June 4, 2021
Update from the President
Dear Wheeling University Family,
June has arrived, and so has Summer! While many employees are finally finding time to take well-deserved vacations, Summer is a time when much work takes place around campus. Once again this year, we will devote resources to making improvements to the grounds and buildings during June, July, and August in preparation for the start of the new academic year.
Work also continues by our faculty and administration to make upgrades to our curriculum and academic programs in preparation for the start of the new academic year. It is important to note that our faculty continue to educate current, incoming, and high school students during the summer months through the Summer of Purpose program. The program is in full swing, with the session for rising high school seniors to begin on Monday, offering students a dynamic collection of courses in an online format at a discounted rate. This is a perfect opportunity for high school seniors to take courses and get an early start on their college careers. Sessions for incoming and current students are underway and offer incoming students the chance to take courses prior to beginning the fall semester. And, for our current students, this is a great way to pick up classes to advance toward graduation and quite possibly graduate early. The final session for incoming and current students begins July 7. To learn more about courses being offered or to register for the program, go to the Summer of Purpose website.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, our Cardinal Rugby team competed at the Collegiate Rugby Championship in New Orleans. The team, in its first-ever appearance in the tournament, finished seventh in the 32 team field. The Cardinals posted a 4-1 record at the tournament, beating New Mexico Tech in the opening match. The Cards lost a heartbreaker to Air Force in the second round, putting them into the Champion Bracket. The team finished the tournament with a 40-0 win over Lander and a come-from-behind victory over the University of Denver. If this wasn’t enough, Senior Brian Gannon received Honorable Mention All Tournament Team honors! The selection process was established with input from many sources, including some of the best 7s minds in the country. National Collegiate Rugby determined these players had the greatest impact on their team’s success over the course of the weekend. I am so incredibly proud of this team and Coach Mike Geibel for the team’s outstanding season and for taking Wheeling to national-level competition. Well done, gentlemen!
The federal government recently released new guidance regarding the distribution of Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) grants to college and university students, which will allow international students to access HEERF funds. This is a shift in the previous administration’s ruling for use of the funds to college students impacted by COVID-19. The Department of Education now defines student eligibility for the grants as “any individual who is or was enrolled at an eligible institution on or after March 13, 2020, the date of declaration of the national emergency due to the coronavirus.” Therefore, students are no longer required to be Title IV-eligible. Additionally, international students must show “they have exceptional need.” This new guidance may allow us to award emergency relief grants to our international students who meet these new criteria. I am beyond grateful for this change. This situation has been more than frustrating to me personally, and I am both relieved and thankful we now have the opportunity to provide financial assistance to all of our students. Please look for an email to be sent out next week with details on how to apply for the funds.
I would like to remind the Wheeling community that one way you can help us continue improving the campus’s esthetic appearance is to participate in the Adopt a Bench program. This drive, launched last month, has piqued the interest of many alumni and friends of the University, and we have received several commitments to purchase new benches. We currently have only five benches available to be adopted! I encourage you to consider adopting a bench. This program is a perfect way to honor or remember someone special while helping to support the University’s mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to our students. If you would like more details on the Adopt-A-Bench program, please contact Kelly Klubert, the campaign project manager, at kklubert@wheeling.edu or 304-243-8165.
We continue to make great strides at Wheeling University through the hard work and support of our amazing family of faculty, staff, alumni, students, and friends. Your commitment and assistance are inspiring. Your love for this institution is why I am so delighted to be a part of this Cardinal family.
With prayers and gratitude,
Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University