February 25, 2022

Update from the President

Dear Cardinal Family,

It was a pleasure to host the Wheeling Chamber of Commerce Leadership Wheeling group on campus Tuesday. This year’s Leadership Wheeling group participated in a simulated mission at our Challenger Learning Center. This Program is designed to expand the leadership potential of area professionals by increasing awareness of community opportunities, individual leadership skills, and networks with business leaders. As part of the Program, members of the leadership class participate in several activities at businesses and organizations in the Wheeling area each year. The University’s Challenger Learning Center has been part of the Leadership Wheeling Program for some time — teaching teamwork and problem-solving skills to those participating. However, this is the first time since COVID-19 began that we could welcome this group to campus. Wheeling plays a vital role in our community and is proud to partner with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce.

Wheeling students who are Biology and Engineering majors who live in West Virginia have the opportunity to apply for the WV STEM Scholarship each year. Biology and Engineering faculty members Troy Adamson and Dr. Nicolae Albu can assist Wheeling students in applying for the $3,000 scholarship. This student financial aid program is designed to enable and encourage academically talented individuals to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology in West Virginia. Additionally, I am excited to share that Coordinator of Career Services Jeff Manukin begins Monday and will also assist students interested in this Program. Jeff will not only help our students in their career pursuits, but he will also work with alumni to grow internship and job placement opportunities. Wheeling is committed to providing opportunities as interns during undergraduate studies and connecting our students to careers upon graduation.

Again, this year, the University will offer the Summer of Purpose Program – a series of academic courses available to current, incoming and high school students. The summer session courses are offered at a reduced rate and are an excellent opportunity for current students to take classes to help them graduate early. In addition, for incoming and high school students, the Program offers these students a chance to jump-start their collegiate careers by taking some core classes. Registration for current students opened recently through Blackboard, with registration for incoming and high school students to open soon.

College students living in West Virginia received great news last week – the Promise Scholarship amount will increase to $5,000 next year. In addition, some temporary changes to the scholarship’s ACT and SAT test score requirements also have been implemented for 2022 and 2023 graduates. The new ACT and SAT test score requirements for Promise Scholarship applicants can be found on the College for WV website.

One Cardinal athlete was rewarded for his hard work on the indoor track season. Jabez Reeves, a sprinter on the Men’s Track Team, was named the MEC’s Male Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. This season, he set a new University record in the 60-meter dash and tied the school record in the 200-meter sprint. He was presented the award for his outstanding effort at the MEC Indoor Championship meet last weekend. We are proud of Jabez’s efforts and wish him all the best during the upcoming outdoor season. We are expecting great things from both men’s and women’s track.

The Lenten season begins on March 2 with Ash Wednesday. This holy day is a time to fast and abstain from eating meat. Wheeling University will offer two Masses in the Chapel of Mary and Joseph on Wednesday to allow students, faculty, and staff to obtain ashes. Those Masses will be at 12:10 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Benedum Room will remain open until 2 p.m. to accommodate those attending the 12:10 p.m. Mass. Pope Francis shared, “I invite everyone to make next March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace. I encourage believers in a special way to devote themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.” 

With the Lenten season upon us, this is a time for each of us to renew ourselves as disciples of Jesus. Although Lent is often viewed as a period of sacrifice, I encourage you to view it as a second chance, or do-over, to “return to God with our whole heart” and an opportunity to ensure our values and priorities are in line with God’s desires for us. During the 40 days leading up to Easter, let this be a time to reflect, repent, pray, and prepare for the fullness of life that is promised by the resurrection of Jesus. 

With deep appreciation,

Ginny R. Favede, President
Wheeling University