April 23, 2021

Update from the President

April 23, 2021

Dear Wheeling University Community, 

Poet, novelist and environmental activist Wendell Berry said, “The earth is what we all have in common.” This is a fitting quote, for today, Wheeling University celebrated Earth Day by making what we each ‘have in common’ – our campus – even more beautiful. During our Campus Beautification Day – Laudato Si’, named after Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Care for our Common Home” – students, staff and faculty took a break from their normal work to plant flowers, shrubs, and trees, weed flower beds, paint curbs, power wash sidewalks, and repair fences. While the Campus Beautification Day was an effort to ‘clean up’ the campus, it also strengthened our community among this family. While we worked hard, we also took time to nourish our bodies and share fellowship during lunch. Wheeling University strives to promote a culture of service, and today is proof we live our mission through our actions. Since I arrived, I have witnessed how this University family cares for the students and one another. Your hard work today revealed how deeply you ‘Care for our Common Home!’ This was the perfect way to end the year – working together.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart! 

I had the pleasure of participating in the Psychology Department’s Psi Chi Honor Society induction ceremony Thursday afternoon.  Membership in this Society is an honor bestowed on enthusiastic and dedicated students who are psychology majors or minors who have shown academic excellence. This year’s ceremony included the formal induction of the 2020 and 2021 members. The 2020 members included: Elexis Brown, Justin Frenn, Katie Gamble, Kyaira Jordan, Cassidy McCord, Emily Thomas, Nicholas Vento, and Abigail Witucky. The 2021 inductees are: Nyreeanna Bledsoe, Amanda Jacob, Jazzmyn Pilkerton, Kylee Tolliver, Landree Wilkin, and Mikayla Yarwood. It was wonderful to officially honor the members who were inducted last year, and welcome the 2021 inductees into this prestigious honor society. Thank you to the psychology department faculty and the Psi Chi officers for hosting this meaningful ceremony and congratulations to these students on this achievement. 

The annual Resident Assistant (RA) Banquet was held on Thursday evening where Matt Greenwood was awarded ‘RA of the Year’.  I am pleased that this special recognition of their service was held to honor the extraordinary amount of responsibility they have as RA’s.  Over this academic year, every RA has stepped up to the additional work the pandemic required to keep our students safe. Additionally, this year brings our time with Graduate Assistant’s Kobey Quamina and Hilary Fleischmann to an end as they graduate from our MBA program. We appreciate the time and dedication they both have given to Student Services. 

With Baccalaureate and Commencement just a week away and a busy week ahead, I want to remind everyone of the schedule for the week: 

• Monday, April 26 – Thursday, April 29 – Final Exams 
• Wednesday, April 28 — Cap and Gown Pick Up from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Erickson Alumni Center, CET Building.  
• Thursday, April 29 – The Nurses Pinning begins at 2 p.m. on the Hodges Library Plaza.  
• Friday, April 30 — Baccalaureate Mass begins at 6 p.m. on Bishop Schmitt Field. Line-up will take place inside the McDonough Center starting at 5:30 p.m. Graduates are asked to wear their gowns and honor cords only — no caps or hoods for this event. 
• Saturday, May 1 — Commencement begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. on Bishop Schmitt Field. Graduates must be inside the McDonough Center by 10:30 a.m. to line up.   

A full schedule of events and instructions, as well as photography details, safety protocols, and online viewing information can be found on the University’s website. 

I encourage everyone to remain focused on completing the semester strong. I hope you will not let up on the tasks at hand – teaching, learning, working and staying safe. The finish line is near, and I know each of you is committed to doing your very best in the final days of this academic year. The entire campus looks forward to Saturday when we will celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2021 and the successful completion of this academic year! 

With gratitude and prayers, 

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University