View source for Wheeling University

{{Short description|Catholic university in Wheeling, West Virginia, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Wheeling University
 | image                  = DonahueHall WJU.jpg
 | image_size             = 
| caption    = WU's Donahue Hall 
 | latin_name             = 
 | former_names           = Wheeling College (1954–1987)<br />Wheeling Jesuit College (1987–1996)<br /> Wheeling Jesuit University (1996–2019)
 | motto                  = ''Luceat Lux Vestra'' ([[Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = Let your light shine
 | type                   = [[Private university]]
 | established            = {{start date and age|1954}}
 | religious_affiliation  = [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities|ACCU]]<br />[[National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities|NAICU]] [[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]
 | endowment              = $16.1 million<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Rankings: Wheeling Jesuit University |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/wheeling-wv/wheeling-jesuit-3831 |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=August 20, 2009 |archive-date=January 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105220418/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/wheeling-wv/wheeling-jesuit-3831 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 | president              = [[Dianna Vargo]]
 | faculty                = 77 full-time<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://factbook.wju.edu/faculty-stats-and-student-faculty-ratio|title=Faculty Stats and Student to Faculty Ratio &#124; Factbook|website=factbook.wju.edu|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506194313/http://factbook.wju.edu/faculty-stats-and-student-faculty-ratio|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | staff                  = 
 | students               = 1,289 (fall 2016)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://factbook.wju.edu/enrollment-fall-semester-2016-17|title=Enrollment in Fall Semester 2016-17 &#124; Factbook|website=factbook.wju.edu|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506181103/http://factbook.wju.edu/enrollment-fall-semester-2016-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 945
 | postgrad               = 344
 | city                   = [[Wheeling, West Virginia]]
 | country                = U.S.
 | coordinates            = {{coord|40.0731|-80.6895|display=title|format=dms|type:edu}}
 | campus                 = {{convert|65|acre|ha|1}}
 | free_label             = Newspaper
 | free                   = ''[[Cardinal Connection]]''
 | colors                 = {{colour box|#D90937|border=silver}} {{colour box|black|border=silver}} {{colour box|white|border=silver}}<br> Red, white, and black
 | sports_nickname        = [[Wheeling Cardinals|Cardinals]]
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division II]] - [[Mountain East Conference|MEC]]
 | mascot                 = Iggy the [[Northern cardinal|Cardinal]]
 | website                = {{url|https://wheeling.edu|wheeling.edu}}
 | logo                   = Wheeling university logo.png
| logo_size = 200
}}

'''Wheeling University''' ('''WU''', formerly '''Wheeling Jesuit University''') is a [[Private university|private]] Catholic university in [[Wheeling, West Virginia]], United States. It was founded as "Wheeling College" in 1954 by the [[Society of Jesus]] (also known as the Jesuits) and was a Jesuit institution until 2019.<ref name="Wheeling President Placed on Leave">{{cite web |last1=Hazelrigg |first1=Nick |title=Wheeling President Placed on Leave |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/08/05/wheeling-president-placed-leave-next-chapter-chaotic-year |website=Inside Higher Ed |access-date=5 August 2019}}</ref> Wheeling University competes in [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] as a member of the [[Mountain East Conference]].

==History==
Richard Whelan, bishop of the [[Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston|Diocese of Wheeling]], lobbied the Society of Jesus in the 19th century to establish a university in the growing city.  Over a century later, Whelan's original vision came to fruition.  After a donor, Sara Tracy, left her estate to the diocese, it purchased land for a Jesuit college from Mt. De Chantal Visitation Academy.<ref>"Home in a New Land: The Uncanny Jesuit Journey to Wheeling." In ''Wheeling'', Winter 2009: 32–33. Print.</ref>

Wheeling College was founded through a partnership of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston with the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus. Ground was broken on November 24, 1953, and the college was officially incorporated on September 25, 1954. It opened to students on September 26, 1955. The establishment of the college required $2.75 million in start-up costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1220 |title=E-WV: Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wvencyclopedia.org |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref> Overcoming the difficulties of temporary facilities and a faculty of twelve Jesuit priests and four lay professors, the school grew considerably.

For the 1987–1988 school year, the university became Wheeling Jesuit College, and in July 1996, gained university status.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1980s.asp |title=Wheeling Jesuit University – the 1980s |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928185206/http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1980s.asp |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, university leadership was accused by the federal government of misappropriating [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] grant money received for sponsored programs. Wheeling Jesuit settled with the federal government in 2015, paying $2.3 million in restitution.<ref name="justice.gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/federal-grant-fraud-claims-settled-wheeling-jesuit-university |title=Federal grant fraud claims settled with Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=August 3, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2015}}</ref>

In March 2013, the university announced the selection of James Fleming as its tenth president.  Fleming took office effective July 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/transition/release.asp |title=Rev. James Fleming, SJ, Ph.D., is Appointed the Tenth President of Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=August 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311105528/http://www.wju.edu/transition/release.asp |archive-date=March 11, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Fleming resigned from the presidency on January 3, 2017.

In 2019, the school eliminated majors in history, theology, philosophy, literature, and engineering and cut 20 of the university's full-time faculty members.<ref name="Wheeling President Placed on Leave"/>

===Jesuit heritage===
Prior to 2019, the Jesuit community was active in the process of education at Wheeling. In addition, the Jesuits were involved in many other academic works, such as the Appalachian Institute on campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/ai/ |title=Appalachian Institute – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref> Members of Wheeling's Jesuit Community reside at Whelan Hall, dedicated in 1955.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/about/jesuits/house.asp |title=House – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101193202/http://www.wju.edu/about/jesuits/house.asp |archive-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Jesuit community and tradition for critical thinking were reflected in the school's curriculum and mission.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/about/jesuited/default.asp |title=Value of a Jesuit Education – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928185435/http://www.wju.edu/about/jesuited/default.asp |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Wheeling Jesuit University was a member of the [[Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities]].<ref>I Make A Difference: National Jesuit Alumni Service Days 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://www.ajcunet.edu/</ref><ref name=Jesuit_no_longer>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/04/11/jesuits-balk-affiliation-downsized-wheeling |title=After Cuts, Jesuits End Ties to Wheeling Jesuit |first=Greg |last=Toppo |work=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=April 11, 2019 |access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref>

In April 2019, as part of a broader restructuring of its academic programs, the university announced the elimination of its programs in theology and philosophy that are key to its identity as a Jesuit institution.<ref name=sportjobs>{{cite news |work=Inside Higher Ed |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/04/05/two-years-after-rescue-wheeling-jesuit-guts-faculty-programs |access-date=April 24, 2019 |date= April 5, 2019 |title=A Jesuit University Without History or Philosophy? |first=Greg |last=Toppo}}</ref> The Jesuits in turn decided to end their academic affiliation with the university at the end of the 2018–2019 academic year, while continuing to provide "an ongoing Jesuit presence" through its campus ministry and other programs.<ref name=theologygone>{{cite news |url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/04/24/order-to-end-affiliation-with-wheeling-jesuit-university-in-west-virginia/ |work=Crux |access-date=April 24, 2019 |date=April 24, 2019 |agency=Catholic News Service |title= Order to end affiliation with Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia}}</ref> Two months later, Monsignor Kevin Quirk resigned from his position as chair of the university's board of trustees after ''[[The Washington Post]]'' published details from a confidential report alleging that one of his [[Michael J. Bransfield|former colleagues]] was guilty of sexual abuse and financial impropriety.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/06/11/tied-bishop-scandal-wheeling-jesuit-chairman-steps-down-months-after-exigency |title=When Should the Board Have Known? |first=Rick |last=Seltzer |publisher=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=June 11, 2019 |access-date=June 11, 2019}}</ref> In July, the university formally dropped "Jesuit" from its name and became Wheeling University.

===Presidents===
*Lawrence R. McHugh, 1954–1959
*[[William F. Troy]], 1959–1966
*[[Frank R. Haig]], 1966–1972<ref>former physics professor and later university president, younger brother of [[Alexander Haig]]</ref>
*Charles L. Currie Jr., 1972–1982
*Thomas S. Acker, 1982–2000<ref>Rev. Fr. Thomas S. Acker, S.J., Ph.D., former President and biology professor at Wheeling Jesuit University (1982–2000); under Fr. Acker's leadership, Wheeling College became Wheeling Jesuit University.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-QbCQ5t8I|title=Rev. Thomas Acker -- Wheeling Jesuit University 60th Anniversary |date=June 9, 2014|access-date=October 13, 2015|via=YouTube|publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University|last=Wheeling|first=WV}}</ref>
*[[George Lundy]], 2000–2003
*Joseph R. Hacala, 2003–2006
*James F. Birge, (interim), 2006–2007<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=2332&strBack=%2FDefault.asp|title=University Remembers Former President, Rev. Joseph Hacala|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=October 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002072209/http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=2332&strBack=%2FDefault.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Julio Giulietti, 2007–2009<ref name=iwr>{{cite news |first=Heather |last=Ziegler |title=WJU President Fired |url=http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/526870.html?nav=515 |work=[[The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register]]|date=August 6, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2010}}</ref><ref name=ppg>{{cite news|first=Eleanor|last=Chute|title=Wheeling Jesuit U. names interim president |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10036/1033774-100.stm|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=February 5, 2010 |access-date=February 26, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Davitt McAteer]] (acting), 2009–2010<ref name=ppg />
*Francis Marie Thrailkill (interim), 2010<ref name="ppg" /><ref name="iwr2">{{cite news|first=J.W.|last=Johnson Jr.|title=WJU Introduces Interim President|url=http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/534443.html|work=[[The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register]]|date=February 16, 2010|access-date=February 26, 2010|archive-date=March 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305180443/http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/534443.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Richard A. Beyer, 2011–2013
*James J. Fleming, 2013–2017<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/transition/release.asp |title=President's Welcome |publisher= Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=August 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311105528/http://www.wju.edu/transition/release.asp |archive-date=March 11, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Debra M. Townsley, 2017–2018
*Mark Phillips, interim, summer 2018
*[[Michael P. Mihalyo]], Jr., 2018–2019
*[[Ginny Favede]], 2019–2024
*[[Dianna Vargo]], 2024–present<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Dianna Vargo Named Wheeling University President |url=https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2024/09/diana-vargo-named-wheeling-university-president-2/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=theintelligencer.net |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Admissions and rankings==
According to the Wheeling University's page on the U-CAN Network,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=2549&strBack=%2FDefault%2Easp |title=News Story – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |date=October 9, 2007 |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref> the average high school GPA of the freshman class is 3.5<ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.ucan-network.org/wju |title=U-CAN: Wheeling Jesuit University:: Page 1 |website=Members.ucan-network.org |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref> The school is given a selectivity score of 81 out of 100 by the ''[[Princeton Review]]''. In 1997, WJU was named as the fourth-best educational value in the southeast, and the 15th-best college in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1990s.asp#1997 |title=Wheeling Jesuit University – The 1990s – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |date=September 8, 1997 |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528175431/http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1990s.asp#1997 |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, the school is ranked as the 18th best master's university in the South by ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/wheeling-wv/wheeling-jesuit-3831 |title=Wheeling Jesuit University – Best Colleges |website=Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |date=January 31, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-date=January 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105220418/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/wheeling-wv/wheeling-jesuit-3831 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The 2009 ''[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]]'' magazine ranking placed WJU as 180 of 600 colleges,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/94/colleges-09_Wheeling-Jesuit-University_94555.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810130738/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/94/colleges-09_Wheeling-Jesuit-University_94555.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2009 |title=#180 Wheeling Jesuit University |work=Forbes |access-date=November 13, 2011 |date=August 5, 2009}}</ref> a marked improvement from their No. 437 rank in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/94/opinions_college08_Wheeling-Jesuit-University_94555.html |title=#437 Wheeling Jesuit University |work=Forbes |access-date=November 13, 2011 |date=August 13, 2008}}</ref> ''Forbes'' ranked the university as the 79th best value in America.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/08/02/best-buys-colleges-opinions-value.html |title=America's Best College Buys |work=Forbes |access-date=November 13, 2011 |date=August 5, 2009}}</ref>  The university is ranked among the John Templeton Foundation's ''Colleges that Encourage Character Development''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegeandcharacter.org/|title=College and Character: A National Initiative of the John Templeton Foundation|website=www.collegeandcharacter.org|access-date=July 10, 2019}}</ref>

==Academics==
Wheeling University is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[Higher Learning Commission]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Wheeling University {{!}} The Higher Learning Commission |url=https://www.hlcommission.org/institution/1679/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914015016/https://www.hlcommission.org/institution/1679/ |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=2025-07-18 |work=The Higher Learning Commission |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>

In honor of former professor Stephen J. Laut, the university offers the Laut Honors Program.  Throughout each school year, members of the program meet to discuss and study material related to that year's theme.  At the conclusion of a student's sophomore year, students who have successfully completed the Laut program are invited to join the Ignatian Honors Seminar, a more rigorous program for which only six juniors and six seniors are selected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/academics/laut/default.asp |title=Honors Program |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

===Graduate programs===
Wheeling University's Center for Professional and Graduate Studies offers five graduate programs, a [[Master of Business Administration]]; a [[Master of Accountancy]]; a [[Master of Science in Nursing]]; a [[Master of Science in Organizational Leadership]]; and a [[Doctor of Physical Therapy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/admissions/graduate/ |title=Graduate Studies |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203075600/http://www.wju.edu/admissions/graduate/ |archive-date=December 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Center for Professional and Graduate Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Development (BOLD) and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL). These are adult education programs that meet once a week in the evening.
<!-- and the university's [[Charleston, WV|Charleston]] Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/adulted/charlestoncenter.asp |title=University'S Charleston Center Opens To Serve Non-Traditional Students |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref> According to incoming president Richard A. Beyer, expanding the Charleston Center is one of the university's goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=17835 |title=Wheeling Jesuit welcomes new president |publisher=Wvpubcast.org |date=March 2, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>-->

===Appalachian Institute===
Founded in September 2002, The Appalachian Institute is a pastoral and academic response of Wheeling University to the Appalachian bishops’ pastoral letters, ''This Land is Home to Me'' (1975 - on power and powerlessness in Appalachia) and ''At Home in the Web of Life'' (1995 - on sustainability). Focused on advocacy, culture, education, research and service through the mode of immersion, as matters of social justice, the Appalachian Institute grounds its mission as a responsible and sustainable partner for the university and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston invigorating the Catholic social mission as an available instrument of Catholic social teaching, and as a positive force for growing sustainable relationships with community partners locally, nationwide & internationally. The Appalachian Institute at Wheeling University has focused on issues such as Appalachian health, hope, education, economic and energy development, and issues related to coal impoundment, conducting research and producing exhibits regarding these issues.

In 2010, the university hosted the Ignatian Solidarity Network Spring Teach-In, which focused on issues of environmental sustainability and stewardship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=3222&strBack=%2Fcardinal%2FDefault.asp |title=WJU Hosts National Event: The Ignatian Solidarity Network Spring Teach-In |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>  In September 2010, the Appalachian Institute held its second annual Appalachian Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=3372&strBack=%2FDefault.asp |title=Appalachian Film Festival Opens Sept. 20 with Coal Country, runs Through Sept. 23 |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

===Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality===
As a result of a donation from [[BB&T]], in 2006 the university became home to the Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality. According to its website, the Institute desires to study the roles of capitalism in a free society. The institute also promotes research and essay competitions, forums and debates, and a lecture series.<ref>"The Study of Capitalism and Morality." WJU Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality. Wheeling Jesuit University. April 18, 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/academics/bus/iscm/></ref>

===Academic facilities===

Named for the school's former president Thomas S. Acker,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1220|title = Wheeling Jesuit University {{!}} wvencyclopedia.org|date = September 26, 2014|access-date = October 13, 2015|website = The West Virginia Encyclopedia|publisher = West Virginia Humanities Council|last = Orr|first = Paul}}</ref> the Acker Science Center was built in 2002. It is home to classrooms and labs.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/acker.asp|title = Rev. Thomas S. Acker, S.J. -- Thomas S. Acker, S.J. Science Center|date = 2015|access-date = October 13, 2015|website = wju.edu|publisher = Wheeling Jesuit University|last = Wheeling|first = WV|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150918194915/http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/acker.asp|archive-date = September 18, 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The oldest academic building on campus, Donahue Hall was constructed in 1955 and was renovated in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1980s.asp#1987 |title=1987 |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928185206/http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1980s.asp#1987 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Donahue holds faculty offices, labs, and classrooms.<ref>"Donahue Hall." History of Campus Buildings. Wheeling Jesuit University. April 18, 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/donahue.asp {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012075616/http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/donahue.asp |date=October 12, 2008 }}>.</ref> The hall is connected to the Acker Science Center via the "Acker bridge."

==Mount de Chantal Conservatory of Music==
The adjacent former girls' academy, Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy ceased operations in August 2010 and the Sisters of the Visitation, who ran the school since its inception, moved to the monastery at [[Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School]] in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy|title=Sisters of the Visitation in Wheeling Moving to Washington, D.C.|url=http://www.mountdechantal.org/|access-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref> Wishing to see the Mount's legacy continued, the sisters gifted a large sum of money to establish and fund a Conservatory of Music at the university.<ref>{{cite web|last=The Intelligence Wheeling News Register|title=WJU, Sisters to Establish Mount de Chantal Conservatory|url=http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/576169/WJU--Sisters-to-Establish-Mount-de-Chantal-Conservatory.html?nav=506|access-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref>

Thus the Mount de Chantal Conservatory of Music came to be in the lower floor of the university's CET building. The Conservatory features a recital hall, practice rooms, a parlor for students and visitors, and a gallery displaying art, antiques and archival materials from Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Conservatory|url=https://wju.edu/conservatory/about.asp|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326161239/http://www.wju.edu/conservatory/about.asp|archive-date=March 26, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each year, one incoming female freshman receives a $10,000 Mount de Chantal Scholarship, renewable annually, through the Mount de Chantal Fine Arts Education Fund.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mount de Chantal Conservatory of Music|title=Mt. de Chantal Music Scholarship|url=https://wju.edu/conservatory/scholarship.asp|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425114146/http://www.wju.edu/conservatory/scholarship.asp|archive-date=April 25, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<!--
In the 2011–2012 school year, the university began the expansion of its fine arts programs. The university partners with [[River City Brass]] to offer instruction for its pep and symphonic bands. This music program also includes the establishment of a music major.<ref>http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/bands.asp Wheeling Jesuit University Music Program</ref>-->

==Athletics==
{{Main|Wheeling Cardinals}}

The Wheeling athletic teams are called the Cardinals. The university is a member of the [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] level of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA), primarily competing in the [[Mountain East Conference]] (MEC) as a founding member since the 2013–14 academic year. The Cardinals previously competed in the defunct [[West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (WVIAC) from 1957–58 to 2012–13.

Wheeling competes in 19 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, D1A rugby, soccer, swimming, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, track & field and volleyball. Former sports included women's lacrosse.

In 2024, the Wheeling men's rugby team completed an unbeaten season in 7s rugby and was named National Champions in the Premier Division at the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s Tournament in Boyds, Maryland. 

The university's home indoor athletic events for volleyball and basketball are held in WU's [[Alma Grace McDonough Health and Recreation Center|McDonough Center]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/mcdonough.asp |title=Alma Grace McDonough - Alma Grace McDonough Health & Recreation Center |publisher=Wheeling University |access-date=September 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230508/http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/mcdonough.asp |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> WU's football, soccer, and women's lacrosse teams play on the turfed Bishop Schmitt Field. The Cardinals baseball and softball teams call the J.B. Chambers Complex located off campus located along I-470 as their home fields.

==Campus life==
Wheeling University's campus features fifteen buildings,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/about/directions_tour.asp |title=Directions & Campus Tour – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102145005/http://www.wju.edu/about/directions_tour.asp |archive-date=November 2, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> six of which are residence halls:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/ |title=Housing and Residence Life – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:WJU Campion McHugh.jpg|thumb|Looking toward Campion and McHugh Residence Halls on WU's campus]]
* Campion – Housing for male freshman and upperclassmen students with one floor for female students
* McHugh – Housing for male freshman students
* Ignatius – Upgraded co-ed housing for upperclass students, featuring an "Ace Floor" for approved, academically achieved students with around-the-clock quiet hours
* Kirby – Upgraded housing for female students, occasionally freshmen
* Sara Tracy – Housing for female freshman students
* Steenrod – Apartment housing for graduate students, off the main campus but on university-owned property across Washington Avenue.

===Student organizations and publications===

====Student government====
The Student Government Association offices are located in Swint Hall.  The Student Government Association is the elected voice of WU students.  The Wheeling SGA consists of two branches: the executive board ("E-Board") and the Student Senate.  The E-Board consists of a President and Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Student Advocate, Social Affairs Representative, Academic Affairs Representative, and Academic Affairs Representative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/sga/eboard.asp |title=Meet the WJU SGA Executive Board |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>  The Student Senate is composed of at-large representatives, class officers, and a commuter representative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/sga/senate.asp |title=Student Senate |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

====Organizations====
Wheeling University students are given an array of opportunities for campus involvement. Student Government and the Campus Activities Board plan activities each year, in addition to those already put on by clubs. While many of the clubs are service-oriented in nature, there are also political, artistic, and major-related organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/clubs.asp |title=Wheeling Jesuit University Club and Organizations – Wheeling Jesuit University |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928190003/http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/clubs.asp |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Campus traditions===

====Culture Fest====
Each spring Wheeling's International Student club sponsors a festival celebrating the cultural diversity of WU. The activities included samples of ethnic food as well as music and demonstrations from students' native countries.<ref>http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/567564/Culture-Fest-Keeps-Growing.html?nav=515 Culture Fest Keeps Growing</ref>

====Last Blast====
"Last Blast" is held at the end of every school year.  The events include a concert, a formal dance, a carnival held outside of Donahue Hall, and a raft race down [[Wheeling Creek (West Virginia)|Wheeling Creek]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/cocurricular/ |title=Q&A Session with a Student from WJU |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827041818/http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/cocurricular/ |archive-date=August 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some of the artists at past Last Blast concerts include [[Andy Grammer]] and [[Punchline (band)|Punchline]].

====Jesuit Idol====
Jesuit Idol is an annual talent competition modeled after [[American Idol]] and held every spring semester.  Contestants sing before a live audience and a panel of judges, and are eliminated in a series of themed rounds.  The winner is awarded a cash prize.  The event is streamed online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=3471&strBack=%2FDefault.asp |title=Jesuit Idol Takes the Troy Theater Stage |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

==People==

===Notable alumni===
{{alumni|date=August 2018}}
* [[John Beilein]] (1975), professional basketball coach
* [[Lionel Cartwright]] (1982), country musician<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wju.edu/about/history/1980s.html | title=Wheeling University }}</ref>
* [[Haywood Highsmith]] (2018), professional basketball player
* [[Ginny Favede]], academic administrator who was the 13th president of [[Wheeling University]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hilliardareachamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/ap/CloudFile/Download/pMjDwYaP |title=Press Release |publisher=Home in Hilliard |date=October 20, 2025 |accessdate=November 1, 2025}}</ref>
* [[John M. Maris]], (1983), chief of Division of Oncology and Director of the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at the [[Children's Hospital of Philadelphia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stokes.chop.edu/programs/maris/profilemaris.php |title=John M. Maris M.D |publisher=Stokes.chop.edu |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Remy Munasifi]], comedian and musical artist
* [[Tim Murphy (congressman)|Tim Murphy]], (1974), U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 18th District<ref>{{cite web |url=http://murphy.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=3&sectiontree=3 |title=Congressman Tim Murphy: Biography |publisher=Murphy.house.gov |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205171308/http://murphy.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=3&sectiontree=3 |archive-date=December 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[George Novacky]] (1968), assistant department chair and senior lecturer in computer science, [[University of Pittsburgh]].
* [[Christina Richey]] (2004), cross-divisional program officer, [[NASA]] Headquarters; deputy program scientist, [[OSIRIS-REx]] spacecraft mission
* [[Kathleen Hawk Sawyer]] (1972), director, [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]], 1992–2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/612/000141189/ |title=Kathleen Hawk Sawyer |publisher=Nndb.com |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Erikka Lynn Storch]] (1996), member, [[West Virginia House of Delegates]]<ref name="wju.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=3409&strBack=%2Fcardinal%2FDefault.asp |title=Alumni Win Seats in West Virginia House of Delegates |publisher=Wheeling Jesuit University |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Jason Wilson (politician)|Jason H. Wilson]], Ohio state senator
* [[James T. Smith, Jr.|James T Smith]] (1964), Baltimore County, Maryland, county executive<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bco/html/msa11769.html |title=James T. Smith, Jr., County Executive, Baltimore County, Maryland |publisher=Msa.md.gov |date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Tara Wilson (pageant titleholder)|Tara Wilson]] (2000), [[Miss West Virginia USA]]
* [[JT Woodruff]] (did not graduate), lead singer of [[Hawthorne Heights]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wvgazette.com/Entertainment/thegazz/201103090860 |title=Best Bets: March 10–16, 2011 |publisher=Wvgazette.com |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

=== Notable faculty and staff ===
*[[J. Donald Freeze]], former philosophy professor and academic vice president of [[Georgetown University]]
*[[Alfred Jolson]], former business professor and [[Bishop of Reykjavík (Catholic)|Bishop of Reykjavík]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F3gxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6793%2C5253691 |title=Obituaries: Alfred Jolson, bishop of Icelandic church and friend to Wuerl |date=March 25, 1994 |access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref>
*[[Jim O'Brien (basketball, born 1952)|Jim O'Brien]], professional basketball coach

==See also==
* [[List of Jesuit sites]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons cat}}
* {{oweb}}
* [https://wucardinals.com/ Athletics website]

{{Mountain East Conference navbox}}

{{Great Midwest Athletic Conference navbox}}

{{Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities}}

{{Colleges and universities in West Virginia}}

{{Wheeling, West Virginia}}

{{Northern Panhandle of West Virginia}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wheeling University| ]]
[[Category:Schools in Wheeling, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Former universities and colleges of Jesuits]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1954]]
[[Category:Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Ohio County, West Virginia]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Catholic universities and colleges in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Higher Learning Commission]]