The Poorhouse Rag, a literary review published by WVU Parkersburg, will celebrate the release of its inaugural edition with a reception and multiple campus activities the week of Sept. 30.

This issue of the magazine, titled after the Poorhouse of Wood County, which once stood on college grounds, explores the themes of poverty, mental illness, resilience, survival and overcoming adversity. Students, faculty, staff and alumni submitted writing and artwork representing these themes.

All works, except for those submitted by full-time faculty, were considered for Poorhouse Prizes based on genre. Five awards will be presented to the following individuals during the Poorhouse Rag Literary Reading and Art Show on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 7-9 p.m., in the college theater (room 1305).

Children’s Literature Prize: Logan Mace for “Cricket’s Song”

Poetry Prize: Victoria Voshel for “A Gift Stolen”

Prose Prize: Lisa Hartline for “The Appalachian Bridge Society”

President’s Prize: Madison Sayre for “Portraits of Mental Illness”

Foundation Prize: Allison Butcher for “Eyes Have It”

Special readings from the issue and an art show are slated with the reception.

“We want to recognize the WVU Parkersburg community and those who contributed to the magazine with special events throughout the week,” Danielle Kelly, member of the Poorhouse Editorial Collective and WVU Parkersburg instructor said. “The entire time, we’ve had students in mind. This project is to give them more of a voice, creatively, that is sometimes hard to express in academic level classes. We also wanted to honor all those people across the country whose life path took them to the poorhouse at one point or another. We don’t want them to be forgotten. Subsequent editions will be dedicated to social justice issues.”

The Poorhouse Week schedule includes the following:

Monday, Sept. 30

10-11 a.m./12:20 – 12:55 p.m./5:30-6:30 p.m.: Tour of WVU Parkersburg campus as it relates to the Poorhouse of Wood County. Tours will be facilitated by WVU Parkersburg students and begin at the main entrance to the college.

7-9 p.m.: Bob Enoch, president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society, presents a history of the Poorhouse of Wood County in the college theater. Former WVU Parkersburg Professor of History and West Virginia Professor of the Year (as awarded by the Carnegie Foundation) Bernie Allen will be in attendance and provide commentary via Skype.

Tuesday, Oct. 1

12:20-12:55 p.m.: Pamela Santer, WVU Parkersburg Wellness coordinator, presents Excellence in Disability. Local artists with disabilities will be in the student lounge to showcase their artwork, and the Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley will have a resource table available for attendees.

Wednesday, Oct. 2

12:20-12:55 p.m.: Bob Enoch, president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society, presents a history of the Poorhouse of Wood County in the college theater. Former WVU Parkersburg Professor of History and West Virginia Professor of the Year (as awarded by the Carnegie Foundation) Bernie Allen will be in attendance and provide commentary via Skype.

7-9 p.m.: The Poorhouse Rag Literary Reading and Art Show will be hosted in the college theater. Relics from the Poorhouse of Wood County will also be on display.

Thursday, Oct. 3

12:20-12:55 p.m.: The Poorhouse Rag Literary Reading, issue release and art show for the campus community will be hosted in the student lounge.

Tuesday, Oct. 15 & Wednesday, Oct. 16

Repaint fading names on markers, clean grounds and replace crosses in the Poorhouse Cemetery. Volunteers are welcome. Times to be announced.

Events are free and open to the public.

For more information about The Poorhouse Rag, Poorhouse Week or volunteering, email thepoorhouserag@wvup.edu.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is celebrating National Surgical Technologists Week, Sept. 15-21, along with professionals around the country to educate the community about the vital role surgical technologists play in the health care field.

National Surgical Technologists Week is promoted by the Association of Surgical Technologists to celebrate and honor the profession. The theme of this year’s observance is “Surg Tech Superhero.”

To celebrate, WVU Parkersburg surgical technology program students will deliver appreciation bags and posters to local health care partners in the Mid-Ohio Valley as a thank you for their hard work and dedication to providing excellent patient care. The students will also decorate the college’s sidewalks with chalk art and paint rocks to hide on campus and throughout the community.

Along with these activities, the surgical technology program will host a winter clothing drive, from Sept. 16 – Oct. 18, for the local street ministry, Momma T and the Warriors, to help provide clothing to people in need in the community.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, faculty and students will attend the West Virginia State Assembly of Surgical Technologists in Morgantown to learn more about the profession and network with others in the field.

“National Surgical Technologists Week is not only a fun week of activities for our students, but a great chance to celebrate and promote our profession,” said Amy West, assistant professor and surgical technology program director, WVU Parkersburg. “We show our clinical sites and preceptors how much we appreciate them.”

WVU Parkersburg offers a 16-month associate degree program in surgical technology nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Graduates who successfully complete the program are prepared to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting exam to become certified surgical technologists.

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s surgical technology program, contact the Center for Student Services at admissions@wvup.edu or 304-424-8210.

Homecoming is a time to reminisce, reconnect and rejoice. At WVU Parkersburg, it is a time to come together and celebrate being Riverhawks. The college welcomes students, alumni, faculty and staff to campus the week of Sept. 16 for festivities featuring student competitions, alumni recognition, homecoming royalty selections and more.

“We are excited to invite our campus community and wonderful alumni to show their school pride and join in on all the activities we have planned,” said WVU Parkersburg Student Activities Coordinator Samantha Suggs. “Whether you attended the school when it was known as Parkersburg Community College, or are a student entering the doors for the first time, WVU Parkersburg is ready to welcome you to an event we hope becomes a yearly tradition.”

The Homecoming Festival, a wrap-up to the week, is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20, from 6:30-9:00 p.m., on main campus. This evening will include carnival games, concession food, the Homecoming Court Crowning Ceremony, live entertainment and alumni tours.

The entire Homecoming Week schedule is planned as follows:

Monday, Sept. 16

12:15-1:00 p.m.: Meet the Homecoming Court candidates, and enjoy a popcorn bar, corn hole and music in the Student Lounge. Homecoming candidates are sponsored by student organizations and clubs and chosen based upon leadership, school spirit, integrity and achievement through service and campus involvement.

6-9 p.m.: The Riverhawk Can Competition is a campus-wide contest in which teams will have 90 minutes to build a sculpture out of canned food in the College Activities Center. Teams are responsible for collecting cans. All non-perishable items will be donated to the Riverhawk Food Pantry. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

Tuesday, Sept. 17

12:15-1:00 p.m.: The Constitution Day presentation will take place in the cafeteria. All participants will receive a pocket Constitution and festive trail mix.

Wednesday, Sept. 18

10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Campus clubs, organizations, services and resources will be in the College Activities Center for the Student Resource Fair. The fair will offer giveaways, an interactive crime scene, games, snacks and more.

6:30-8:30 p.m.: Intramural sports are alive at WVU Parkersburg! Cheer on the intramural soccer teams on the back lawn during Riverhawk Spirit Night and enjoy a free cookout.

Thursday, Sept. 19

All Day: Student Activities will host a Throwback Thursday event in the student lounge. Attendees are asked to dress in their favorite decade attire and visit the campus displays that highlight the college history.

Friday, Sept. 20

6:30-9:00 p.m.: In addition to the carnival games, concession food and Homecoming Court Crowning Ceremony, the Homecoming Festival will host live entertainment. This includes an alumni performance and concert by Luke Sadecky, Mon Hills Records singer/songwriter, as well as 1990s and 2000s rock cover band Division Street.

There will be a $5 cash, cover charge for the Homecoming Festival. The cover charge will be waived with a valid WVU Parkersburg student ID. Children five years old and under will receive free admittance. The cover charge does not include concession food fees.

For more information about Homecoming Week, contact Samantha Suggs at samantha.suggs@wvup.edu  or 304-424-8309.

This year will mark the 18^th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In observance, West Virginia University at Parkersburg will hold its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m., at the flagpole in front of the main building to commemorate of the events of 9/11 and to honor the men and women who served, or are currently serving, in the armed forces and as first responders.

“The Veterans Corps of West Virginia University at Parkersburg would like to invite the entire community to join us for this special event to remember all those who were so senselessly killed on that terrible day and to honor the sacrifices of our military and first responders who have dedicated their lives to our protection and defense,” said WVU Parkersburg Veteran Advocate Darren Shearlock.

Capt. David Ozeroff, Naval Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Senior Naval Science instructor at Parkersburg High School, will serve as the guest speaker for the special event. Capt. Ozeroff has a distinguished career in the United States Navy and secondary education, and he will provide a unique insight on how the tragic events of 9/11 impacted the nation.

After his service in the Navy, which included directing operations for a state-of-the-art Navy watch center, providing around-the-clock monitoring, electronic reach back, and response for Naval Special Warfare forces deployed worldwide in support of the Global War on Terror, Capt. Ozeroff began mentoring high school students as a NJROTC instructor.

The Parkersburg High School Navy JROTC will provide a color guard to raise the flag and ring the college bell 18 times, with each ring counting the total years since 9/11.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the college theater or College Activities Center.

For more information about this event, contact Darren Shearlock at darren.shearlock@wvup.edu or 304-424-8337.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Education Division is pleased to announce its fall 2019 student teachers:

Keely Ankrom

Marcia Buckley

Amy Clark

Sierra English

Jordan Matics

Madison Pierce-Meadows

Kayla Norman

Brittany Sheppard

Dani Sinnett

Lucinda Swartz

“We have trained our student teachers to focus on finding a way to inspire their students to many questions,” said Dr. David Lancaster, Education Division chairperson. “True learning is teaching students to think for themselves.”

In the elementary education program, students gain hands-on experience as early as their freshman year observing and practicing teaching skills in real school settings. This includes learning key decision-making skills, creating effective lesson plans, developing and assessing one-on-one and group instruction, integrating new technologies into the classroom and more.

“It is such a joy to witness our student teachers helping children be successful,” said Lancaster.

Visit wvup.edu/education to learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s accredited programs.

The 2019 West Virginia Teacher of the Year, Jada Reeves, is this year’s convocation keynote speaker. Her goal, to instill dedication and perseverance into the students to promote positivity in the classroom as well as life. WVU Parkersburg will hold its annual convocation ceremony on Monday, August 26, at 12:15 p.m., in the College Activities Center.

Reeves, a fifth-grade teacher at Bradley Elementary School in Mt. Hope, W.Va., received her undergraduate degree from Concord University and a master’s degree as a reading specialist from Marshall University. Currently pursuing her certification in administration, Reeves received her National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy in 2013. Reeves continues being active in her work, conducting trainings for Raleigh County’s Innovative Team for Professional Development and contributes to the Excess Levy Planning Committee.

As the lead coordinator for the Southern WV National Board Certification Cohort, she serves as one of the facilitators for awareness in certification through the West Virginia Department of Education. Reeves also is the author of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards blog called The Standard.

Staying active in her community, Reeves volunteers her time as an assistant Girl Scout troop leader and as a foster home mom for rescue dogs from Operation Underdog. As an encourager to young individuals, Reeves hopes to instill dedication, perseverance and persistence into each person by showing passion for her work and exuding exciting energy in her classroom.

WVU Parkersburg’s convocation ceremony is held at the beginning of each academic year to welcome new and returning students as well as reaffirm the institution’s eternal commitment to its values.

A formal procession of the college by members of the faculty and administration, and an invitation to faculty members to ring the official college bell will begin the ceremony. A welcome by WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer will follow. Reeves will proceed with her keynote address, followed by the honor code recitation by members of the WVU Parkersburg student body conducted by Chad Crumbaker, provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs.

“Convocation is a special moment during which we welcome new students into both academic life as a whole and into this university in particular. It is a moment in time which marks the beginning of their journey toward the fulfillment of their dreams and toward enhanced service to their communities. We are so proud of our students, and we mark this moment with our new students who are joining the WVU Parkersburg family,” Gilmer said.

The ceremony is mandatory for new students, and there will be a live transmission to WVU Parkersburg’s Jackson County Center.

For questions or more information, please contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs at appeals@wvup.edu or 304-434-8209.

If you are hungry, head on out to West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Beginning this fall semester, the university will have new food service options available for students, faculty, and staff on the Parkersburg campus, and the community is invited to stop by and sample the cuisine.

Ricky’s Café, operated by the university, is expected to open by the end of August, serving full breakfast and lunch options. New vending machines provided by CRJ Vending are stocked around campus, and Chick-fil-A will be serving lunch Monday through Friday 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., or while supplies last, beginning August 19.

“We did a survey of our campus community about food preferences last semester and received about 300 responses. That’s an excellent cross section of our community. Respondents indicated that food quality and price are especially important concerns. We try always to be responsive to feedback, so we are building the menu at Ricky’s Café with these priorities in mind,” said WVU Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer.

“We also polled the community about food vendors they might like to see on campus, and Chick-fil-A polled especially high. It’s highly unusual for a small, rural college like ours to be able to attract a major restaurant chain to campus, and we are so pleased that our friends, the Angelos Family who own the local Chick-fil-A restaurants, answered our call. They have been upstanding citizens and business leaders in this community for decades, so we consider ourselves fortunate to affiliate with them,” Gilmer said.

He added that the university is also entertaining the possibility of a coffee kiosk or similar vendor to round out the options, but that they won’t move forward with any additional food vending options until Ricky’s Café is fully up and running. “First the cake, then the icing,” Gilmer said. “Our top priority is to provide lunch options for our students, faculty, and staff as quickly as we possibly can.”

While the university had been considering food service options for some time, the situation changed during the summer when the contract with its previous vendor ended unexpectedly. “I really want to commend our team for pulling together on short notice to provide economical and tasty dining options for our community,” Gilmer said. “We want people to be able to spend their money on choices that appeal to them for whatever reason, so it is important to have options. As always, our team put the needs of our community first and rose to the challenge.”