August 29, 2024
Wheeling University August Update
Dear Wheeling University Community,
The academic year is under way, and the campus is alive once again.
On Monday, August 19, the Opening Session for all faculty and staff began with a prayer from Father David Griffin followed by opening remarks from Chad Carter, Board of Trustees member and Chancellor of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. All faculty and staff received a Wheeling University lapel pin containing the seal and the words, Luceat Lux Vestra. Let your light shine!
Students began classes on August 26 and have settled into campus life.
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Academics
When students arrived, they found that some academic programs have relocated. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), the Athletic Training, and the Exercise Science programs are now in Donahue Hall. The DPT lab and free clinic are in Kirby Hall.
The Student Success Center has moved to the Bishop Hodges Library. The Director of the Student Success Center is Nancy Haynes. She will provide students with academic support to help them succeed in the classroom.
Additionally, Christina Creek, Instructor of Nursing, Susan Hvizdos, Instructor of Mathematics, and Dr. Lance Tarr, Associate Professor of Exercise Science have joined the faculty at Wheeling University.
Admissions
The Office of Admissions has enrolled 280 new students as of today. This class comes to Wheeling from 28 countries and 26 states. We officially welcomed the group to the Wheeling University during the annual New Student Convocation. Read more about our new group of Cardinals here. Recruitment for next year has already begun.
Advancement
Wheeling University has been nominated by the Wheeling Intelligencer/News Register Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the Best Colleges in the Ohio Valley. To win this distinction, please take a moment to vote for Wheeling University, the best private, campus-based Catholic institution in West Virginia. Voting for the Best of the Ohio Valley ends Friday, August 30. To cast your vote, click here.
Athletics
Ben Healy joins the University as the new Assistant Track & Field coach. Coach Healy previously was an assistant at Southern Connecticut State University Track & Field team last season.
Former Wheeling Women’s Soccer players, Carrie (Plute) Hanna and Lesley Kohlmyer, were chosen as members of the Beadling Soccer Club 125th Anniversary Team. The Beadling Soccer Club is one of the oldest operating soccer clubs, is named Western Pennsylvania’s number one classic club, and is a top 100 club in the country. Both Hanna and Kohlmyer put together Hall of Fame careers in a Cardinal uniform, each scoring 40-goals or more.
To stay up-to-date on the achievements of our Cardinal teams and athletes, go to the Athletic news page.
Campus Ministry
The Most Reverend Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, will join the campus community to celebrate the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Mass will be held at 12 p.m., Friday, September 6, in Troy Theater. All members of the Wheeling community are welcome to join us for the Mass.
As a reminder, the regular Mass schedule at the Chapel of Mary and Joseph resumes on September 2. Daily Masses are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 12:10 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 p.m. Sunday Mass times are 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Information Technology
The University launched a new portal page that provides students and employees easy access to online forms, calendars, news, and a variety of apps/services. Additionally, upcoming events, budgets, and class schedules can be found on the page. Students and staff are encouraged to access the portal at https://connect.wheeling.edu.
Physical Plant
All residence halls received upgrades over the summer. Ignatius Hall received more than $1 million in improvements, including improvements of bathrooms, elevators, hallways, lighting, and carpeting. Also, a new fire suppression pump was installed.
Student Services
A series of events and activities took place to welcome new students to campus. Academic Success Camps, new this year, informed students about academic support services available around campus. The new class of students engaged in Wheeling University’s mission of service by participating in Make a Difference Day on Saturday, August 24, when they completed service projects on campus and throughout the City of Wheeling. That evening, the students enjoyed a wonderful Luau in the Library Plaza as a reward for their service. Sunday, our upperclassmen returned to campus, and that evening a Welcome Back Picnic was held with games for all to enjoy.
The Counseling Center, once again, will hold Mindful Monday’s programs on the second Monday of each month. Also, Tina Tordella, Director of the Counseling Center, has scheduled seven Wellness Wednesday activities for the semester.
Homecoming and Family Weekend will be held September 27-29. The weekend is open to students and their families as well as alumni, employees, and friends. The schedule of events is being finalized and registration will open soon.
Please pray that our students find academic success and inspiration through service to others as they begin this new school year at Wheeling University.
As always, let me extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire Wheeling University community for your support.
Sincerely,
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Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D.
Chief Operations Officer