May 6, 2022
Update from the President
Dear Cardinal Family,
This has been a wonderful week on campus as we prepare to honor the Class of 2022 during Commencement Saturday morning. During Wednesday’s Honors Convocation, we recognized those students who excelled academically and in service to others. Salutatorian Breanna Antill, a Nursing major with a 3.9 average, offered remarks during the event. Thursday afternoon, Nursing graduates were presented their pins during the formal Nurses Pinning ceremony. This annual event is such a wonderful celebration of their work and achievements – one which they get to share with their families. Those who had the distinct honor to attend the special ceremony know there was not a dry eye in the house. We were all moved to tears at some point. Personally, I cried throughout the event. These are the moments our campus community, the students, and families spend years working towards. The love our students expressed to their parents, husbands, significant others, children, and grandparents who have supported them was extraordinarily touching. Earlier today, the Alumni Council hosted a champagne brunch for the class and their guests. The alumni toasted the newest members of the alumni family and offered the graduates words of encouragement as they begin the next chapter of their lives. Baccalaureate was held at 5 p.m. this evening, followed by a reception for the graduates, their families, along with the campus community.
The final event of Commencement Week for the Class of 2022 is tomorrow’s ceremony. Olivia Zampedro, a Business Administration major, will give the valedictory speech during Saturday’s Commencement exercises. She carries a 4.0-grade point average and has been a member of the Dean’s List every semester. Commencement is always a bittersweet day because we are happy for our graduates for what they have achieved, but it is very difficult to say goodbye. One thing the Class of 2022 can be sure of – they will always be part of the Cardinal family and are always welcome to come home! We at Wheeling University wish the graduates nothing but success in their future endeavors.
With the end of the academic year upon us, our Mass schedule at the Chapel of Mary and Joseph will change starting this weekend. Beginning May 8, the Sunday Mass time will be at 10 a.m. There will not be a Sunday night Mass or daily Masses offered on campus throughout the summer.
The academic year may be complete, but some of our student-athletes are still competing and earning awards. On Monday, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) announced that Lacrosse player Dallin Isaacson was its Defensive Player of the Week and Mike Anderson earned the GMAC Player of the Week award. In addition, the track and field teams competed this week at the Mountain East Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The men’s team finished second, earning seven individual first-place finishes. Capturing top honors were: the 4×100 Meter Relay team of Lorenzo Pelham, Jabez Reeves, Brain Vandusen, and Julian Griffin; T.J. Tindal, 400-meter dash; Jabez Reeves, 100- and 200-meter sprints; Brain Vandusen, long jump; Andrew Taylor, high jump; and Lorenzo Pelham, 110-Meter Hurdles. The Women’s Track and Field team finished fourth at the MEC Championships, with two Cardinals earning first place medals – Jenay Soumahro finished first in the 400-Meter Hurdles, while Keala McCurry won the women’s pole vault.
As this academic year comes to a close, I wish to thank all of our faculty, coaches, administrators, and staff who worked so hard throughout the year. Through your efforts, this University is able to carry out our mission to teach students for life, leadership, and service. To the class of 2022, congratulations on your achievements, and make sure to always ‘let your light shine’.
With gratitude!
Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University