February 4, 2022

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling University Community,

This week, Jennifer Board, Director of Admissions and Admissions Representative Jason Wolfe helped celebrate National Catholic Schools Week by visiting schools in our area. National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service” and is dedicated to celebrating the blessings of Catholic education and schools. The pair delivered donuts at four local Catholic high schools — Wheeling Central Catholic, Weirton Madonna, Steubenville Catholic Central, and St. John Central Academy to share their gratitude for the work the teachers and counselors do daily. This special delivery helps build relationships and celebrates the dedicated teachers and counselors who serve and educate students. Wheeling University is happy to recognize our local Catholic high school partners again this year. I am so proud of employees like Jennifer and Jason, who continue to go above and beyond on our university’s behalf.

The University recently celebrated the achievements of three Cardinal student-athletes. Saturday prior to the men’s basketball win over Davis & Elkins, Head Coach Chris Richardson and I honored Jordan Reid and Jarett Haines, who made history when they surpassed the 1,000-point mark at Wheeling. Surrounded by their teammates, we presented these two young men with commemorative basketballs to recognize their outstanding achievements. Also, Lauren Calhoun was named the MEC’s Co-Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for her excellent performance last week when she scored a total of 87 points and collected 57 rebounds in three games. Additionally, Rich White III, a cornerback on the football team and the pride of St. Edward High School of Cleveland, was named a Don Hansen NCAA Division II Second-Team All-American. Congratulations to each of these outstanding men and women on their accomplishments. I remain in constant awe of how incredible our students are and grateful to the campus community, who collectively provide a nurturing environment that allows our students to grow and achieve.

Wheeling University notified students of emergency grants available through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) via email this week. While students are NOT required to have filed a Free Application for Federal Student (FAFSA), they are required to complete the HEERF III application form attesting to their eligibility. Grant amounts vary based on the student’s financial need and the number of grant applicants. The application went live on February 2, and the first round of awardees will be notified on February 11. Additional awards will be made on February 18 and February 25. Students have the opportunity to designate their grant to be credited to an outstanding account balance or have it issued directly to the student. Those choosing to have the grant credited to a student account if your grant is higher than your outstanding account balance, the remaining grant funds will be issued to you as a refund. Students can submit an application until February 25.

This weekend, I have the privilege to attend the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) annual conference. The mission of ACCU is to serve as the collective voice of U.S. Catholic higher education. Through programs and services, the association strengthens and promotes the Catholic identity and mission of its member institutions so that all associated with Catholic higher education can contribute to the greater good of the world and the Church. On Friday evening, I will attend the ACCU Women Executive Leaders Conference – “Courageous Compassionate Leadership: Embracing our Strength to Champion the Call.” This program will provide ways women leaders can strengthen themselves to be stronger to work toward larger problems in Catholic higher education. On Saturday evening, I will have the honor to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for the opening Mass. This conference is an excellent opportunity to learn and grow as a Catholic university leader, and I am grateful to attend on behalf of Wheeling University. I am proud that this University remains the only Catholic campus-based University in West Virginia. I look forward to learning ways to strengthen our Catholic identity.

Someone once said, “Weekends are days to refuel your soul and to be grateful for the blessings that you have.” So, may you refuel your soul and rest your body this weekend, so you are ready to tackle the tasks that await next week!

Warm regards,

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University