July 9, 2021

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling Family, 

As we set our sights on the start of the 2021-22 academic year, Wheeling continues to benefit from the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students. Our University and student commitment to excellence continue to receive national recognition. 

This year, many ranking services have acknowledged the excellent education we provide students at Wheeling University. Recently, AcademicInfluence.com rated our University as one of the best colleges in the state of West Virginia for 2021. In addition, Academic Influence named our University the third-best Christian and Private College in West Virginia and the sixth-best West Virginia Liberal Arts College and Best Small College. Recognition like this acknowledges that Wheeling University remains true to its mission to educate young men and women to excel in their chosen careers and be leaders and servants in their communities. Additionally, the ranking re-affirms that our outstanding faculty are meeting and exceeding the academic needs of our students.  

Five student-athletes last week garnered post-season honors for their accomplishments in the classroom. Two members of the 2021 Cardinal Baseball team, recent Wheeling University graduate Luis Dominguez and junior Jacob Murray, were named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District II Team. Luis graduated in May with his degree in Exercise Science while carrying a 3.76 grade-point average. In three of his four semesters at Wheeling, he was on the dean’s list, a two-time Spring Academic All-MEC honoree, and a finalist for the MEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Jacob, an Exercise Science major, has a 3.76 GPA, is a two-time Academic All-MEC honoree, and a one-time MEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient. Additionally, three women’s golf team members, Olivia Zampedro, Emily Holzopfel, and Kylee Tolliver, were named Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars. The trio was among the 1,432 women’s collegiate golfers who the WGCA recognized. The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50. This is the second-straight year Olivia earned the honor, while this marks the first time Emily and Kylee collected this award. Once again, these achievements are proof our student-athletes are committed to excelling in the classroom. 

The Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program will start a new cohort in May 2022.  Set apart from other DPT programs, our program emphasizes a whole-person approach to investigating clinical issues through Problem-Based Learning. We also offer a unique learning approach that encourages teamwork, open discussion, and researching appropriate resources to teach students didactic knowledge. Most importantly, upon graduation, our students are prepared to practice as professional and ethical therapists who know they have an obligation to meet the needs of those in underserved health care systems. The application cycle is now open and campus visits can be scheduled via email at dpt@wheeling.edu.  

I am very excited to announce this week we added – women’s rugby – to the University’s lineup of varsity programs. One of the NCAA’s five emerging sports for females, women’s rugby increases the number of varsity sports teams to 20. Men’s Rugby Head Coach Michael Geibel, who had great success coaching women’s rugby at Eckerd College in Florida, will also serve as head coach of the new program. Coach Geibel is beginning recruitment efforts, with the team set to start competing in the Fall of 2022 in the National Collegiate Rugby Open. Just as he has grown the men’s rugby program, I am confident Michael will build a successful women’s team whose players will excel in competition and academically.  

Each week, it gives me great pleasure to share all the great things that are happening at Wheeling University. Every award, recognition, and ranking we have achieved is thanks to each of you. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and dedication! 

With appreciation,

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University