Kari Sisk
Dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Associate Professor of Psychology
Kari Sisk
Dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Associate Professor of Psychology
(304) 457-6240
Psychology
Wilcox Chapel, built in 1976, is one of the most striking buildings on campus. Inside, it features a beautiful wood ceiling, stained glass window, and a quaint overlook of downtown Philippi. Alderson Broaddus is affiliated with the American Baptist Church, but offers non-denominational chapel services every Thursday at 12:00 p.m. for our diverse student body. Wilcox Chapel is a multipurpose complex that houses the College of Education and hosts various celebrations, including opening, honors, and nursing convocations and baccalaureate. Outside Wilcox, the Dr. Jean Cunningham Plaza features the original cross that once stood high upon AB’s iconic bell tower and serves as a beacon to the University’s mission and heritage as a faith-based institution.
Burbick Hall is the first stop for any campus tour, as it is home to the Welcome Center and the Office of Admissions. Also located on the 1st floor is the Registrar’s Office. On the 2nd floor, you will find the Business Office, Financial Aid Office, and Personal Counseling. The Academic Center for Educational Success (ACES) and Career Counseling are located on the 3rd floor, and the 4th floor is home to the President’s and Provost’s Offices. Throughout the year, hundreds of families pass through Burbick Hall to learn what AB has to offer.
The back deck of Burbick Hall overlooks the picturesque town of Philippi. Philippi is known as the site of the first land battle of the Civil War, although it is referred to as a Skirmish rather than a battle. AB’s mascot, Skirmish the Battler, commemorates that epic battle in history on Battle Hill where campus stands today.
The Campus Center is a central hub for AB students. The Campus Center houses Heiner Hall, the main dining location. Heiner offers students a variety of food stations, some of which are made-to-order. Other dining options include the on-campus restaurant, E.J. & Emma’s at the Cave; Jazzman’s Bakery and Coffee Shop; and the SubConnection. The Campus Center is a true “one-stop-shop” tailored to meet our students’ needs. The Campus Center houses the AB Bookstore, Post Office, Fitness Center, and the Office of Student Affairs.
Pickett Library and Funkhouser Auditorium were added to the campus in 1957. The Pickett Library’s website provides both on-campus and off-campus access to electronic versions of over 200,000 books, and 11,000 journals, magazines, and newspapers. The Pickett Library also holds over 60,000 volumes of print, non-print, and audio-visual materials. An extensive main library, an audiovisual classroom, two computer labs, and multiple study rooms are available for students.
Funkhouser Auditorium accommodates drama and choral productions, the Homecoming pageant, as well as other social functions. Funkhouser was remodeled to house 496 seats, new lighting, sound booth, and an orchestra pit for the building’s anniversary in 2013.
Withers-Brandon Hall, known to most as “W-B,” is home to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, which includes programs in criminal justice; integrated marketing communication; journalism and professional writing; legal studies; mass communication; psychology; public relations; and religion and philosophy. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is the backbone of a high-quality AB education, as every student receives instruction from faculty based on a liberal arts foundation.
Also located in W-B is the College of Business, which is comprised of programs in accounting; business administration; marketing; and sport management. Student members of the business club, the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), have won state-wide and national business competitions and recognitions.
Built in 1921, W-B was originally a gymnasium, but was renovated to classroom space when the Memorial Coliseum was constructed. W-B hosts a large lecture hall and offices for the student newspaper, the Battler Columns, and student magazine, Influx.
Benedum Hall is AB’s only community-style residence hall. All floors have two common bathrooms, laundry facilities, and common kitchens. There is also a large lounge on the first floor.
Alderson Broaddus University has a history of academic innovation in the health sciences, establishing the nation’s first baccalaureate physician assistant program of its kind in 1968 and the state’s first four-year nursing program in 1945. To accommodate these revolutionary programs, Myers Hall of Health Sciences was constructed in 1973. Myers also houses the College of Medical Science, which is home to both the anatomy and the physician assistant studies master’s programs. Myers has both lecture classrooms and clinical skills laboratories for hands-on learning. On the ground floor, professional students study the human body in the state-of-the-art gross anatomy laboratory by combining virtual and practical experience. Myers also has a student lounge for study groups.
Priestley Hall is a suite-style residence hall with a central courtyard. Each suite has four bedrooms, one bathroom, and a furnished common room. The building also has a large laundry room and kitchen, as well as multiple lounges.
Kincaid Hall is AB’s largest residence hall and offers both suite-and apartment-style living options. All units have one bathroom, a furnished living room, and two or three bedrooms. The apartment units also include kitchens.
Constructed in 1969, The Memorial Coliseum consists of Rex Pyles Arena and the adjacent domed pool. On game nights, students pack the Jim and Lou Shriver Grandstand to cheer on their fellow Battlers. On the ground floor of the Coliseum, you will find a weight room and the athletic training facility used to treat and care for our student-athletes.
The Coliseum plays an essential role in the lives of all students. During commencement, students walk through the traditional procession of professors, receiving congratulations, en route to receive their diploma.
Battler Hall and University Hall are suite-style residence halls with similar layouts. Both buildings have multiple laundry rooms, lounges, and kitchens for students to use.
The Multi-Sport Performance Stadium turf field is home to Battler cheerleading, football, lacrosse (M/W), rugby (M/W), soccer (M/W), and sprint football. The stadium features double-deck home side seating, luxury boxes, and concessions. Locker rooms, equipment rooms, and an on-site athletic training facility can be found below the visitors’ section.
Whitescarver Hall, built in 1912, is the oldest building on campus and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Whitescarver houses a state-of-the-art robot simulator laboratory, where students can use the latest tools in health science instruction. In the SIM lab, nursing and physician assistant studies students can apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom in a highly realistic healthcare environment by diagnosing and treating simulated human patients that talk, breathe, respond to medication, and carry out other human functions. In addition to the SIM lab, Whitescarver is also home to exercise science classes, learning laboratories, and space for high and low fidelity simulators and models.
AB has small-town charm with big-city connections. Our beautiful mountaintop campus is nestled in a quiet setting—far from distractions, but not too far from big-city adventures.
Over 8,000 students have called AB their “hilltop home.” Our family of alumni provides opportunities for networking, internships, and even job placement. AB prepares students to excel in the working world with tools to fulfill their roles in a diverse society.
Gold Hall and Blue Hall are apartment-style residence halls with similar layouts. Each apartment has four single bedrooms, two bathrooms, a furnished common area, and a furnished kitchen. Both buildings also have multiple laundry rooms and lounges for students to use.
University Hall is a suite-style residence hall with multiple laundry rooms, lounges, and kitchens for students to use.
Kemper-Redd Science Center is home to the College of Health, Science, Technology, and Mathematics, which includes the majors of biology; chemistry; computer science; cyber security; environmental science; exercise science; mathematics; natural resource management; and nursing. Inside you’ll find biology, chemistry, physics, and computer labs, as well as an anatomy lab and lecture halls. A four-story, 3,000 square foot mural adorns the stairwell and depicts evolution scenes. The mural entitled “Life” was created by Ashley Teets from the Class of 2012.
Students in HSTM collaborate with professors on research projects, and many students publish before they graduate. Student research projects have been recognized by receiving grants from the Appalachian College Association or participation in the Institutional Development Award Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence program. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Undergraduate Research Day at the state capitol, which gives legislators and West Virginia institutions the chance to interact with students and witness how they are revolutionizing the future. Students who walk the halls of Kemper-Redd set high standards, as 98% of students eligible for medical school are accepted into graduate or professional programs, including medical, pharmacy, and dental schools.
