During the early 20th century, throughout West Virginia there was a growing number of primary and high schools being built. This increased the need for qualified teachers, which in turn helped increase funding and the enrollment of normal schools. But this also meant that normal schools were no longer needed to provide a secondary education. By 1921 WLNS had dropped the first three years of high school work. The fourth year of high school work remained for students who needed the subjects offered during this year. This transition away from the high school curriculum was important because it now allowed normal schools to cater to those students who wished to take college level courses, but did not wish to obtain a teaching degree.As WLNS was growing, the town of West Liberty was rapidly declining in population. This became a problem because WLNS had no dormitories, and many of the boarding houses around town were now closed because of the dwindling population. To solve this problem principle John Shaw made several arguments demanding that the state legislature provide funds to build student housing. Shaw was aware that something had to be done about the housing situation which prompted him to purchase land south of town; approximately a quarter of a mile from Academy Hall. Shaw funded this effort with his own money. In 1915 Shaw’s investment proved to be important because the state legislature appropriated $70,000 to be used for land and buildings. This allowed Shaw to sell his newly acquired land to the state “at a cost plus interest.” The building of the first dormitory was delayed because of the first world war. In 1919 Shaw left West Liberty just before the dormitory on the new campus was completed. In 1921 the Alumni Association named the dormitory Shaw Hall in remembrance of his progressive advancement for the WLNS.
John S. Bonar would be next to build off of what Shaw had started. Assuming the presidency in 1926, Bonar made several key moves to advance the school. The first move was getting electricity to West Liberty. By June 30, 1927 the Wheeling Electric Company had run their lines to the village; the schools buildings no longer had to rely on oil and gas for lighting. During the years of 1926 and 1927 the State Legislature had also secured a total $200,000 for the school to use towards building purposes.Those funds were to be used to erect Curtis Hall which was used for classrooms. In 1929 the State Legislature approved $100,000 grant which was used to build the Milton McColloch Library. With new buildings and new equipment the school noticed a dramatic increase in enrollment. 
During the 1931 school year over nine hundred students attended WLNS. Also, during that year of 1931, the State Board of Education changed the name of the school to West Liberty State Teachers College. The name change was brought about because of Bonar’s emphasis of turning West Liberty into a four year college, which it now was. Dr. Paul Elbin would be the next influential president of the West Liberty Teachers College. Elbin joined the English faculty in 1928 and in 1935, at the age of thirty assumed the presidency. Elbin would hold the position for thirty five years. Elbin, a pious man, kept the tradition of discipline at West Liberty among the changing times. Elbin published many hymns, prayers, and hosted a Bible Question Bee which lasted for ten years and was broadcast on WWVA to considerably large audience. During the early phase of Elbin’s presidency he took advantage of President Roosevelt’s New Deal Agency’s; specifically the Public Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration. Funds from these agencies allowed for the building of the boys dormitory Fraternity Hall, the student Union, and numerous improvements to the campuses overall attractiveness. 
Along with structural improvements, the schools curriculum also enhanced. Art, music, home economics, and dental hygiene were newly added programs in 1938. Also in that year, the schools 100th anniversary, a branch campus was opened in Wheeling. The 100th year of the schools existence proved to be quite exciting because it was the same year the school became accredited. In 1943 the state legislature changed the schools name to West Liberty State College (WLSC) due to its expansions in academics. From this time forward WLSC saw numerous strides of growth. After World War II attendance increased dramatically. For example, in 1945-46 school years, five hundred and seventy five students attended; the following year that number practically doubled. This rise in attendance can be credited to the many war veterans who took advantage of the G.I. Bill after WWII. By the 1960’s WLSC attendance reached one thousand students for the first time.
As Dr. David Javersak says, “the Fifties may be thought of as the last years of intimacy, when the relationships among students and faculty were particularly close.” As the student population grew, so did West Liberty’s appearance during the 1960’s. In 1961 a wing between Curtis and McCulloch Hall was completed. Along with new classrooms, five new dormitories were built, a Hall of Fine Arts was opened, a new field house, an expansion on the college Union was added, and the Paul Elbin Library was completed. Most of the buildings that were erected during Elbin’s presidency are still used to this day and serve as a remembrance to his pride in the school.The town of West Liberty is unique because it shows the different stages that education has endured. West Liberty can credit most of its early success to the devotion of the town’s people and their awareness of the schools importance. The normal school era proved to be one of the school’s more interesting time periods because it portrays a time when life was much simpler. The normal school era also provides insight to the history of education and its changes. Without normal schools, and without proper teacher training, the nation’s schools would not have developed at the pace they have.
West Liberty State College as it looked during the 1969-70 school year. Today West Liberty State College is home to approximately 2,000 students who are earning bachelors degrees in anything from dental hygiene, business, teacher education, and many other majors that one would find at any other college or University. In fact, it’s been rumored for quite some time that West Liberty will receive University status in the near future. Time will only tell, but it’s clear that West Liberty has made numerous strides in education since the days of the Doyle House and Academy Hall. Sadly, Academy Hall is no longer standing. It once stood where the West Liberty Elementary school is located today, hardly a mile or so from where the present campus sits. I’m not quite sure when the building was demolished but it caused quite a scene according to one of my old professors. One of the towns people, an elderly woman, demanded the demolition crew save a piece of sandstone that was placed in the building which read the date of when Academy Hall was erected, and forgive me, I forget what else! Probably West Liberty or something. It’s a shame that I can’t remember exactly what it says because my favorite spot in the library was right next to the West Liberty museum where the stone now sits. Unfortunately before the stone was placed inside, it sat underneath the flag pole where the weather was unkind to it, and it cracked. But thanks to one West Liberty residents stout devotion, we have at least one momentum from Academy Hall. As for the Doyle House, it’s long gone, but I believe there are some rough estimates as to where it originally stood. Shaw Hall is now home to offices, and Fraternity Hall is now called Shotwell Hall which houses faculty offices. I’ve spend many days on the 2nd and 3rd floors chatting with my history professors and trying to imagine what it would have been like to live in that building. While strolling around the campus today, you’ll notice that many of the campuses buildings are documented as historical, the campus is a museum with in it’s self. Today West Liberty is going through a similar transition that it endured during the Paul Elbin era. Face lifts here and there, digital billboards, more advertising, but not a whole lot about its history, unless you call slapping 1837 in the add history. History probably doesn’t entice prospective students, but the free lab tops their handing out probably will. As a high school senior I knew very little about the school, my brother had went there, and my uncle too. But to me it was just place up on the hill that would most likely destroy my vehicle while commuting (at least it wasn’t likely to get stolen hehe). But after visiting the school I couldn’t help but want to go their and experience the small private school atmosphere in which the campus provides. So in my campaign to become the area’s next historian, I hope to make the history of West Liberty known to everyone because it truly reflects the history of education and its many transitions.
