West Liberty University - Campus Facilities

Campus Facilities

ACADEMIC, SPORTS AND RECREATION - Opened in the summer of 2000, the complex features an exercise physiology suite, three classrooms wired for computer technology, a conference center, a wellness/fitness center, team rooms and administrative office area. The multi-purpose arena includes a competition basketball-volleyball court and three additional modules for classes, intramurals, athletic team practices/ events and numerous other functions. The entire complex totals more than 145,000 square feet (13,500 m2). The project involved the connection of two buildings, Blatnik and Bartell halls, and the construction of a new state-of-the-art 27,000-square-foot (2,500 m2) multi-purpose arena. The Blatnik building is now the Blatnik “Wing” and is named for Dr. Albert Blatnik, long-time coach, director of athletics, and chairperson of the Department of Physical Education. This area consists of a recently renovated gymnasium, four classrooms, numerous offices, a four-lane swimming pool and a wrestling practice room. The Bartell “Wing,” named for Dr. Joseph Bartell, former dean, athletic director and multi-sport coach, houses four racquetball courts, three classrooms, lockers, a training room, an athletic weight room, a wellness center, offices, and connects with the arena.

ARNETT HALL OF NATURAL SCIENCES - This building was named for Denver F. Arnett, Academic Dean of West Liberty from 1955 to 1970. The complex includes 12 laboratories, six general-purpose classrooms, faculty offices, and houses the biology and chemistry units. A modern greenhouse is located on the south end of the building.

COLLEGE HALL- The Helen Pierce Elbin Auditorium seats 450 and serves as a recital hall and center for lectures and other public programs. It is equipped with a 42-rank, three-manual Moeller pipe organ and two concert grand pianos. The building houses voice studios, a music education classroom, and a recording studio.

COLLEGE UNION - The College Union is designed to serve the social and extracurricular needs of the students, faculty, staff, administration, and guests, providing lounges, a Sodexho food court including Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, a Subway franchise, an ATM, and a campus service center (post office, etc.). The college bookstore, the student newspaper, the campus radio station 91.5 WGLZ West Liberty, and guest rooms for parents are also provided in the Union. Limited student employment is provided in the Union allowing the worker to grow while supplementing funds needed to go to school. The College Union also houses the Auxiliary Services Office. Auxiliary Services makes available programs, services, and facilities to enhance the university experience.

HALL OF FINE ARTS - Administrative center of the Department of the Arts and Communications. The Hall of Fine Arts houses Kelly Theatre, art studios, art gallery, music practice rooms, electronic piano labs, Disklavier piano studios, choral room, band rooms, general classrooms, and faculty offices.

INTERFAITH CHAPEL - This worship center seats 175 and is equipped with a 33-rank, three-manual Moeller pipe organ and a grand piano. Other facilities include five offices and the Ellwood Social Room. West Liberty University is one of few state institutions to host an interfaith chapel on its campus.

MAIN HALL - This four-story structure, located on the circle just beyond the main entrance, houses several academic sections and also serves as the major classroom area. In addition, the administrative offices of information technology services are centralized here. The building includes the Curtis and McColloch wings, which were the two original academic facilities on campus. These structures were named for pioneer West Liberty families who played important roles in the early development of West Liberty.

MEDIA ARTS CENTER - A new wing of the Hall of Fine Arts opened in Fall 2006, the Media Arts Center is a facility housing a music technology computer lab, digital media design lab, recording studio, television studio, and graphic design lab.

PAUL N. ELBIN LIBRARY - The three story building was named in honor of Paul N. Elbin, President of the College from 1935 until 1970. The library collection consists of more than 200,000 print volumes, 800 hard copy periodical and newspaper subscriptions, access to several thousand online periodical subscriptions, electronic databases, Internet connection (including wireless access), and numerous titles in media or microform formats. On the main floor are reference services; reference education classroom; bibliographic instruction; circulation services; and the fiction, videocassette, DVD, music and periodical collections. Photocopy machines for print and microforms are located near the periodical section. Word processing stations and Internet access stations, as well as digital imaging, are located on this floor. The third floor houses most of the open stack circulating collection including the children’s literature section. Also found on the third floor are the Special Collections: the Nelle M. Krise Rare Book Room that features a collection of books tracing the history of book making, the college archives, and the college museum. In addition, rooms and areas are available for conferences, seminars, meetings, group and individual study—and most are equipped for the latest technology. The Humanities Department offices, classrooms, computer lab, and major’s lounge are located on the lower level of the building.

RESIDENCE HALLS - There are seven residence halls for students located on campus (see Residence Life).

RUSSEK FIELD - Named for the community leader Stephen J. Russek, the football field is a Mondo Echofill Star artificial turf arena with a seating capacity of 4,000. On 30 August 2008, WL held a field dedication prior to the football game to thank Gary ('58) and Flip West for their vision and generosity to West Liberty. West Liberty vs. Edinboro University marked the first game played on the new turf.

SHAW HALL - Formerly a women’s residence hall named for John Shaw, president from 1908 to 1919. Shaw Hall currently houses the offices of Admissions, Alumni Association, Campus Safety, the president, provost and vice president of academic affairs, registrar, business office, financial aid, human resources, institutional advancement including marketing and public relations, housing administrative offices and student service center. The university's Health Services Center is also located in this building. Shaw Hall has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

SHOTWELL HALL - Formerly a men’s residence hall named for the Reverend Nathan Shotwell, D.D., founder of West Liberty Academy, Shotwell Hall currently houses faculty offices and a GIS lab. This building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.