1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

1981:
The Laut honors program begins. It is named for Fr. Stephen J. Laut, S.J., a former English professor at the college.

1982:
January 30 -- Wheeling College student and future country music star Lionel Cartwright headlines a Jamboree U.S.A. show at Capitol Music Hall.

February 3 -- After a two-year absence, a revamped Spokesman reappears under the new name "Nova."

Fifth President - Father Thomas S. Acker, S.J., 1982-2000 Fr. Acker had the longest term of any Wheeling University president. He has overseen a number of building projects at the college, including the new Alma Grace McDonough Recreation and Health Complex, as well as the establishment of a relationship with NASA that brought the college the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center and the Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies which features the Classroom of the Future and Challenger Learning Center. During Acker's tenure, enrollment increased from 988 in 1982 to 1,527 in 1999. The annual operating budget of the college expanded to more than $45 million. The number of employees grew to approximately 500. Under Acker's leadership, seven new buildings were added and millions of dollars of renovations completed to existing buildings, including the addition of a new campus store.

Before coming to Wheeling, he was dean of arts and sciences at St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia. He has been project director of the U.S. Peace Corps in Nepal, and taught biology at the University of San Francisco, the University of Detroit and John Carroll University. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Biology) from Stanford University and a Licentiate in Philosophy and a Bachelor's in Classical Language from Loyola University.

1983:
The English as a Second Language program is founded by Dr. Robert Lado, a linguistics professor at Georgetown University. The program is later renamed the Lado Institute.

1984: The Wheeling College Chapel, later renamed the Chapel of Mary and Joseph, is completed. The Most Rev. Joseph Hodges celebrates the first Mass, with the Jesuit community in attendance. Hodges dies a month later. The first public Mass is held on Christmas Eve.

1985:
Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie plays at the Field House.

1986:
Spring -- Fr. Thomas S. Acker, S.J., announces plans to add the word "Jesuit" to the name of Wheeling College. The change takes effect in the 1987-88 school year.

1987:
January -- Men's basketball player Bryant Houston sets the school scoring record for a single game with 48 points against Bluffton College.

June -- "CRESCENDO," the sculpture by Hans Van de Bovenkamp which sits in front of the Chapel of Mary and Joseph, arrives on campus.

Fall -- The college begins a Reserve Officer Training Corps program.

1988:
September 7 -- Women's soccer becomes a varsity sport as the Lady Cardinals open their season with a scoreless tie against Marietta. The women's team would reach the six-team NAIA National Championship Tournament in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

October 25 -- The Donahue Hall rededication ceremony is held, with participants including the Very Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., Superior General of the Jesuits. As part of the renovation, the building's exterior balconies are enclosed with glass, and a greenhouse and mechanical rooms are installed at the rear of the building.

1989:
Wheeling Jesuit College is designated as the site for the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center. Initial appropriation for the facility is engineered by U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. NASA also established the Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies at Wheeling Jesuit College, with initial appropriation for the facility engineered by U.S. Congressman Alan B. Mollohan.

February 2 -- The student newspaper reverts to its original name, The Spokesman.

March 8 -- The men's basketball team earns a trip to the NAIA National Championship Tournament with a 91-83 victory over Concord. The Cardinals defeat Guilford, N.C., and Drury, Mo., in the tournament before losing to Central Washington. Wheeling Jesuit turns in its finest season ever, winning 22 consecutive games, being ranked No. 4 in the nation by the NAIA and finishing the year 31-4. Mike Connor becomes the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,045 points, and is named Academic All-American and Third Team All-American. Dave Foose ends his career as the all-time free throw percentage leader in NAIA history. Coach Jay DeFruscio earns, WVIAC, District 28 and NAIA Area 7 Coach of the Year honors.

Fall -- Physical therapy program opens.