Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 23, 2023) – Want to be a part of something big, really big? Then come to the Parkersburg Art Center Friday, 4-7 p.m., or Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., to attend the first of several painting parties for a new mural that will surround the entrance to Point Park.

The Arts of the MOV and the Parkersburg Art Center have commissioned West Virginia Muralist Nichole Westfall to create a mural to adorn the floodwall on both sides and across the top of the entrance to Point Park. Westfall’s design creates an open feeling to the entrance, that can feel narrow for drivers and pedestrians. The design reflects the community gardens of the Greater Parkersburg CVB Welcome Center, opening this spring, native birds and other elements of the river and city.

Like the mural that now adorns the Parkersburg Art Center wall, this mural starts with five by five foot pieces of polytab material that have been marked with color codes. The community is invited to help paint this color-coded base layer. The mural will be completed and applied to floodwall in early June. Westfall and her assistant artists were trained in the polytab process by Muralist Greta McClain when they assisted her in 2021 with the Good Space mural.

The work is funded in part with a grant from the City of Parkersburg. For information about the painting parties and how you can get involved, please contact the Parkersburg Art Center, 304-485-3859.

The Arts of the MOV is a collaboration of 12 local arts organizations that is coordinated by WVU at Parkersburg Foundation. http:/artsofthemov.wvup.edu

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 14, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg’s Criminal Justice Organization (CJO) is collecting donations to help support the Carry On Campaign, now until Feb. 17.

“Our students learned about the processes of Child Protective Services and the foster care system and were shocked to find that, in many instances, young people in an emergency situation or in foster care are forced to carry their possessions in a garbage bag,” said Assistant Professor Andrew Walker. “They chose to support the Carry On Campaign to help address this critical need in our area.”

The Carry On Campaign aims to help children in the West Virginia foster care system by collecting donated luggage and other supplies. Donations primarily include new and gently used luggage, backpacks, and duffle bags, but can be filled with other supplies, such as hygiene products, cosmetic products, school supplies, coloring books, blankets and card games.

The campaign started in October 2010 as part of a collaborative, multi-agency partnership that includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Mission West Virginia, Inc., the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorney’s Institute and the West Virginia Drug Endangered Children Task Force.

Donations can be dropped off at The Success Epicenter in Room 1332 from now until Feb. 17. For more information, contact Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu or Criminal Justice Instructor Amy Strong at astrong2@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 13, 2023) – Careers in health care are exciting, rewarding, and offer a lifetime of fulfillment. The Nursing and Health Sciences Division prides itself on the quality of education we offer with new simulation labs, clinical rotations, concept-based learning and much more!

The Nursing and Health Sciences will be having an Open House event Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., in the Nursing and Health Sciences classrooms located on the second floor of the main campus, to showcase the state-of-the-art equipment WVU Parkersburg has to offer. Prospective students and their families can connect with faculty and staff.

Hands-on activities during the Open House include:

• In the Simulation Lab, prospective students can participate in live simulation features like mother and baby and a CPR demonstration.
• In the Campus Lab, prospective students can work with our robotic mannequins, take vital signs, practice removing staples, and learn about wound care.
• In one of the classrooms, participants will be able to wear our new HoloLens (virtual reality) goggles and experience different types of patient situations.
• The Surgical Technology Lab will also provide live demonstrations.

“This event is an excellent opportunity to experience hands-on activities that will provide knowledge of what our program can offer before becoming a healthcare professional,” said Katie Finnerty, Nursing and Health Science’s Student Success Advisor.

Visit wvup.edu/nursing to learn more about the Nursing Program. For more information contact Katie Finnerty at kfinnert@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 10, 2023) – With a focus on creating new technology companies in the Mid-Ohio Valley, Professor Charles Almond will serve as WVU Parkersburg’s first C.O. and Charles F. Erickson Distinguished Faculty Chair in Entrepreneurship.

“Professor Almond’s proposal embodied what The Erickson Foundation envisioned when the C.O and Charles F. Erickson Distinguished Faculty Chair in Entrepreneurship was established,” said Kathy Eddy, Trustee, The Erickson Foundation. “He intends to challenge students to develop entrepreneurial ideas that can lead to a business, including assisting them to develop a business, marketing plan and hopefully attract investors. In addition, his vision includes the intent for the businesses developed to remain in the local area. I see that as a win for WVUP and a win for our community.”

Almond’s proposal for the distinguished faculty chair is based in his discipline of computer science/software engineering program, as well as the information technology program. His proposal includes recruiting students to come up with innovative ideas for their own potential software businesses, mentoring students as they start developing their products, and working with students through classes to create the software for their business. The proposal also includes helping students to incorporate their businesses and become connected with resources for advertising and marketing, as well as accounting and financial management. The project culminates with helping students create a “pitch” for their business to potential investors.

“These engagement goals should foster an entrepreneurial spirit of creativity, opportunity, and innovation among students,” Almond said. “Students who take advantage of this will also benefit from applying what they are learning in a much more significant and meaningful way.”

Funded by The Erickson Foundation, this distinguished, endowed faculty chair position is designed to enhance faculty/student partnerships to promote faculty and undergraduate research to engage students in advanced experiential learning opportunities, and to promote faculty and student academic endeavor.

“We appreciate The Erickson Foundation for recognizing the value of the faculty at WVU Parkersburg and understanding their significance to our community’s success,” Interim President Dr. Torie Jackson said. “We challenge the faculty member to apply and test academic knowledge and strategies in field-based, hands-on situations and to infuse that real-world experience into teaching, mentoring, and research strategies to enhance experiential learning. In this proposal, we hope to see new technology companies emerge and operate in the Mid-Ohio Valley.”

Selection for the distinguished chair was open to faculty members teaching in all academic and technical disciplines currently offered by WVUP. This will be a rotating appointment. The initial appointment will begin with the spring 2023 academic term and will be for a two-year period with the possibility, but not the guarantee, of renewal for one additional two-year period for a maximum total of four years.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 8, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is hosting a presentation by Adjunct Economics Instructor Terry Tamburini that will focus on diversity and how diversifying the Mid-Ohio Valley can lead to maintaining a consistent level of economic and social progress.

“I am proud that we can share unique programming with our campus community. Tamburini’s presentation will undoubtedly give many of us a new perspective when it comes to diversity, especially in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Nancy Harris.

Tamburini has been an adjunct instructor of economics at WVU Parkersburg since 1990. He is a native of Parkersburg and received his post-secondary education at Xavier University and a master’s degree at Miami University.

Upon completing of his academic responsibilities, he began his professional career as an economic development specialist for the West Central Community Action Association. He followed this experience with the directorship of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council and served as development director with the City of Parkersburg, a development faculty position with the Ohio State University, and the directorship of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority.

The event will take place on Monday, Feb. 20 at 12:15 p.m. in the College Theater with no entry cost. For more information, contact Nancy Harris at nharris2@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 7, 2023) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Board of Governors will meet Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The meeting will take place, at 4 p.m., via Zoom. For further details and instructions on how to attend the meeting, please contact lauriel.rader@wvup.edu.

Visit http://www.wvup.edu/about/board-of-governors/agendas/ to view the complete agenda.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Jan. 25, 2023) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is proud to announce its Spring 2023 clinical teacher candidates.

The WVU Parkersburg Elementary Education program provides field experience in the classroom as early as the freshman year. With the traditional student teaching model, teacher candidates spend a semester in two classrooms and quickly assume teaching responsibilities under the mentorship of an experienced teacher until they are teaching full-time. The new residency model places teacher candidates in one classroom for their entire senior year, and they assume responsibilities more gradually.

“We are extremely proud of our student teacher and Residency I and II candidates. Our teacher candidates have spent countless hours preparing for this semester,” stated Dr. Bobbi Marshall, Dean of Professional Studies. “Coursework is completed, national exams have been passed, numerous lesson plans have been written—They are now prepared to take on the responsibility of educating our state’s most important resource – our children.”

The Spring 2023 class of students in Residency 1 includes:

Kailey Elliott

Jordan Flinn

Mikayla Gessel

Amanda Gist

Abigail Homan

Cody Moore

Anthony Perry

Jonathan Zuniga

Student Teacher not pictured: Abby Anderson

The Spring 2023 class of students in Residency 2 and student teacher includes:

Emily Hatfield

Sierra Backus

Madi Ball

Olivia Dailey

Megan Dennis (Student Teacher)

Lexis Hill

Heather Lawson

Sierra Runner

Ashley Ward

Staclyn White

Not pictured: Jessica Perkins

To learn more about the Elementary Education program, please visit wvup.edu/education.

Contact Roberta Marshall at rmarsha7@wvup.edu or 304-424-8000 ext. 442 to start a career in Elementary Education or Child Development.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Jan. 20, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg begins their intramural basketball spring league. They plan to continue playing throughout January and February.

The games will be played off-campus at the Elite Sports Center at 2000 1st Ave, Parkersburg, W.Va. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

Sunday, Jan 22, at 2:40 p.m..: Headbandz Make Her Dance (Red) v. WVU Parkersburg Riverhawks 

Sunday, Jan. 29, at 4:20 p.m.: WVU Parkersburg Riverhawks v. OTF

Sunday, Feb. 5, at 2:40 p.m.: The Bums (Green) v. WVU Parkersburg Riverhawks

Sunday, Feb. 19, at 1:50 p.m.: Grey Squad (Grey) v WVU Parkersburg Riverhawks

Sunday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m.: Price the Revolution (Pink) v. WVU Parkersburg Riverhawks

Intramural sports are recreational competitions played between teams comprised of college students. Intramurals allow students to continue their love of sports after high school and provide an experience to build friendships.

“When you are on the court, it is teamwork. It is fun for us to rely on one another on and off the court,” said Hunter Coull, WVU Parkersburg Business Administration student.

To learn more about intramural sports at WVU Parkersburg, contact JB Skidmore, Student Activities coordinator, at jbskidmore@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Jan. 17, 2023) – Nick Pike, season five finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” is coming to West Virginia University at Parkersburg on January 27 to perform his variety show. Comedian Derrick Knopsnyder will open with his stand-up comedy act.

The event will be held in the College Activities Center, at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now in the WVU Parkersburg Business Office. Tickets are $5 for students, faculty and staff and one guest and $10 for the general public. Seats may be purchased at the door for $10.

“We are excited to bring national talent to the Mid-Ohio Valley and offer it at an accessible cost for our campus and community,” said JB Skidmore, WVU Parkersburg Student Engagement Activities coordinator. “Stay local, grab a table with friends and family and join us for a fun show.”

Originally from Great Britain, Pike has performed thousands of shows worldwide. He has been juggling for over 26 years, receiving a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Contemporary Circus and Theatre from The Circus Space in London and performing with The Swedish Royal Theater.

Pike will entertain attendees with his high-energy comedy and stunt show. Pike combines acrobatics, juggling and audience participation for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Opening the show is Knopsnyder. A Pittsburgh native, he has been called “The Best Comedian Working Today,” performing on Comedy Central’s “New Talent Search” and sharing the stage with many great comedians, including Dave Coulier and Rob Schneider. Knopsnyder has also won the Cleveland Comedy Festival and Stand Up to Cancer’s Comedy Festival.

To purchase tickets, visit the WVU Parkersburg Business Office (Room 1112) on the main campus or call 304-424-8223. The Business Office is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cash, check and credit card payments will be accepted.

Learn more about Knopsnyder at dkcomedy.com and Pike at nickpikejuggler.com.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Jan. 13, 2023) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg has named Dr. David Lancaster the vice president for Academic Affairs.
Lancaster was born in Tyler County, W.Va., and graduated from Tyler County High School in 1979. He moved to Pleasants County and began attending WVU Parkersburg to pursue a teaching degree.

He began his professional career at WVU Parkersburg in 2001. He has served in multiple roles, including Compensation Task Force co-chair, faculty senate member, Education division chair, field placement coordinator and Professional Studies division dean. He has also moved through the faculty ranks, receiving full professorship.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from WVU Parkersburg, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Salem Teikyo University and a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership Studies with a minor in Technology from WVU.

“Dr. Lancaster brings a wealth of knowledge about curriculum, scholastics and WVU Parkersburg to this lead academic position. He also focuses on student success by making sure students have the supports needed to find that success,” said Dr. Torie Jackson, WVU Parkersburg interim president.

“In addition, he has experience with accreditation and will be able to help lead WVU Parkersburg through our next accreditation visit. I am excited to partner with him on many academic initiatives and am so thankful he agreed to step into this vice-presidential role.”

Lancaster believes WVU Parkersburg feels like home. He and his wife of 32 years met in a WVU Parkersburg college class and now have a family of four.
Their three sons, Camaron, Connor and Kyle, are WVU Parkersburg Elementary Education program graduates. Their daughter, Caraline, broke this tradition by enrolling in the Nursing program and started taking classes in Fall 2022.

“I have always heard that you can never go home. I received my teacher’s training at WVU Parkersburg and then continued my career in a variety of positions. In 2001, I was blessed to return to WVU Parkersburg in my original area of professional training,” said Lancaster.

“I’m truly in awe that this great institution not only trained me but has called me home to lead in the vice-presidential role. I am honored and excited to have this opportunity!”