September 3, 2021

Update from the President

Dear Cardinal Family, 

As we finish our second week of the semester, Wheeling University, like many institutions, is making some adjustments to our COVID-19 protocols. This Fall, Wheeling University will continue to test 10 percent of our unvaccinated student population each week. Vaccinated students are not required to test unless they have been in close contact with an individual who has recently tested positive for COVID-19 and begun to display symptoms. Any student (vaccinated or unvaccinated) who becomes symptomatic will be tested and quarantined until they receive their test results. While vaccines are NOT required, we encourage all members of the campus community to get vaccinated. Additionally, all students, employees, and visitors are reminded to wear a mask inside except when alone in an office or residence hall room.  

With the students’ return, it is wonderful to see that they are ready to serve at activities in our community. The Cardinal Lacrosse team will volunteer and participate in the NAMI of Greater Wheeling Annual Walk for Mental Health Awareness. This is a wonderful offering of support by Coach Nick Anagnostis and his team, who are encouraging others to register for the event on Saturday, October 16. The team’s show of support for this worthwhile organization is just the first of many service projects our students will undertake this year. They bring to life Wheeling University’s mission to be men and women for others through the many service projects they undertake on campus and in our region. I am so very proud of our students, coaches, faculty, and employees for your contributions to make our community a better place. 

The Cardinal athletic teams began to play this week. Three of our athletic teams played away Thursday. Women’s Soccer gave Coach Theo Egbele his first win at Wheeling, defeating Lake Erie 3-0. Our Cardinal Football team dropped a heartbreaker to Seton Hill Thursday night. The Volleyball team lost its opening match at the West Florida Invitational and rebounded Friday afternoon to beat the University of Southern Indiana in five sets. The team’s Friday evening and Saturday matches can be viewed online. On Saturday, we have two teams in action. The Rugby team opens its season at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. The game starts at 1 p.m. and can be viewed online. Student Services will be shuttling students wanting to attend the Rugby match. Check with Student Services for more information. The Men’s Soccer team begins its season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Bishop Schmidt Field against the University of Pitt – Johnstown. If you cannot come to campus for the game, you can watch the livestream. Good luck to our teams in action this weekend – Go Cards! 

I wanted to give a quick update on our Adopt a Bench project. To date, we have sold nine of the 10 benches. Through the support of alumni and employees, we have collected enough funds for the veteran’s bench. Anyone interested in adopting our last bench, please contact Kelly Klubert at kklubert@wheeling.edu or 304-243-8165. The benches have arrived and are ready to be installed; however, we seek a donor for the remaining bench. Also, we will launch the first phase of our fundraising campaign on September 15. I ask all alumni and friends to please support our campaign this year – your generous gifts to Wheeling University benefit our students’ educational journey. 

As we enter the Labor Day weekend, I want to thank the Wheeling faculty and staff for their work to support our university and students. Through everyone’s hard work, we have been able to build the academic programs, make improvements campus-wide, and keep our students safe during a pandemic. Your contributions of time and talent are why we have been able to achieve so much. 

With gratitude, 

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University