BUCKHANNON — West Virginia Wesleyan College “will begin offering allied health and other educational programming” on the former Alderson-Broaddus University campus in Barbour County, now known as “Battlers Knob.” The announcement comes as the school moves to thwart other universities who sought to move into the region.
“We have been in talks with the owners of Battlers Knob – the former campus of Alderson Broaddus University – for a while, and in recent months other colleges and universities have been expressing interest in placing programming there, which would obviously be a threat to us,” Wesleyan president Dr. James Moore said in an email to alumni. “Fortunately for Wesleyan, our talks have been productive, and today we’re announcing that we will begin offering allied health and other educational programming in neighboring Barbour County at Battlers Knob.”
The announcement did not mention any specific classes or programs that would be offered at Battlers Knob, but ABU had a Physician’s Assistant program, which Moore had previously said Wesleyan was pursuing. In a press release, the school said it will “explore offering courses, degree programs, and training opportunities in allied health fields and a variety of other areas most immediately needed in the state and region.”
“I am very excited that we are the only school serving as the educational partner for these great folks at Batters Knob,” Moore said in the email. “I look forward to working collaboratively with them to explore all the possibilities ahead and then pursuing those that are right for Wesleyan.”
The email did not say what impacts the move might have on the Buckhannon campus, but it did note that any revenue generated at the Barbour County location would benefit the “main physical campus” and that the school would look for “financial support” from outside entities.
“Anything we do in that space must benefit our core mission and our main physical campus by generating revenue that can be invested back into WVWC, and we’re committed to ensuring that anything we pursue has the financial support of external partners,” Moore wrote.
In the press release, Craig Phillips, the owner of Battlers Knob LLC, said the company has been searching for an educational partner since they bought the bankrupt campus in January for $5 million.
“Battlers Knob is excited to collaborate with West Virginia Wesleyan College to introduce a much-needed allied health program on Battlers Knob’s campus,” Phillips said. “This initiative increases the number of health care providers in West Virginia while stimulating economic growth in the Philippi and Barbour County region. Since acquiring the former AB campus, Battlers Knob has been committed to finding a partner that aligns with our mission of fostering continuous economic, educational and community development. We firmly believe that this partnership with West Virginia Wesleyan College perfectly fulfills that vision.”
Alderson Broaddus University closed suddenly last August after struggling financially for years. Another school in the Mountain East Conference, Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, closed in May 2024.
Like many small schools, West Virginia Wesleyan College has faced lower enrollment since the pandemic, but Moore announced earlier this month that WVWC is now back about 1,000 students after two consecutive years of enrollment growth.
