncilNational Pan-Hellenic CouncilThe National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine"...
- Alpha Phi AlphaAlpha Phi AlphaAlpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
- Alpha Zeta Chapter (1921) - Alpha Kappa AlphaAlpha Kappa AlphaAlpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle...
- Nu Chapter (1922) - Kappa Alpha PsiKappa Alpha PsiKappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin...
- Tau Chapter (1923) - Omega Psi PhiOmega Psi PhiOmega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
- Theta Psi Chapter (1926) - Delta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
- Alpha Delta - Phi Beta SigmaPhi Beta SigmaPhi Beta Sigma is a predominantly African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I...
- Alpha Theta (1948) - Zeta Phi BetaZeta Phi BetaZeta Phi Beta is an international, historically black Greek-lettered sorority and a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.Zeta Phi Beta is organized into 800+ chapters, in eight intercontinental regions including the USA, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean...
- Iota Beta (1948)
- Alpha Phi Alpha
- Non-National Pan-Hellenic Council
- Kappa Kappa PsiKappa Kappa PsiKappa Kappa Psi is a fraternity for college and university band members. It was founded on November 27, 1919 at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma. William Scroggs, now regarded as the "Founder," together with "Mr. Kappa Kappa Psi" A...
- Currently seeking recognition to have a chapter started at WVSU - Phi Mu Alpha - Currently seeking recognition to have a chapter started at WVSU
- Phi Rho EtaPhi Rho EtaPhi Rho Eta is a nationally incorporated, fraternity that was founded on August 22, 1994 at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois...
- Colonized 2010
- Kappa Kappa Psi
Student media
The campus radio station at WVSU can be heard locally on 106.7 FM or over the internet. The station has hosted live music and interviews with recording artists. The campus newspaper, The Yellow Jacket, is published and edited by students and can be picked up in major buildings across the campus.Notable alumni
- Katherine JohnsonKatherine JohnsonKatherine Johnson made significant contributions to America's aeronautics and space advances and she was a pioneer in advancing U.S. society. Her accomplishments contributed to the success of our nation's early space program...
, African-American scientist, who was significant contributions to America's aeronautics and space exploration for NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. Her work included calculating the paths of the first American space flights around planet Earth. - Chu Berry, jazz tenor saxophonist
- Antoine FuquaAntoine FuquaAntoine Fuqua is an American film director. He directed the film Training Day as well as Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, Shooter and Brooklyn's Finest...
, writer and director of various movies including Training DayTraining DayTraining Day is a 2001 crime drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by David Ayer, starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. The film follows two LAPD narcotics detectives over a 24-hour period in the gang neighborhoods of South and East Los Angeles.The film was a box office success and...
, starring Denzel WashingtonDenzel WashingtonDenzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He first rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the medical drama, St. Elsewhere, playing Dr... - Shawn HarveyShawn Harvey (basketball)Shawn Harvey is an American professional basketball player from Essex County Community College and West Virginia State University. He is a 6'4" and 180 lb shooting guard...
, basketball guard drafted in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft1996 NBA DraftThe 1996 NBA Draft was the 50th draft in the National Basketball Association . It was held on June 26, 1996 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the Turner Network Television... - Earl LloydEarl LloydEarl Francis Lloyd is a retired American basketball player. He was the first African-American to play in the National Basketball Association, in the 1950-51 NBA season...
, first African-American to play in the NBA - Ron Moore, drafted in the second round of the 1987 NBA Draft1987 NBA DraftThe 1987 Draft of the National Basketball Association was held on June 22, 1987 in New York City, New York.This draft is notable for the selection of two future members of the NBA 50 Greatest Players list, David Robinson and Scottie Pippen. Other notable selections include Reggie Miller, Kevin...
- Lou MyersLou Myers (actor)Lou Leabengula Myers is an American actor. Myers is typically typecast as a grumpy old man, but he has appeared in many movies, stage plays, television sitcoms, and dramas. He got his first break as an understudy in the Broadway play, The First Breeze of Summer as Reverend Mosley. He is probably...
, actor and theatrical director, played Vernon Gaines in A Different World - Will RobinsonWill Robinson (basketball)Will Robinson was an American college basketball coach and scout. Robinson became the first African-American head coach in Division I history when he accepted the position at Illinois State University in 1970.-Early life:...
, first African-American Division I basketball coach and NFL scout - Leon SullivanLeon SullivanLeon Howard Sullivan was a Baptist minister, a civil rights leader and social activist focusing on the creation of job training opportunities for African-Americans, a longtime General Motors Board Member, and an anti-Apartheid activist. Sullivan died on April 24, 2001, of leukemia at a Scottsdale,...
- Baptist minister, a civil rights leader and social activist, longtime General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
board member, and an anti-Apartheid activist - Butch MilesButch MilesButch Miles is an American jazz drummer. He has played with the Count Basie Orchestra, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra, among others....
, jazz drummerJazz drummingJazz drumming is the art of playing percussion in jazz styles ranging from 1910s-style Dixieland jazz to 1970s-era jazz-rock fusion and 1980s-era latin jazz...
and a professor in the School of Music at Texas State University-San Marcos
External links
- www.wvstateu.edu Official web site
- www.wvsuyellowjackets.com Official athletics site
- WVSU Campus Radio Station
- The Yellow Jacket
- www.yellowjacketunion.com Alumni Network