Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 12, 2021) – The WVU Parkersburg Sigma Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa recently invited 510 students to join its chapter this semester. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the official International Honor Society for two-year colleges. PTK recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for members to grow as scholars and leaders.

In the past, members of the Sigma Omega Chapter have participated in national and regional conferences, completed research and service projects and received awards for their work. Past chapter members have also been recognized as members of the West Virginia and All-American Academic Teams.

Eligible students must be currently enrolled in a college degree program, complete a minimum number of credit hours depending on their major and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Prospective members were notified via their WVU Parkersburg student email with a letter from President Dr. Chirs Gilmer, and applications are due no later than Friday, March 26. The chapter is hosting a virtual information session, Jump Start with PTK, on Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. New members will be inducted during a live virtual ceremony on Tuesday, March 30.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa, contact one of the chapter advisors: Marie Butler (mbutler1@wvupe.edu), Andrew Rochus (arochus1@wvup.edu), or Andrew Walker (wwalker1@wvup.edu).

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 18, 2021) – As WVU Parkersburg observes its 60th anniversary of providing educational opportunities to the Mid-Ohio Valley, the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation invites students, faculty and alumni to participate in the Memory Garden project, which links the college’s past to the future. By purchasing a brick inscribed with a student, alumni or a loved one’s name, and a personal message, the WVU Parkersburg campus will carry that value with it forever.

The Memory Garden is located on the campus front lawn by the clocktower. The student, alumni or loved one’s name or message etched on a brick will symbolize the spirit felt when that person’s presence was on campus. Or, perhaps in honor of faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni or others to be remembered in a lifetime garden.

“The Memory Garden is part of the Eldon Miller Plaza. It is a place where people can honor the legacy or memory of employees, students, staff and faculty of WVU Parkersburg. Dr. Eldon Miller served as president of this college from 1982 to 2000,” said Dr. Torie Jackson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “It has been in existence for many years. The Faculty Senate and Staff Council often purchase bricks for retiring faculty and staff. For many years, they held a pie-in-the-face auction to raise these funds.”

Below is the pricing for the Memory Garden:

One brick • $50 for 3 engraved lines
Two bricks • $95 for 6 engraved lines
Bench plaque • $500 for five engraved lines
Planter plaque • $500 for five or more engraved liens

Contact the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation at foundation@wvup.edu or 304-424-8247 to learn more or give.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 12, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg will celebrate Black History Month with two virtual events, including a keynote talk about diversity with Dr. Rodney Smith, vice president for Access and Engagement at William Jewell College.

The first event, “A View from a Black Perspective,” will take place on Wednesday, February 17, at 11 a.m. WVU Parkersburg student Sedonie Beckford will interview Dr. Steven Smith about his journey through academia, challenges and opportunities facing the black community and the importance of Black History Month.

Dr. Steven Smith is the college’s first black vice president of Enrollment Management and Jackson County Center dean and CEO.

“This is an opportunity to share a perspective that is often lost in translation, and to provide truth and clarity about racial experiences that can sometimes not be clearly understood,” said Dr. Steven Smith.

The second event, “Let’s Talk Diversity,” will take place on Wednesday, February 24, at 12:15 p.m. Dr. Rodney Smith will provide insight into the implications of race and racism in American society, the Black Lives Matter movement and more.

In addition to his roles at William Jewel College, Dr. Rodney Smith is a graduate adjunct professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Education, where he teaches courses addressing racial and ethnic diversity and cultural understanding. He also published a book, “Are We Really Crabs in a Barrel: The Truth and Other Insights About the African American Community,” as well as a chapter in an anthology entitled “The Trayvon Martin in US: An American Tragedy.”

Both events will be streamed on WVU Parkersburg’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 9, 2021) – The opportunity for Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College students to turn their Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees into Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Elementary Education at WVU Parkersburg will begin in Fall 2021. The institutions’ partnership formally recognizes their commitment to expanding educational opportunities for the state.

“Eastern is thrilled to reunite with WVU Parkersburg for a 2+2 partnership in Elementary Education,” said Eastern President Dr. Chuck Terrell. “This is an accessible and affordable pathway for students and a greatly needed partnership to provide quality educators for West Virginia.”

W.Va. is experiencing significant teacher storages and ranks near last in the number of residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Eastern and WVU Parkersburg’s 2+2 Agreement will help meet the state’s economic needs and ensure an educated and prepared workforce.

“This collaboration with our CTC colleagues at Eastern provides an incredible opportunity for West Virginia students from across the state to pursue the teaching profession without going far from home,” said WVU Parkersburg Provost Chad Crumbaker. “We are happy to be again partnering with Eastern for the B.A. and hope to provide additional similar opportunities for our students.”

To be eligible for the B.A. program, Eastern students must complete an A.S. with a concentration in Elementary Education. Concentration and B.A. courses will be offered through WVU Parkersburg on Eastern’s campus via Zoom, Live, Blackboard, hybrid or web. All field placements, including student teaching, will be completed in Eastern’s service area and supervised by Sherry Michael, Eastern Education Programs coordinator.

“I am very excited to be a part of the WVUP and Eastern 2+2 agreement in Elementary Education, and I look forward to working with everyone involved in the program,” said Michael. “With the local need of teachers in our surrounding areas, I know this will be a great opportunity for our colleges and local communities.”
Students who qualify for financial aid will receive aid at Eastern for the first two years. Upon graduation from Eastern and acceptance into WVU Parkersburg’s Elementary Education program, students must re-apply for financial aid at WVU Parkersburg.

“I’m so excited to be working with the Eastern community again. My last experience working with students from this area was outstanding,” said Dr. David Lancaster, WVU Parkersburg Education Division chairperson. “We can change our students’ lives, and the lives of the children of West Virginia; what an opportunity!”

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s Elementary Education program, visit wvup.edu/education. To get started on your journey at Eastern, visit easternwv.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 5, 2021) – Two WVU Parkersburg students recently placed in the Fall 2020 West Virginia Criminal Justice Educators Association (WVCJEA) Paper Competition. In addition to winning a cash prize, both students’ papers will be published in the association’s peer-reviewed journal, the Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice.

Cody Salvatore, a December 2020 graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, won first place for his paper, “Diversity in Criminal Justice Education.” Early College student Hannah Stephens won second place for her paper, “Improving Policing: Criticisms and Supports.”

Stephens’ paper addresses the essential principles of policing, different issues facing policing today and proposed solutions to those problems.

“It is an amazing feeling to have my paper receive the recognition that it has. I am thrilled to have people read my essay and really think about what it could mean,” said Stephens. “Without the classes and expertise I received from my professors, the ideas I explained in my paper would not have taken off.”

Upon graduation, Stephens plans to become a police officer in the Wood County area.

The Paper Competition is a part of the WVCJEA’s annual conference and is open to any criminal justice undergraduate student whose institution is a member of the association. WVU Parkersburg has been a member since 2014 and attends the conference to share and listen to the research of faculty, students and criminal justice professionals around the state.

“I am always inspired by the hard work and perseverance all our students display. Both Cody and Hannah went above and beyond this past fall to perfect their papers and submit them for competition, and I am extremely pleased with their achievements,” said Andrew Walker, WVU Parkersburg assistant professor of criminal justice. “It is exciting for them to have a paper published in a peer-reviewed journal this early in their academic careers. Their success is one example of the many opportunities our students have here in the criminal justice program at WVUP.”

Visit wvup.edu/criminal-justice for more information or to apply to WVU Parkersburg’s criminal justice program. To learn more about WVCJEA and the Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice, visit mds.marshall.wvu.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 2, 2021) – The WVU Parkersburg Nursing and Health Sciences division has received news that the university will now accept new transfer courses from BridgeValley Community and Technical College and Marshall University.

“By accepting these courses as transfer equivalency, our students will be ready to take the entrance exam, the HESI A2 and have a better chance of successfully being admitted to the program,” said Dr. Kathy Frum, chairperson of the Nursing and Health Sciences Division.

WVU Parkersburg now accepts the following transfer courses from Bridgevalley Community and Technical College:

BIOL 201 –  Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 202 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II

The following transfer courses are also accepted from Marshall University:

BSC 227 – Human Anatomy
BSC 228 Human Physiology
PHY 201 College Physics I
PHY 211 University Physics I

Dr. Frum anticipates that the quality of the applicants to the program will be enhanced as well as the increase in enrollment numbers in the Nursing and Health Sciences division. Students will continue to be prepared for the HESI A2; however, with the addition of the accepted transfer courses, students will be even more prepared to pass on their first attempt.

“Accepting these courses permits transfer students to seamlessly continue their education with us, particularly in our health sciences programs. It also reaffirms the quality of higher education provided across West Virginia and at home at WVU Parkersburg,” said Provost Chad Crumbaker.

For more information on the Nursing and Health Sciences division, visit wvup.edu/nursing or contact Dr. Kathy Frum at 304-424-8326.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (January 22, 2021) – In 1961, WVU Parkersburg, then known as the Parkersburg Branch of West Virginia University, opened its doors at the old Madison school building. One hundred four students enrolled. Today, the college serves over 2,500 students from the Mid-Ohio Valley and across the United States.

To celebrate its Diamond Birthday, WVU Parkersburg will host a community service project each month this year to give back to the communities which have given so much to it. 2021 will be the year of WVUP Gives.

“Each month, we will identify a need, and each month, our campus community will come together to help fill that need for the communities we serve,” said WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer. “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to say, ‘thank you,’ in a real and tangible way for decades of support, and for us to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to be a resource for the citizens of the Mid-Ohio Valley, the state of West Virginia and beyond.”

Senta Goudy, WVU Parkersburg dean of Civic Engagement and Innovation, continues, “With many of our students, faculty and staff working from home, we realized a great way to bring us all together, yet be socially distant, was to find a way to support our community and be safe.”

WVUP Gives is currently accepting Gifts of Warmth. During January, donations of gloves may be dropped off in specially marked boxes at the entrances of the WVU Parkersburg main campus, Jackson County Center and Center for Civic Engagement (414 Market Street in downtown Parkersburg).

Donations of scarves and hats will be accepted in February and March, respectively.

Donations will be distributed with area food and clothing pantries, including the Salvation Army, Children’s Home Society and WVU Parkersburg student emergency needs.

“Over the past 60 years, nearly 200,000 students have come through our doors,” said Goudy. “WVUP Gives is a great opportunity for these alumni to help celebrate the gift of education by sharing the Gift of Warmth through the winter season.”

For more information about WVUP Gives, contact Senta Goudy at senta.goudy@wvup.edu or 304-424-8341.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (January 19, 2021) – The WVU Parkersburg spring 2021 student teacher candidates are making the final transition from student to professional by sharing the classroom with experienced teachers in three W.Va. counties, including Jackson, Wirt and Wood.

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Education Division presents the following student teacher candidates:

• Morgan Carez
• Heather Carpenter
• Sarah Davis
• Paige Flanigan
• Rashelle Hamilton
• Shane Johnson
• Laura Maidens
• Samantha Paxton
• Breanna Pelfrey
• Tkeirston Sams
• Lauren Seckman
• Paiten Wotring

“This student teaching experience will give me practice in running a classroom full time,” said candidate Paiten Wotring. “I’ve been told that nothing can truly prepare you for having your own classroom, but student teaching certainly helps! This will be a guided practice of my future job, where I will have the support needed to succeed.”

Wotring is in a first grade classroom at Blennerhasset Elementary School in Wood County. She will be in this classroom placement until May and assist in teaching. Wotring will learn about classroom management and create lesson plans for core subjects.

“I’m most excited to have the students back in-person,” said Wotring. “Last spring and this past fall’s placements ended suddenly due to the COVID-19-related school closures, and virtual learning has presented many challenges for both students and teachers. I love learning, and I hope to help my students become lifelong learners.”

“Nothing gives me more pride than to see our teacher candidates implement the knowledge and skills that they have learned in our program in their own classrooms during student teaching,” said Dr. Missy Spivy, associate professor of Education. “It is awesome to see them transform from teacher candidates to teachers by the end of student teaching. We hope that our student teachers are given an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of all of the concepts that they have learned about in our program, and, ultimately, we hope, by the end of the student teaching experience, that they will be confident in their abilities to teach in their own classrooms.”

Visit wvup.edu/education to learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s accredited Elementary Education program.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (January 15, 2021) – Stephen Hupp, WVU Parkersburg library director, has recently published his sixth novel titled, “The Czar of Wheeling.”

The “Czar of Wheeling” is about organized crime in the Wheeling area during the early and mid-twentieth century, and it is based on true events.

“Readers with an interest in West Virginia History and crime stories should like the book,” Hupp said.

In “The Czar of Wheeling,” fictional crime-lord Leo Ganas controls vice in the city with an iron fist. He ruthlessly disposes of anyone challenging his control over alcohol, gambling and prostitution. Leo also holds sway over local police and politicians.

In 1969, with health failing, Ganas decides to tell his life story. He approaches Professor Eugene Sanborn to serve as biographer. The reluctant Sanborn agrees. The pair engage in a series of interviews in which Ganas lays bare the sorted details of his life.

“I would call it a dramatic book with a mix of action,” Hupp said.

His next project is a novel based on events that occurred in 2020 and will occur during 2021.

The novel is available as an eBook or paperback through Amazon. His other novels are “Daughter of the Valley,” “Of Gods and Spirits,” “Born to the Breed,” “Wings in the Night” and “On a Sunday in May.”

For more information, contact Stephen Hupp at stephenlhupp@gmail.com.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (January 11, 2021) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, January 13. Due to COVID-19, the members will not meet face-to-face. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. via video conference.

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 wvup.edu/about/board-of-governors/agendas/ to view the complete agenda.