Last week, Mr. M.L. Wilson presented some information that used Wheeling University as an example of how public institutions of higher learning have an unfair advantage over the private colleges in our state.

It is true that public universities in West Virginia reap the rewards of state funding and have the ability to “crowd out” colleges like Wheeling because they can offer an education cheaper than privates. However, while we agree with Mr. Wilson in his concern for crowding out private colleges, we find it necessary to share our belief that public institutions cannot offer students a mission-based education — an education that not only provides instruction in the student’s major but a grounding in faith, ethics, and service to others.

In May 2022, HEPC staff conducted an on-site visit to the WU campus in response to complaints it received about the university. The student complaints resulted from unacceptable delays in processing transcripts and delayed diplomas, among other staffing-related issues. In addition, following COVID, the university found itself in a position many other businesses across the country were also experiencing — difficulty in hiring, evidenced by staffing and student service-related concerns.

The Commission approved provisional reauthorization for Wheeling University with specific requirements for the following year, which the university has appropriately responded to, including quarterly financials, enrollment projections, and staffing additions. Wheeling University is grateful to the HEPC for its continuing support and guidance related to provisional reaccreditation reaffirmation. As always, the university is firmly committed to working proactively with the HEPC for the betterment of WU students, their families, and the communities it serves. The Higher Education Policy Commission develops and oversees a public policy agenda for West Virginia’s four-year colleges and universities. In addition, it serves as a support source for those institutions and their students in subjects such as academic affairs, human resources, legal services, student affairs, and others.

The Commission, under the direction of Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education, and Dr. Randall Brumfield, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, works with institutions on accomplishing their missions and carrying out state procedures. We are proud of the work that has transpired here over the past three years, work that was afforded an opportunity to happen because the HEPC granted WU reauthorization in August of 2019 and the support of Gov. Jim Justice, who took the time out of his extraordinarily busy schedule to visit our campus during this crucial time. He and Congressman David McKinley, Mayor Glenn Elliot, Vice-Mayor Chad Thalman, and former Councilwoman Wendy Scatterday shared their support of this institution and its significant value to the city of Wheeling. They, among others, recognize the value of Wheeling University as the only campus-based Catholic University in the state of West Virginia.

I have practiced viewing both the HEPC and the Higher Learning Commission as organizations committed to seeing institutions of higher learning operating successfully according to policy and procedures. We have worked diligently to align this university under those policies and procedures under their guidance. Both agencies have been invaluable in the resurrection of Wheeling University. Our working relationship is evidenced in the fact that Wheeling was the fortunate recipient of a $538,738 nursing program expansion award administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to support the development of an accelerated, 16-month Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree completion program. The grant allowed our university to open a new state-of-the-art Medical Care Simulation Laboratory featuring virtual anatomy tables, digital mannequins, and digitally enabled iPad patient bedside care equipment.

While founded in the Catholic faith, Wheeling University welcomes students of all religions and backgrounds and those with no religious affiliation. Wheeling University places an emphasis on scholarly excellence and service to others. Wheeling’s mission to educate men and women for and among others has not changed since the university was founded in 1954. Service is part of that mission, and Wheeling University prides itself on the fantastic job of volunteer community service our students provide to the city of Wheeling and its surrounding communities.

Like other Catholic universities, Wheeling equips our students to address global problems like poverty, hunger, and injustice. Wheeling believes its mission and purpose are integral human development, a concept from Catholic social teaching that pursues the holistic development of the whole person. This implies a dedication to promoting human dignity and care for the person’s mind, body, and spirit. Wheeling is committed to nurturing a culture of performance, respect, and cooperation among our people in the Catholic tradition of cura personalis, “care for the whole person,” from a spiritual, social, cultural, and economic perspective.

As many small colleges work vigorously to survive challenging times, we witnessed the closure of two universities locally. Urbana University closed in spring 2020, and Ohio Valley University abruptly closed its doors in December 2021. We have all been made aware of the tragic situation for the former students and alumni of Ohio Valley University. Recently, according to the Times Union, a Facebook page created to provide updates after the school’s closure said providing transcripts isn’t possible because the system had been hacked and its files were deleted. Whether this is accurate or not, it is unfortunate that 60 years of transcripts cannot be accessed by former OVU students and graduates.

To do a better job of serving our students, Wheeling University has officially outsourced all transcripts and diplomas. The contract with Parchment will allow our students and alums to request, verify and share transcripts and diplomas efficiently and securely now and in the future. We want to leave nothing to chance and feel outsourcing transcripts and diplomas will ensure no student goes unserved. All transcript records will be accessible electronically and available for order on a link on the university website. Additionally, upon conferral, all diplomas will be printed and shipped directly from Parchment to the graduates. Students will also have the ability to order duplicates as well as digital diplomas.

In the time since Gov. Justice and Chancellor Tucker visited Wheeling, the university has witnessed significant growth in enrollment, including substantial increases in non-traditional, transfer, first-generation college students, and international students reflecting the university’s commitment to global culture and diversity, development of academic programs and professional certificates, campus upgrades, and the establishment of a Student Success and Career Development Center. In 2019, Wheeling University became one of only 12 diocesan-sponsored Catholic universities in the nation. Additionally, Wheeling University was recently named to the Forbes Magazine list of “Achievers” as one of a few dozen colleges that saw their financial grade improve during the pandemic. We are one of the few institutions to dramatically improve its overall grade in financial administration. Wheeling University improved its financial grade from a D to a B-, but our goal remains to be at the top of these rankings.

There is considerable value in private education and in today’s society it is needed more than ever. Institutions like Wheeling University can give our future leaders an education that grounds them in a faith-based mission that challenges them to think clearly, think for themselves, and balance knowledge with spirituality. Now, we need parents to embrace private education and those values in which we pride ourselves by sending their children to our institutions. That will stem the tide of crowding us out.

Ginny Favede is president of Wheeling University.