Parkersburg, W.Va. – (October 16, 2020) – John Noltner, Minnesota photographer who has shot for national magazines and Fortune 500 companies, will visit West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Center for Civic Engagement during October, sharing photos and stories from his award-winning series “A Peace of My Mind” with the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Noltner will transform Downtown Parkersburg businesses and organizations into exhibits, featuring compelling portraits and inspiring stories from people of diverse backgrounds responding to the question, “What does peace mean to you?” Since 2009, he has driven over 40,000 miles across the U.S., meeting unique individuals and telling their stories.

“I’ve learned that storytelling can help build a community,” Noltner said. “When we share our stories, we begin to see ourselves and those around us in new ways.”

The community may view the “American Stories” exhibit through a free walking tour from now until November 6. Participants are asked to follow social distancing and mask-wearing policies when viewing displays and entering local establishments.

Displays will be exhibited at:
• WVU Parkersburg Center for Civic Engagement, 414 Market Street
• Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market Street
• Actors Guild of Parkersburg, 724 Market Street
• Wood County Society, 317 8th Street
• Artsbridge, 925 Market Street
• Edward Jones Office, 617 Market Street

Noltner also invites community members to be a part of his new exhibit, “Voices of the Mid-Ohio Valley.” From Tuesday, October 20 until Friday, October 23, Noltner will host an on-site studio at the Center for Civic Engagement. Individuals wishing to have their portrait taken and share their voice and personal stories may make an appointment by calling 304.424.8341.

“I’m looking forward to gathering stories about resilience in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Noltner said. “We have all been through a lot over the past several months and storytelling has the ability to remind us how much we are connected, even as we may be apart.”

“Voices of the Mid-Ohio Valley” will be on display at the Center for Civic Engagement from November 4 until November 14.

WVU Parkersburg will host two master class workshops with the artist for those wanting to learn more about photography, storytelling and writing.

Wide-Eyed Rambler: Photographing the beauty and wisdom that is all around us will take place Tuesday, November 3. During the session, Noltner will share his techniques and processes for photographing people, places and things while crafting storytelling images. He will use examples of his own photography from across the country and world.

Soul Sessions: Writing to reveal our personal story will take place on Wednesday, November 4. Noltner will lead a writing workshop designed to explore your own story and celebrate your mission, vision and values in the world. Participants will complete short writing exercises and open discussions, tapping into themes of vulnerability, courage and connection.

Both sessions will be from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Center for Civic Engagement and are free and open to the public. Limited seats are available to accommodate social distancing. Please email wed@wvup.edu or call 304.420.8606 to register.

Programming is sponsored by the WVU Parkersburg, WVU at Parkersburg Foundation, Ross Foundation, First Energy, Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, Arts Collaborative of the Mid-Ohio Valley and Judy Sjosdet Ritchie.

Please contact Senta Goudy, WVU Parkersburg dean of Civic Engagement, at senta.goudy@wvup.edu or 304.424.8341 for more information.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (October 15, 2020) – The WVU Parkersburg Fine Arts Committee is proud to release the Fall 2020 edition of The Poorhouse Rag, the college’s literary magazine. This edition honors 100 years of women’s suffrage with prose, poetry, children’s literature and artwork from students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families, addressing the theme of social and political marginalization and lack of equity in opportunity.

Click here to read The Poorhouse Rag.

Presented as a first-person narrative by student Sarah Weeks.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (October 13, 2020) – Every professor I had at West Virginia University at Parkersburg gave me the same message. They assured me that despite changes in courses, one thing would be certain – they would be with me every step of the way.

Faculty extended due dates. They allowed grace periods. Best of all, I felt my professors were listening and doing their best to understand each situation as it arose.

Yes, challenges did arise when WVU Parkersburg unexpectedly began an online school journey in the middle of March due to COVID-19. As a student, I was personally affected by the pandemic in terms of health, finances, family, schooling, careers and more. Despite any economic hardships, I found consistent comfort in being a student at WVU Parkersburg.

Face-to-face communication and course work turned into weekly Zoom meetings, and questions were asked via email. Although it seems, at first glance, that communication between students and professors would be compromised, I quickly found that it was not. My professors were extremely quick to respond to any question I had and were understanding when it came to technical difficulties and communication issues.

WVU Parkersburg gave its faculty time in the spring and throughout the summer to enhance their technology tools and online presence. The end of spring 2020 seemed to fly by, not because we were online, but because I found myself enjoying going to school from home. I found a relaxed comfort in taking courses in my pajamas.

I have a great admiration for every professor who opened up as many lines of communication as he or she could for each student. Faculty worked every day to ensure we were given an education at the same high-quality level that we would have experienced in a classroom. In my opinion, they accomplished what some felt would be an unachievable task.

WVU Parkersburg’s professors have gone above and beyond each day to ensure their students’ needs are met and our tasks are clear. Although I have never struggled with online courses, many students do not have that same luxury, and I think the greatest part about the WVU Parkersburg staff and faculty is that they recognize that. They provide additional resources. They provide Zoom tutoring sessions.

I never intended for my junior year to end the way it did –with a prolonged spring break that had me quarantined in Georgia for three months. I can thankfully say, though, that it resulted in more positive opportunities than I expected. The WVU Parkersburg campus community worked with every student to ensure academic success following their belief and promotion of equity.

I have both joy and appreciation for the college and my faculty because I feel that I am better prepared for my career because of what I have learned through the pandemic. I am now a self-driven professional marketer and show initiative in every project I attempt because of the confidence I have gained by learning to be timely, efficient and dedicated to my work.

As we are in the midst of our fall semester, I am in my senior year, and I am still given great opportunities I would have received if we were still on campus. WVU Parkersburg, my advisors, professors and peers want to see me succeed in every way, just as I want to see for them. The entire campus cheers on their students and welcomes new students with open arms as they begin their college journey in this time of uncertainty.

I recommend that each student continue to pursue their dreams with WVU Parkersburg because there is no other place with the same unwavering support and guidance as this campus community. The one thing I know for sure is that I will succeed because I am WVU Parkersburg proud.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (October 13, 2020) – Many students at West Virginia University at Parkersburg have made the transition to online courses. While about 25 percent of students visit campus to complete hands-on courses that could not be converted to fully online, all students are using technology-enabled tools to complete the remainder of their coursework. Faculty members started transitioning to online learning in March due to COVID-19.

As Holly Martin, associate professor, explains, “One thing that I love about teaching is the interaction with students in a face-to-face class. Creating that same sense of community in a virtual setting was one thing I mostly focused on when preparing my classes this semester.” Martin uses at least three means of communication with students. “Constant communication and timely feedback are critical for a virtual class,” she said.

College faculty are teaching in a variety of ways. Many students meet with faculty and classmates on the same day and time in a virtual manner. Synchronous online learning is a new teaching method many faculty are embracing. Synchronous learning means the faculty and students are interacting at the same time.

As WVU Parkersburg Provost Chad Crumbaker explains, “WVUP faculty have taken technology-enabled instruction to the next level by finding various ways to truly engage with learners without being in a traditional classroom setting.”

WVU Parkersburg has more than 50 degree programs students can choose from. Five of these programs are fully online, regardless of how instruction is delivered to the other programs.

Assistant Professor Katie Life uses online instruction to allow her students to take more ownership of their learning in her math classes. Using a ‘flipped-style classroom,’ students watch the lecture as homework before the class, then spend their class time on higher-level development of the concept by completing projects, practicing harder example problems and discussing the concept more in-depth.

“With the virtual environments, it’s like the material never grows cold. We’re crafting all of these different layers to the learning process week after week after week,” Life said. “It’s really made me reconsider how I will teach once the pandemic has passed, honestly. I’ve learned a lot about myself and what my students can do.”

Assistant Professor Dr. Billy Stone also takes advantage of recording his lectures. “Student feedback shows they enjoy the ability to refer to the recording to review class discussions,” Stone said. “It’s especially helpful should the student be absent from a Zoom meeting.”

Some faculty do prefer more traditional online teaching methods but take extra precautions to engage students. As Tom Riddle, associate professor, explains, “Online learning is lonely. There is less social interaction, and that makes motivation harder.” However, he has found that students enjoy the flexibility in doing their work any time. “I notice many of my students seem to be night owls, and I get many early morning emails.”

Although students no longer commute to campus, they can receive Tutoring Center services and sessions through Zoom. Students can also take advantage of Brainfuse, which offers free tutoring and proofreading services 24/7.
Students struggling with online learning may visit the college’s Distance Learning page to seek assistance.

“Online learning is a perfect example of the need for a community college,” Adjunct Professor Terry Tamburini said. “Many students were headed to other institutions and chose WVU Parkersburg to save money.”
Tamburini also found that students are taking advantage of online learning to expand their skill sets. “Some of my students seem older with a desire to use the opportunity for job upgrades.”

Visit wvup.edu/future-students or call 304.424.8310 to view WVU Parkersburg’s majors, cost and aid and other services.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 12, 2020) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet on Wednesday, October, 14, 2020. 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.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 8, 2020) – The WVU Parkersburg Fine Arts Committee will lead a community-wide volunteer initiative to clean up the Wood County Poorhouse and Farm gravesite on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., on the WVU Parkersburg main campus, in honor of the college’s Poorhouse Week celebration.

Volunteers will pick up trash, trim bushes and trees interfering with gravesite markers, replace rotten crosses and put new crosses on unmarked graves. This is a socially-distanced event, and participants are required to wear masks during service.

WVU Parkersburg now sits on the former site of the Wood County Poorhouse, and the Fine Arts Committee focuses on the social justice-related themes of the Poorhouse to emphasize its historical value.

The committee honors the Poorhouse every year with the release of The Poorhouse Rag. This literary magazine contains the published works and art of students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families and addresses social and political marginalization and lack of equity in opportunity.

The Poorhouse Rag has also restarted the creative initiative on campus. Part of this initiative is offering education to combat poverty to create a more enriched community as a whole.

“The college catalog says we consider education a ‘sacred trust,'” Dr. Sandra Kolankiewicz, WVU Parkersburg professor, said. “We share the property with souls who have come and gone before us and who most likely suffered in their lives.”

The Fine Arts Committee finds importance and value in honoring the Wood County Poorhouse, so keeping it clean and preserved is both a goal and a promise. The graveyard is a reminder to those who serve and volunteer to keep the historical aspect alive.

“Poorhouse Weeks is a way to celebrate our efforts to help others, be reminded of the past and be conscious of the importance of our efforts as educators,” Kolankiewicz said.

In addition to the clean-up, the Fine Arts Committee will celebrate Poorhouse Week by publishing The Poorhouse Rag, giving a Poorhouse Farm virtual tour and providing a virtual reading and art show.

The Fine Arts Committee also encourages students to use their voice and is open to any ideas to continue the Poorhouse’s education.

For more information about the gravesite clean-up or future Poorhouse initiatives, email thepoorhouserag@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 28, 2020) – The Wood County Public Library (WCPL) is teaming up with Stephen Hupp, the library director of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, to present a video about Hupp’s novel “Wings in the Night.”

The WCPL and Hupp plan to air the presentation consistently from mid-September through October. The presentation is pre-recorded and available to watch on the WCPL Facebook page.

“The presentation went very well,” Hupp said. “The Mothman story is a bit of West Virginia folklore and should interest many people.”

In “Wings in the Night,” Mothman is seen once again over half a century after appearing in Point Pleasant, but this time in Collinsburg, the Two Rivers area. In an effort to learn more about Mothman, Kat and Erin (“Daughters of the Valley”) are joined by their new friend Jenny Jordan, in this second novel set in the Mid-Ohio Valley, to find out who Mothman is and why they are here.

“I have an interest in the occult and have been long familiar with the Mothman story,” Hupp says, explaining his inspiration for the novel. “It is a good choice to use in one of my novels.”

“Wings in the Night” is Hupp’s fifth novel and is the sequel to “Daughter of the Valley.” His other books are “Born to the Breed,” which is about the first female NASCAR driver; “On a Sunday in May” that covers three stories about the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500, and NASCAR World 600; and “Of Gods and Spirits,” a tale about a witch, warlock, voodoo priest and a Lakota Sioux holy man who recover stolen holy objects.

Stephen Hupp has been the WVU Parkersburg library director since 2001. He is currently working on two new books, one about organized crime in Wheeling, W.Va. The other is about events taking place in 2020.

All of his books are available for paperback or Kindle e-book purchases on Amazon.

Good afternoon, Riverhawks,

This message is intended to provide a COVID-19 update to the WVU Parkersburg family.

Any confirmed cases at WVUP have so far been contained to students learning remotely, and we can confirm no cases of exposed students or employees testing positive and spreading to the community at this time. While we have had several instances reported to us of students and employees either testing positive or being exposed to confirmed and possible COVID-19 carriers, our commitment to technology-enhanced online instruction, continuing to have many employees working remotely, mask-wearing, social distancing, and taking other precautions has so far prevented any known outbreak of COVID-19 on our campuses.

While we are deeply concerned about anyone who might be or become sick and want to offer support in every way possible, the current absence of a campus-based outbreak is good news at a time when many colleges in West Virginia and nationwide are experiencing significant outbreaks. We must continue to be vigilant in our protective measures and remain hopeful that they will protect us from a campus community outbreak. Should confirmed cases of COVID-19 occur among our campus-based, face-to-face students or employees, we will be transparent with that information to the community. To the best of our ability and while protecting confidentiality to the degree possible, those who might have been exposed would be notified. I repeat that this has not yet occurred, but would be our protocol should such a scenario occur.

Our protocol has been and will continue to be that we report to local health authorities any confirmed case or confirmed exposure to a carrier that occurs within the WVUP community. The responsibility of any WVUP community member, employee, or student is to report any confirmed case at WVUP or any confirmed or possible exposure to a carrier by any employee or student, particularly those working and learning face-fo-face in our facilities, to Brady Whipkey, Chief of Staff to the President. We will then enact the protocol described herein, and any affected parties will receive any needed instructions from the Office of the President.

Local health authorities then take over contact tracing, and we follow whatever guidelines we are given in each case which might include, but would not be limited to, required isolation from facilities for a prescribed period. So far, local health officials have been following up closely on first-degree exposures (someone who was directly exposed to a known carrier), but have not been following up closely on second-degree exposures (someone who was exposed to a person who was exposed to a known carrier). The latter scenario has been the most common for WVUP, and we have received no guidance concerning any additional follow-up or precautionary measures related to these reports. Please keep in mind, even as we do our best to protect our campus community, those who might become ill or who might be exposed to a sick person still have a right to expect privacy and confidentiality to the highest degree possible.

I learned yesterday that all colleges in West VIrginia will be required by state authorities, beginning as early as next week, to participate in randomized surveillance testing. Keep in mind that this is not a WVUP-generated requirement, but it is a state requirement with which our college and all others will be required to comply. I will update you as soon as more information is available.

The details of this initiative are still unfolding, and I will share the details with the community as I learn more. For now, I know that every college will be required to collect saliva-based COVID-19 test kits from a random sample of 10 percent of the aggregate of students, faculty, and staff who are engaged in campus-based activities, either face-to-face work or face-to-face learning. Any employee or student whose entire current plan of study or work assignment is remote from campus will not be required to participate. It is unclear at this time how quickly this state requirement will take effect, and we are still receiving updated information and formulating our plan of implementation. WVU and Marshall are already engaged in this process, and now the remaining colleges will be required to participate. While I understand that some members of the community will have concern about our participation and while I validate those concerns, we will endeavor to follow state mandates and will hope that the random surveillance testing will help to promote the safety of our community.

As always, I am eager to receive any feedback or suggestions from any member of our community, and I will answer any questions that you might have to the degree that I have answers for them. This is still uncharted territory for us all, and I appreciate your willingness to navigate it together. As always, the health and safety of those who learn and work here is my primary concern.

Best regards,

Chris

Parkersburg, W.Va. – (September 14, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg has been recognized as the most affordable college in the state by University HQ. The published rankings help students discover the best school that matches their budget and career path by comparing college tuition rates, the number of degrees offered, and graduating salaries across the U.S.

“Providing the highest quality education possible at the very best financial value will always be a top priority at WVU Parkersburg,” President Dr. Chris Gilmer said. “We are honored and pleased to be recognized as the most affordable in West Virginia, and we remind the community that we are also highly rated for the quality of our programs.”

WVU Parkersburg offers in-state and out-of-state tuition below the national average, and over 86% of students have graduated debt-free with the help of financial aid, grants, and scholarships. Additionally, the university’s tuition charges are capped, so any credits taken in excess of 12 credit hours per semester are offered at no additional charge.

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Nursing; Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Child Development; and Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervisory Management are entirely online programs. All students, no matter where they live, receive in-state tuition when pursuing these degree programs.

Also, WVU Parkersburg’s Early College program allows high school students to take college credits at a reduced rate of $150 per course. Students have the potential to graduate high school with a certificate or associate degree. Therefore, students and parents can save up to $23,760 in tuition by enrolling in Early College.

Visit wvup.edu/future-students or call 304.424.8310 to view WVU Parkersburg’s majors, cost and aid, and other services. For information and registration regarding Early College, visit wvup.edu/earlycollege or call 304.424.8209.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Sept. 3, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is pleased to announce its President’s and Dean’s scholars for the summer 2020 semester.

President’s Scholars
Students on the President’s List maintained a 4.0 grade point average while earning 12 or more hours of college credit. The scholars include:

JACKSON COUNTY – Cottageville: Tyler Hill;

Millwood: Devin Haid;

Ripley: Casey Edwards;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – St. Marys: Colton Barnhart; Richard Burkhammer; Dylan Fitzsimmons; Mallory Webb;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Kaitlyn Frazier;

Leroy: Aarin Cale;

Palestine: Stacey Wyer;

WOOD COUNTY – Parkersburg: Steven Marshall; Glen McGee; Cody Watkins;

Washington: LaDawn Joy;

OHIO – Marietta: Majeda Al Waked; Kelsie Ross.

Dean’s Scholars
Students named to the Dean’s List maintained a 3.5 grade point average while earning six or more hours of college credit. The scholars include:

BERKELEY COUNTY – Martinsburg: Judy Courtney;

CABELL COUNTY – Culloden: Breanna Akers;

CLAY COUNTY – Maysel: Heather Dawson;

DODDRIDGE COUNTY – Troy: Curtis Sleeth;

JACKSON COUNTY – Given: Brandon Cochran; Catherine Shouldis;

Kenna: Kenzie Crowder; Joseph Wortham

Leroy: Elizabeth Crihfield;

Mount Alto: Meredith McHugh;

Ravenswood: Leanna Amos; Allie Barton; Caylee Carmichael; Jacob Graham; Aubrey Nichols; Russell Nichols; Patricia O’Neil;

Ripley: James Dobbs; Joely Good; Nisha Holley; Jonathan Jones; Kevin Renforth;

Sandyville: Adriana Miller; Alexandra Miller; David Smith;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: Tabitha Guinn; Kevin Lynch; Courtney Mongold; Raul Olivares; Jacqueline Pring; Rebecca Sheppard; Anetria Stewart;

South Charleston: Candace Morgan;

LINCOLN COUNTY – Branchland: Ashley Spence;

MASON COUNTY – Leon: Emily Keefer;

Mason: Joshua Petry;

New Haven: Lauryn Fields;

Point Pleasant: Kinneson Leslie;

MINGO COUNTY – Delbarton: Carl Dempsey;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – Belmont: Alexis Carder; Michelle Neff;

St. Marys: Isabella Davis; Jacob Elder; Lara Fetty; Cari Weekley;

Waverly: Melissa Parsons; William Riddle;

PRESTON COUNTY – Bruceton Mills: Ashlynn Phillips;

PUTNAM COUNTY – Eleanor: Lindsey Pullin;

RALEIGH COUNTY – Crab Orchard: Shawna Hopkins;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Cairo: Fallyn Buffington;

Ellenboro: Morgan Reilly;

Smithville: Brianna Luther;

ROANE COUNTY – Gandeeville: Stacey Miller;

Reedy: Holly Terrell;

Spencer: Bethany Obrien; Madison Sutphin; Zachary Whitehouse;

Walton: Jamie Huffman;

WETZEL COUNTY – Paden City: Tanya Duncan;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Victor Casenelli; Deborah Darling; Thomas Mullenix II; Mika Parsons; Shannon Stanley; Kaysi Trickett;

Palestine: Emily Shearlock; Brooklyn Smith;

WOOD COUNTY – Davisville: Ashleigh Carter; Autumn Corne; Melinda Digman;

Mineral Wells: Brooke Buchanan; Danielle Lockhart; Chelsy Martin; Marcus Sprague; Jennifer Ward;

Parkersburg: Lorrie Allman; Brian Belcher; Justin Blevins; Adam Colunga; Ali Cooper; Ashley Digman; Seneca Donahue; Brandy Edgar; Chelsea Ferguson; Michael Gaines; Evan Goudy; Toni Grogg; John Hickman; Shana Hogue; Kara Leisure; Ashley Lewis; Abbi Marshall; Travis Mcdonald; Mikala Miller; Allison Monroe; Rebecca Mullans; John O’Brien III; Christina Prunty; Candy Pyles; Bahrom Rahmatov; Jonathan Reynolds; Katherine Roberts; Chloe Salvatore; Jolene Sink; Kaci Sink; Braden Starcher; Taylor Stoneking; Madison Suszek; Robert Taylor; Alexandra Tennant; Gary Thompson; Danielle Toothman; Sherree Townsend; Adam Wilson;

Vienna: Dawson Cyran; Eryn Gray; Remington Hitchcock; Junaid Jamshaid; Elizabeth Malm; Sloane Miller; Uzoaru Nkpa; Teresa Ohrn; Nathan Settle; Julia Somerville; Audrey Ungar; Jia Bao Zhao;

Walker: Derek Ballengee; Tina Knopp; Mariah Stansberry;

Washington: Asia Brady; Melissa Dailey; Madison Dye; Trace Elder; Heather Lawson; Javier Santelices; Alex Saunders; Robert Shank; Amanda Stout;

Waverly: Meredith Davis; Amber Ward;

Williamstown: Kendra Allen; Tressa Burton; Allison Hurst; Ivy Linger; Curtis Mayo; Elijah McIntyre; Allyson Pickering; Kevin Townsend; Bailee Westbrook;

CALIFORNIA – Victorville: Jaylene Barrueta;

FLORIDA – Palm City: Cortney Gramenz;

Port St. Lucie: Jessica Catter-Gomez;

OHIO – Belpre: Dillon Blair; Rebecca Garrett; Kalei Knick; Austin Spencer; Kimberly Weiner;

Fleming: Matthew Stuckert;

Little Hocking: Christine Berg; Chance Weihl;

Marietta: Jessica Arnold; Derek Duckworth; Brian Flinn; Bryce Gilbert; Emily Hinton; Megan Ludwig; Jared Smith; Lacey Wilson;

Syracuse: Christine Morgan;

Woodsfield: Jordan Smith;

VIRGINIA – Maurertown: Mary Moats.