As coordinator of the WVU ETD program for the University Libraries, Hagen has been the technical reviewer for all thesis and dissertation submissions, has provided counsel on intellectual property and submissions issues since 1989, has served on the WVU ETD Task Force to develop its program and policy, and has been involved with the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) consortium, having served on its steering and symposia planning committees since 1998.

 The mission is to spread the ETD gospel, and WVU has been actively engaged in encouraging and nourishing the development and implementation of ETD programs at peer institutions both regionally and nationally.  Over the years, numerous universities have contacted WVU regarding implementation issues including Brigham Young University, Clemson University, Marshall University, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, Penn State University, Seton Hill University, Tulane University, University of Kentucky, University of Pittsburgh, University of Nevada, University of New Orleans, University of Rochester, University of South Carolina, University South Florida, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, Wake Forest University and Washington State University.

WVU is a pioneer among the 168 NDLTD consortia members, having become the 2nd institution in the world to have successfully required the electronic submission of all theses and dissertations in 1998.  With currently over 1,500 documents in the collection, WVU ETDs have now been accessed over 3 million times in over 90 countries since inception.

Students and the institution gain because of the effective marketing and networking opportunities available through the Web.  WVU encourages and supports the inclusion of multimedia elements, the development and promotion of electronic graduate portfolios, and the pursuit and exploration of new authoring and research Internet venues.  ETDs are part of a growing trend of technological development in West Virginia that is transforming the economy by providing research access to the world while bringing reciprocal investment to the state.

WVU now hopes to encourage and assist with ETD program implementation in developing nations as a means of fostering academic growth and technological advancement.   One of the broader implications of knowledge sharing through the realization of digital libraries is the ultimate achievement of social and economic justice worldwide.  Through its global outreach, WVU, UNESCO and the NDLTD consortium are helping to achieve this goal.

For additional information contact John Hagen at 304-293-4040, ext. 4025 or visit the Web at www.wvu.edu/~thesis/

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