With relationship statuses, status updates and photos appearing on Facebook news feeds, West Virginia University supporters were busy helping to rank WVU No. 10 for the university with the most fans.
The list is comprised of how many fans universities had on their official fan pages and in their official groups to compile the list.
Washington Post blogger and education reporter Jenna Johnson posted the list May 1. She is updating it with universities and colleges as she finds more pages and groups.
WVU ranked No. 10, ahead of schools such as Stanford University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Miami and the University of Notre Dame. Texas A&M University ranks first on the list.
Cathy Orndorff, director of WVU Web Services, said we ranked so high due to trends with fans and alumni.
"WVU has really devoted fans and very successful sports teams. We are also fortunate to not have a professional team or other large university to compete with," Orndorff said.
Dan Caryll, WVU Web Services intern, believes WVU earned the spot because it has done a good job of embracing and growing with new technology.
"WVU has always attempted to stay on top of the latest technology, whether it's using Twitter feeds to update students on news and events or creating an iPhone application containing information on transportation and other campus ideas," Caryll said in an e-mail. "Having so many students to try to connect to is difficult, but Facebook allows for an easy way to find people that you may have not had any other way to contact."
Not only do sports fan fans find Facebook useful, but it also serves a purpose for the University.
"Facebook is the first source of information for students, alumni, and faculty," said Tricia Petty, associate vice president for University Relations Operations. "WVU has great fans, and when they want to know something about the University, they check our
Facebook page first, whether it's for sports or academics," Petty said.
Recent WVU graduate Scott Droginske said he is not surprised with the school's Facebook popularity,
"WVU students have a lot more pride than other schools. We all wear WVU apparel more often than others, and we aren't afraid to greet a fellow student when we see them out of Morgantown," Droginske said.
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