More than 100 colleges and universities plan to participate in the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual College Fair next month.

The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 5 at the Wheeling Jesuit University McDonough Center.

"This is the 28th year the chamber has had this event. ... It is a great opportunity for local students to meet with a large number of college representatives at one time," said Terry Sterling, president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sterling noted 19 high schools from West Virginia's Northern Panhandle and Eastern Ohio will be sending students to the fair to visit with about 100 college and university representatives. Sterling added that the fair gives the students an overview of what college life is all about, so they can be better informed as they make decisions.

Area banking institutions also will be available at the fair to answer any questions regarding financial planning and lending for future educational needs.

The 2009 event is sponsored by WesBanco and WTOV.

Colleen Megna, assistant vice president of business development at WesBanco, said, "WesBanco is proud to be a main sponsor for the event."

Megna said bank officials primarily will be talking to the students about how to start managing their money for college.

Parents and other interested individuals are welcome to attend. Information regarding various levels of adult education and graduate programs also will be available at the fair.

For more information, call the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce at 304-233-2575.

Colleges that will be represented at the event include: Alderson-Broaddus College, Appalachian Bible College, Ashland University, Belmont Technical College, Bethany College, Bowling Green State University, Bradford School, Capital University, Carlow University, Chatham University, College of Wooster, Columbus College of Art & Design, Concord University;

Davis & Elkins College, Duquesne University, DeVry University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Fairmont State University, Fairmont State Aviation, Gannon University, Garrett College, Glenville State College, High Point University, Hocking College, ITT Technical Institute, Jefferson Community College, Kent State University, Marietta College, Marshall University, Mount Aloysius College, Mountain State University, Mount Union College, Muskingum University;

Nyack College, Ohio University, Ohio University Eastern, Ohio Valley Medical Center Radiology Program, Otterbein College, PIA Career Services, Pittsburgh Technical Institute, Point Park University, Potomac State College of WVU, Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Foundation Inc., Robert Morris University, Saint Francis University, Saint Vincent College, Salem University, Seton Hill University, Shepherd University;

Ohio State University, The University of Akron, Thiel College, Transylvania University, Triangle Tech, U.S. Naval Academy, University of Charleston, University of Dayton, University of Northwestern Ohio, University of Notre Dame, University of Rio Grande, University of Pittsburgh, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Virginia Military Institute;

Wabash College, Walsh University, Washington & Jefferson College, Waynesburg University, West Liberty University, West Virginia Northern Community College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Westminster College, Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia University, WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU College of Engineering, WVU Health Sciences, Wright State University College of Engineering, Youngstown University and the U.S. Air Force Academy.