West Liberty University Board of Governors named Dr. Stephen Greiner its next president in a 5 p.m. press conference today, held at Oglebay Resort. The Board spent most of the day in executive session prior to making the announcement.
The selection of president was made and voted on just a few hours earlier and immediately shared with West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill for the necessary contract approval required by law. Greiner will assume the presidency in January 2016.
“It is a great honor being selected as the next president of West Liberty University. I am deeply humbled by this opportunity and take enormous pride in knowing that I will be coming home to the Northern Panhandle. I want to thank the West Liberty University Board of Governors for their confidence and support. It will be a pleasure working with them to build a shared strategy for the future,” said Greiner as he accepted the position.
“West Liberty University is a distinguished, historic, and student centered campus with outstanding faculty and staff, and the students are amazing. Nancy Greiner and I are thrilled and look forward to being a part of the West Liberty University experience,” he said.
He will be succeeding Dr. John P. McCullough who has been serving as interim president.
Board of Governors Chairman George Couch said, “It is a great honor to announce that Dr. Stephen Greiner has been unanimously selected by the Board of Governors as the next president of West Liberty University. Dr. Greiner brings an outstanding record of 14 years as a college president and 27 years as a faculty member, dean and administrator. His proven record of leadership, financial management, fundraising and relationship with students, faculty, staff and community uniquely qualifies him for this important position. Additionally, Dr. Greiner is a native of Weirton and his knowledge of the history, culture and needs of the students of the greater Ohio Valley will help him quickly connect with prospective students and our secondary schools.
“Dr. Greiner’s skills are a perfect match for West Liberty University’s goal of providing an outstanding learning environment with top notch staff, low student-to-faculty ratios while keeping costs affordable. We think Dr. Greiner is exactly who we need to move West Liberty University forward in meeting the needs of our current and future students.
“This is an exciting day for West Liberty University. Our Presidential Search Committee, which represented students, faculty, staff, alumni, foundation and the Board of Governors, is to be commended for their dedicated and diligent work over the last seven months. We believe Dr. Greiner will receive the support and commitment of everyone associated with West Liberty University to help him in his transition as our new leader.”
Greiner resides in Hazard, Ky. and is the president and CEO of Hazard Community and Technical College, a comprehensive multiple campus public degree granting institution serving approximately 4,000 students in seven counties in eastern Kentucky.
Prior to that, Greiner served as president at Brunswick Community College (three locations in N.C.), from 2005 – 2010 and before that he was president of Virginia Intermont College, (Bristol, Va.) from 2001 – 2005.
He earned his bachelor’s in education degree at the University of Kentucky (Lexington), a master’s of public service at Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green) and a doctorate of education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech., Blacksburg).
West Liberty University’s search for its next president began last spring and more than 40 applicants applied for the position. Eleven of those were then invited to take part in Skype interviews in July, which narrowed the field to eight, who were then interviewed in Pittsburgh. In September, four finalists visited campus and met with faculty, alumni, students and staff personally before the field was narrowed to a final two on Oct. 14.
West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public university steeped in a rich heritage as West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education. Five colleges and a School of Professional Studies offer more than 60 majors and 30 programs that are nationally recognized or accredited. Graduate programs include the Master of Arts in Education, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and the Master of Professional Studies degrees.
For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB or visit westliberty.edu.
