August 13, 2021

Update from the President

Dear Wheeling University Community, 

Our campus is buzzing again with the sights and sounds of students. All week, our football players and coaches have had the campus to themselves as they begin preparing for the upcoming season. This weekend our student leaders and more of our student-athletes will move back into the residence halls. We are excited that the start of the new academic year is only days away and look forward to welcoming our new class of Cardinals to the Wheeling University family! 

This afternoon, I joined two of our nursing students, Kiera Vietmeier and Amanda Keister, at WVU Medicine – Wheeling Hospital. The hospital administration awarded scholarships to these nursing students that will cover the cost of tuition during their junior year and senior years at Wheeling University. After graduation, Kiera and Amanda will be hired as nurses at the hospital and remain there for at least three years. An official announcement will be shared on our website next week, but I wanted to share how our partnership with Wheeling Hospital is benefitting our students and University. With the need for nurses more critical than ever, this partnership provides deserving students with financial support and, at the same time, helps the hospital meet its ongoing need. This is the second year that WVU Medicine – Wheeling Hospital has awarded scholarships to our nursing students. I am grateful to Mr. Douglass Harrison and the hospital administration for this wonderful blessing. 

Planning is underway for Homecoming and Family Weekend, which will be October 22-23. We will be hosting events throughout the weekend for students and their families, alumni, and employees. I invite all members of the Wheeling family to circle these dates on your calendar and make plans to join us on campus for all the activities. That weekend, the Cardinal football team will host our backyard rival West Liberty, followed by the Lady Cardinal Soccer match against Glenville. Make sure to come in your Wheeling gear and cheer the Cardinals onto two wins! The finalized schedule of events and registration information will be released soon. I cannot wait to welcome everyone to campus for a fun-filled weekend. 

This week, recent graduate Danielle Stewart became the first-ever, two-time College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American in school history. Danielle, a Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-American last year, was named Second-Team Academic All-America this season. She remains the only track & field athlete from Wheeling to ever receive the distinction from CoSIDA – considered the most prestigious academic award in collegiate athletics. In addition to being the first-ever two-time honoree, Danielle is one of eight student-athletes in Wheeling University history to be voted an Academic All-American by the organization. She collected numerous awards and ended her career as a four-time MEC Champion in the pole vault, a four-time USTFCCCA All-Region honoree, and a three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic selection. Danielle was also successful in the classroom, graduating with a 3.89-grade point average earning degrees in nursing and exercise science.  Congratulations to Danielle on this latest recognition! 

Please note that our Mass schedule for the Chapel will change beginning Sunday, August 22. Mass times for Sundays, starting on that day will be 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Daily Masses will resume Monday, August 30. For a complete list of Mass times, please go to the Campus Ministry webpage. 

As a reminder, the University has instituted a temporary indoor mask requirement for all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and vendors. The new protocol applies to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Given the latest guidance from the CDC, coupled with the recent surge in COVID cases, the senior leadership team decided it was prudent to ask everyone to wear masks in classrooms, meeting rooms, the library, at indoor social gatherings and hallways. Keeping our students and employees safe and healthy is our top priority and wearing a mask and getting vaccinated will help us accomplish this.  

As we prepare to start the new academic year, may our students return to campus with open minds and hearts eager to learn and grow. Let us all ask God to watch over the Wheeling family and keep us safe and healthy.  

With gratitude, 

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University