November 5, 2021

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling University community, 

This week, our First-Year Experience students, about 180 in all, undertook a service project with Catholic Charities West Virginia to help local residents this winter. With the assistance of University employees and upper-class volunteers, the group of students assembled about 1,000 ‘snow meals.’ Catholic Charities of the Northern Region delivers meals Monday through Saturday to about 185 people in Wheeling. The ‘snow meals’ are bags of non-perishable food items that the individuals can keep in their home for days when, due to inclement weather, Catholic Charities cannot make a meal delivery. A special thank you to Fr. Richard McCouch and Nancy Haines of the Student Success Center for coordinating this project with Catholic Charities. Also, I am grateful to the students for their work, which will significantly impact the lives of the homebound residents who depend on Catholic Charities for meals. Being men and women in service to others is a hallmark of a Wheeling education, and once again, our community has shown how we live our mission.  

Our Cardinals had quite a weekend of competition, and for those efforts, two student-athletes received recognition from the Mountain East Conference. After winning all three of his races at the swim teams’ first home meet against Bethany College, freshman Nathan Yost had a big day. In his first collegiate home event, Nathan competed in three different races – the 200-yard freestyle, the 100-yard butterfly, and the 100-yard backstroke – winning each. For his efforts, Nathan was named the MEC Men’s Swimmer of the Week. In addition, Matthew Greenwood, a kicker on the football team, received his second MEC Special Teams Player of the Week award this season. In the team’s win over Concord Saturday afternoon, Matt connected two field goal attempts, averaging more than 46 yards per punt. His second field goal attempt from 22 yards was the eventual game-winner! Congratulations to Nathan and Matt on their recognition from the conference this week.  

Additionally, the Cardinal Volleyball team sits atop the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region standings. This week the team, which is 18-2 in the region, received the top ranking. With an overall record of 20-5 against D-II opponents this season, the Cardinals are 11-1 in the Mountain East Conference and lead the MEC North Division – leading by three games over Fairmont State and West Liberty. The squad has three more regular-season matches left before the start of the MEC Tournament. Keep up the great work, ladies, and congratulations on your number one ranking! 

The countdown to Wheeling University’s very first Day of Giving to target financial aid for students is on! Join the movement – support our university and its students by giving on Tuesday, November 30! Giving Tuesday is often described as a global day of giving and is held each year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Two generous donors have generously agreed to match all donations made up to $20,000 – so any gift you make on our Day of Giving will be matched dollar for dollar until $20,000 has been matched! Look for more information on the campaign via email and on our social media sites. Most importantly, please support our efforts to provide a quality Catholic education to a new generation of students. Your gifts towards scholarships and financial aid help bring students to campus. Your support for areas such as student programs, academic departments, athletics, and necessities helps them to be successful! For our students’ sake, please consider a donation. We hope you will help continue to strengthen the University you love with a gift this #GivingTuesday. 
With appreciation,

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University