March 10, 2010

"Role of Women in Leadership Positions" is next Coldwater Creek Lecture Series presentation.

 

CONTACT:  Dr. Sy Sarkarat, professor of economics and series coordinator, 304-424-8237.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s next Coldwater Creek Lecture Series program will feature a panel discussion in observance of Women's History Month.

 

The free program entitled "Role of Women in Leadership Positions" will be held at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 23, in the college theatre (Room 1305).  It is open to the public.

 

In observance of Women's History Month, the panel will feature four Mid-Ohio Valley female leaders:

 

Senator Donna Boley of the 3rd Senatorial District was first appointed to the West Virginia Senate by Governor Arch Moore in 1985.  She was then elected in 1988, and re-elected in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. 

 

Marie Foster Gnage became the sixth president of of WVU Parkersburg in 2004.  She is the first African-American female to be appointed president of a college or university in West Virginia.  She serves on various local boards and committees as well as the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Humanities; Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges, and Board of Directors of the Women’s Business Enterprise.

 

Betty Ireland, senior vice president, Professional Services of America, Inc., became the 28th Secretary of State of West Virginia in 2004 and the first woman elected to the executive branch of WV state government.   After leaving public office in 2009, she joined Parkersburg-based Professional Services of America, Inc.

 

Dr. Rhonda Richards is senior vice president for Academic Affairs at WVU Parkersburg and will serve as panel moderator.   Prior to arriving in Parkersburg, she was vice president and dean of the Women’s College at Midway College in Kentucky. Dr. Richards was appointed by the Governor of Kentucky to the Kentucky Commission on Women, and served as a board member for the International Book Project.

The Coldwater Creek Lecture Series is sponsored by Coldwater Creek and coordinated by WVU Parkersburg’s Business, Economics, and Mathematics Division.

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