WVU-P President Joins PRT Administrative Council

CONTACT:  Dr. Terry Wallace, PRT Technical Center director, 304-684-2464

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg will be joining the PRT Technical Center Administrative Council.

Dr. Marie Foster Gnage has accepted an appointment to the board as an ex-officio member, effective July, 2005. The Council serves as PRT’s governing board and is made up of the superintendent and one school board member from each of the three-member county school systems.

PRT Council President Dr. Richard Butler cited the rapidly growing relationship between the PRT and the college.

"With the three new degree programs coming on line at PRT in August and given our rapidly growing partnerships on EDGE credits, adult and business programs and family involvement, we want to be more mutually involved," he noted.

"By joining our team, Dr. Gnage adds her considerable leadership stature, experience and outstanding administrative skills to our efforts to improve education for students of all ages in our communities," he continued. "The only thing that made us happier than inviting her to join the Council was her enthusiastic and positive response."

During a recent speech to the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Gnage announced the availability of WVU-P degree programs in Automotive Technology, Welding Technology and Computer Information Technology at the PRT campus in St. Marys, beginning in August of 2005.

In addition, the schools are collaborating on a specialty program to help meet the growing demand for aluminum welders. Other programs are under discussion. All are intended to increase educational access by bringing a college education closer than ever to students of all ages in Pleasants, Tyler, Ritchie and Wetzel counties.

WVU Parkersburg serves a seven-county service area, including Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood. The Parkersburg regional campus offers a blend of certificate, associate and selected baccalaureate programs in addition to a complement of workforce development training options. Dr. Gnage became president of WVU Parkersburg last July. She also serves as a regional vice president of WVU.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Communications/Public Relations
(304-424-8203)

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