June 9, 2023
Update from the President
Dear Cardinal Community,
Wheeling University has received a Nursing Expansion Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for the second year in a row. This year, we received $753,000 that will support the undergraduate nursing program and cover salaries for faculty who teach courses to nursing majors. In December 2021, Governor Jim Justice announced he was dedicating $48 million to the WV Nursing Workforce Expansion Program and fully funding the West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program. Colleges and universities around the state were eligible to apply. This grant program awards funds to support new and expanded initiatives to train new nurses and help address the state’s nursing shortage. Last year, the University received over $538,000, which we used to update our health science simulation lab, develop a 16-month BSN degree for nurses with an associate’s degree, and launched a two-day Healthcare Career Academy to encourage high school students to enter the nursing profession. We are grateful to Dr. Cynthia Persily, vice chancellor for Health Sciences with the WV HEPC, for her support of Wheeling University and our Nursing program.
Monday, the University will host its third New Student Orientation, and we have a great day planned for these incoming students and their guests. As of today, we are expecting 54 new Cardinals for the orientation. In order to accommodate the 54 students and their guests, we had to move all of the activities and information sessions to Troy Theater. I am grateful to the Admissions, Student Services, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts staff for all of their work to organize this event and help our new students feel welcome. Through the information our various departments will provide on Monday, our new Cardinals should be ready to dive into college life when they arrive in August.
We are two weeks away from welcoming alumni back to campus for this year’s Alumni Weekend. Alumni Council has a great weekend planned for all those attending. Highlighting Saturday’s events in the Alumni Recognition and Awards Dinner, where the University and Alumni Council will honor four members of the Cardinal family. Bob Hutchings, class of 1973, will receive the St. Ignatius Loyola Distinguished Alumni Award, which honors individuals for excellence in one’s professional life. The Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Alumni Award will be given to Anna Marie Troiani, class of 1991. This award recognizes a person who lives a life dedicated to service and social justice. Paula (Scott) Felt, class of 1972, will receive the Fr. Clifford Lewis Award for her outstanding service to Wheeling University. Finally, Stacy (Keller) Kelleher, class of 2009, will be given the Fr. James O’Brien Award, which recognizes young alumni for their service to the University while excelling professionally. We cannot wait to see everyone back HOME June 23-25 for a fun weekend with classmates and friends. The deadline to make reservations is June 16th. If you are planning to attend, but haven’t registered yet, click here to make your reservation.
The vegetable plants in the Community Garden are growing thanks to alumnus Paul Renowicz. Paul can be found daily in the garden behind Sara Tracy, weeding the beds and watering the tomato, pepper, and squash plants. His passion for gardening is evident – mention the garden, and Paul just smiles! We are grateful to Don Headley, a Wheeling Park High School teacher, who donated all of the plants for the garden. We cannot wait to see the fruits of Paul’s labor!
Several University departments still have student positions available this Summer. To qualify for these positions, students must be Federal Work Study eligible based on their 2023-23 FAFSA. If you are unsure whether you qualify for Federal Work Study, contact the Financial Aid Office. The positions available can be found here.
Finally, we have extended the deadline for students wishing to apply for the endowed scholarships offered by the University. The new deadline is August 1. A list of the scholarships and criteria is available on the financial aid web page.
Have a wonderful, joyous, and blessed weekend!
Ginny R. Favede
President, Wheeling University