Article Focuses on Appalachian School of Law

Ry Rivard reports for Inside Higher Ed on April 3, 2015 about a struggling law school in western Virginia, the Appalachian School of Law.  The school was founded in 1994 with the first class of students entering in 1997.  The mission centers on providing an opportunity for students from the region to study law and serve their local communities.  Appalachian School of Law has been fully accredited by the American Bar Association since 2006.

Rivard's article is particularly interesting since he explores some apparent differences of opinion over whether the institution should move from Grundy, VA...a small town with 1,000 population.  He also notes that Mickey McGlothlin who serves as a trustee of the school of law is also president of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy.  Appalachian College of Pharmacy is located in the nearby unincorporated town of Oakwood.

Both of these institutions are part of long tradition where leaders in rural Appalachian communities attempt to meet local needs by supporting post-secondary educational initiatives.  IPEDS data from last fall shows enrollment of 220 students with 29 faculty for the College of Pharmacy and 219 students and 20 faculty members for the School of Law.