Campus Improved

The physical facilities staff at West Virginia University at Parkersburg has just completed close to $200,000 in campus projects, in the first stage of planned campus improvements.

The college’s student lounge has been completely renovated. New carpet, new and refurbished furniture and a color palette selected by WVU designers complement the area and give it a fresh, inviting décor, WVUP President Marie Foster Gnage noted.

All faculty offices along the external wall of the main administrative building – the “banana wing” – have been painted and carpeted, and have had new furniture and window blinds installed.

The Learning Center, which provides peer tutoring for students, is now in the campus lower level, where study carrels and expanded space will provide a more conducive environment for tutoring. The Journalism lab and related classroom space and offices have been installed in what was the college’s original cafeteria area, now completely refurbished.

The Welding lab has also been refurbished, lab stalls have been painted and a capacity added to offer aluminum-welding instruction.

Campus landscaping and other exterior work have also been done, and a new flagpole platform now displays the flag on the campus front lawn.

Funds for the enhancements were derived from institutional monies and from grants. Grants of $30,000 from the Workforce Investment Division of the West Virginia Development Office and $35,000 from the West Virginia Department of Education’s Adult Prep program funded the new aluminum-welding courses. Much of the work has been accomplished by WVUP personnel, along with some volunteer assistance, allowing for cost savings.

“Assistant Director David White and his staff have done a wonderful job in completing these projects in a timely, cost efficient and professional manner,” said Dr. Gnage.