February 24, 2023
Update from the President
Dear Wheeling University family,
This week we celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass in the Chapel of Mary and Joseph as we begin the season of Lent. During Fr. Praveen Mallela’s homily, he offered 10 things each of us should do during Lent. I think it is important to share his words as they are significant reminders of how we should observe this solemn season. Here is what Fr. Praveen suggested: read the Bible daily; attend Mass each day or more often; spend more time with the Eucharistic Lord; take time to pray as a family; abstain from something that is dear and offer it as a sacrifice; reduce time on social media and smart devices; undertake service or give to a charity organization; refrain from gossiping and backbiting; say the rosary each day; and bring one person to Christ. These Lenten practices offered by Father can help each of us become more aware of and responsive to others’ needs while deepening our relationship with God. Let us challenge ourselves this year to go beyond ‘giving up’ something during Lent. Lent is a perfect time to examine our spiritual life and grow in our faith.
Today we welcomed students from West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Sweden to campus for Accepted Students Day. Our Admissions team offered the students and their families a day to learn more about everything Wheeling University has to offer – from academics to student life to athletics. Sophomore Engineering student David Anayo from Nigeria, spoke passionately about how Wheeling is more than a university. He said when students come here they become part of a family – a family that welcomes, supports, and cares for one another. During lunch in the Benedum Room, a student club and organization fair was held and several campus offices also had information tables to meet one-on-one with families. I was quite impressed with the students that visited today and look forward to their addition to our Cardinal Family. The Admissions team is doing an outstanding job promoting our university and recruiting students!
This week we welcomed a new Cardinal to our family – Carmen Hovah Richardson, daughter of Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Richardson and his wife, Katie. Congratulations to Chris and his family on this wonderful new addition to their family!
Another of our recent basketball standouts has signed on to play professionally. Jordan Reid ’21 inked a pro contract with the Hub City Hogs of the East Coast Basketball League. In fact, he will begin playing this Sunday when the team plays the NOVA Bulls. The Hub City Hogs are based in Hagerstown, Maryland. We wish Jordan good luck in his debut this weekend!
Finally, it is a busy Saturday for our Cardinal sports teams. Baseball is playing at Bluefield State with the first pitch at noon, and wrestlers who qualified are competing at the NCAA Regionals in Tiffin, Ohio. Also, the Cardinal basketball teams travel up Route 88 to play West Liberty. The women tip off at 2 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at 4 p.m. If you cannot attend the games in person, you can watch both live on your smart device via Mountain East TV. Here’s hoping that all our teams bring home wins this weekend.
Have a great weekend everyone and GO Cards!
Ginny R. Favede
President, Wheeling University