It was only a few short years ago that Wheeling University appeared to be on its final leg.

The Jesuits had ended their longtime affiliation with the university; the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said publicly it had done all it could to keep the doors open; enrollment had plummeted; finances were a mess; and state and national accrediting bodies were questioning the university’s future.

All signs, frankly, pointed to the university’s doors, at some point, being shuttered.

Fast-forward a few years, and we see a much different Wheeling University. New leadership under President Ginny Favede has charted a new direction. Finances are in order. Enrollment is improving. And accrediting bodies are noticing.

That was in focus on Tuesday as the Higher Learning Commission, a national accrediting body for universities, lifted its sanctions against Wheeling University. HLC President Barbara Gellman-Danley said Wheeling University is now “autonomous to make decisions in the best interest of the institution.”

As part of that decision, Wheeling University is now fully accredited by the HLC.

That’s excellent news to Favede, her staff and the university. “This means three solid years of hard work by everyone at the university has paid off in spades,” Favede said. “That was the best news we could receive.

“We can move forward, recruit new students and start new programs. We can operate normally — not that we weren’t before. But we had a lot of issues to answer for, and there was data that needed to be collected.”

In other words, a significant weight around the university’s neck has been lifted. Decisions can now be made to help Wheeling University grow.

Our region benefits from a strong Wheeling University, as the institution has added significantly to the local economy and culture for decades. Favede and her team must ensure this chance to not only rebuild but grow the institution doesn’t go to waste.