1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979

Winter --Student body president Jim Doherty is one of 10 student body presidents in the nation chosen by the United States National Students Association for a special tour of Vietnam.

1971:
February 13 --A protest calling for the end of the war in Vietnam is staged in downtown Wheeling by 50-60 members of the Wheeling College community.

June 12 --Andrew Novotney, Class of 1964, becomes the first Wheeling College graduate to be ordained as a Jesuit priest.

October 12 --The first professional basketball game ever in Wheeling is played in the Wheeling College Field House as the ABA Pittsburgh Condors top the Dallas Chaparrals, 120-118, in a pre-season exhibition.

1972:
In a cost-cutting move, Vincent Knipfing, dean of student affairs and housing, announces that Sara Tracy Hall will be closed for the 1972-73 school year. The closing was later extended to include the 1973-74 school year.

1975:
Rock-and-roll pioneer Chubby Checker performs in the Field House.

Fourth President - Father Charles Currie Jr., S.J., 1972-82 Fr. Currie came to Wheeling College at a time of great financial difficulty and declining enrollment. He arrived amid rumors that he planned to close the college, but instead he became committed to building on the goals of the original founders and expanding the impact the college had on the Ohio Valley. A major boost in funding came through Title III (Advanced Institutional Development Program), which brought the college $1.5 million in federal funds from 1976-81. Along with supplementary funds from the Benedum Foundation (in business) and HEW Health Resources Division (in nursing), the college was able to begin new programs, increase student retention, develop a strong data-based management system including computer capability and provide funds for faculty and administrative development.

After five years, Wheeling College became one of the few schools in the nation to quit the Title III program voluntarily. Fr. Currie left with an 80 percent rise in enrollment, gifts from private sources reaching $1 million per year, an evening division and 12 new programs. Although the college still had a $1 million debt by the time he left, Currie was able to balance the yearly budget.

He was born July 9, 1930, in Overbrook, PA, and entered the Society of Jesus in 1950. He held degrees from Boston College and Weston College in Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He was ordained on June 16, 1963. In 1964, he was the host of an NBC television program, "New World on Campus." He currently serves as rector of the Jesuit community at St. Joseph's in Philadelphia.

1976:
May --Future U.S. President Ronald Reagan speaks at the Field House.

September 13 --Men's soccer becomes a varsity sport. The Cardinals win their first game, 3-2, over Linsly Academy.

Fall --A Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is approved.

Winter --"The Rathskellar" opens for business.

1977:
February --Due to record-breaking cold temperatures, classes are suspended for the entire month. To compensate, 15 days of class are added from March to May, and students receive a $40-$50 refund.

1978:
March --The men's basketball team reaches the finals of the WVIAC Tournament before losing to West Virginia Wesleyan. Ed Graham and Paul Mulholland both make the all-tournament team.

Fall --Graduate business courses are added to the curriculum, and a Master of Business Administration program begins.

1979:
April 18 --College President Charles Currie suffers two broken legs, a black eye and facial lacerations in a helicopter crash.

December 1 --A 24-hour prayer vigil is held on campus for the hostages being held at the American Embassy in Iran.