Iron Man 3: A solid action flick

Iron Man 3: A solid action flick

After a slow start, Iron Man 3 turned out to be a really solid action movie. The great action sequences and humorous moments make this movie a huge step up from the previous film, but it is does not surpass the first one.

Robert Downey Jr. returns as billionaire Tony Stark (a.k.a Iron Man), and this time, he faces his most challenging nemesis yet : The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley).

WLU improves technology with new router

WLU improves technology with new router

Story Provided

West Liberty University is now operating on a new Cisco router that greatly increases its broadband service, thanks to a $27,000 opportunity with the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

Funding for the router was part of a nationwide effort to expand broadband service across the United States.

“This means a more efficient level of bandwidth is now operating on campus,” said Chief Technology Officer James Clark. “It also means that our students and staff will enjoy faster translation of data from searches to results.”

Soaking Up the Sun

Soaking Up the Sun

Olivia Morgan, Contributing Writer

Everyone loves having the glow of a good summer suntan, especially with shorts and tank top season right around the corner. Although some students may use artificial tanning throughout the winter months, giving them that “California girl” look all year round, many let their tans fade away as summer fades into fall.

Since Topper Nation is located in an area where many students do not get much natural sun throughout the winter, students have a higher risk of getting a sun burn during the first couple days of being outdoors during summer vacation.

WLU Business Office makes changes to Financial Aid refund distribution

WLU Business Office makes changes to Financial Aid refund distribution

Jordan Connor, Assistant Editor

The Business Office of West Liberty University will begin offering a direct deposit option for financial aid refunds beginning in the fall 2013 Semester.

This shift in the financial aid refund process will affect every West Liberty student. The Business Office has partnered with United Bank, and will be outsourcing all aspects of student refunds to United Bank.

Advanced Academy of West Virginia Proves Successful for High School Students

Advanced Academy of West Virginia Proves Successful for High School Students

Story Provided

As the school year winds down, there is a unique group of students marking the end of their first year in college, the students enrolled in the Advanced Academy of West Virginia.

“West Liberty University’s initiative to provide ambitious and academically motivated high school juniors and seniors a chance to accelerate their education is now ending the first year of its pilot program. This inaugural class has worked hard and has proven the initiative a success,” said President Robin C. Capehart.

Campbell Hall makes progress

Campbell Hall makes progress

By Hannah Courtney, Assistant Editor

When The Trumpet last checked in with the construction of Campbell Hall in February, the construction crews were battling winter weather conditions as they worked to complete the process of laying concrete and predicted an increase of work pace once the weather broke. Now, with the weather seeing better days, the outlook is good for the return from summer break.

“It was a long winter, but we kept going. We’re getting there, we’re picking up speed,” project manager Larry Skrzypek said.

WLU graduates largest class since 1980s

WLU graduates largest class since 1980s

By Francesca Miller, Staff Writer

On Saturday May 11, 337 students will graduate from West Liberty University.  The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium of the ASRC, and the building will open for seating at 9:30 a.m.

Although tickets are not required for attendance, student’s families are urged to arrive early for seating.  Graduates must report by 10:15 a.m. to their designated line up location in the ASRC.

The 337 graduates make up the largest graduating class that WLU has seen since the early 1980s.

State senator speaks on WL art ed. program

State senator speaks on WL art ed. program

By Caitlyn Johnson, Contributing Writer

West Virginia State Senator Rocky Fitzsimmons of West Virginia Senate District One recently discussed his thoughts on the importance of the arts, education, and the economy at a state level.

The efforts of West Liberty University’s College of Education and College of Arts and Communication to integrate the arts into the classroom through the Center for Arts and Education have not been unnoticed by Fitzsimmons.

MAD Fest results released

MAD Fest results released

The 2013 West Virginia Media Arts and Design (MAD) Festival was hosted by West Liberty University on April 19. This year the festival’s judges viewed over 130 WLU entries in the competition.

The winners are as followed: In College Animation Bryan Gasaway received first place for “NikeID” and Aleece Abell received runner up for “Peej.”

In College Digital Imaging Lucas Fauble received first place for “The Fountainhead” and Kali Davis received runner up for “Attack of the Reinfish!” Caleb Kissiah earned honorable mention twice in College Digital Imaging for “Clarity” and “Phantom.” DJ Tirpak also received honorable mention in College Digital Imaging for “Logos & Banners.”

Has the College of Business spent wisely?

By Anna Patrick, Editor

In 2010 West Liberty University’s College of Business accepted the largest single donation in its history from WLU alumnus Gary E. West.

West’s very generous donation totaled to $1.5 million, according to WLU’s Chief Financial Officer Jack Wright. “The College of Business was given $500,000 a year by Gary E. West, a major donor, for three years,” Wright said.

As a result, the College of Business chose to honor its donor by renaming it the Gary E. West College of Business.

Fast forward to three years later and the college finds itself on the final share of West’s donation. So what happens next?