Concord University in Athens, West Virginia: The Campus Beautiful

Concord University is probably best known, and often promoted, for its natural scenery. Concord is located in beautiful southern West Virginia, giving it a special, and almost expected, warmth and color. The university is located in the small and quiet town of Athens, WV. Athens has a reported population of just over 2,200 residents, not counting the majority of the 2,882 students that were registered at the university during Fall 2009.

History

Founded by Colonel French in 1872, Concord Normal School was originally built in an area near its current location. In 1910, a fire destroyed the original school, and the campus was rebuilt at its present location two years later. The school became nationally accreditation in 1931. Concord became Concord College over 12 years later. Just recently, Concord College became Concord University.

Present

Concord University is currently a Liberal Arts school that offers many degrees and program choices. According to the school's website, some of the most popular majors among students are Accounting, Advertising & Graphic Design, Athletic Training, Biology, and Teacher Education. Most classes are small, with an average class size of 19 to ensure that students get the best chance of success. (Most introductory classes are larger than this, but after students start taking specialized classes in their majors, class sizes shrink exponentially.)

Tuition

Tuition varies for students, depending on their location in or out of the state of West Virginia. There are variances in these prices.

The total estimated tuition for a student living in the state (2009-2010) is $11,740. This includes tuition and fees ($4,970), residency in a double room with a room mate ($3446) and board ($3320).

The total estimated tuition for a student living out of the state (2009-2010) is $17,816. This includes tuition and fees ($11,050), residency in a double room with a room mate ($3446) and board ($3320).

Purchasing a meal plan (board) is mandatory for all residents, however, there are three different meal plans available. The highest provides students 19 meals per week in the cafeteria, the lowest provides 7 meals per week in the cafeteria and around $200 in FlexDollars (which can be used at the restaurants in the Student Center.) The middle plan provides a little bit of both. Most students choose the middle plan.

Buildings and Housing

The campus is small compared to many other schools in the area. As of February 2010, there are seven non-dormitory buildings and five dormitories. There is one new building under construction on the edge of campus.

Non-Housing

Buildings on the Concord Campus include the Jerry L. Beasley Student Center, J. Frank Marsh Library, Marsh Hall, Science Hall, Alexander Fine Arts Hall Leslie Hall and Ruby Webb Carter Center, and Rahall Technology Center. (There is also currently one new building, University Point, under construction.)

In the Student Center, students and staff can find amenities such as the Libby Alvis Dining Hall, ballroom (where Zumba classes, banquets, etc often take place), game room, book store, Financial Aid office, Student Support Services office, and Career Services office. There are also restaurants on the lower level.

Marsh Hall contains many of the essentials: This is the location of the President's office, the Academic Success Center, Business Office, Registrar and so on. The building also housing the English and Social Science departments, Many classes take place on the multiple floors.

Dormitories

Dormitories include two male dormitories (Woodell Hall and South Towers), two female dormitories (Wilson Hall and North Towers), and one temporary co-ed dormitory (Sarvay Hall.) Sarvay Hall is a primarily female dormitory that is currently being used to deal with male overflow. Males are confined to rooms on the first floor. Female students in the building require keys to get on to their respective floors, ensuring that there are minimal issues with the housing situation.

Students pay the same amount to live in any of the dormitories, but pricing does vary based on how many people live in a particular room.

Dormitories vary like night and day, so some students end up switching buildings at least once.

North and South Towers are the largest of the bunch, holding over 300 students each. North Towers has 9 floors, South has 8. Located on the ground floor is a spacious lounge area with a pool table, seating, and a fairly new fitness center, open to all current students. Rooms in both Towers are suite style: each room has 2 students, each suite has 2 rooms. Suites contain isolated restrooms and showers which students are in charge of keeping clean. Many fraternities, sororities, and organizations choose to reside in the Towers. Wireless internet is not available on most floors.

Sarvay Hall is typically female-only, but do to overflow, some male students have also taken up residency on the first floor. Sarvay, the oldest standing building on campus, houses around 84 students. Rooms have sinks and may be set up for single, double, or triple residency. Each floor has 2 restrooms and 2 shower rooms. There is a basic kitchen/lounge in the basement, and a recently renovated television/computer lounge on the first floor. Wireless internet is only available on the first floor.

Wilson Hall houses over 200 female residents. The building has community restrooms and showers. There is a large, comfortable sitting lounge with a baby grand piano on the first floor. The building also contains a kitchen and a computer lab for residents. Wireless internet is available in some areas.

Wooddell Hall, like its female counterpart, Wilson, is home to around 200 males. Restrooms and showers are community-style. Wooddell also has a kitchen, computer lab, and a movie lounge with a large screen television and surround sound. Students may rent out the movie lounge at the front desk. Wireless internet is available in some areas.

In Closing

Concord is, indeed, small but mighty. The quiet campus hides in its midsts a special sort of people: athletes and academics, professors and doctors, students and community members. The campus is surely something to behold, because it truly is the Campus Beautiful.

Information in this article is from www.concord.edu as well as from personal experience.