GLENVILLE, W.Va. – Glenville State College (GSC) will be kicking off its sesquicentennial celebration this week, culminating with several Founders Day events on Saturday, February 19, the anniversary date of the College’s founding 150 years ago.
In February 1872, the passage of West Virginia Senate Bill 52 allowed for a branch of the state normal school to be established at Glenville. The Glenville Branch of the West Virginia State Normal School was originally founded in order to serve the educational needs of West Virginia citizens by preparing teachers to serve in classrooms across the state.
Throughout the years, Glenville State has expanded its mission and now prepares students for careers in teaching, business, land resources, criminal justice, music and art, science and mathematics, the social sciences, and more.
A loyal base of alumni spanning the state, nation, and globe proudly call themselves Pioneers.
“We are ecstatic to be celebrating 150 years of Glenville State College,” said President, Dr. Mark A. Manchin. “This institution means so much, not only to me, but to its student body, faculty and staff, alumni, and the surrounding Gilmer County community. Today, we look back and remember our storied past while also imagining an even brighter future with the renewed optimism that once-in-a-lifetime milestones like this bring to mind.”
Several events will be taking place throughout the week to mark Founders Day.
A special Premium Night dinner is scheduled for Thursday, February 17 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. in Mollohan’s Restaurant. The meal is open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.
An alumni event for former Pioneer Wrestlers will take place on Friday, February 18 at 5:00 p.m. in the Waco Center, followed by senior night for current team members.
Saturday, February 19 will be packed with activity at Glenville State. Admissions staff will be hosting an Open House for prospective students, both Pioneer basketball teams will take on West Virginia Wesleyan College in the Waco Center at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and the Pioneer baseball team will challenge Mansfield University in a double-header, also at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Sue Morris Sports Complex. Students will take part in a “snowball tailgate” in the Waco Center parking area and the Advancement and Alumni Offices will open “The Deck” inside the Waco Center beginning at noon. The annual Founders Day of Giving will take place throughout the day. Founders Day of Giving is the College’s annual fundraising campaign drive. Closing out the evening is a Founder Day Gala that begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Mollohan Campus Community Center.
“This will be a great week of events to kick off our 150th anniversary celebrations,” Manchin added. “I hope to see many of our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends at these events.”
For more information about Glenville State College, contact the College’s Office of Admissions at admissions@glenville.edu or call (800) 924-2010.
