September 6, 2024
Dr. Dianna Vargo Appointed President of Wheeling University by Bishop Mark Brennan
WHEELING, W.Va., Sept. 6 – Acting on the recommendation of the Wheeling University Board of Trustees, the Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling – Charleston, announced the appointment of Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D., as the 14th president of Wheeling University.
During the University’s Mass of the Holy Spirit celebration Friday, Bishop Brennan officially welcomed Dr. Vargo to the leadership position and bestowed a blessing on the new president.
“Since serving as Interim Chief Operations Officer, Dr. Vargo has led Wheeling University with dignity and integrity,” said Bishop Brennan. “She has worked hard to build trust among students and staff and has helped to reinvigorate relationships between the University and various local organizations and community leaders.
“Seeing first-hand the work she has accomplished in these past six months; I am happy to act on the recommendation of the Wheeling University Board of Trustees and appoint Dr. Dianna Vargo as president of Wheeling University.”
Chair of the Board of Trustees, David Hendrickson, J.D., praised Dr. Vargo for her leadership over the past six months.
“Dr. Vargo is a natural born leader. She is loved and adored by all on the Wheeling University campus. The University is extremely lucky to have her as the next president. She stepped up in a time of need and has done much to ensure the future of the University,” he said.
Dr. Vargo has been serving as the University’s chief operations officer since February 20th. As the COO, Vargo oversaw all operations at Wheeling University.
“This is a very exciting and important opportunity, not just for me, but for our entire faculty and staff. All of us here are firmly committed to advancing this great University and providing the best learning environment for our students. I’m very grateful to Bishop Brennan, Board Chair Mr. Hendrickson, and all our Trustees for their confidence in our team,” Dr. Vargo said.
A native of St. Clairsville, Ohio, Dr. Vargo has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Ohio University. She has three advanced degrees: a Master of Arts in Science/Mathematics Education from Wheeling College (1987); a Master of Arts in Education Administration from WVU (1993); and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from WVU (2009).
Dr. Vargo came to Wheeling University as an adjunct in the education program in 2016, after retiring from Ohio County Schools. She later became an assistant professor of Education and Director of Graduate Education and the ACT programs. She also oversaw the Master of Educational Leadership (MEL) program. In 2021, she became the Director of Education programs at Wheeling. Under her leadership, Forbes Education chose the MEL program as one of the 10 best online educational leadership programs in the United States last Spring.
She began her teaching career at Bishop Donahue High School. Dr. Vargo started her career in the Ohio County school system in 1983 as a math teacher at Wheeling Park High School. During her time at Wheeling Park, she also coached cross country and track. She later became assistant principal and, in 2001, she was named principal of Wheeling Park High School. In 2005, she was selected as assistant superintendent of Ohio County Schools and served in that position until the summer of 2009, when she was appointed deputy superintendent. Dr. Vargo was named superintendent in July 2012.
Additionally, Dr. Vargo is active in the greater Wheeling community, serving as a member of the Wheeling Hall of Fame Committee, a member of the City of Wheeling Municipal Civil Service Commission, and a member of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Executive Board.
PHOTO ID: Mr. David Hendrickson (Right), chair of the Wheeling University Board of Trustees, and Mr. Chad Carter, a member of the Board of Trustees, welcomed Dianna Vargo, Ed.D. as the University’s 14thpresident. The board member told students and employees, and Bishop Mark Brennan made the official announcement during Friday’s Mass of the Holy Spirit.