Founded as a ‘Colored Institute,’ W.Va. State University Celebrates 120th Anniversary: INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University, which first opened its doors in March 1891, is celebrating its 120th academic year this 2010-2011 school yearThe Institute school, which now has more than 5,200 students and more than 80 academic programs, has experienced four name changes, a changing student population and an ever-growing faculty and curriculum.
Charles Byers, West Virginia State's vice president of academic affairs and a 1968 alumnus, said he considers the university the Mountain State’s “best-kept secret.”
'I think citizens of West Virginia probably do not understand the unique history of West Virginia State,” he said. “We're trying to let the people of West Virginia know about this institution.”
