noncompetitive public institution covering more than 110 acres (45 hectares) in Montgomery, W. Va., 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Charleston. Founded in 1895 as a preparatory school, it became a senior college in the early 1950s. Enrollment consists of roughly 3,000 students, including some 25 graduate students. Men outnumber women. The Institute primarily serves state residents. Campus housing accommodates more than 1,000 students. The academic calendar is divided into semesters. About half of the full-time faculty hold terminal degrees in their field. The Institute grants associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Disciplines offered include engineering and related technologies, management, computer sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, history, mathematics, accounting, education, administration, industrial relations, nursing, dental hygiene, automotive service technology, and printing. Students can participate in cooperative education programs that alternate periods of work with terms of study. Extracurricular activities include musical and theatrical groups, fraternities and sororities, a student-run newspaper, and intramural sports. Depending on the sport, varsity teams compete in either the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Skiing and white-water rafting opportunities exist nearby. |