Bethany College (West Virginia)

Bethany College is a private liberal arts college in Bethany, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1840 by minister Alexander Campbell of the Restoration Movement, who gained support by the Virginia legislature, Bethany College was the first institution of higher education in what is now West Virginia. The college has an enrollment of approximately 620 students. History A liberal arts college, Bethany was chartered on March 2, 1840, by the Virginia legislature and given "all degree-granting powers" of the University of Virginia. West Virginia's secession from Virginia on June 20, 1863, recognized existing Virginia charters; Bethany College continues to operate under the Virginia charter. It was founded by Alexander Campbell, a minister in the Restoration Movement who provided the land and funds for the first building and served as the first president. Bethany has been a four-year private liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), since its inception. This religious body, of which Campbell was one of the principal founders, continues to support and encourage the college but exercises no sectarian control. An early center of coeducation, Bethany has admitted women since the 1880s. The college's roots stem from the Buffalo Seminary, founded in 1818, by Campbell; sessions were first held in his mansion in Bethany, home of Alexander Campbell and his father Thomas Campbell. The new Buffalo Seminary, " a continuing education arm of the College" is less than a mile away from the College. The college is the birthplace of Delta Tau Delta, an international social fraternity founded in 1858. During World War II, Bethany was one of 131 colleges nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which offered students a path to a Navy commission. A number of campus buildings are contributing resources to the Bethany Historic District. The Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Pendleton Heights was listed in 1975 and the Delta Tau Delta Founders House in 1979. The campus is also home to the Parkinson Forest, which in 2019 was added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network. The designation identifies the Parkinson Forest as the oldest Old-Growth Forest in Brooke County. Academics Bethany College Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in more than 25 fields. In 2021, 95% of Bethany College graduates carried student loan debt, averaging $25,704. The endowment fund in 2016 was worth $46.7 million. Student life Bethany College has multiple opportunities for student engagement, ranging from sports to social events. The main social event at the school is Homecoming Weekend, which takes place in October. Athletics Bethany College athletic teams are nicknamed the Bison. The college is a member of the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Bethany men's and women's teams compete in 14 intercollegiate varsity sports: acrobatics, baseball, basketball, cross country, equestrian, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. Notable alumni Notes References External links Official website Athletics website