January 6, 2023
Update from the President
Dear Wheeling University Community,
The new year brings the start of the Spring semester! After three weeks away, our students return to campus on Sunday and classes begin on Monday. As we begin the semester, I am excited to share with you some exciting news from Admissions. The department reports the University will have its largest intake of students for the Spring semester in four years. To date, we have 30 new students enrolled for the upcoming term. This number includes six international students – five from Ethiopia, one from Chile’ and one from Zimbabwe. Members of our Admissions and Student Services teams have worked together to be available to these students as they arrive at the airport – what a wonderful way to welcome them to the United States and Wheeling University! I am so proud that our University has become a global home for so many students. Additionally, three students who left Wheeling are returning to complete their degrees and the Admissions team continues to work with our athletic coaches to enroll other students for the Spring.
Wheeling University joins Catholic educational institutions worldwide in mourning Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who passed away on December 31st. A true servant leader, Pope Benedict dedicated his life to the Church. Throughout his ministry, he was a strong advocate of education and had a deep commitment to serving those less fortunate. While we grieve his loss, we are grateful for the many gifts he bestowed on all members of the Catholic faith. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.
Wheeling University will celebrate its basketball alumni – men and women – during the Wheeling vs. West Liberty basketball games on Saturday, January 21. I want to once again extend an invitation to all of our former men’s and women’s basketball players to return and cheer on our current squads during their games against the Hilltoppers. Additionally, we will host our Hall of Fame Induction ceremony during halftime of the men’s game. I look forward to welcoming our former players back to campus and honoring our basketball alumni at this event.
Although the Spring semester is just starting, planning is underway for our 2023 Commencement. This year’s ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6th inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. The evening before – on May 5th – the Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated in the Performance Gym. Detailed information about Commencement related events will be shared with students in the near future. We hope the families and friends of the graduates will join us in May when the entire University honors these men and women for their accomplishments in the classroom.
After more than 41 years of service to Wheeling University, Barb (Dorsey) Albers, will retire this month. Barb started working at Wheeling College on December 7, 1981, as the secretary to the director of Financial Affairs and has worked in the Finance Office her entire tenure at Wheeling. While we are sad to see Barb retire, we hope she can now enjoy sleeping in, traveling with her husband Bill, and spending more time with her family! This University is grateful to Barb for her faithful service – she will be missed.
As we embark on a new year, let us pray that our students have a successful second semester in all they do at Wheeling University. And I extend warm wishes to every member of our community for a year filled with good health and great happiness.
With deep appreciation,
Ginny R. Favede
President, Wheeling University