January 19, 2024
Update from the President
Dear Wheeling University Community,
Monday, in the heart of the Troy Theater, our University community gathered to celebrate the enduring spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This shared experience wasn’t just about honoring Dr. King’s message of non-violence and activism; it was a vibrant, inspiring dialogue sparked by the powerful testimonies of students and employees. Through their voices, we reflected on Dr. King’s timeless message of non-violence and activism, examining its resonance in our daily lives and the values he championed all too briefly. Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Reid and Women’s Soccer player Olivia Kqira served as our insightful guides, navigating a program rich in personal stories and profound insights.
Five students, Jenay Soumahro, Alex Parker, Kudawashe Chitani, Ella Keffer, and Zach Larue, offered moving video presentations and eloquent speeches. Their words wove together Dr. King’s enduring message with our university’s mission of service, leadership, and lifelong learning, demonstrating how his legacy remains deeply relevant in our shared pursuit of a more just and equitable world.
But the most profound moments came from the impromptu testimonies of various students and employees. With raw emotion, they spoke of how Dr. King’s courage, his unwavering belief in equality, and his powerful words had personally impacted their lives. Sharing their stories of growth and transformation, they illustrated how embracing our university’s mission in light of Dr. King’s principles had profoundly influenced their journeys. Hearing how their own growth reflected our shared mission was particularly touching. It was a powerful testament to the transformative power of unity and purpose.
This week we released the President’s List, which recognizes students for their academic achievements in the classroom. I am pleased to announce that nearly 300 students had a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the Fall 2023 semester. This is the highest number of students to make the list during my time as president. The list included an increased number of students with a perfect 4.0 GPA as well. I think the numbers speak volumes of the caliber of students that attend Wheeling University, and their dedication to performing well in the classroom. Our faculty should also be proud – the numbers are a direct reflection of their teaching skills. Congratulations to all the students who made the Fall President’s List.
During the recent NCAA convention, Athletic Director Carrie Hanna and I learned that there continues to be a nationwide shortage of athletic trainers – not just in higher education, but at all levels of the healthcare industry. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association has been reporting this shortage since COVID hit and once again, it is a main topic of conversation and concern among peers. During the convention, many colleges and universities reported they were finding it more and more difficult to attract and retain athletic trainers. With the need for athletic trainers in high demand, our Master of Science in Athletic Training program can provide students an easy pathway into a career in this field, where average starting salaries are around $60,000 annually. Our program offers a didactic education model where students can practice their skills learned in the classroom setting in clinical locations under the direct supervision of healthcare preceptors. During their practicum immersive experience, students have the opportunity to work with Wheeling University student-athletes, as well as a variety of other settings in the area or across the country including high schools, other colleges, clinics, and professional teams. If you know of someone interested in this field, please have them visit the MsAT website or they can contact the Director of the AT program, Dr. Melissa Bosovich, at mbosovich@wheeling.edu or 304-243-8173.
This year the federal government made changes to the FAFSA regulations – from changing the form to pushing back the filing date. In order to help our current and prospective students navigate the new FAFSA, the Admissions Office will host FAFSA Night from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, February 1 in CET 307. This workshop is to assist families with filing their 2024-25 form. Members of the Admission and Financial Aid offices will be on hand to assist. West Virginia has historically experienced lower filer rates and this event aims to put the families at ease by providing experienced staff to not only educate them on the changes to this year’s form, but to also help with the actual filing. Unlike recent years, families could not file their FAFSA application until December 31st – which gave families a smaller window to complete the form. This shortened filing period has created anxiety in many families, because of the delay in receiving financial aid packages – which can affect the family’s ability to decide which institution is the best financial fit.
This Spring we have scheduled two Accepted Student Days – Saturday, March 23rd and Saturday, April 27th – to give prospective students and their families the chance to visit campus once again. On those days, the accepted students will have opportunities to interact with current students and campus staff. It is also a chance for the students to get an in-depth look at our academic programs, and explore the student clubs and organizations at Wheeling University.
The campus community recently welcomed some new employees to the Cardinal family. Wheeling alumna Jennifer (Bailey) Chiazza ’99 is back and helping students as the administrative assistant in the Student Affairs Office. She brings a great deal of knowledge to the position, having worked in that office while a student. The staff and students are happy she has come home! Gavin Curnes joined our Admissions team in mid-December as an admissions counselor. A graduate of Fairmont State, Gavin has the primary recruitment area of Pennsylvania. I am so happy to welcome Jennifer and Gavin to the University community and look forward to working with them!
Mother Nature gave us a wake-up call today, blanketing the Ohio Valley with several inches of snow. From my office, I watched students and young people from the community having fun sled riding down the hill behind Sara Tracy. Whether you are enjoying outdoor activities or traveling this weekend, please be safe!
With gratitude,
Ginny R. Favede
President, Wheeling University