October 8, 2021
Update from the President
Dear Cardinal Family,
Today it was my pleasure to join fourteen nursing majors who took part in this year’s White Coat Ceremony. This rite of passage serves to welcome the students to the practice of nursing and health care. The white coat identifies the wearer as a medical professional and symbolizes their many hours of hard work and dedication. In front of professors, family, University leadership, and their classmates, the students took their oath – an oath acknowledging their obligation to patient care. Fr. Hadi Sasmita, S.J. offered a blessing, placing holy water on each of the students’ hands. This beautiful ceremony highlights the critical role compassion plays in the nursing profession.
Have you registered for Homecoming and Family Weekend yet? You won’t want to miss the weekend we have planned for everyone! With the event just two weeks away, I encourage our alumni, families, and staff to register soon through our easy online portal. The $10 registration fee includes admission to the President’s Friday Reception, yoga, the Football game against West Liberty, the President’s Tailgate, as well as a t-shirt, other giveaways, and much more. During halftime of the rivalry game against the Hilltoppers, we will crown the Homecoming King and Queen. In addition, the Alumni Council is sponsoring an event Saturday night in the Ratt that includes a trivia contest, food, and a DJ – this is sure to be a fun evening for everyone! The schedule for the weekend can be found on the Wheeling University website. For those who will be traveling, the Hampton Inn across from TJ’s Sports Garden and the Spring Hill Suites are offering discounts to anyone attending the weekend. After more than a year apart, we cannot wait to welcome everyone back to campus!
Our Cardinals captured the Mountain East Conference Women’s Golf Championship this week – marking their third championship since the 2015 season. The team finished the three-day event with a combined score of 997, 15-strokes better than second-place Glenville. AND, Junior Emily Holzopfel was the MEC Women’s Golf Tournament winner – recording an 81 or better in each of her three rounds. Also, Olivia Zampedro and Nicole Linciome tied for ninth place at the championship. Congratulations to West Virginia Hall of Fame Coach Sue Vail and her outstanding team on this stellar performance and championship title!
Senior Volleyball standout Audrey Francis has racked up her second Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Week award of the year. This latest recognition comes following her play last week in the team’s victories over Fairmont State and Frostburg State where Audrey had 55 digs and seven assists. Congratulations to Audrey, her teammates, and Coach Christy Benner on a successful season thus far.
Thanks to the students who keep me informed, I discovered that several pieces of exercise equipment were broken or in need of repair in the McDonough Center. This week, we fixed five treadmills and several bikes, as well as repaired the leg curl, bicep curl, leg extension, and two dual body weight machines. I learned that one bike was beyond repair, and we are looking for a replacement. We also plan to replace the pads on the weight benches in the future.
As an institution committed to living our mission to serve others in our community, the University is helping the Appalachian Outreach, one of our neighborhood agencies. Following the renovations inside the Benedum Room, which included replacing the chairs, Wheeling is donating a number of its old cafeteria chairs to this community partner.
This morning, St. Michael Parish School held its annual Angel Walk on the track at Bishop Schmitt Field. Students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade walked laps to raise money for the grade school. In addition to the students, teachers, family members, and Wheeling Central Catholic High School students volunteered and participated in the event as well. We hope these young students will one day be Wheeling Cardinals!
The state has seen a drop in cases of the virus once again this week. This great news does not mean that students, faculty, staff, and guests should let their guard down. Please continue to wear a mask while indoors and I encourage anyone not vaccinated to consider doing so. Health experts continue to reiterate that wearing a mask and getting the vaccine are the best defenses to slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University