March 11, 2022

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling University Community, 

I’m eager to see our students return to campus following spring break and for our spring semester and all that it involves underway. Student Services and the SGA are already planning Wheeling’s infamous Last Blast, and our academic offices are putting together the plans for May’s Commencement.

Last Saturday morning, we began distributing Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) to students. These federal funds are provided to the University through the CARES Act to assist students impacted by the pandemic. In all, we awarded more than $700,000 in Emergency Grant Awards to the students this week. Students who had not left for Spring Break had the chance to stop by my office to collect their disbursements. I enjoyed seeing all of you, and I now know what it takes to get colleges student’s out of bed early on a Saturday morning! For those students who had already left campus, your checks were mailed to your home address unless you made other arrangements. Students had to apply for the funding in order to qualify.

Final preparations are underway for the Spring Kairos Retreat, which will be held next weekend at Lantz Farm – our retreat center. Students can sign up for the retreat outside the Benedum Room through Monday evening. Kairos, the Greek word for “right time,” – or in theology, “the appointed time in the purpose of God” – is an intensive retreat where Wheeling students open themselves up to God’s love as well as the love of their family and friends. The Kairos Retreat is an opportunity given to students to get away and reflect upon their relationship with self, family, friends, and God. I encourage our students to attend and to contact Fr. Hadi Sasmita, S.J. at ihssj@wheeling.edu to learn more.

OVAC officials believe moving the All-Star Football game to Wheeling University has piqued interest from students who wish to participate in the band. All-Star Football Director, Ben McPherson, shared that he is getting band kids from new schools and schools that the OVAC hasn’t seen in a long while, namely:  Southern Local (Wintersville area), Trinity Christian (Morgantown), Shenandoah, and Buckeye Trail (Cambridge), and River. We are thrilled that more students are interested in being a part of the all-star band this year on our campus. All of us at Wheeling cannot wait to welcome everyone – band members, football players, cheerleaders, and Queen of Queen candidates – to campus in July for a memorable week of practice … and fun!

Before break began, members of the men’s rugby team and Coach Mike Geibel helped a local agency – Street MOMS – clean up two areas in Wheeling. Last Friday afternoon, eighteen team members removed trash and debris from two encampments for Wheeling’s homeless community. According to Coach Geibel, this service project allowed the student-athletes to recognize the daily blessings and understand how their action makes a difference in the lives of those in need. Also, this activity helped our students better understand our mission and be men in service to others.

Cardinal Athletes continue to collect honors for their play. First-year player Rugby player Chief Chipfumbu was named to the National Collegiate Rugby Division I All-American Team this week – he is the only Cardinal to be recognized this year. Senior basketball player Jordan Reid learned that he was named to the Mountain East Conference All-Tournament Team for his outstanding performance last week, scoring 52 points in two games. Lacrosse goalie Joshua Wolford was named Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) Defensive Player of the Week for making 15 saves in the team’s home win against Felician University. Additionally, members of the Wheeling Track and Field teams were named to the United States Track & Field & Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) 2022 All-Region teams. Six members of the men’s squad, the 4X400 relay team, and two Lady Cardinals were honored by the USTFCCCA for their efforts during the indoor season. And finally, Lauren Calhoun was named to the 2022 Conference Commissioner’s Association All-Region Second -Team for her outstanding year on the basketball court.

March is National Athletic Training Month, and I would like to take a moment to recognize our excellent athletic training staff. Head Athletic Trainer Christy Schoolcraft, Troy McAuliffe, Mike Bieniek, Jay Billiter, and Cassidy McCord do an outstanding job caring for our student-athletes. Many of us do not see the work they do each day to treat our injured athletes, as well as the preventative measures they provide to keep these young men and women healthy. Dr. Melissa Bosovich, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, teaching the next group of athletic trainers, should also be included in this recognition. When you see Christy, Troy, Mike, Jay, Cassidy, and Melissa this month, take a moment to thank them for the work they do!

This weekend Daylight Savings Time begins! So, remember to ‘spring forward’ and set those clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night!

Blessings,

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University