November 11, 2023
Update from the President
Dear Cardinal Community,
Next week, we kick off our Fall Giving Days. As alumni, employees, or parents of Wheeling University, you know the value of a college education. It opens doors to new opportunities, helps you develop your talents, and prepares you for a successful career. But for many students, the cost of college is a barrier to their dreams. That’s why scholarships are so important. Imagine a student who is bright, hardworking, and passionate about their education. But they come from a low-income family and can’t afford to pay for college without taking on a mountain of debt.
That’s where you come in.
When you donate to Wheeling University’s scholarship fund, you are helping to make a college education possible for students like these. You are giving them the chance to achieve their dreams and to make a difference in the world. I am hoping you will join us for Fall Giving Days, November 14-28, and help us raise $100,000 to support our students. Every gift, no matter how small, makes a difference.
You can make a gift here, or by sending a donation to the Office of Advancement, Wheeling University, 316 Washington Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003. Together, we can make a difference in our students’ lives and help them achieve their dreams.
The Wheeling University Rugby Cardinals won the Big Rivers Rugby Conference championship last Saturday, and the university family celebrated their win with a Spirit Rally on Monday. The campus community was invited to a cookout celebration at Munhall Plaza, where Coach Mike Geibel and members of the team thanked everyone for their support throughout the season. The Plaza was packed with students, faculty, coaches, and staff who congratulated the team on their victory. Wheeling University will host the quarterfinal match of the National Collegiate Rugby 15’s national tournament next Saturday, November 18th, at 1:00 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. Our Cardinals are ranked 7th in the nation entering the game. Please join us on campus to cheer them on, or check the Athletic Department website next week for online viewing options.
Our final Fall Open House is next Saturday, and we’re excited to welcome prospective students and their families to campus! We’ll be offering informational sessions on a variety of topics, including academics, financial aid, admissions, and student life. These sessions will give students an in-depth look at our programs and services and help answer any questions they may have. Students will also get to meet our faculty and staff and see our beautiful campus firsthand.
There are several work-study positions still to be filled. Students who are interested in working and who qualify for federal work-study, can view the list of jobs online. Additionally, we are looking for two work-study students to work weekly at WV Catholic Charities. Students who have questions should contact Chris Baker at extension 2639.
Fr. Freddie’s Theology class is helping students learn about the life of Christ, the Church, and the sacraments. He is offering a worldview of the church for the students to learn more about the faith. The Monday night Bible Study is quite a success as well. Student Jade Miller acts as the facilitator each week where a specific topic is discussed, and Bible verses are selected that relate to the topic. Students then have an open dialog about the Bible passages and how they relate to the weekly topic. I pray that our students will continue to study the Bible with open hearts and minds and be blessed by the knowledge and wisdom they gain.
Next weekend, Fr. Freddie and Campus Ministry will host a Fall Kairos Retreat at Lantz Farm. If you’re new to Wheeling, the Kairos retreat is a spiritually based experience that helps students develop a deeper understanding of their relationship with God and with others. Through prayer, reflection, and group discussions, students learn more about their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and dreams, and their relationship with God. They also learn more about how to build and maintain healthy relationships with others. The retreat helps students to learn more about the Ignatian tradition of discernment and is an excellent opportunity for students to step away from the distractions of everyday life and contemplate God’s role in their lives. To learn more or to sign up, contact Fr. Freddie at fdsouza@wheeling.edu.
This weekend, we mark Veteran’s Day, a day to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. To all of our veterans, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your sacrifices, courage, and dedication to keeping us safe. We are forever grateful for your service to defending our great nation. We owe them a debt that can never be fully repaid.
With heartfelt gratitude,