Parkersburg, W.Va. (November 17, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg has launched a second apprenticeship program in Cybersecurity and Network Administration through the Department of Labor (DOL). The program will train and offer students wages at Woodcraft while earning their degrees.

The apprenticeship program is the next step for Computer Information Technology students who obtained their associate degree and worked with their employer through WVU Parkersburg’s Learn and Earn program. As an apprentice, they will continue their paid mentorship with on-the-job training while earning a Bachelor of Applied Technology degree.

“It is such a natural bridge from Learn and Earn to the DOL apprenticeship program that we anticipate more companies taking part in such a collaborative, seamless program,” said Samantha Copen, WVU Parkersburg Learn and Earn coordinator.

Apprentices will work one year with Woodcraft as computer support specialists. As computer support specialists, students will provide technical assistance to clients, resolve computer hardware and software problems, install operating systems and more.

“Woodcraft is excited to continue its partnership with WVU Parkersburg and proud to support local talent in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” said Amanda Fowler, Woodcraft Supply IT director.

In addition to gaining on-the-job training, students who graduate from Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeships earn industry-recognized credentials.

WVU Parkersburg also offers an information technology DOL apprenticeship with Ntiva. The college is the only institution in the state to provide DOL apprenticeships in this career field.

To learn more about Information Technology apprenticeships through WVU Parkersburg, please contact Samantha Copen at samantha.copen@wvup.edu or 304-424-8250.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 16, 2021) – Volunteers from the Arts Club, Veterans Corps and campus community gathered in the Poorhouse Cemetery on Veterans Day to honor Veterans buried on the grounds.

The Poorhouse Cemetery inters Veterans from World War I, World War II, Korean War and the American War for Independence. Some tombstones have Army, Navy or Marine Corps seals and emblems on them but don’t indicate in which wars the Veterans served.

“Honoring these Veterans is the least we can do. They gave us so much; it is only proper that we remember their sacrifices,” said Darren Shearlock, Veterans Advocate. “As a society, if we fail to honor those that have sacrificed for us, we may find ourselves without people willing to do so if we are in need in the future.”

American flags will become permanent fixtures on the 17 graves that were marked Thursday. More Veterans may be buried in the cemetery, but there are no indicators on their tombstones.

“Learning about the veterans buried at the Wood County Poorhouse Cemetery allows us to deepen our understanding and appreciation of those who fought for our freedom,” said Dr. Reidmiller, Art Club Advisor.

Veteran David Chandler was one of the volunteers at the event. Chandler served from 1990 to 2014 in the United States Army.

“Veterans Day has a special importance to me as it is a time for me to remember those friends and Soldiers that I have had the privilege and honor to serve with,” Chandler said.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 15, 2021) – November is American Indian Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate and honor the ancestry and accomplishments of First Nations and indigenous communities.

In recognition of the month, WVU Parkersburg’s OPEN Project will host Dr. David Mathieu on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 12:15 p.m., at wvup.edu/live, to discuss topics, including cultural appropriation, land acknowledgment and the unique traditions and contributions of the Lakota people.

“This is an opportunity to educate the campus and our communities on national and global topics,” said Dr. Steven Smith, executive vice president for enrollment management and inclusive excellence. “If we are open to educating and understanding one another, we can bring that knowledge to our workplace, families and friends.”

Dr. Mathieu began his career teaching American Indian Studies in 1974 at Black Hills State University. He has had many different roles over the years, including a founding administrator of Minnesota State University-Akita in Japan. Now, Mathieu devotes his professional time to writing, consulting and teaching doctoral students in the area of Higher Education Finance, in addition to continuing his research on the Lakota language.

Most recently, Mathieu published a book, Way to Wakan: Reflections on Lakota Spirituality and Grief. The book was written following the death of his daughter Felicity in 2012.

For more information, please contact Dr. Steven Smith at steven.smith@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 10, 2021) – WVU Parkersburg’s alumni make a difference everywhere. That is why Alumni Relations has opened a resource hub for alumni to use in their post-graduation endeavors.

The hub, located in Room 1005 on WVU Parkersburg’s main campus, is where alumni and current students may come to update their resumes, go on job searches and connect. The space has a computer and printer, and users may bring their own technology to use campus Wi-Fi.

“Our best assets are our alums. This space was made so that alumni could share their experiences with each other and for our graduates to know we will continue to support them as they follow their career paths,” said Nancy Harris, executive director of Alumni Relations and Career Services.

Alumni may also participate in a nature photography contest to help decorate the hub. The contest is open from now until Dec. 15, 2021. All photos must be original, contain no people, high-resolution and in color. One submission is allowed per person.

“The walls are white, and the room needs some color, and there is no better way to add color than through the eyes of a lens,” said Harris.

For more information, or to submit a photo please email Nancy Harris at nharris2@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 1, 2021) – Shine bright like a diamond. To celebrate West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s diamond anniversary, it is partnering with Wingrove Jewelers to give away a ring valued at $10,000.

The ring features three distinct diamonds framed by other diamond clusters. The total diamond weight of the ring is two and a half carats.

From now until Feb. 10, 2022, the college will sell raffle tickets for $100 a piece. Because WVU Parkersburg’s mission is to provide accessible, life-changing opportunities, tickets purchased by community donors will sponsor student entries to the drawing.

All raffle sales will benefit the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation’s student activities and student scholarship funds. The giveaway winner will be announced on Feb. 14.

“As we considered how to celebrate the 60^th anniversary, the solution was simple: share with our students,” said WVU Parkersburg Chief Operating Officer Dr. Torie Jackson. “Community members who choose to give by purchasing tickets will actually get to provide for students twice – once for the opportunity to be in the drawing and a second time by having the ticket sales go into an account for student activities and scholarships.”

Jackson, who also serves as the Foundation CEO and President, knows students often need funding to pay for college classes and participate in organized college activities. It is only through generous donors that the Foundation is able to meet the needs of students.

The ring donation was made possible by the 60^th Anniversary Committee co-chairs Kiki Angelos, David Creel, Annette Fehrenbacher and Terry Hardman.

“As a great supporter of WVU Parkersburg, I am very excited to celebrate the college’s 60^th birthday and our partnership with Wingrove Jewelers,” Angelos said. “With this ring, I hope to raise a lot of funds to benefit all of our local students.”

“We are so appreciative of the efforts of these community leaders in helping us plan more than one style of anniversary party for WVU Parkersburg,” Jackson said. “While we aren’t able to have that large party we had hoped for this year, they found other ways to continue the celebration.”

While the diamond ring is at the centerpiece of the celebration, WVU Parkersburg has also emphasized on giving back to the community with its WVUP Gives initiative. WVUP Gives collected items, including gloves, non-perishable food, scarves and school supplies to distribute to local food and clothing pantries and schools.

To purchase a raffle ticket, please contact the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation at 304-424-8340 or foundation@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2021) – Instead of lacing gowns, WVU Parkersburg Surgical Technology students laced up their tennis shoes for this year’s Relay for Life. The team joined cancer survivors, caregivers and families to help spread awareness and raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

“Cancer has impacted each of our lives in a certain way,” Rebecca Garrett, Student Surgical Technology Association president, said. “We wanted to reach out to our community and those who have encountered this terrible illness to show them they are not alone.”

The team walked 27 laps and raised $1,471 with the sponsorship of Kroger in Belpre, Ohio. For its efforts, the group received two awards from the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Wood County, including Best Rookie Team of the Year and 2^nd place for the Most Laps.

The team included:

Nicole Carsner

Rebecca Garrett

Katelyn Huck

Kat Jeffrey

Nina Kwok

Edith Powell-Hart

Bentley Singleton

“It was an absolute honor for my team to be presented these awards,” Garrett said. “I have lost several people in my life due to cancer, which is what sparked my interest in volunteering and creating a team to fund the American Cancer Society to one day find a cure.

 

 

I became mesmerized by the passion people have for organizing, planning and dedicating themselves to this event. Every person who attended this year’s Relay for Life was kind, caring and a privilege to be around. I personally encourage other students to attend the event and support those fighting cancer and in memory of those who have lost the battle.”

 

 

The Student Surgical Technology Association also participated in the spring 2021 Walk for Life for the Parkersburg Women’s Care Center.

“Getting together outside of the classroom helps us to create a stronger bond as students,” Garrett said. “Our class has a beautiful friendship that I believe will continue for years after we graduate. We are a team that helps to build each other up, and we are WVU Parkersburg Proud.”

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 18, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Art Club and their friends gathered on Saturday, Oct. 9, to honor those buried at the campus’ Poor Farm Cemetery.

“A poorhouse could serve as a hospital, nursing home, orphanage, halfway home, or even temporary prison. They were designed to aid widows who lost their husbands, children who lost their parents, injured soldiers and those affected by poverty or illness,” said Dr. Lauri Reidmiller, associate professor and advisor of the Art Club.

Poor farms were common in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Farms declined after the Social Security Act took effect in 1935, and, by 1950, poor farms had almost completely disappeared.

“Residents were expected to work the fields, tend the livestock, clean, cook and help maintain the property to the extent that their health or physical abilities would allow. In return, they were given food, clothing, shelter and medical care,” Reidmiller said.

The Poor Farm Cemetery honors over 1,000 residents, including veterans, ex-salves, infants and other residents from the Wood County Poorhouse.

“Learning about the poorhouse and the cemetery allows us to deepen our understanding and appreciation of those who came before us. Every grave marker holds valuable pieces of information about a community,” Reidmiller said.

This is the second Poor Farm Cemetery event. Volunteers at the cleanup fixed broken crosses, trimmed bushes and trees, uncovered and cleaned tombstones and straightened cross grave markers.

“The chance to take part in the project gives my students an interesting peek into our local history. Most students who attend WVU Parkersburg are not aware of the significance of the graveyard,” Reidmiller said. “Learning about historical events is not so abstract when they are tied to a specific person or family from our own community.”

Another Poor Farm Cemetery cleanup will take place in the Spring. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Dr. Lauri Reidmiller at lreidmil@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 13, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg announced it will begin a $5 million fundraising campaign in January 2022 with the goal of raising the money in three years.

The campaign is an extension of the WVU Parkersburg Proud fundraising initiative, which doubled its $3 million goal in two years instead of the originally planned three-year timeline. Its success was due to private donations and successful grant writings.

Last year, the college received the largest donation in its history through Arnold Ventures. The $1.7 million grant kick-started the WVU Parkersburg Ascend program. Ascend provides academic, personal and financial supports to help students in certificate and associate programs complete their degrees on time.

“I saw an opportunity for WVU Parkersburg to exceed its own expectations in fundraising,” WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer said. “When I arrived in July 2018, we had never truly undertaken a systematic, goal-driven, long-term fundraising initiative to support WVU Parkersburg, but I believed this community wanted to support its college if invited to do so.

Successful grant writing has been a part of my advancement strategy for 25 years. Money follows purpose, so we had to start by recommitting to our purpose as a student-focused, community-serving institution. When we did that and started our outreach for funds in a deliberate way, we exceeded a goal many thought was too ambitious. Now, based on that success, we are setting an even more ambitious goal.”

In addition to grant writing, the college always accepts donations for student scholarships and activities, as well as for special projects and faculty and staff development.

“The WVU at Parkersburg Foundation provides an opportunity for our community to invest in itself by sharing its generosity in a way that helps so many students. As they improve their education, they take on local service and working roles to help it continue to be enriched and grow,” said WVU at Parkersburg Foundation President and CEO Dr. Torie Jackson. “Our alumni and our students surround the Mid-Ohio Valley and give us so many reasons to be WVU Parkersburg Proud.”

To learn how to be a part of the WVU Parkersburg Proud legacy by visiting wvup.edu/foundation.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (October 7, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Tuesday, October 12, 2021. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the College Activities Center (Room 1536). Due to COVID-19, a virtual option to attend is also available.

For further details and instructions on how to attend the meeting, please contact Brady Whipkey, WVU Parkersburg chief of staff, at brady.whipkey@wvup.edu.

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

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 6, 2021) – Leapfrog, hopscotch, bear crawling – these seem like popular playground games, but for area elementary schools, these are mindful activities.

WVU Parkersburg’s Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international honor society in education, has partnered with Criss and Franklin Elementary Schools in Wood County to provide sensory paths for youth. Sensory paths are a series of guided movements for children to follow, helping develop motor skills.

“These sensory paths can increase the number of minutes that students are physically active during the school day,” said Stephanie Stopiak, WVU Parkersburg Education instructor. “Sensory paths can also help students develop coordination skills and increase focus and attention. Teachers can use sensory paths for transitions, recess, brain breaks or a calming area.”

At Franklin, KDP members installed two sets of agility tires for children to count by fives as they hop through the obstacle, and they painted a Bigfoot walking path. At Criss, they painted a hula hoop hop path, ABC alphabet tree, moon boots hop path and a snake path that encourages counting by ones.

For KDP President Leah Harvey, this service project is an example of applying what she learns in the classroom to real life.

“As education majors, we are very fortunate to learn from and work side-by-side with some of the best teachers in Wood County,” Harvey said. “We were able to meet our possible future colleagues and students.”

She continued, “We were also able to gain the experience of painting these sensory paths, which will be a visually stimulating way for students to practice motor skills and can tie to different content skills practice. Every student can use and enjoy the sensory paths, and we cannot wait to see them in action.”

The project was funded by the SNAP-Ed grant, which aims to educate families on healthy choices and promotes active lifestyles.

For more information on the WVU Parkersburg Elementary Education program, please visit wvup.edu/education.