March 24, 2023
Update from the President
Dear Wheeling Community,
Today the campus hosted a Spring Open House for students interested in learning more about Wheeling University. About 15 students, plus family members listened while our faculty offered insights into our academic programs and some of our current students showed families around campus. Representatives from many departments were on hand to provide information about their respective areas and to answer questions. As we continue to recruit students for the upcoming term, if you know someone who is interested in attending Wheeling University, please encourage them to attend our April 21st Open House. Click this link to register for this and any of our upcoming Admission’s Events.
ZeeMee, one of the new social media tools Admissions launched earlier this semester, connects students interested in Wheeling University through online communities. Prospective students can chat with current students, participate in virtual events, watch videos, find friends, and match with roommates. Admissions reports that they had 27,000 engagement actions by students on ZeeMee during the month of February. This new piece of technology also allows our recruiters to connect with students interested in the University and communicate with them throughout the admissions cycle. This app is one of the new features we have launched through our partnership with RNL and it is proving to be a valuable recruitment tool!
As we approached the end of the academic year, I want to make you aware of some special events that lead up to Commencement. The following events will be held over the next several weeks to highlight our students and their achievements:
- Wednesday, March 29 – Undergraduate Research Day
- Thursday, April 13 – Psi Chi (Psychology) Induction Ceremony and Sigma Tau Delta (English) Induction Ceremony
- Thursday, April 20 – Sigma Beta Delta (Business) Induction Ceremony
- Thursday, April 27 – Nurses Pinning Ceremony
- Thursday, May 4 – Honors Convocation
- Friday, May 5 – Alumni Council Champagne Brunch for the Senior Class, Baccalaureate, followed by the President’s Reception
- Saturday, May 6 – Commencement
Additional information about each event can be found on the designated Commencement page on the University website. Students who have any questions regarding Commencement should send their inquiries to commencement@wheeling.edu.
The Challenger Learning Center (CLC) located in the CET building is undergoing a $3 million upgrade, thanks to NASA funding secured by U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia. Local contractors are working daily to install a state-of-the-art Blue Origin simulator that will replace the outdated mission control and space lab that was more than 20 years old. Scheduled to be ready for missions in early May, Wheeling’s CLC will be able to offer middle school students new, enhanced simulated missions that are technology driven. One new feature is a transport room that gives students a realistic feel of what astronauts experience. We cannot wait to see the completed simulator and the looks on the faces of that first group who gets to experience Challenger’s Blue Origin simulations.
Chef Noah Fraley has been offering students the opportunity to sample some plant-based food products this month. He partnered with two companies – Veggies Made Great and Finless Foods – who set up a sampling station outside the Benedum Room on two separate days. Our student’s food choices are always changing, and we have many students that are vegan or vegetarian. The products that Chef Noah showcased fit their dietary needs and, more importantly, they taste great. I am grateful to our food service team at Aladdin for doing everything they can to provide our students with new, nutritional food options.
Students soon will have another billiards table thanks to a very generous donation by the Felton family. Mr. Dave Shriver from Action Gaming has offered to refurbish the table that will be placed inside Campion Hall. I am grateful to the Fenton family for its donation, and to Mr. Shriver for his in-kind donation – what a gift this is for our students!
Finally, 15 students are participating in the Spring Kairos Retreat this weekend at Lantz Farm. I hope you will take time this weekend to pray for the retreatants as they grow in their faith and their connection to God. Also, please pray for the team who is leading the retreat – which includes nine students, four alumni, and Fr. Praveen. May their journey this weekend help them discover how to live the message of the Lord.
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Ginny R. Favede
President, Wheeling University