June 18, 2019 – WVU Parkersburg students in the Computer and Information Technology (CIT) Learn and Earn program will soon have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience while earning their degree, all in one location on campus.

The Ntiva Service Desk Academy will open in the Caperton Center for Applied Technology ahead of the fall 2019 semester, enabling students in the college’s CIT Learn and Earn program to work remotely for the D.C.-based tech company while completing their associate degree.

Through this new partnership, students in their second year of the CIT associate degree program will be provided the opportunity to work in a live, fully functional, professional IT service desk environment, working with customers on IT requests, technical issues and projects. Participants earn $16 an hour and may work up to 1,200 hours during the internship period.

“We are pleased to partner with Ntiva to offer this one-of-a-kind internship opportunity to our CIT students,” said WVU Parkersburg STEM Instructor Doug Rhodes. “It is very exciting to have the service desk located in the same building where our students are learning. It not only helps the students hired by Ntiva, but all our CIT students, to better understand what a modern service desk looks like, how it operates and the skills we are teaching in the classroom.”

Ntiva employees will work alongside the students to train and mentor those selected for the program.

“Our core mission is to grow people and we believe that technology is a key accelerator,” said Steven Freidkin, CEO of Ntiva. “By investing in the Ntiva Service Desk Academy in partnership with the CIT Learn and Earn program, we’re providing the opportunity for WVU Parkersburg students to gain valuable technical skills in a real-world environment. This in-depth training will open up more employment doors for graduating students in the CIT degree program, who were able to take advantage of this internship.”

WVU Parkersburg’s CIT Learn and Earn program started in 2016 with three local employers – Chemours, Woodcraft and iTech. Since that time, 12 students have participated in the program, and it has expanded with new employer partnerships, including Westbrook Health Services and Ntiva.

Among other recent notable accomplishments, the college’s CIT program ranked first in the state and No. 102 in the nation in the SANS Institute’s Cyber FastTrack competition, a national initiative to help identify cybersecurity talent in the U.S. and enable college students to discover their aptitude in the field. More than 13,000 students across the country started the program, and four of those were WVU Parkersburg students who qualified for the quarterfinals, earning the opportunity to compete for $2.5 million in scholarships and direct introductions to employers.

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s CIT program, contact the Center for Student Services at admissions@wvup.edu or 304-424-8310.

June 18, 2019 – The West Virginia Center for Civic Life (WVCCL) wants to help citizens start conversations about issues facing the state by encouraging fresh, innovative thinking during its annual Civic Life Institute. The event will be held at West Virginia University at Parkersburg on July 18 and 19, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., respectively, in the College Activities Center.

The WVCCL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that convenes public workshops and provides resources to help people develop productive ways to address common concerns. Over the past 20 years, the center has partnered with hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals in community-based initiatives to address issues related to the health, education and economic well-being of West Virginia residents, such as What’s Next WV, a statewide initiative designed to help communities plan actions based on their own ideas for building stronger local economies.

“We need to find productive ways to talk to each other, especially when we disagree,” said Jean Ambrose, WVCCL representative. “It is our goal to help diverse sectors in the community develop habits of listening to each other, taking ownership of problems together and working toward solutions that work for all.”

Peabody award-winner Trey Kay, producer of the nationally-recognized “Us & Them” podcast, will lead a session at the institute that explores the cultural issues that often divide us. Following his remarks, participants will experience ways of facilitating community discussion that explore different points of view while working together on difficult issues. “Us & Them” is a joint project of West Virginia Public Broadcast, PRX and Trey Kay Productions.

Also, the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) is funding scholarships to participants in the institute. Eligible to apply are staff or board members of nonprofits or high school and college students from PACF’s service region: Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt and Wood counties in W.Va. and Washington county in Ohio.

Visit www.wvciviclife.org or contact Jean Ambrose at 304-679-3970 or info@wvciviclife.org to learn more about the institute and registration.

Peabody award-winner Trey Kay, producer of the nationally-recognized “Us & Them” podcast, will lead a session at the institute that explores the cultural issues that often divide us.

 

June 14, 2019 – It’s about a classroom that goes beyond the traditional textbook to a new learning experience. It’s about students who are ready to learn in an active environment.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is offering a new experiential learning program for students. The program officially kicks off this summer with the Communication and Media Studies department and the employment of six interns. Brooke Buchanan, Toni Grogg, Loren Hays, Ryan McCoy, Madison Sayre and Sarah Weeks are the first marketing interns, who will be overseen by Dr. Torie Jackson, dean of public affairs and experiential learning.

The experiential learning classroom becomes a more in-depth studying laboratory. Students in Communication and Media Studies courses participate in a variety of career-related, project-based learning activities. The college began to pilot this program in the spring semester. As an example assignment, faculty tasked students to consider the counties in the WVU Parkersburg region and to examine the target audiences by researching jobs, industries, income, education, school system enrollment, population, values, sentiment, social media usage and free time usage in those counties.

“Having this internship with WVU Parkersburg allows myself and the other interns the opportunity to not only learn inside the classroom, but to take my knowledge beyond the course and apply it to real-world situations,” said Brooke Buchanan, a marketing intern in her junior year in the Communication and Media Studies program.

To begin the summer experiential learning program, the interns took a county tour to visit Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties.

“I loved being able to travel to the surrounding counties and walk a mile in their shoes,” said Madison Sayre, a marketing intern in her sophomore year who will use that knowledge to be able to market effectively to the counties. “It was cool to see things through a different lens.”

WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer is committed to building a culture of experiential learning at WVU Parkersburg in which our students learn academic content by putting it into practice in real-life settings.

“I have advised writing students for many years not just to tell me, but to show me with their words. This is because I believe fundamentally in learning by doing, not just by listening, or reading, or committing facts to memory. Those things are important, but implementation and practice are more important,” Dr. Gilmer said.

The college president plans to expand experiential learning to more degree programs on campus.

“This way our students graduate not only with content knowledge, but with application skills and a portfolio of quality work to show a potential employer. It is a win for everyone, and I hope the university community will fully invest in this model,” Dr. Gilmer said.

Research reveals that employers seek such skills. Education author Terrell Strayhorn recently visited the WVU Parkersburg campus to talk about assessment of learning. He shared with college faculty that employers want specific proficiencies in college graduates. These skills align with the goals of the experiential learning program, specifically:

• Work well on diverse teams

• Plan, organize, prioritize work

• Imagine, create and see connections

• Make decisions and solve problems

• Proficiency with computers and technology

• Storytelling and maximizing of stories

• Communicate well verbally with people

• Maintain integrity in work activities

“Experiential learning is a wonderful opportunity for our students to take their learning to the highest level, beyond application and analyzing to evaluating and creating,” Dr. Jackson said. “As this program begins to encompass more of the degree programs at WVU Parkersburg, we will revolutionize the student learning process and we will have college graduates ready to take on the workforce with skillful ability.”

 

 

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Thursday, June 13. The meeting will take place at 12 p.m. in Francis & Nina Phares Board Room (room 1300A) on the main campus. View the complete agenda here.

May 28, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg will host a site review for a periodic evaluation of its Elementary Education program by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Oct. 27-29, 2019. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the CAEP Standards for Accreditation.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding WVU Parkersburg’s Elementary Education program. The comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the party’s relationship to the provider (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty/staff member, employer of graduates).

Written comments should be submitted directly to:

CAEP
1140 19^th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036

Or by email to: callforcomments@caepnet.org

All comments must be received by Sept. 8, 2019.

May 28, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is pleased to announce its President’s and Dean’s scholars for the spring 2019 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:

HARDY COUNTY – Moorefield: Pamela Haynes;

HARRISON COUNTY – Clarksburg: Zachary Sandy;

JACKSON COUNTY – Advent: Levi Butcher;

Cottageville: Andrew Hoschar; Brittany Sword;

LeRoy: Marissa Modesitt;

Millwood: Taylor Bowen;

Ravenswood: Victoria Allinder; Nathanael Flesher; Heidi Hess; Jordan Matics; Tiarra Nicholson; Philip Randolph; Dani Sinnett; Kaylee Stewart; Anna Sturm;

Ripley: Nisha Holley; Ayaka Mcbee; Jerry McKee; Morganne Pauley; Jodie Workman;

Sandyville: Alexandra Miller;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: Emily Burdette;

Saint Albans: John Johnson; Lindsey Seacrist;

MASON COUNTY – Letart: Cynthia Hendrick; Noah Litchfield;

Mason: Isaiah Pauley;

New Haven: Keely Ankrom;

MERCER COUNTY – Princeton: Paris Kessinger;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – St. Marys: Jaclyn Barron; Brandon Baxter; Anthony Bowie; Brody Grimes; Willio Rene; Tina Smith; Laura Taylor; Kelsie Thein; Juan Timmons; Bradon Vannoy; Mallory Webb;

Waverly: Lakyn Ankrom;

PUTNAM COUNTY – Scott Depot: Melissa Melton;

RALEIGH COUNTY – Beckley: Brandi Bationo;

Crab Orchard: Shawna Hopkins;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Ellenboro: Antonia Bonnell;

Harrisville: Gabrielle Charles; Amanda Mowery;

Pennsboro: Sherilyn Stahlman;

Petroleum: Tristan Ray;

Smithville: Chelsea Ayers;

ROANE COUNTY – Gandeeville: Elizabeth Jordan;

Reedy: Ken Love;

Spencer: Alexis Saunders; Madison Sutphin;

TYLER COUNTY – Friendly: Thomas Hill;

Paden City: Madison Pierce;

Sistersville: Erin Gieseke; Isabella Pettus;

WETZEL COUNTY – New Martinsville: Melissa Beegle; Kylee Walker;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Paul Bunner; Ericka Cheuvront; Seth Kerby; Thomas Mullenix II; Kaitlyn Thompson;

Palestine: Haley McCoy; Hunter McCoy; Tonya Morrison; Melody Shearlock;

WOOD COUNTY – Belleville: Sarah Kaufman;

Davisville: James Carpenter; Lesley Miller; Justen Small; Shannon White;

Mineral Wells: Caroline Affolter; Brooke Buchanan; Fallyn Buffington; Rebekah Hogsett; Amy Martin; Caitlyn Smith; Megan Wilson;

Parkersburg: Samuel Abels; Sierra Backus; Jillian Ballengee; Alexis Bland; Morgan Bonnett; Johnny Britton; Aaron Burrows; Rachel Cunningham; Shelby Dearth; Serena Graham; Joel Green; Toni Grogg; Anthony Harber; John Hickman; Michael Howell; Joseph Hunt; Lory Ice; Carmen Joachim; Joshua Johnson; Hannah Kelley; Desiree Krafft; Paige Leasure; Branden Lemon; Matthew Middleton; Mikala Miller; Allison Monroe; Gregory Moore; Clay Morgan; Christina Murray; Melissa Nestor; Emily Niemi; Tia Opel; Damien Pfalzgraf; Victoria Poellot-Tauber; Jennifer Riffle; Caleb Ross; Jasmin Ross; Savannah Ruble; Gregory Sams; Kelsey Short; Alexander Sidwell; Korey Smith; Haighley Summers; Christina Swiger; Kacie Taylor; Robert Taylor; Alexandra Tennant; Hannah Uppole; Orion Veon; Elizabeth Vincent; Sarah Weeks; Alexis Wiseman;

Vienna: Allison Akers; Julia Blair; Paige Burner; Austin Cutlip; Elizabeth Fancher; Darla Graham; Hannah Harvey; Leah Harvey; Loren Hays; Sarah Hitt; Judah Hyde; John Kavanagh; Ryan Long; Craig Morrison; Qasem Murad; Jared Mugrage; Candy Summers; Cassidy Wetz;

Walker: Casey Bennett; Joseph Boggs; Amy Cross; Francheskia Farnsworth; Katie Hudkins; Camie Marlow;

Washington: Asia Brady; Jason Cunningham; Ryan Dean; Ryan Hesselrode; Tabitha Hewitt; Paige Hughes; Randall Nelson; Breanna Paxton; Jenna Whitlock; Julie Wolfe;

Waverly: Scott Holbert; Whitney Kiger; Shannon O’Dell;

Williamstown: Allyssa Kern; Carl Moore; Laken Valentine; Travis Wright;

OHIO – Belpre: Heather Carpenter; Rebecca Garrett; Austin Grimmett; Gabrielle Hamilton; Tracy Maston; Kayla Norman;

Cutler: Courtney Shaffer;

Little Hocking: Paiten Wotring;

Long Bottom: Johnny Vancooney;

Marietta: Weslee Apshaga-Meaux; Michael Brannon; Eric Clark; Tyler Wears;

New Matamoras: Samantha Farnsworth;

Vincent: Lawrence Bays; Kaylee Higgins; Douglas Summers;

Waterford: Nikki McCutcheon;

GEORGIA – Macon: Alexis Wise.

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:

BOONE COUNTY – Seth: Sarah Foster;

CALHOUN COUNTY – Arnoldsburg: Kinley Hosey;

Creston: Jonathan Siegrist;

Grantsville: Monica Heiney; Sandra Jones; Kayla Morford;

Millstone: Hannah Burris;

HARDY COUNTY – Moorefield: Myra Kessel;

HARRISON COUNTY – Bridgeport: Jessica Wolfe;

JACKSON COUNTY – Cottageville: Jonathan Fields; Randi Stalnaker;

Evans: Josh McPherson; Lucas Smith;

Gay: Noah Ross;

Given: Kelsey Dixon; Catherine Shouldis; Kyle Smith;

Kenna: Corey Duff; Riley Faber; Tyler Smith; James Thomas; Joseph Wortham;

LeRoy: Hannah Hamon;

Millwood: Jalyn Shaver; Toby Wagoner;

Ravenswood: Isaac Akers; Alex Anderson; Tyler Bennett; Caylee Carmichael; Michael Hupp; Logan Jarrett; Nicholas Johnston; Kelcie Kieffer; Natasha Mason; Sean Matics; Aubrey Nichols; Colton Rhodes; Kanaan Stevens; Megan Stoffel; Anthony Vespucci;

Ripley: Anna Belcher; Carson Broom; Deborah Burge; Jacob Casto; James Dobbs; Tyler Harmon; Mary Elise Harper; Tyler Hilbert; Erica Jackson; Jonathan Jones; Anna Kimble; Bobbi Nichols; Katherine Simmons; Katelin Sinclair; Braelea Skeen; Josiah Smtih; Warren Stearns; Madison Tanner; Evi Waybright; April Wilcox; Tanya Winter;

Sandyville: Adriana Miller; David Smith; Ryan Whytsell;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: Samuel Johnson; Jane King; James Pennington; Nicole Shutts; Natalie Walker; Samantha Wright;

Chesapeake: Phillip Priddy;

Cross Lanes: Tara Bailey;

Nitro: Stephanie Pitzer;

Saint Albans: Morgan Cook; Susan Groves; Lindsay Holbert;

Sissonville: Hannah Faber;

LOGAN COUNTY – Chapmanville: Jared Topping;

Logan: Natasha Townsend;

MARION COUNTY – Fairmont: Edward Rothwell;

MASON COUNTY – Leon: Jason Bechtle;

Letart: Jeff Jodon;

Mason: Brady Kinzel; Jennifer Nance; Courtney Rickard;

New Haven: Lauryn Fields; Jared Lake;

Point Pleasant: James Dabney; Casey Davis;

MERCER COUNTY – Princeton: Ariel Bowman; Amanda Thompson;

MONONGALIA COUNTY – Morgantown: Ashleigh Carter;

MORGAN COUNTY – Hedgesville: Derek O’Donnell;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – Belmont: Rachel Gumm;

Friendly: Marsha Davis;

Saint Marys: Devon Amos; Kendra Becker; Alexis Carder; Kelly Chandler; Rachael Flanagan; Luke Hays; Chance Hughart; Dyvan Locke; Ryan McCoy; Miranda Myers; April Redin; Kyle Taylor;

PUTNAM COUNTY – Hometown: Joseph Nesbitt;

Hurricane: Michelle Kuhn; Jordan Lane;

Scott Depot: Erica Rhodes;

RANDOLPH COUNTY – Norton: Sallie Hamrick;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Cairo: Jennifer Shuman;

Ellenboro: Kristie Campbell; Morgan Reilly;

Harrisville: Laken Cornell; Mary Spencer;

Pennsboro: Alexander Gilliland; Olivia Vanoy;

Petroleum: Leslie Davis;

Smithville: Jamie Frymier;

ROANE COUNTY – Gandeeville: Britney Hersman;

Looneyville: Tiffany Pokrandt;

Reedy: Samantha Paxton;

Spencer: Amber Bailey; Kristen Blosser; Josie Cottrell; Tina Deweese; Travis Hammack;

Walton: Jamie Huffman;

TAYLOR COUNTY – Bridgeport: Brittney Flevaris;

TYLER COUNTY – Alma: Lauren Seckman;

Bens Run: Shawn Girard;

Friendly: Haylea Lemasters; Sierra Mace;

Jacksonburg: Bobbi Warner;

Sistersville: Lacie Barnhart; Melanie Pettus; Melissa Shepard; Levi Shreves; Savannah Wright;

WETZEL COUNTY – New Martinsville: William Nice;

Paden City: Tanya Duncan; Travis Leonard;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Addie Bailey; Toni Cain; Christian Cline; Deborah Darling; Kaitlyn Frazier; Jeremy Kelbaugh; Nathaniel Kiser; Sami Knicely; Cassandra Mason; Christopher Roach;

Palestine: Vanessa Duffield; Casey Martin;

WOOD COUNTY – Belleville: Mickinzie Smith; Olivia Smith; David Starcher; Kaitlyn Townsend; Amy West;

Davisville: Stephen Ball; Naddine Border; Heather Deuley; Zachary Elkins; Becky Ellison; Sherry McCay; Chance Rawson;

Mineral Wells: Seanna Allman; Ashley Beall; Faith Blosser; Amber Davis; Timothy Elson; Sierra English; Taylor Frazier; Tiffany Johnston; Jordan Memel; Teresa Ohrn; Lynette Pahl; Miranda Reed; Kirstin Reynolds; Grace Rhodes; Tkeirston Sams; Seanna Shearer; Alyssa Stalnaker; Hannah Warner; Elizabeth Weaver;

Parkersburg: Suleiman Abimiku; Kaylee Affolter; Chase Anderson; Hanna Argabrite; Leea Armstrong; Travis Barton; Braylin Beall; Brian Belcher; Kevin Biehl; Bre Blackwell; Justin Bosley; John Boyles; Katie Brock; April Brooks; Tyler Brownfield; Myshelle Buchanan; Dylan Burkhammer; Meredith Burris; Morgan Carez; Vanessa Chilcote; Amy Clark; Cynthia Clemons; Ali Cooper; Rebecca Cottrill; Justin Cronin; Allyson Crouser; Casey Daggett; Melissa Dailey; Ashleigh December; Jonathan Defibaugh; Dustin Dennis; Megan Dennis; Connie Dulaney; Brandy Edgar; Bradley Emerick; Amanda Emrick; Paul Fichtelman; Judith Field; Corey Frazier; Kenneth Freeman; Cameron Gault; Brandon Gill; Tyler Gingery; Alexia Haislop; Brandon Hall; Rashelle Hamilton; Cassandra Hammel; Casey Harker; Lauren Harpold; Olivia Hart; Amelia Hartzog; Hailey Harvard; Ameera Haydar; Amy Hupp; Harmony Izaguirre; Erica Jackson; Lisa Jacobs; Savannah Jeffers; Erika Johnson; Katelyn Johnson; Yvette Johnson; Kelly Jones; Glenna Kaltenecker; Jennifer Kiggans; Kelsey Kiser; Alexander Life; Kimberly Lipscomb; Teresa Longfellow; Alex Lyons; Andrea Maley; Brittany Martin; Megan McFee; Nicholas McPeek; Terry McDonald; Kelsi McFarland; Welsey Mendoza; Morgan Mercer; Savannah Miller; Cody Monroe; Calvin Moore; Sarina Morris; Darlin Muelas Cruz; Carson Nelson; Christopher Nelson; Mitchell Newbanks; Megan Noveron-Hernandez; Sammantha Oglesby; Tristan Opel; Breanna Pelfrey; Jennifer Phillips; Alexander Pino; Joshua Posey; Lindsay Proffitt; Kacie Rader; Lela Richter; Nick Roedersheimer; Robin Rogerson; Madison Sayre; David Sears; Daniel Seebaugh; Marlee Sexton; Kristi Shaver; Justine Smith; Whitney Stewart; Morgan Stump; Michelle Sturm; Madison Suszek; Alexandra Tennant; Chana Tepe; Remy Toncray; Danielle Toothman; Kimberley Toth; Sherree Townsend; Brooks Utt; Samantha Vanfossen; Dawn Veon; Meloney Victory; Victoria Voshel; Cyndie Wade; Owen Webb; Paul Weekley; Justin Welsh; Hannah White; Stacey Whitlatch; Ryan Willis; Sandipa Wolfe; Jason Young;

Rockport: Caleb Greathouse;

Vienna: Tierney Aldridge; Marcia Buckley; Chelsea Bunner; Jordan Cunningham; Dawson Cyran; Cory Davis; Nicole Evans; Katelin Flinn; Thomas Flis; Darcie Fonner; Deric Gibson; Remington Hitchcock; Sara Latham; Andrew Lyons; Elizabeth Malm; Laura Medcalf; Patrick Nestor; Nhu Nguyen; Chris Nicholson; Evan Onestinghel; Mikaela Randolph; Victoria Riano Labarce; Dennis Romine; Nathan Settle; Henry Shockey; Luke Spencer; Lora Stavrakis; Alexandria Stoops; Cindy Todd; Audrey Ungar; Jennifer Valentine; Tiffani Walters; Elizabeth Waters; Mendy Wolford; Kathleen Wright;

Walker: Hanah Bowser; Jacob Brannon; Adrianne Cale; Devin Cooper; Corey Eaton; Allison Ezell; Savana Goff; Michelle Moore; Mariah Stansberry;

Washington: Jessica Blaski; Priscilla Brady; Ginger Busch; Amy Dean; Talia Edge; Jennifer Erb; Paige Flanigan; Katelyn Hofmann; Bryanna Monroe; Sierra Munday; Madeline Murphy; Alex Saunders; Kaylyn Smith; Julia Watson; Courtlyn Williams;

Waverly: Dezerae Davis; Meredith Davis; James Kelley;

Williamstown: Allexus Frazier; Rhonda Galyean; Alexander Harris; Benjamin Harris; Allison Hurst; Taylor Mock; Ronald Morrison; Savannah Parks; Mahkayla Queen; John Samson; Brooke Shockey; Melissa Stump; Courtney Taylor; Joshua Taylor; Yurgita Vaidya; Jessika Walters; Adesa Williams;

OHIO – Athens: Lauren Williams;

Belpre: Mary Aquino; Lisa Campbell;

Clarington: Anna Betts;

Coolville: Jonathan Graham; Paul Owens Sr,;

Cutler: Deric Allen; Mark Fleak;

Grandview Heights: Zane Nielsen;

Kimbolton: Stephany Jacobs;

Little Hocking: Catherine Allman; Christine Berg; Sherri Brownrigg; Mikael Hinton;

Marietta: Bailey Becker; Brittany Dobbs; John Grega Jr.; Elaine Hale; Matthew Harisiades; Jason Huck; Alexandra Jones; Taylor McIntyre; Douglas Morris; Jasin Plaugher; Joshua Roberts; Tiffany Roberts; Heather Statler; Lucinda Swartz;

Mount Vernon: Christopher O’Byrne;

Nelsonville: Grace Hobbs;

Pataskala: Tara Florence;

Pomeroy: Nadezhda Moore;

Vincent: Clint Nolan;

Waterford: Abigael Huffman;

COLORADO – Denver: Mark Lanier II;

FLORIDA – Palm Bay: Betty Beck;

GEORGIA – Midway: Maryah Patterson;

ILLINOIS – Argenta: Angela Hunt;

KENTUCKY – Olive Hill: Brent Tackett;

MISSOURI – Cardwell: Ariel Rebstock;

OKLAHOMA – Atoka: Eric Morris;

TEXAS – Corpus Christi: Daniel Garza;

VIRGINIA – Stephens City: Tiffany Conklin.

May 28, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg awarded certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees to spring 2019 graduates during commencement held Saturday, May 11, 2019, in the College Activities Center. This semester, the college graduated 272 students from nine states.

Academic honors were awarded to those graduates who attained a 3.50-3.749 grade point average, cum laude; 3.75-3.99, magna cum laude; and 4.0, summa cum laude. The WVU Parkersburg graduates included:

CALHOUN COUNTY – Arnoldsburg: Brittany Cottrell, AAS, BOG;

Grantsville: Sandra Jones, CAS, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Carleigh Walker, AAS, Nursing;

DODDRIDGE COUNTY – West Union: Emerald Canavati, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice; Hannah Cox, AAS, Nursing; Christopher Hileman, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Shannon Pierce, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice;

HARRISON COUNTY – Clarksburg: Zachary Sandy, BAT, Cum Laude;

JACKSON COUNTY – Cottageville: Tyler Hartley, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice;

Evans: Alie Donohew, AAS, Nursing; Brian Franklin, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Emily Goodwin, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude;

LeRoy: Sydney Casto, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude;

Millwood: Tiffany Bever, AAS, BOG; Taylor Bowen, CAS, Legal Studies; Ashley Mellinger, AAS, Nursing; Tristan Miller, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Multi-Craft Technology; Toby Wagoner, RBA, Cum Laude;

Ravenswood: Jacob Adkins, RBA; Isaac Akers, CAS, Industrial Maintenance; Alex Anderson, BAS, Business Administration; Nathanael Flesher, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, CAS, Industrial Maintenance, and AAS, Multi-Craft Technology, Magna Cum Laude; Cristin Miller, BA, Elementary Education; Colton Rhodes, BAS, Business Administration; Kanaan Stevens, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Multi-Craft Technology, Magna Cum Laude;

Ripley: Deborah Burge, CAS, AAS, Business Technology, and AAS, Business Administration; Mattia Goodrich, RBA; Katelyn Hess, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education; Monique Hitt, AAS, Nursing; Melissa Hughart, AAS, Nursing; Jerry McKee, BAT; Morganne Pauley, AAS, Nursing, Cum Laude; Emilia Summers, AAS, Nursing;

Sandyville: Michael Holmes, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Ryan Whytsell, BAT;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: James Pennington, BS, Nursing, Cum Laude;

LOGAN COUNTY – Amherstdale: Tracy Amburgey, CAS, Child Development;

MARION COUNTY – Fairmont: Edward Rothwell, RBA, Cum Laude;

MASON COUNTY – Evans: Sabrina Holley, RBA;

Leon: Emily Keefer, CAS, AAS, Business Administration;

Letart: Janae Cundiff, BA, Elementary Education, Cum Laude; Thomas Hollyday III, AAS, Computer Science; Jeff Jodon, BS, Nursing;

New Haven: Lauryn Fields, CAS, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

MERCER COUNTY – Princeton: Amanda Thompson, BAS, Child Development;

MORGAN COUNTY – Hedgesville: Derek O’Donnell, BAT;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – St. Marys: Amanda Eddy, BAS, Business Administration; Alexander Tawney, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Cari Weekley, CAS, AAS, Business Administration;

PUTNAM COUNTY – Hurricane: Michelle Kuhn, BAS, Child Development, Summa Cum Laude;

RANDOLPH COUNTY – Norton: Sallie Hamrick, BS, Nursing;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Ellenboro: Morgan Reilly, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

Harrisville: Regina Flesher, RBA;

Pennsboro: Alexander Gilliland, CAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Caitlyn Hudnall, AAS, Nursing;

Petroleum: Leslie Davis, BS, Nursing;

Smithville: Chelsea Ayers, BAS, Communication & Media Studies – Public Relations, Magna Cum Laude; Jamie Frymier, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice;

ROANE COUNTY – Reedy: Ken Love, BAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude;

Spencer: April Myles, AAS, Nursing; Baylee O’Brien, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude; Jennifer O’Brien, CAS, Paraprofessional PreK-12, and CAS, AAS, Child Development, Cum Laude; Meghan Sinclair, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude;

TYLER COUNTY – Middlebourne: Rebecca Wright, CAS, Paraprofessional PreK-12, and AAS, Child Development;

Sistersville: Melanie Pettus, BAS, Criminal Justice;

WETZEL COUNTY – New Martinsville: Melissa Beegle, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

Paden City: Travis Leonard, AAS, Drafting;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Megan Donaldson, CAS, Business Administration, and RBA; Nicole Hays, CS, AS, Business Administration; Melissa Isaacs, BAS, Business Administration; Catherine Merrill-Board, RBA, Cum Laude; Tori Powell, CAS, AAS, Business Technology; Darrin Roberts, AAS, Business Administration; Casey Sims, CAS, AAS, Business Administration; Shannon Stanley, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Kaitlyn Thompson, AAS, Strategic Communication, Magna Cum Laude;

Palestine: Casey Martin, CS, AS, Business Administration; Tonya Morrison, BAS, BS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

WOOD COUNTY – Belleville: Benjamin Life, AAS, Computer & Information Technology;

Davisville: Naddine Border, RBA; James Carpenter, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Stephanie DeBerry, AAS, Nursing; Heather Deuley, AAS, Child Development, Cum Laude; Zachary Elkins, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude; Justen Small, AAS, BOG, Summa Cum Laude;

Mineral Wells: Krishna Black, RBA; Zoë Bookman, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Fallyn Buffington, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice, Summa Cum Laude; Kayla Cook, CAS, Business Administration; Amber Davis, BAS, BS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Rebekah Hogsett, AAS, Nursing; Thomas Kerns, CAS, AAS, Business Administration; Christopher Mastrorocco, AAS, BOG; Robert Moore, BAT; Alexis Rice, CAS, Business Administration; Seanna Shearer, BS, Nursing; Joseph Smith, BAS, Business Administration;

Parkersburg: Leea Armstrong, AAS, Child Development; Haley Barber, AAS, Nursing; Brian Belcher, AAS, Computer Science; Kali Bell, AA, General Education; Daniel Bennett, CAS, Chemical & Polymer Operator Technology, and AAS, BOG; Justin Bosley, CAS, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Allison Burchard, AAS, BOG, Cum Laude; Meredith Burris, AAS, BOG; Morgan Carez, AA, General Education; Amy Cass, CAS, Business Administration; Christopher Cavanagh, CAS, Welding, and AAS, Welding Technology; Adam Colunga, AAS, Nursing; Rachel Cunningham, AAS, Nursing; Sabrina Deem, BA, Elementary Education, Cum Laude; Seneca Donahue, CAS, AS, Business Administration; Jessica Fluharty, CAS, AAS, Child Development; Amanda Gandee, CAS, Business Administration; Serena Graham, AAS, AS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Crystal Green, AAS, Nursing; Cassandra Hammel, AAS, Business Administration; Lauren Harpold, BAS, Business Administration; John Harvey, AAS, Nursing; Michael Howell, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Multi-Craft Technology, Magna Cum Laude; Lee Johnson, CAS, Welding; Kelsey Kiser, CAS, General Business, and AAS, BAS, Business Administration; Megan Lamb, AAS, Nursing; Paige Leasure, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Branden Lemon, AAS, Legal Studies, Magna Cum Laude; Kimberly Lipscomb, AA, General Education, and BA, Multi-Disciplinary Studies, Cum Laude; Teresa Longfellow, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Ashley Lott, AAS, Legal Studies; Katreena Matheny, AAS, Business Technology, Terry McDonald, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Wesley Mendoza, CAS, AAS, Legal Studies; Preston Metzger, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Cody Monroe, CAS, Workforce Skills, and CAS, Business Administration; Jeffrey Moyers, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Multi-Craft, Technology; Catherine Newman, CAS, AAS, Business Administration; Sharon O’Neill, RBA, Magna Cum Laude; Sammantha Oglesby, RBA; Blessing Onianwa, AAS, Nursing; Tia Opel, BA, Multi-Disciplinary Studies; Daniel Palmer, CS, AS, BS, Business Administration; Briana Patton, CAS, Criminal Justice; Alexander Pino, AAS, Drafting; Victoria Poellot-Tauber, AS, Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude; Joshua Posey, AAS, Computer & Information Technology, Cum Laude; Anthony Province, AS, General Education; Lacey Prunty, CAS, Criminal Justice; Trentin Rempel, BS, Business Administration; Jason Rhodes, BAS, Business Administration; Cassidy Roberts, CS, AS, BS, Business Administration; Eric Showen, AAS, Nursing; Alexander Sidwell, AAS, Computer Science, Cum Laude; Justine Smith, AA, General Education, Cum Laude; Ryan Stanley, AAS, Drafting; Ronald Sturm, AAS, Business Administration; Austin Sweeney, CAS, AS, Business Administration; Kacie Taylor, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Robert Taylor, AS, Business Administration; Chana Tepe, BS, Nursing; Shelby Thomas, AAS, Criminal Justice; Sheree Townsend, AAS, Criminal Justice; Meloney Victory, BAS, Business Administration; Stacey Westfall, AAS, BOG; Ryan Willis, BS, Nursing, Cum Laude; Sandipa Wolfe, CAS, BAS, BS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Austin Wright, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Jason Young, CAS, AAS, Business Administration;

Rockport: Caleb Greathouse, CAS, Welding, and AAS, Welding Technology;

Vienna: Tierney Aldridge, CAS, AAS, BAS, Business Administration; Sarah Anderson, RBA; Julia Blair, AAS, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude; Katelin Flinn, BAS, Child Development; Gage Foutty, CAS, Residential & Commercial Electricity; Aleea Gray, AAS, Nursing; Eryn Gray, AAS, BOG; Sarah Hitt, CAS, BAS, Business Administration; Taylor Hoover, AAS, Nursing; Kara King, RBA; Nicole Landis, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education; Sara Latham, AAS, BOG; Brianna Luther, CAS, AAS, Business Administration; Tyler Malm, CAS, Digital Communication, and AAS, Journalism; Evan McEwuen, AAS, BOG; Jared Mugrage, BAS, Supervisory Management; Qasem Murad, AAS, Business Technology; Dennis Romine, RBA; Alexandria Stoops, BS, Nursing; Joseph VanClief, AAS, BOG; Elizabeth Waters, CAS, BAS, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude; Hannah Winans, CAS, Business Technology, and BAS, Business Administration;

Walker: Adrianne Cale, BS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Katie Hudkins, AS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Mariah Stansberry, CAS, AAS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude;

Washington: Ethan Bird, BAS, Business Administration; Jessica Blaski, RBA, Magna Cum Laude; Russell Bunner, BAS, Communication & Media Studies – Strategic Communication; Ryan Dean, CAS, Welding, AAS, Welding Technology, and AAS, Multi-Craft Technology, Magna Cum Laude; Brittany Dils, AAS, Business Administration; Jennifer Erb, BAS, Business Administration; Ethan Floyd, AS, General Education; Michelle Griggs, CAS, Business Administration; Patsy Karr, RBA; Robert  Shank, AAS, BOG; Isabella Stoops, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education, Cum Laude; Samantha Suggs, CAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Julia Watson, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Regina Westfall, CS, BS, Business Administration; Brady Whipkey, AAS, BOG; Shianne Winters, BAS, BS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude;

Waverly: Mary Hammons, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Scott Holbert, BAS, Communication & Media Studies – Strategic Communication; Katelyn Radabaugh, AAS, Nursing; Logan Rhodes, AA, General Education;

Williamstown: Victoria Galyean, CAS, AAS, Legal Studies; Benjamin Harris, BAT; Hannah Jordan, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education, Cum Laude; Stephanie Marshall, BS, Nursing; Mahkayla Queen, CAS, AAS, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

OHIO – Beavercreek: Janine Gross, CAS, AAS, Child Development;

Belpre: Lisa Campbell, BS, Business Administration; Tracy Maston, CS, AS, Business Administration; Taylor Plaugher, BA, Elementary Education;

Caldwell: Joshua Thompson, RBA;

Coal Run: Matthew Barton, BA, Elementary Education;

Coolville: Melissa Graham, CAS, AAS, Business Administration;

Gallipolis: Jessica Campbell, BS, Nursing;

Kimbolton: Stephany Jacobs, AAS, BOG;

Little Hocking: Sherri Brownrigg, AAS, BOG, Magna Cum Laude; Mikael Hinton, AAS, Computer Science;

Pomeroy: Nadezhda Moore, BS, Nursing;

Malta: Meschelle Thompson, RBA;

Marietta: Weslee Apshaga-Meaux, CAS, Welding, and AAS, Welding Technology, Magna Cum Laude; Eric Clark, CAS, Residential & Commercial Electricity, Cum Laude; Robin Hoffmann, AAS, BOG; Megan Ludwig, AAS, BOG; Tiffany Roberts, CAS, AAS, BAS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Zachary Roberts, BAT; Heather Statler, RBA, Cum Laude;

Stockport: Amy Pinkerton, BS, Nursing;

Stoutsville: Ashleigh Ansel, BAS, Child Development;

Vincent: Lawrence Bays, CAS, Industrial Maintenance, and AAS, Multi-Craft Technology; Melissa Grady, AAS, BOG;

Wheelersburg: Christopher Johnson, AAS, Occupational Development;

COLORADO – Denver: Mark Lanier II, BS, Nursing;

FLORIDA – Winter Garden: Tremayne Battle, RBA;

 GEORGIA – Midway: Maryah Patterson, AAS, BOG;

OKLAHOMA – Atoka: Eric Morris, AAS, Occupational Development;

SOUTH CAROLINA – Columbia: Joshua Byers, BAS, Business Administration;

TEXAS – Edinburg: Robert Abrego, AAS, Occupational Development;

VIRGINIA – Goode: Kevin Smith, AAS, Occupational Development, Magna Cum Laude;

Stephens City: Tiffany Conklin, BS, Nursing.

May 21, 2019 – Working through the Go Baby Go project, West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Wood County Technical/Caperton Center students remodeled four battery-powered kid-sized cars for children who experience limited mobility. The students presented the cars to families and one area school on Monday, May 20, during a ceremony at the Caperton Center for Applied Technology.

Founded in 2012, Go Baby Go is a national outreach program that provides children with disabilities the opportunity for movement, mobility and socialization through modified ride-on cars. This is the third year Wood County Technical/Caperton Center students participated in the project. Combined, nine families have been helped through the local outreach effort.

By partnering with local physical and occupational therapists, students were able to discuss with therapists the needs of each individual child and how to make needed and helpful customizations for each.

“One of the cars will help occupational therapists while they work with children at Martin Elementary School,” said Steve Freshour, Wood County Technical/Caperton Center math instructor. “The vehicle even has LED under car lighting that matches their school colors.”

This year, WVU Parkersburg students in the computer embedded systems class helped achieve the goal of creating joystick-controlled cars. Three cars are outfitted with joystick control using Arduino and Servo motors, and the fourth uses a 3D printed push-button accelerator. Proximity sensors were also installed to alert children when they are getting close to an object while driving.

“It is amazing to see our students’ work become a therapy tool that will help children experience independent mobility,” said Freshour. “The hardest part of being a student is the constant learning and not being able to see the end of what you’re doing. With this, they see the power of education and the positive impact they can make.”

Contact Steve Freshour at safreshour@k12.wv.us for more information.

May 20, 2019 – With more young adults considering careers in the technology industry, West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Workforce and Economic Development Division, in partnership with FirstEnergy, is offering two summer academies focusing on inspiring and engaging teenagers through hands-on learning in computer science and 3D printing.

The first program to take place is Teen Tech Academy, running July 8 – 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The academy will allow attendees to gain practical experience with various software and equipment while providing the opportunity to learn more about the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field and possible careers.

“We have the ability to nurture the future of the technology with these students,” said WVU Parkersburg Workforce and Economic Development Director Michele Wilson. “We aim to help build a generation of technologists by introducing them to many possible careers, and allowing them access to new learning opportunities and mentorship.”

Teen Tech Academy class topics include: assembling a Raspberry Pi (RPI) laptop kit, Python programming, interfacing the world with RPI sensors and motors, web development, building an Internet of Things (IOT) device and entrepreneurial thinking. Students will also take home their own RPI laptop.

For individuals interested in the revolutionary process of 3D printing, the 2019 Teen 3D Printing Academy will allow students to have fun through creativity, be inspired by technology and problem solving, and take their skills into the world. The academy will take place July 15 – 18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.

Teen 3D Printing class topics include: introduction to 3D printing, printer components and functions, building a 3D printer, exploring the printing process (slicing, Cura and printer settings), how 3D printing can be used in various fields of study and 3D printer troubleshooting. At the academy’s conclusion, attendees will receive a 3D printer.

Partnering with WVU Parkersburg and providing grant funding for the teen academies, FirstEnergy supports non-profit organizations within its service areas to promote interest in computer and science education. FirstEnergy also provides workforce advancement with professional development through community leadership and volunteerism, as well as economic development and revitalization efforts.

Class size is limited, and the deadline to register for the Teen Tech and Teen 3D Printing academies is June 17 and 24 respectively.

Visit www.wvup.edu/community-ed for more information or to register. Contact wed@wvup.edu or 304-424-8383 with any questions.