Associate Curator Tanya Khan, right, oversees construction of the turtle and crayfish propagation labs at West Liberty University over the summer, assisted by several students. (Photo Provided)

WEST LIBERTY — Students at West Liberty University are returning to $9.5 million worth of improvements to multiple campus facilities as the summer winds down.

Projects include new heating, ventilation and air conditioning in several buildings, new windows and doors across campus and new academic facilities to promote experiential learning and community impact.

“The improvements made this summer will significantly improve the learning experience for our students,” said University President Tim Borchers. “We greatly appreciate the support of governmental and private sources to complete these projects.”

New HVAC systems will be in place in the Hall of Fine Arts; Academic, Sports, and Recreation Complex; and the Student Union. Bonar and Curtis residence halls have new boilers installed.

Twelve campus buildings have received new doors and windows to provide energy efficiency while enhancing the physical appearance and security of the building. Funding for these projects was provided by the State of West Virginia in 2023 to address deferred maintenance for state colleges and universities. Last summer, the University replaced roofs on four buildings as part of this funding as well.

The Appalachian Aquatic Conservation Center (AACC) is being completed and will hold classes this week for the first time. This Center will serve the Central Appalachian region by conserving imperiled aquatic species and aiding economic development to occur alongside them.

“The center facilitates conservation by propagating imperiled taxa, including crayfish and aquatic turtle species, while significant habitat restoration efforts occur where these species naturally occur,” said Dr. Zachary Loughman, Professor of Biology. “Biologists associated with the center also perform field-based research to aid the conservation of Appalachian aquatic species.”

Funding was provided by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, which is funded by the Office of Surface Mining through an Abandoned Mine Lands grant. A ribbon cutting is planned for October.

A renovated lab in Arnett Hall will house the “Hilltop Center for Biomedical Research.” This Center will significantly expand WLU’s laboratory space for dedicated bench research and support faculty and students on their path to scientific discovery. The lab in Arnett Hall features eight lab stations for student researchers and a dedicated space for collaborative work among research teams.

This renovation was funded by an alteration and renovation grant from the WV IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), which is a competitive federal research program established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The newly constructed Psychology and Communication Sciences Laboratory on the 4th floor of Campbell Hall is a key component of the recently established Interprofessional Healthcare Education Center at WLU. The primary purpose of the Center is to foster collaboration and communication among students from different professional backgrounds, to enhance teamwork, and improve patient care outcomes in real-world settings.

Construction of this laboratory space was funded by Congressionally Directed Spending FY 2023.

“These new laboratories represent an exciting step forward for West Liberty University and the communities we serve,” said Karen Kettler, Dean of the College of Sciences. “The Hilltop Center for Biomedical Research and the Psychology and Communication Sciences Laboratory will not only expand opportunities for our students and faculty, but also strengthen our ability to contribute meaningful research, innovative healthcare education, and scientific discovery that benefits West Virginia and beyond.”