Glenville State College, often referred to as the Lighthouse on the Hill, is West Virginia's only centrally located public college.
Founded in 1872 to provide instruction and practice for common school teachers in the science of education, Glenville State College has surpassed its original mission, and currently prepares students for careers in teaching, business, land resources, music, the liberal arts, the sciences, criminal justice, and human services.
With an enrolment of approximately 1,800 students, the college boasts an average class size of 15. The College's enrolment is made up of students from 24 states and 3 countries, and proudly includes many first generation and minority students.
A brief history of Glenville State College:
Founded in 1872 to serve the higher education needs of Central West Virginia, Glenville State College has gained wide recognition for teaching excellence.
In an 1873 letter to the editor of the Weston Democrat a writer said, "No place on earth could have been found more suitable for the establishment of the State Normal School than Glenville. The place is retired, healthy and possesses every qualification requisite for a place of study and thought. The inhabitants are civil, moral, refined, religious, and generous to a fault."
In 1910, the college enrolment had exceeded the population of Glenville. As the college grew to a full four-year college in 1931, teacher preparation continued to be the central mission. Over the years, the campus became known as the "Lighthouse on the Hill" for both the quality of the teaching and the quality of GSC graduates.
Today, GSC still maintains our focus on teacher preparation, while offering additional degree programs in business, human services and land resources.
Throughout our history, GSC has maintained a long tradition of teaching excellence by professors who care about each student as an individual, who take the time to get to know each student’s goals and who are committed to helping students get an education that will prepare them for a successful career. GSC professors are very approachable and willing to give personal support to help students succeed.
Four simple, although powerful, words describe our collective work…Tradition, Innovation, Leadership and Community.
We honour our proud traditions by attending to teaching excellence and building academic programs of distinction. Our innovations are aimed at meeting the changing needs of our society. We prepare leaders for West Virginia, and we demonstrate our own leadership throughout all areas of our college community. We demonstrate the highest ideals of a thoughtful, caring community. These words serve as our calling and symbolise Glenville State College.
Subject Areas covered at Glenville State College:
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- General Studies
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Health and Physical Education
- Land Resources
- Language and Literature
- Science and Mathematics
- Social Science
Admission requirements to study at Glenville State College:
- Application for Admission
- A copy of the applicants Passport
- An official or attested copy of the applicants high school education transcript
- TOEFL (70 ibt score) or IETLS (6.0) score
- 1 year of Financial statements attested by the financial institution
- Letter of support from a designated sponsor
- Immunization Records including Tuberculosis tests
Click here to read more about applying to Glenville State College.
Student Life at Glenville State College:
Student Life offers a wide variety of services, facilities, and activities that foster student development, support the academic curriculum, and enhance the quality of campus life. It augments the academic endeavors of the College by providing quality support services and cocurricular opportunities in a caring, student-centered environment that promotes student responsibility and character development. Student Life strives to be a full partner in the educational process by offering programs and services that supplement classroom instruction.
Student Life encompasses several student services. They include:
- Bookstore
- Career Services
- Counseling Center
- Student Activities
- Fitness Center
- Health Center
- Student Organizations
- Resident Life
