Local Colleges to Host Honor Schools
By BETHANY A. ROMANEK
POSTED: January 28, 2008
WHEELING — Bethany and West Liberty State colleges will be the sites of West Virginia’s most prestigious summer sessions for academically and artistically talented students.
West Liberty will host the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts this June 28 through July 18, as well as in the summers of 2009 and 2010.
Bethany College will host the West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy, an elite three-week summer educational program that attracts the top high school students from each of the state’s 55 counties — an honor also awarded to Bethany College for the next three years.
The Governor’s Schools consist of three programs that take place every summer on the campuses of various colleges and universities around the state. Students attend workshops, classes and events with some of the best faculty and instructors from their field. Governor’s Schools, entirely free for students, are administered by the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts.
‘‘The Governor’s Honors Academy and the Governor’s School for the Arts both being in the Northern Panhandle — it’s a big deal for the Northern Panhandle,” said Sherry Keffer, director of the Governor’s Schools. “Last January, we sent out an invitation to both private and public schools to submit a proposal to host the Governor’s Schools for a two- or three-year contract. In May, a committee of people went to all of the schools doing site visits and after we went to Bethany and West Liberty, we decided that’s where we wanted to host the academy.”
WLSC President Robin Capehart said West Liberty is proud to host the three-week intensive program for West Virginia high school students entering their junior year.
“Our campus is an ideal setting for these creative minds to develop their talents,” Capehart said. “I look forward to personally welcoming this summer’s distinguished class.”
According to Alfred R. de Jaager, interim dean of the School of Liberal Arts, this program will bring about 100 students from across West Virginia to West Liberty to participate in the intensive, residential program that provides individual and in-depth group instruction in the arts. Students will focus on such disciplines as theater, creative writing, dance, vocal music, instrumental music, art and digital media.
“The primary focus of the Governor’s School for the Arts is to broaden the students’ understanding of all creative arts while intensely studying their own art,” said de Jaager.
Participants will spend about four hours each day in their major discipline.
Skilled master teachers will work with students who demonstrate potential. Students also will have the opportunity to attend interdisciplinary classes each day.
The program is made possible through a $160,000 state grant provided by the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts.
“We are honored to have been selected to host the Governor’s Honors Academy and look forward to welcoming many of the best and brightest of West Virginia’s high school students to our campus over the next three summers,” said Bethany College President Scott D. Miller. “We are planning a number of exciting and challenging activities to help in expanding the educational horizons of these gifted young men and women.”
The GHA, under the auspices of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, is funded by the state Legislature. A total of 180 students are expected for this year’s event, which is scheduled for June 29-July 20. The GHA is committed to return to Bethany College in the summers of 2009 and 2010.
Auditions for the School for the Arts will be held this Friday and Saturday at East Fairmont High School. Students whose applications are complete and who meet the criteria are invited by letter to audition.
