September 9, 2022
Update from the President
Dear Wheeling University Community,
As we work on new and better ways to recruit today’s student, the University launched an online portal – The Future Cardinal Family Connection – which provides prospective students and families with information about Wheeling and how to navigate the admissions process. When students apply, both parents and students are added to the portal so they can begin receiving information. In addition to offering helpful tips about when to fill out a FAFSA and how to schedule a campus visit, the portal has links to campus departments, such as Financial Aid, Student Life, and Academics, just to name a few. The portal also keeps parents engaged and informed about everything the University has to offer their child. This site is just one of the exciting products we are using to help us in our recruitment efforts.
After receiving a letter from a student who asked how the campus could support their international friends, I met with student leaders who came up with the idea of a welcome center. This student’s letter was prompted by something she and I experienced during New Cardinal Days. I found a young lady walking up the main entrance pulling a large suitcase. I stopped and asked if I could drive her up to campus. She said she had just arrived from the Congo. The student who wrote me the letter invited her to their table at the Pig Roast, got her some food and then helped her move into her when and then realized in that large suitcase the student had nothing but a few changes of clothes – no towels, sheets, toiletries. This student leader put aside her plans for the evening, got in her car, and drove to her family home in Washington, PA. When she arrived home, she gathered bedding, towels, and personal items. She drove back to campus, unpacked everything, and got her new friend’s room situated. She brought this student a cross from her room at home to let her know that she was loved. What we did not realize until that night is that international students are limited in what they can bring when they travel. Out of this experience, the idea of establishing a Welcome Center was born as a way to better serve our international community. The Welcome Center would allow students, faculty, and staff to donate sheets, pillows, towels, shampoo, and other personal items that could be stored on campus and made available to international students when they arrive. This center is a wonderful way to make this group of students feel welcome and at home on our campus. And this is a wonderful example of how our students care for one another and work to effect change to improve our community. In the coming weeks, the students will put together opportunities for alumni, parents, staff, and members of our community to sponsor a student or make a donation to help stock the Welcome Center. I pray you will recognize the need and support their efforts.
Members of the Wheeling Wrestling team this week rolled out the mats at their new practice facility – the former Mount de Chantal gym. These young men are so excited to have their very own space. Through a lease arranged with WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, the Cardinal wrestling team can now use this facility for practices. This wonderful community partnership truly benefits our students.
In celebration of Constitution Day, the Student Government Association and Academic Affairs are hosting “The Constitution and Equal Access to Opportunity” Wednesday at 11 a.m. Sept. 14 in Troy Theater. The planned presentations will pay tribute to members of the U.S Armed Forces and the Wheeling University community who have provided pathways for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees to re-settle in the United States and experience the liberties and freedoms embodied in the Constitution and the ideals of U.S citizenship we enjoy. Professor Bob Yahn’s daughter, Major Jessica Yahn, will be joined by other members of the Army to talk about how her organization – ALLTRU – assists Afghan refugees. In addition, wheeling Nursing Instructor Dr. Silvia Myndresku will share how she is helping Ukrainians come to the U.S. This event will provide everyone with a better understanding of the Constitution and honor all U.S. citizens of birth and by naturalization.
The schedule and registration for Homecoming and Family Weekend is available online. Any families, alumni, or staff who plan to join us October 7-9, please be sure to make your reservations soon! And alumni, don’t forget to make your plans to return home for Alumni Weekend on October 21-23. Thank you for your patience as we finalize all the details for this celebration of our alumni – we will have the schedule/registration posted and open very soon. The entire campus looks forward to welcoming our alumni back to campus for this special weekend. For both events, we are partnering with several local hotels that are blocking rooms or providing special rates. You will find that listing of those hotels on each event’s registration page. Alumni Weekend schedule of events is now available online here and the link to register will be posted shortly.
As you can see from what is taking place on this campus, this community continues to offer students opportunities to learn, grow and serve as our mission calls them to do. Robert Collier once said, “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” Wheeling University can attribute its continued success to its intentional efforts each day to live our mission.
With gratitude,
Ginny R. Favede
President, Wheeling University