June 18, 2021

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling University Family, 

The University is preparing to welcome 109 students and family members to campus for our next New Student Orientation on Friday, June 25. We are all very excited to get to know our new Cardinals who come from eight states and the District of Columbia, with plans to major in ten different majors and play on nine athletic teams. We have a great day planned, including a time for questions from a panel of current students, the chance to meet faculty, and a campus tour. Our amazing staff goes above and beyond to create a wonderful experience to help our students and families make an easy transition to college life.  

Wheeling’s recently hired Vice President of Enrollment Management, Justin Schwarz, and his talented staff of admissions representatives have been busy managing applications and accepting new students. To date, we are trending over last year’s deposits and are on target to reach our enrollment goals for the 2021/2022 academic year. You can help us surpass this number next year by directing high school students you know to apply today. The 2021 application can be found at www.admission.wheeling.edu/apply. 

While the fall sports season seems far away, our student-athletes will be competing before we know it. Even in the off season, Cardinal athletes are here working hard to build strength and skill.  In regard to our upcoming football season, the 2021 Football Schedule has been released with a change in our planned homecoming game.  Homecoming and Family Weekend has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 23.  This adjustment to our schedule now has our Homecoming Football game against West Liberty, proving to be exciting.  We hope that students, families, alumni, and friends will join us on campus and cheer the Cardinals on to a win against the Hilltoppers. Those of you who attended 2019’s Wheeling vs. WLU game will remember what an incredible day it was.  In addition to the game, several events are being planned on campus for students and their families including shuttled trips to Wheeling’s Centre Market. I encourage you to mark October 23 on your calendar and join all of us here on campus for Homecoming! It’s going to be a weekend you won’t want to miss.  

Now that COVID-19 restrictions have been eased, I am excited to share that our football and volleyball programs will once again host summer athletic camps. Coach Bruney’s Cardinal Football Showcase Camp will be held Saturday, July 17, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Bishop Schmitt Field. The camp is open to all players entering high school grade 9-12, current student-athletes in the transfer portal, and any current prep school/junior college athletes. Members of the coaching staff will provide instruction in various areas – from speed/agility instruction to offensive-defensive position instruction and drills. The cost for the one-day camp is $35 a person. To learn more or to register, go to the camp website. 

Coach Benner’s Cardinal Volleyball program is hosting camps for middle and high school players in July and August inside the McDonough Center’s Performance Gym. On July 29, a middle school camp will be held from 3-5 p.m., with a high school camp to follow from 6-8 p.m. On July 30 middle school camp will be held from Noon-2 p.m., with a high school session running from 3-5 p.m. The final camp date is August 1, with a high school camp from 1-3 p.m., followed by a middle school session from 5-8 p.m. The Wheeling coaches and players will help campers develop passing, serving, hitting, blocking, and setting skills.The cost for each camp is $30 per player. Additional details about the camps and registration information can be found on the volleyball camp website. 

Today, our country observes Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday by President Biden yesterday. This holiday observes the end of slavery in the United States and marks the day, June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached people in the parts of the former Confederacy. This message came more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This commemoration offers hope of a brighter future for us all.   

With prayers and gratitude, 

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University