Bell Ringers to celebrate 45th anniversary

Community dignitaries and college representatives to help WVU Parkersburg celebrate its 45th anniversary.

CONTACT: Patsy Bee, executive secretary to the president, 304-424-8200.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To commemorate its 45th anniversary, West Virginia University at Parkersburg has invited community dignitaries and college representatives to ring the original bell from its 1961 Emerson Avenue location. The bell ceremony will be held each morning (Oct. 2-6) at 8:30 in front of the college during its week of celebration.

Monday's (Oct. 2) bell ringers will be John and Peyton Dudley, on behalf of the college's original founders. Ron Atkinson and Cecelia Malhotra, representing college faculty and staff, and Ron Roberts, on behalf of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation, will ring the schoolhouse bell on Tuesday (Oct. 3). Christina Clancy and David Cumberledge, representing students, and Superintendent of Schools Bill Niday, on behalf of Wood County Schools, will serve as bell ringers on Wednesday (Oct. 4). Representing college alumni, Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell will ring the bell on Thursday (Oct. 5). Serving as bell ringers on Friday (Oct. 6) will be George Kellenberger and Paul Stewart, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Cast in 1902 by the Meneely Bell Company of Troy NY, the college bell is the original from the Emerson Avenue school building where the Parkersburg Branch of West Virginia University was established in the fall of 1961. A number of years ago, the bell was discovered in a campus storage area and restored to its original condition. The bell is used at campus ceremonies, including Commencement and other events.

The college has a number of activities planned during the celebration week, including a Founders' Luncheon on Monday (Oct. 2) with WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. as keynote speaker.

cd09/29/2006

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)