January 14, 2022

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling University Community,

The Spring Semester has started! On Sunday, the students moved back to campus, and classes began bright and early Monday morning. As part of our move-in process, and as mandated by the state, each student was tested for COVID-19. Fortunately, we had very few positive test results. Students who tested positive are either in quarantine or at home under the new CDC Guidelines. Those students in isolation on campus are being cared for by the Student Services staff, members of the Jesuit Community, and other employee volunteers. I am grateful for those community members who make sure that each of these students receives meals, has an opportunity for exercise, and has social interaction daily. Cura Personalis, or caring for the needs of others – a feature of Ignatian and Catholic education – remains an essential part of our culture and teachings.

With the start of a new semester and an approaching winter storm, I encourage all students and employees to sign up for Cardinal Alerts. This system sends out messages pertaining to campus closings due to weather and important campus notifications. Please take a moment to sign up by clicking this link, then go to the upper right corner of the page and hit the sign up button.

Aladdin Food Services is hosting a Back to School Night in the RATT featuring DJ J-Rage tomorrow night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Do not miss this chance to listen to great music, dance, and celebrate the start of the new semester. Next Saturday, January 22, the Activities Office is bringing an iceless ice rink to the Auxiliary Gym Parking Lot from Noon to 4 p.m. No skates? No worries – skates will be provided!

Students will soon be able to apply for funds through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III. The federal government created HEERF III assistance as part of the American Rescue Act in March 2021. I am working with the Financial Aid and Business offices to finalize the process so that students, who qualify for HEERF Funds, can apply for this relief round. The link for applying for funds will be sent out next week. Please make sure you watch for it and complete the brief application as soon as possible.

This week, the Mountain East Conference announced its academic honors, which included fifty-nine Cardinal student-athletes who made the MEC All-Academic Team, up from 22 a year ago. To qualify, a player must be a member of an active roster and have a GPA between 3.70 and 4.0 in the semester of their championship season. Additionally, 115 of our student-athletes were recognized as members of the MEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, which honors players with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.69. Further, the Men’s Soccer team proved hard work in the classroom pays off — earning a United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for producing a 3.23 team GPA during the Fall semester. I continue to be so very proud of these men and women for their achievements in the classroom.

As if winning a National Championship wasn’t enough for our Rugby team, five members of the Cardinal Rugby team were honored by The Goff Report for their efforts during the Fall season. Freshmen Rau Karinazondo and Larry Old were chosen as two of the Top 150 forwards in Division I College Rugby, while sophomore Mohammed Hadar, freshmen Chief Chipfumbu, and Stanley Giani were selected as three of the Top 150 backs. These players are the first Wheeling Rugby players in history to earn this distinction. Also, 11 members will be competing at the National Collegiate Rugby All-Star game in Houston, Saturday. Congratulations to these young men on their recognition, and good luck to those competing in the All-Star game.

As we begin the weekend, let us be mindful that Monday is a day to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During his life, he inspired many to help others through good work. He once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” In honor of Dr. King, let us each find ways to ‘care for others’ as we have been taught through our Catholic and Ignatian spirituality – not just Monday, but each and every day.

With appreciation,

Ginny R. Favede
President, Wheeling University