Parkersburg, W.Va. (Sept. 3, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg awarded certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees to August 2020 graduates.

Graduates who attained a 3.50 to 4.00 grade point average (GPA) earned academic honors, as follows: 3.50-3.749, Cum Laude; 3.75-3.99, Magna Cum Laude; and 4.0, Summa Cum Laude. The August WVU Parkersburg graduates include:

CALHOUN COUNTY – Arnoldsburg: Mackenzie Holbert, AAS, Business Administration;

JACKSON COUNTY – Given: Catherine Shouldis, BS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

Millwood: Sandy Simmons, AAS, BOG;

Mount Alto: Meredith McHugh, CAS, Patient Care Technician, Cum Laude;

Ravenswood: Samantha Casto, CAS, Child Development; Aubrey Nichols, AA, General Education, Cum Laude; Russell Nichols, AAS, BOG; Kaitlin Thompson, AAS, Child Development; Anthony Vespucci, AA, General Education, Cum Laude;

Ripley: Tyler Harmon, AAS, Multi-Craft Technology; Katherine Simmons, BS, Nursing, Cum Laude;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: Kevin Lynch, RBA, Cum Laude;

MARION COUNTY – Fairmont: Amanda Ludwick, AAS, BOG;

NICHOLAS COUNTY – Dixie: Donna Nelson, BS, Nursing;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – St. Marys: Robert Bills II, RBA;

Waverly: William Riddle, AAS, Welding Technology;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Harrisville: Miguelina Mcmichael, AAS, BOG;

Pennsboro: Robert Hoffman, AAS, Criminal Justice;

Smithville: Jamie Frymier, BAS, Criminal Justice;

ROANE COUNTY – Reedy: Holly Terrell, AAS, Business Administration;

Spencer: Barbara Smith, RBA; Madison Sutphin, RBA, Magna Cum Laude;

WETZEL COUNTY – Pine Grove: Kimberly Campbell, BS, Nursing, Cum Laude;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Jason Hopkins, AS, Business Administration; Thomas Mullenix II, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

Palestine: Vanessa Duffield, BS, Nursing; Kaitlyn Lockney, RBA;

WOOD COUNTY – Davisville: Stephanie DeBerry, BS, Nursing;

Mineral Wells: Brooke Buchanan, AAS, Strategic Communication, Magna Cum Laude; Dylan Morgan, AA, General Education;

Parkersburg: Makenzie Allman, CAS, Criminal Justice; Bre Blackwell, RBA; Miranda Buffington, BAS, Business Administration; Rachel Cunningham, BS, Nursing; Casey Daggett, BS, Business Administration; Emily Hess, CAS, Patient Care Technician; Julia Moore, RBA; Nicole Raber, RBA; Marlee Sexton, RBA; Taylor Stoneking, AAS, BOG; Kelly Straley, CAS, Business Administration; Kailynn Taylor, AAS, Business Administration; Jordan Watson, BS, Nursing, Cum Laude; Adam Wilson, BS, Business Administration; Alisen Wilson, BS, Nursing;

Vienna: Hunter Ackerman, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Julia Blair, BAS, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude; Angela Diehl, BS, Nursing; Daniel Miller, AS, General Education; Tiffani Walters, BS, Nursing;

Washington: Amy Dean, BS, Nursing; Alex Saunders, AS, Business Administration; Jacob Wilcox, AAS, Computer & Information Technology;

Waverly: Shannon O’Dell, AAS, Strategic Communication;

Williamstown: Allyson Pickering, RBA; Yurgita Vaidya, BS, Nursing, Magna Cum Laude; Jessika Walters, RBA, and AA, General Education; Bailee Westbrook, AAS, BOG;

OHIO – Belpre: Rebecca Garrett, CAS, Patient Care Technician, Magna Cum Laude; Kimberly Weiner, AAS, BOG;

Marietta: Lacey Wilson, RBA;

Pickerington: James Garrett IV, AAS, Occupational Development, Cum Laude;

Woodsfield: Jordan Smith, AAS, BOG;

VIRGINIA – Salem: Courtney Shaffer, BS, Business Administration.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 2, 2020) –WVU Parkersburg announces a significant enrollment increase in new students for fall 2020 and expects when final numbers are tallied to report level enrollment overall for the current semester.

“In the midst of a pandemic, I am delighted to be able to say that we are meeting so many of our enrollment goals for the fall semester at WVU Parkersburg,” President Chris Gilmer said. “While many colleges across the nation are struggling with significant declines in students, we have taken every step possible to keep our students safe, to encourage returning students to stay with us, and to welcome a large class of new students.”

Enrollment of traditional college students, currently 102.8% of last year’s total, shows efforts not only to retain students, but also to attract new students. New student totals are currently up 24% for fall 2020.

“The recruitment staff played a vital role in increasing the new student enrollment numbers,” Vice President of Enrollment Management Steven Smith said. “Prior to the pandemic, we were very intentional about increasing the number of applicants and cultivating that population to ensure enrollment growth.”

Continuing traditional student enrollment is currently up 1%, further showing an effort to retain students despite the pandemic. Final summer 2020 enrollment also showed a 10% increase over summer 2019. WVU Parkersburg is offering most of its courses for the fall semester in a technology-enabled instructional environment. Still, about 25 percent of courses have some hands-on, face-to-face component. Those courses are primarily in technical programs such as welding, and for some science, healthcare, and education programs which have lab and field experiences. The university also opened Zoom rooms and computer labs for students, recognizing that access to Internet in rural areas is one of the primary challenges of virtual instruction. WVU Parkersburg adjusted expenditures to keep tuition at the same affordable level for the 2020-2021 academic year, declining to implement an approved 5% tuition increase.

“We recognize that we will lose some students after fall deregistration, a process which adjusts our rolls for non-payment, non-attendance, or other factors, but we are doing everything within our power to find a way to hold onto every student who wants to earn an education. These amazing enrollment numbers will change somewhat over the next few weeks, but I could not be prouder of our team for posting such strong numbers during the third week of fall classes,” Gilmer said.

One section of enrollment that is not yet calculated into fall totals is the early college/dual credit population. To assist parents in getting students registered for classes, a process that normally would have occurred in May, college staff spent 10 evenings at high schools and allowed parents to drive up to register their children for early college. While that was effective at bringing in over 550 students, more registrations are expected through personal telephone calls to parents.

“The efforts to enroll early college students who haven’t been on their high school campuses since March is a team approach for which many people are to be thanked,” Vice President of Institutional Advancement Torie Jackson said. “This collaboration with our local school districts to provide higher education opportunities to high school students is essential and must be continued, which is why WVU Parkersburg devotes extra energy to ensure its success.”

The dual credit/early college classes at area high schools begin Sept. 8. Registration is continuing for those students. WVU Parkersburg provides early college/dual credit classes at 10 area high schools and in two vocational-technical centers. Workforce development registration has also not been computed as part of these totals and is expected to add a significant number of additional students this fall.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 27, 2020) – WVU Parkersburg Instructor of English Danielle Kelly recently headlined the first Little Kanawha Reading series event for Fall 2020. Kelly presented fictional readings from her novel-in-progress “Walk Me Down to Jordan” and a brand-new short story “Map Back to You.”

The Little Kanawha Reading Series showcases a diversity of literary forms and voices, acknowledging and enriching Appalachia’s cultural heritage and the communities around the Little Kanawha River.

“The pieces I chose for the reading embrace the theme of strong women,” Kelly said. “All the pieces deal with narrators that ruminate, express, and display hidden, oftentimes subtle strength of women, which is a common occurrence in women in Appalachian culture.”

“Walk Me Down to Jordan” details the family structure in an Appalachian community and how the family members navigate their individual lives and face larger impacts on the family unit. The story is told in a multiple narrative structure with four family members telling their story.

Another piece Kelly presented appeared in the Women of Appalachia Project’s fifth volume entitled “Women Speak” which can be purchased at mountainstatepress.org/shop/women-speak/.

Aside from fiction, Kelly has also written and published creative non-fiction. Her essay “What to Do on a Day Like This” details the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting events and was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. The essay was originally published in the June 2016 issue of r.kv.r.y. quarterly literary journal and may be read at rkvryquarterly.com/what-to-do-on-a-day-like-this-by-danielle-kelly/.

“I enjoy writing because it allows for some flexibility and is all about letting the content dictate the form, so every piece is a process of discovery for the writer,” Kelly said. “I communicate the same philosophy with my students, that writing is messy and never truly complete, but we have to mine out the right ideas to find the gold amidst the dirt.”

Students, faculty, or staff interested in creative writing may contact danielle.kelly@wvup.edu. The WVU Parkersburg English Department re-established “The Poorhouse Rag,” the campus’ literary magazine, and looks to start a Creative Writing Club and offer creative writing classes to students.

To watch Kelly’s Little Kanawha Reading Series presentation, visit https://bit.ly/3kRU5vr.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Aug. 26, 2020) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will hold a special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27. Due to COVID-19, the members will not meet face-to-face. The meeting will take place at 10 a.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. (August 12, 2020) – “The world can take away many things from you, but one thing it can never take away is your education. Once you earn it, it is yours forever. Each one of you is special, and we are so very proud of your determination to earn an education and a great career.”

West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer recently addressed the college’s inaugural class of Ascend students during the program’s Summer Institute, offering words of advice and commending their academic drive as they begin the semester.

The Summer Institute, held over the course of two days and four sessions to accommodate for public health and safety guidelines, served as an orientation for 56 individuals participating in Ascend.

Ascend (Accelerating Student Completion: Encouraging New Dreams) was created to help more students earn certificate and associate degrees within three years by increasing financial, academic and personal supports. Funded by a $1.7 million, five-year grant from Arnold Ventures, Ascend is modeled after the Accelerated Studies in Associate Programs (ASAP) at City University of New York’s (CUNY) colleges. WVU Parkersburg is one of only two colleges chosen by the Arnold Foundation for financial support this year.

“There is no better time, in recent memory, for WVU Parkersburg to launch this excellent program and welcome the first class of Ascend students,” WVU Parkersburg Provost Dr. Chad Crumbaker said. “The program is uniquely designed to individually support and benefit students in every way possible to ensure successful and on-time completion of their degrees. It was my pleasure to meet our Ascend students and I could sense their excitement about starting the school year and being a part of such a valuable and enriching program.”

During the event, students met with Ascend staff and faculty who offered information about special class registration options, career assistance, tutoring, tools to be successful in the classroom and more.

At the conclusion of the Summer Institute, students were formally recognized for their admission into the program with a signing ceremony. A photo gallery of the signing ceremony can be found at wvup.edu/ascend.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome our first cohort of students into Ascend,” WVU Parkersburg Ascend Director Jennifer Forster said. “Our goal is for all students in the cohort to complete their certificate or associate degree within three years with the help of additional academic advising, tutoring and career guidance.”

WVU Parkersburg is pleased to announce its inaugural class of Ascend students:

Chad Albright
Savannah Anthony
Zachary Ball
Sydney Barker
Jenna Barnhart
Jakeb Bertram
Kylee Bethel
Brittany Brady
Julian Brady
Brian Buck
Samantha Chandler
Heavenly Chase
Julie Coberly
Hunter Coull
Isaac Cutright
Mattyson Darling
Ethan Drinkwater
Kaitlyn Fox
Brook Freeland
Caden Fryman
Addison Garner
Savannah Hedgepath
Karly Henderson
Adam Hill
Adam Hoschar
Logan Jackson
Natalie James
Robert Jarvis
Zachary LeClain
Stormie Mahone
Taylor Marks
Jasmine McClure
Travis McDonald
Sierra Mcelwain
Christopher Miller
Jessica Mosier
Kylie Myers
Teddi Northrop
Sydney Nuckolls
Brayden Pfaff
Nachelle Probst
Alexandra Queen
Katelynn Rhodes
Nevada Richards
Noah Richardson
Zachary Silvia
Nathaniel Simonton
Trinity Smith
Tanner Snodgrass
Amauri Tillman
Raynah Wagoner
Amber Ward
Jacob Watson
Levi Westfall
Ethan Wix
Brooke Young

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Aug. 11, 2020) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, Aug. 12. 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. (July 20, 2020) – WVU Parkersburg will operate in Fall 2020 with technology-enabled instruction, President Chris Gilmer announced on Friday, July 17.

“The bottom line is this:  I must live with my own conscience, and ultimately we can have no greater concern than the preservation of even a single human life,” Gilmer explained as he noted the decision could impact enrollment and have a short-term financial loss for the institution. 

Meetings with stakeholder groups on how to best implement technology-enabled instruction begins on Monday, July 20. “We will follow the leadership of faculty and students about the best ways to implement instruction,” Gilmer assured.

WVU Parkersburg will follow the leadership of staff and students about the best ways to serve the front-line needs of our students while keeping everyone safe.

WVU Parkersburg will make some exceptions for our technical programs such as welding, and for some of our science, healthcare, and education programs which have lab and field experiences.

WVU Parkersburg will reopen our computer labs on a limited basis because we recognize that access to Internet in rural areas is one of the primary challenges of virtual instruction.

WVU Parkersburg will continue our phased reopening of our facilities to register, advise, teach, and serve students, but in a slow and safe way emphasizing the mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing.

To students, the college president offered assurance. “We will be here to ensure the best possible learning experience for you.”

To staff, the college president offered safety. “We will design our workspaces to provide you with the most safety possible.”

To faculty, the college president offered resources. “We will make our Zoom rooms and other tools you need to do your job available.”

And to parents, spouses,  and families, the college president made a promise. “Send us your loved ones as students for the fall semester, and we will do all within our power to keep them safe while we provide a quality education.” President Gilmer further explained his decision for a semester of technology-enabled instruction, “I can’t promise that I will keep the virus from coming to our campuses. No one can. But I can promise you this—my most solemn responsibility is to do all that I can toward that end, and this decision is a reflection of that promise. 

What does this mean for students? Some classes will still meet face-to-face, but most will use a virtual means to communicate. The methods will vary. Faculty will reach out to the students with more information. Students do not need to worry about changing their classes to online; all changes as a result of this announcement will be made for students. More information on a technology-enabled instruction for Fall 2020 will be posted on the college website as it becomes available. Students are encouraged to check their WVUP email accounts regularly and to find updates in the weekly Blue & Gold Post, a resource sent out by email.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 13, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg has formed a partnership with the Mister Bee Potato Chip company to collaborate with local farmers and begin producing West Virginia-grown potatoes for the company.

Mary Anne Ketelsen, owner and president of Mister Bee Potato Chips, has provided WVU Parkersburg with a grant to assist the college in growing 10 acres of specialty chipping potatoes for Mister Bee. The project will begin this fall on the Riverhawk Farm near the college’s Parkersburg campus.

“Love for a certain locally-produced potato chip, and a passion for WVUP, led me to explore ways for us to ‘grow’ together,” said Senta Goudy, WVU Parkersburg executive director of Civic Engagement and Innovation. “I am so excited to be helping WVUP, Mister Bee and the local economy by helping to build a sustainable agriculture program on the WVUP Riverhawk Farm. The first year’s pilot growing season is in full swing, and this fall, Mister Bee will produce its first potato chips from West Virginia-grown, WVUP potatoes.”

With a resource and training center focus, WVU Parkersburg is developing the Riverhawk Farm to expand sustainable agriculture practices. The college will also be training a workforce for production and supporting the region’s agricultural small businesses. Current business leaders in the agriculture field will be providing expertise and support for the WVU Parkersburg Potato Cooperative and the Riverhawk Farm Learning Center.

“Thanks to the generosity of Mary Anne Ketelsen and her team at Mister Bee, we are engaging in one of the most exciting and entrepreneurial ventures that WVU Parkersburg has undertaken in a long time,” said WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer. “We are bringing the university’s farm back into service to provide locally-grown potatoes so that Mister Bee can now promote that some of its potatoes are West Virginia grown. We hope to expand our growing potential in future years and to bring together a coalition of local farmers who are interested in helping to meet even more of Mister Bee’s needs.”

WVU Parkersburg will offer ways for individuals in the community to get involved. SW Resources and the college are collaborating to bring opportunities for individuals in recovery from substance abuse. WVU Parkersburg will also be working with the WV Department of Agriculture to give student veterans the chance to receive agricultural training with the WV Vets to Agriculture program.

“This will be of direct benefit to our students who will be able to engage in a number of new experiential learning roles related to agribusiness,” Gilmer said.

WVU Parkersburg and Mister Bee continue to look for area farms that would like to help the local economy and save shipping costs for Mister Bee during certain times of the year.

“WVUP is planning a variety of training and educational opportunities at the Riverhawk Farm to encourage and promote farming innovations that improve the environment, increase profitability and improve the quality of life for individuals in our community,” Goudy said.

For more information about how to get involved with the Riverhawk Farm, email Senta Goudy at sgoudy4@wvup.edu.

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Photo (left to right): Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Parkersburg President; Mary Anne Ketelsen, Mister Bee Potato Chip Company Owner; Ed Morrison, Mister Bee Potato Chip Company Plant Manager; and Senta Goudy, WVU Parkersburg Dean of the Center for Civic Engagement and Innovation.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 10, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s main campus and Jackson County Center will reopen for appointment-only, in-person services beginning July 13. Office hours will be offered Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the Center for Student Services, Professional Advising Center and the college’s business office.

Prospective and current students can make an appointment to meet with an admissions counselor, get help with the application process, register for classes, get financial aid questions answered, pay tuition, take a campus tour or conduct other business.

All visitors will be required to pass a temperature check before entering the facilities, wear a mask and maintain social distancing during their appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call 304-424-8310 to reach the Parkersburg campus or 304-372-6992 for the Jackson County Center.

The college will continue to offer all services remotely in addition to in-person appointments.

“While WVU Parkersburg has never been closed – just offering services virtually – we are thrilled to open our doors to students again,” said Dr. Steven Smith, vice president of enrollment management and CEO and dean of the Jackson County Center, WVU Parkersburg. “In good times and bad, we are committed to helping our students succeed by providing the highest quality educational opportunities.”

Fall semester registration is currently open, and classes are set to begin Aug. 17. WVU Parkersburg plans to offer high-quality instructional options this fall, including in-person, online and hybrid classes in a safe, flexible and supportive environment to help students reach their education goals.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (June 22, 2020) – As one of WVU Parkersburg’s literary magazines, “The Poorhouse Rag” serves as a written review for artists and writers to submit poetry, flash fiction, fiction, creative nonfiction, children’s stories and artwork. Artists and writers can use their voices to bring awareness to varied social justice topics and themes including marginalization.

This year, “The Poorhouse Rag” will include themes of social and political marginalization and lack of equity in opportunity to honor 100 years of women’s suffrage. The edition will recognize the positive social changes that have occurred but also highlight the continued hardships of political minorities. “The Poorhouse Rag” is asking for submitted pieces to be connected to the feeling of “being left out” in terms of gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, social status or other challenges and obstacles, emotional and physical, individuals may have faced.

“The Poorhouse Rag” is led by the WVU Parkersburg Editorial Collective, including Dr. Sandra Kolankiewicz, Dr. Lauri Reidmiller, Danielle Kelly, Joyce Stover, Dr. Alicia Matheny Beeson and Dr. Woody Wilson. The Editorial Collective selects the pieces featured in the magazine, however, the goal is to transition into a student-led process. Last year, “The Poorhouse Rag” received over 50 submissions from the WVU Parkersburg campus community.

“We pick quality pieces that align with the theme and are written by individuals affiliated with the college community,” Dr. Beeson said.  “We especially look for heartfelt, thoughtful, well-constructed pieces in a range of genres!”

All works will be considered for a $50 prize in each genre as well as the Foundation Prize for best cover art, and the President’s Prize for best overall art or literary work.

“We hope to provide opportunities for those affiliated with the college to express themselves through visual and written mediums, and to educate our campus and local community about the history of the poor farm on our campus grounds,” Dr. Beeson said.

To submit a piece of writing or artwork to “The Poorhouse Rag,” or to view submission guidelines, visit wvup.edu/poorhouserag. Submissions are open to WVU Parkersburg students, faculty, staff, alumni and their family members. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2020, and there is no fee to enter.