August 6, 2021

Update from the President

Dear Campus Community,

August is here, and that means students will be back on campus very soon. As we prepare for the start of the school year, the COVID-19 Delta variant is causing much concern at colleges and universities throughout West Virginia. Upon recommendations from local and state officials, the University will institute a temporary mask requirement for all indoor spaces on campus starting today. This requirement will be in effect until further notice and applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Our local health department and state officials have shared that the Delta variant is highly transmissible and spreads quicker than previous COVID strains. Vaccinated individuals can still be infected with the Delta strain and spread it, which is why wearing a mask is our best line of defense in protecting everyone on campus. I know this is not how we anticipated starting the new academic year; however, committing to containing the spread of this new variant is the best way to keep everyone safe and healthy during the next surge. The senior leadership will continue to review our COVID-19 policy and make adjustments if necessary. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In preparation for students arriving, we are doing some final work inside the residence halls – painting, waxing floors, cleaning carpets – in addition to renovating the Benedum Room. Our first group of students – 100 football players – arrive on Sunday. Next weekend, more of our athletes participating in Fall sports and student leaders arrive before the remaining new and returning students return to campus on August 20 and 22. Just like in years past, all students arriving on campus will report to the One-Stop-Shop inside the McDonough Center on those days, where they will be cleared to move into the residence halls. 

As all of this work is happening, our Admissions, Academic Affairs, and Student Services teams continue to process new students, finalize class schedules and make residence hall assignments. And, our faculty are preparing their courses before their classrooms are full of students. It has been a busy summer on campus, and I thank everyone for your hard work on behalf of our students.  

Our Admissions Department has an exciting new tool to aid our admissions representatives in their recruitment efforts. Vice President for Enrollment Justin Schwarz has partnered with Niche’, a dominant player in the college search and enrollment management world. Niche’ is the top Google search and ranking service of universities. Having a high profile on Niche’ increases Wheeling University’s exposure with prospective students and our page ranking with Google when students perform their college search. In addition to ranking colleges, our Niche’ page offers students insights about costs, programs, scholarships, campus life, and academics. This year, Wheeling University has a Niche’ score of a “B,” and the site lists us as the second-best university in the state, just under WVU. In addition, niche’ provides an option to submit reviews of Wheeling University. I encourage students and alumni who have had a positive experience to share their thoughts, and in turn, help us increase our score. Writing a positive review is a great way to help us recruit students and increase our overall ranking on Niche’. I encourage you to take a moment to review Wheeling University’s profile on Niche’.  

Congratulations to alumnus Christopher Bohinski ’13, nominated for an Emmy Award in the program host/moderator category by the Mid-Atlanta Emmy Chapter. Christopher is a host of the television show – PA Live – which airs on weekdays on WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The Wheeling University family is proud of Christopher for his nomination, and we hope to see him holding up an Emmy at the awards ceremony in September!  

Finally, through our partnership with the West Virginia Independent Colleges & Universities consortium, employees and students at Wheeling University will receive a 10 percent discount at all West Virginia parks and recreation facilities. The discount runs from August 13 through May 15, 2022. When making your reservations at one of these facilities, type in the discount code – highered. You can find a listing of the participating parks and facilities here. 

Please keep our students and faculty in your prayers as they prepare for the start of the new academic year. May our students have a successful year in the classroom, and in all they do at Wheeling University. 

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! 

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University