By Roger Adkins
Exponent Telegram
PHILIPPI, W.Va. — Alderson Broaddus University has hit some pretty high benchmarks lately — from welcoming its largest incoming class in history to expanding its programs and bringing back a football program.
Incoming student numbers increased from 495 two years ago to 1,143 this year, said Ashley Mittelmeier, marketing and communications director.
“We’ve had back-to-back record-setting enrollment years with freshmen and transfer students,” she said.
The school also expanded its academic majors, adding online programs and master’s programs.
School administrators enhanced the atmosphere on campus with new buildings, and the school is getting back into the sports game with the addition of new athletic teams, Mittelmeier said.
“The vibrancy on campus is just remarkable. I sit in my office, look out the window, and I can always see students buzzing off to class, studying by the fountain or passing Frisbees in the fall and spring,” Mittelmeier said.
“There are students everywhere. Battler pride is also spreading. We’ve had the highest percentage of alumni participation we’ve seen in years,” she added.
On Sept. 7, the university dedicated a 2,000-seat stadium as part of the process of bringing a football program back to the school, Mittelmeier said.
As a result of these accomplishments, the Editorial Board of The Exponent Telegram named Alderson Broaddus “Success Story of the Year” as part of the newspaper’s “Difference Makers” series.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting things happening. To see the community respond in such a positive way is awesome. To see the businesses thriving in town because of the influx of students is fantastic,” Mittelmeier said. “We just want to thank everyone who has supported us…”