You know you’re in West Virginia when the posted speed limit is higher than what you can get up to before the next curve. Though Shepherdstown, WV, lies along the Potomac River with Maryland on the other shore, the college town is quintessential West-by-God-Virginia, popping out from the fields after yet another hairpin curve. Almost heaven. (Disclaimer: My father’s family is from West Virginia. There are lots of Hotts in them hills.)

About two-thirds of Shepherd students hail from West Virginia, with the remainder primarily coming from nearby Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. In-state residents pay about $22K a year, out-of-state, about $32K, making it a good value for the right student. 

Steeped in history, the public liberal arts college of 2,500 undergrads holds a mixture of old and new buildings, some dating back to just after the Civil War. Antietam battlefield lies abuts campus. It addresses history with a major in historic preservation; it addresses the future with a nursing program that can take you through a doctorate of nursing practice.

Nursing is the school’s largest program, followed by elementary and secondary education. Originally, they emphasized teacher education, first as Shepherd Normal School and then as Shepherd State Teachers College, but today you can study business, communication, criminal justice, environmental science, and more. Biology and chemistry majors can pursue a pre-medical, pre-dental, or pre-veterinary track; political science, a pre-law track. https://www.shepherd.edu/admissions/majors-and-minors

Perhaps most surprising is the school’s embrace of the arts. In fact, Shepherd offers a B.F.A. in four visual arts, including sculpture, a bachelor’s in music or music performance, and a B.A. in contemporary theater studies. The Center for Contemporary Arts, though not officially a part of the university, has an impressive presence on campus, and students can use the facilities to create and perform. In addition, the Performing Arts Series at Shepherd has presented free entertainment to Shepherd students for 35 years, drawing in community members with low ticket prices and leading to discussions of important issues.

The Center for Contemporary Arts supports theater and visual arts. The striking brown exterior is weathered copper, echoed inside in its brighter form. 

Shepherd’s core curriculum aims to “facilitate the acquisition of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world.” In a nod to its mountain roots, Shepherd offers an interdisciplinary bachelor’s program in Appalachian studies. Looking far beyond the state, it offers global studies, with concentrations in culture and history, economics, environments, and governments and peace. 

According to my tour guide, Shepherd 2022 graduate Zachary Salman, some of the dorms were a bit shabby (they were tearing out carpets when we were there) but the newer Potomac Place suites and Dunlop & Printz apartments are quite nice. Salman will attend UVM to pursue a graduate degree in historic preservation. He was able to earn his B.A. and continue to play music at Shepherd. Music programs live primarily in the Frank Center.

The Center for Contemporary Arts supports theater and visual arts. The striking brown exterior is weathered copper, echoed inside in its brighter form. 

Shepherd’s core curriculum aims to “facilitate the acquisition of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world.” In a nod to its mountain roots, Shepherd offers an interdisciplinary bachelor’s program in Appalachian studies. Looking far beyond the state, it offers global studies, with concentrations in culture and history, economics, environments, and governments and peace. 

According to my tour guide, Shepherd graduate Zachary Salman, some of the dorms were a bit shabby (they were tearing out carpets when we were there) but the newer Potomac Place suites and Dunlop & Printz apartments are quite nice. Salman will attend UVM to pursue a graduate degree in historic preservation. He was able to earn his B.A. and continue to play music at Shepherd.

]

The Wellness Center enables students to swim, take fitness classes (including adaptive classes), run, play basketball, and generally get or stay well. In keeping with its community-oriented ethos, Shepherd offers memberships to non-students.https://shepherdwellness.com/memberships/