WVU's $3M Anti-'Woke' Center Attracts Only 1 Student; Iowa's Similar Effort Shows Mixed Results

By John Damon | Just The News Iowa

A $3 million taxpayer-funded center at West Virginia University designed to push back against 'woke' ideology has enrolled just one student so far, raising questions about the effectiveness of similar conservative initiatives in Iowa and other states. The Washington Center for Civics, Culture and Statesmanship, created by Republican legislators in 2025, currently lists 18 courses for the fall 2026 semester but only one student has signed up for three classes, according to West Virginia Watch.

What is the Washington Center at WVU?

The center was mandated by the West Virginia Legislature and signed into law by Governor Patrick Morrisey. Its mission is to study the U.S. Constitution and the 'great debates of Western civilization,' directly challenging what Governor Morrisey called 'the woke ideology that has infected our schools.' Dr. Patrick Lee Miller, a Greek philosophy expert appointed by the governor, serves as director with a salary exceeding $300,000.

Dr. Miller described a 'crisis' facing American civilization, and proposed courses include 'Woke,' 'Nation and Migration,' and 'The New Right.' However, enrollment data from June 22 shows only one student enrolled.

How does this compare to Iowa's Center for Intellectual Freedom?

Iowa has its own version of this conservative academic push. The University of Iowa's Center for Intellectual Freedom, established to promote open debate and conservative viewpoints, has also faced low enrollment. In response, Iowa's Republican-controlled legislature passed a law requiring all students to take American history and government courses at the center as a graduation requirement. This mandate aims to boost enrollment and ensure students are exposed to foundational American principles.

Iowa's approach is more direct than West Virginia's, where courses are not yet approved for credit toward majors. West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw defended the slow start, saying, 'I'm not necessarily surprised that enrollment hasn't begun to tick up. If it's not part of what a student is majoring in or minoring in, then the students have to take courses that do fit those approved parameters.' He predicted enrollment would increase once courses are integrated into the academic structure.

Why are critics concerned about the cost?

The center's $3 million price tag comes at a time when WVU faced a $45 million budget deficit, leading to hundreds of job cuts, faculty layoffs, and the elimination of 28 majors. Democratic Delegate John Williams, a WVU alumnus who opposed the center, said, 'I'm not happy about it. Now we're in a position where we've allocated so much money toward this program, and only one person is taking advantage of it.'

Political science professor Erik Herron added, 'I think the Washington Center, ironically, seems to be exactly what it complains that higher education has become. It was created in Charleston, and it was imposed on the university, so it's a big government mandate.'

What does this mean for conservative education efforts?

Despite the rocky start, conservatives remain committed to these centers as a way to restore balance in higher education. Similar efforts are underway in Florida, where a legal battle continues over a law championed by Governor Ron DeSantis that restricts training on race and sexuality. The Trump administration has also pushed to reshape how American history is taught at federal institutions.

For Iowa, the lesson may be that legislative mandates are necessary to ensure conservative perspectives have a place in academia. The Iowa law requiring American history and government courses at the Center for Intellectual Freedom is a direct attempt to avoid the enrollment struggles seen in West Virginia.

As Republican-led states continue to fight 'woke' ideology in education, the WVU center's slow start serves as a cautionary tale. But supporters argue that with time and proper integration, these centers will prove their value in preparing students to understand and defend Western civilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did WVU create a conservative center?

Republican legislators mandated the center to push back against what they see as progressive bias in higher education and to promote study of the U.S. Constitution and Western civilization.

How is Iowa's center different from WVU's?

Iowa's Center for Intellectual Freedom now requires students to take American history and government courses as a graduation requirement, ensuring higher enrollment and exposure to conservative ideas.

What happens to the $3 million if enrollment stays low?

Critics argue the money could be better spent on core academic programs, especially given WVU's budget deficit. Supporters expect enrollment to rise once courses are approved for credit.

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