WEST LIBERTY — West Liberty University President Tim Borchers sees a bright and successful future for the institute of higher learning that he currently helms. On Friday, as he was officially installed as WLU’s 38th president, he called upon the campus and community to help in making that future a reality.

Borchers has been on the job since July 1, but his inauguration ceremony was held Friday at WLU’s Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex. The theme of the ceremony was “The Power of Aspiration.” The concept of aspiration has become an important one at West Liberty. It is the linchpin of the university’s new marketing campaign: “Aspire to Greatness.”

“The Cambridge Dictionary defines aspiration as ‘to want something very much or hope to achieve something or be successful,” Borchers said during his inaugural address. “The definition introduces a related term that I have often heard used to describe the sentiment on campus today. That word is ‘hope.'”

Borchers came to West Liberty following a tumultuous period. Former president W. Franklin Evans lasted only two years in the role. Following a string of controversies, the WLU Board of Governors voted not to renew his contract. Borchers was hired from Peru State College in Nebraska, where he served as its vice president of academic affairs, to steady the ship.

Tom Cervone — secretary of the university’s Board of Governors, chair of the search committee that chose Borchers and host of Friday’s inaugural ceremony — said Borchers has been filling that need ever since he arrived on campus. To drive that point home, quoted Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

“Dr. Tim Borchers, who is just about to turn the page on year one in the “Big Chair,” has demonstrated in this relatively short period of time the tenets that define greatness — courage, creativity, compassion, leadership, innovation and, well, the list goes on and on and on,” he said. “Additionally, sitting in the Big Chair assumes and demands, and I quote, a long-standing allegiance to the neighborhood, West Liberty University, and a steadfast commitment to unity, prosperity and goodwill. Thanks, Dr. Borchers. All boxes are checked.”

In ensuring the boxes for maintaining a successful university remain checked, Borchers discussed some of the ways that will happen. He wants WLU to provide experiential learning and personalized support for its students. The university already has announced its Topper Free Tuition program, which provides scholarship funds to new students eligible for Pell grants to manage their college costs.

West Liberty also has a new Student Success Center housed at the Paul Elbin Library, which will provide academic coaching, career development tutoring and more. The university also has expanded its online programs and offers micro-credentials to serve those already in the workforce who want a college degree.

West Liberty holds the honor of being the oldest institution of higher learning in West Virginia, its origin predating the birth of West Virginia itself, Borchers said. That distinction serves as the foundation for a tomorrow that Borchers believes will be a prosperous one.

“West Liberty University has aspired to greatness for nearly 200 years,” Borchers said. “The ‘cowpath to culture’ has always been an avenue of aspirations.

“Today, we face challenges due to changing demographics, pandemic after-effects and financial constraints,” he added. “We will respond as Hilltoppers always have — by setting goals, charting a pathway for success and mustering the passion, determination and persistence to achieve our goals. We have every reason to be hopeful for the future.”