July 17, 2020

Update from the President

Campus Communications
July 17

Dear Campus Community,

This week, the Wheeling University campus is looking absolutely beautiful! Should you visit the campus, you’ll notice that construction is seemingly everywhere! I would like to give a shout out to our Maintenance Department and Environmental Services Team for their hard work to keep the campus looking spectacular. 

In addition, we are very pleased that Wheeling University was recently ranked as one of the top Faith-Based Schools in West Virginia by Plexus, a digital ecosystem for students to connect with over 18,000 colleges and universities worldwide. Wheeling University’s MBA program was also ranked #3 in Best MBA Programs in West Virginia for its graduate programs.

I’m happy to share Wheeling University was notified it will be the recipient of a significant financial donation. AEP’s Foundation Grant Program contacted my office earlier this week with the desire to fund an endowment in the amount of $50,000 for the purpose of awarding scholarships to our students.

The Coronavirus continues to impact our lives, and each day we struggle to adjust to the ever-changing alterations the virus forces onto our University. We all take great pride in being part of the Cardinal family – where families look out and care for each other. I see that daily as we work together to find solutions to the problems COVID-19 continues to create for us. We are working to prepare to come together in a safe and healthy way this fall. 

I’m proud to share that staff, faculty, and administration are working together and moving forward as we begin to adapt to new ways of conducting University business and operations. Student Services is excited for students to return this fall and is busy modifying plans to ensure the student experience will be memorable and fun. 

As we prepare for the start of the Fall semester, we welcomed 35 first-year students and their families to campus today. Thanks to the planning of multiple departments, we were able to successfully host the New Student Orientation in a safe environment, that followed all of the local and state distancing guidelines. It was a beautiful day here on campus and truly a joy to see students back on campus. I believe the parents and students left today’s orientation feeling confident that they had made the best decision possible for their son/daughter. Wheeling University is going to great lengths to ensure its freshman class enjoys the typical college experiences they expect this fall such as in-person instruction and residence life. We want to make sure that as many of our students as possible have a face-to-face experience, especially our incoming freshmen. That is so much of why students come to Wheeling University, it is because of the Cardinal experience, being able to come and being able to benefit from a residential experience and all that goes along with that. Now more than ever, we want our students to have an “as near to normal” college experience that we are able to deliver.

I know the fall will remain difficult but we will take it in stride as we are accustomed to doing. The individuals of this institution are among the most dedicated people I have ever had the good fortune of working with. I am inspired daily by the generosity of the staff, faculty, and administration. They are true examples of living our mission of being men and women for others.

Although the increase in Coronavirus infections in West Virginia has resulted in stricter protocols by Governor Justice, we are pleased to share that Ohio County Health Administrator Howard Gamble has given his approval for Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement plans to proceed on July 24 and 25.  We are beyond excited to welcome back to campus our Class of 2020 to celebrate their accomplishments.

Recently, I received a number of questions from members of our community related to re-opening the campus for in-person instruction. I would like to share the answers to the questions that have been presented. I hope you find this information useful. Please feel free to send any additional questions to covidquestions@wju.edu.

Wheeling University remains committed to maintaining the safety and well-being of our faculty, employees, students, and visitors. Let’s all take the responsibility to follow the guidelines so that we can help slow the spread of this dreadful virus. We are stronger when we work together!

With gratitude,

Ginny R. Favede
President