NOW OPEN — A spotted turtle enjoys his new home as West Liberty University opened its new Appalachian Aquatic Conservation Center on campus. Propagation of turtles and crayfish will be a major function at the new facility. -- Joselyn King

WHEELING — West Liberty University wants to be the top university in the nation for the study and conservation of crayfish and spotted turtles while attracting additional students to “The Hilltop.”

School officials were joined Thursday by many students and supporters for the ribbon cutting for the Appalachian Aquatic Conservation Center on campus.

WLU is now one of four universities across the nation to have an aquatic conservation facility. The next closest is Virginia Tech, also in the Mid-Atlantic region, according to Zachary Loughman, chairman of o

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