August 27, 2021

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling Family,

Over the past two weeks, Wheeling’s campus has had students moving in, which began with our football team. The following week all of our other fall sports teams returned, and the week ended with our freshman Move-In Day on Friday and all other upperclassmen on Saturday and Sunday. Our student check-in and new student orientation were fantastic, efficient, and well-orchestrated.  I am so very grateful to the staff who participated in move-in events, as their hard work made this a tremendous experience for our new students. In addition to staff, the Wheeling University Football Team, outfitted in Wheeling University Move-In Crew shirts, were stationed outside our dorms and assisted all our new families with unloading their cars.  A collection of photos of the day are available on our Facebook page.

Friday evening, I had the opportunity to host a President’s Reception for all new parents on our beautiful library plaza. A huge thank you to all of the Faculty, Coaches, and Senior Administration Team for attending and making our new families feel so very welcome. The reception was followed by a formal Convocation, Wheeling’s official new student induction ceremony.  Following the ceremony, the Class of 2025 had a class photo taken on Bishop Schmidt Field. The class will have their class photo retaken following Commencement in four years. Monday, began with complimentary muffins and coffee on Donahue Plaza. Andrew Lewis, vice president of Student Services, joined me to greet students before class and pass out muffins, donuts, and coffee. Surprisingly, the effort served a dual purpose as we served as an information center – answering questions and directing students to classes, buildings, and offices.

Recently, two of our nursing students, Amanda Keister of Washington, PA, and Kiera Vietmeier of Follansbee, WV, were awarded WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital Scholarships. The two-year scholarships are awarded to sophomores for the second straight year to cover full tuition during their junior and senior years. After graduation, Amanda and Kiera will be hired as Wheeling Hospital nurses and remain there for at least three years. Our two institutions share a mission to serve the people of this area. Through this partnership, we are educating future nurses who will remain in Wheeling to serve the residents in our community. I am grateful to Wheeling Hospital and its President and CEO, Douglass Harrison, for this investment in our students.

Wheeling University will be launching a multi-faceted fundraising campaign beginning in September. We have partnered with Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL), a leader in university fundraising. RNL works hand-in-hand with our personnel to design mailings, social media posts, thank you letters, a website, digital ads, and emails. Additionally, the campaign will feature a phonathon, a Day of Giving, and a dedicated giving website. Our fundraising efforts will begin on September 15, when we launch the phonathon. All gifts to the University will help us provide a quality, Catholic education to a new generation of Wheeling students. You can designate your gifts to support the annual fund, student scholarships, academic programs, student services, and athletic teams. All gifts advance our mission to educate students for life, leadership and, service. Let us all join together to help Wheeling University soar to new heights.

On Wednesday, we held an On-Campus Vaccine Clinic with Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department offering COVID-19 vaccines to students and employees. We had about 20 students get vaccinated during the clinic. As a reminder, the University is not requiring vaccinations at this time but recommends all students and employees receive a vaccination for the virus. Additionally, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors must wear a mask while inside. Masks are not required inside for individuals working alone in an office or students while in their rooms but must be worn in classrooms, hallways, and any other common inside areas around campus. With the increase of COVID-19 cases locally, local and state health officials warn the new Delta variant is highly transmissible and wearing a mask and vaccination are the best protection.

I would like to extend my best wishes to our students, faculty, and coaches this year. May it be filled with many successes in the classroom and competition. Let this academic year bring new knowledge and discoveries, as well as new opportunities to grow academically, professionally, and spiritually.

Let Your Light Shine Cardinals!

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University