May 17, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg honored 51 students, seven faculty and staff members, as well as area businesses and community members, during its annual Honors Ceremony held on May 3, 2019, in the college activities center. The event was sponsored by United Bank.

“As West Virginia’s Bank, United Bank was pleased to support WVU Parkersburg as it recognized those who made an outstanding impact at the university this year. These exceptional award recipients fuel the ongoing success of our community,” said United Bank Market President Patrick Bryan. “As the largest publicly traded company headquartered in West Virginia, we are committed to strengthening the viability of our communities and supporting those who share that mission.”

Dr. Chris Gilmer and Michele Wilson, WVU Parkersburg president and Workforce and Economic Development Division executive director respectively, presented the Partner of the Year award to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center. This award recognizes a collaborative effort in which WVU Parkersburg will provide a customized 17-month leadership training program to 120 leaders within the WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center organization to help meet workforce development needs.

Dr. Keith Gaskin, vice president for Institutional Advancement at WVU Parkersburg and President and CEO of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation, also presented the college’s first Philanthropist of the Year award to Mary “Mickey” Welch for her longtime support of WVU Parkersburg. In 2009, she endowed a scholarship to aid young students or students who are parents of young children, and this year she made an additional $50,000 gift providing scholarships for students enrolled in certificate and associate degree programs. Welch’s daughter Mary Anne Ketelsen, president of Mr. Bee Potato Chip Company and WVU Parkersburg alumna, accepted the award on her behalf.

The 2019 – 2020 Student Government Association members were also sworn in at the conclusion of the event.

The complete list of award winners includes:

Partner of the Year

WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center

Philanthropist of the Year

Mary “Mickey” Welch

Leadership Fellows Awards

Caroline Affolter

Chase Baker

Julia Blair

Jordan Bowman

Mara Eisenbarth

Samantha Farnsworth

Leah Harvey

Nealy Locke

Allison Ostrowski

Acacia Smith

Academic All American Team – Phi Theta Kappa Sigma Omega Chapter

Justin Bosley

Fallyn Buffington

Brittany Sword

Advisor Award

Marie Butler

Art Awards

Hannah Faber

Sabrina Miller

Tristan Opel

Melody Shearlock

Trevor Tallman

Excellence in Media and Communications

Sarah Weeks

Dottie Bibbee Student of the Year

Brooke Buchanan

Service to WPKM

Jonathan Mattingly

WPKM Outstanding DJ

Callie Lyons

Outstanding Anatomy and Physiology Student

Caroline Affolter

Outstanding Lab Technique

Jennifer Kersey

Outstanding Biology Students

Kalina Johnston

Kimberly Lipscomb

Great Lab and Classroom Leadership

Deric Allen

Courtlyn Williams

ADN Student of the Year

Eric Showen

RN-to-BSN Student of the Year

Sherry McCay

Outstanding Surgical Technology Student

Megan McFee

Outstanding Community Volunteer Award

Corey Casdorph

Samantha Good

Allison Hurst

Hannah Ray

Leadership Award

Justin Bosley

Outstanding Business Student

Austin Grimmett

Service Excellence Award

Tonya Morrison

Collegiate Honor Choir

Tony Province

Philip Wilson

College Chorale

Tony Province

Edie Tidd

Jacob Tuley

Philip Wilson

Kappa Delta Pi Presidents

Baylee O’Brien

Brittany Sir

Outstanding Teacher Candidates

Kayla Norman

Madison Pierce

Career Services Awards

Justin Bosley

Russ Bunner

Austin Grimmett

Miranda Reed

Meloney Victory

Early College Student of the Year

Ashley Powell

Early College Excellence

Eva Cartmel

Madison Suszek

Outstanding Early College Student

Philip Wilson

Faculty of the Year, Parkersburg Campus

Andrew Walker

Faculty of the Year, Jackson County Center

Rebecca Tucker

Adjunct Faculty of the Year, Parkersburg Campus

Freda Bradley

Adjunct Faculty of the Year, Jackson County Center

Veronica Barron

Staff of the Year, Parkersburg Campus

Jolene Sink

Staff of the Year, Jackson County Center

April Philbrook

Student Government Association Executive of the Year

Justin Bosley

Student Government Association Senator of the Year

Anthony Perry

Tutor of the Year

Justin Bosley

Student Organization of the Year

Media and Communication Club

“It is said, ‘Those who do the work, do the learning.’ The students, faculty, staff and community members we recognized proved they’ve done the work and advanced the learning at WVU Parkersburg,” said Chad Crumbaker, WVU Parkersburg vice president of academic and student affairs. “The Honors Ceremony is a great way to wrap up the academic year and show how proud we are of the achievements and contributions of so many.”

May 15, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s online bachelor’s degree in child development program was recently ranked as one of the top 40 in the nation by TheBestSchools.org.

The website reviews and ranks all accredited schools in the U.S. on criteria ranging from academic excellence, the strength of faculty scholarship, reputation, financial aid, range of degree levels and strength of online instruction methodology.

WVU Parkersburg offers a highly flexible and accommodating online program for those interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in child development. Through a career ladder approach, students can move seamlessly from a one-year certificate to a two-year associate degree and then on to a four-year bachelor’s degree without losing any credits along the way.

Among other recent accolades, the SR Education Group ranked the program as the most affordable in the nation for the second consecutive year. The rankings represent online schools across the nation that are committed to providing quality eLearning, low-cost online bachelor’s degrees in child development.

“I’m very proud of our child development program at WVU Parkersburg,” said Dr. David Lancaster, professor, and chair of the Education Division, WVU Parkersburg. “Under the leadership of Christi Calvert, the program has continued to improve in quality every semester. Now we have the most affordable child development program in the country with one of the top academic ratings. What a tremendous combination.”

Students from West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and Georgia are currently pursuing or have completed the online degree program through WVU Parkersburg.

For more information about WVU Parkersburg’s child development program, visit www.wvup.edu or contact Christi Calvert at 304-424-8000 ext.430 or christi.calvert@wvup.edu.

May 11, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg held its spring nursing pinning ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m., in the College Activities Center. This year, a total of 23 students were honored, having completed graduation requirements for the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree at WVU Parkersburg.

The ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition in which faculty members present each graduate with a pin. The pinning is followed by a candle lighting and recitation of the “Florence Nightingale Pledge,” a vow of ethics and principles. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, received the Red Cross of St. George in the 1860s for her service during the Crimean War. In return, she presented a medal of excellence to her top nursing students to acknowledge their academic merit.

“The pinning ceremony is more than just a tradition, it is a recognition of every student’s hard work and dedication to their studies and a life of service to others,” said Kathy Frum, WVU Parkersburg Nursing and Health Sciences chairperson.

The ceremony included greetings from Frum; Chad Crumbaker, Academic and Student Affairs vice president, and nursing program graduate Eric Showen. Melissa Montgomery, MHA, BSN, RN and Chief Administrative Officer at Selby General Hospital Memorial Health System, served as the guest speaker.

Spring 2019 nursing graduates include:

Haley Barber

Adam Colunga

Hannah Cox

Rachel Cunningham

Stephanie DeBerry

Alie Donohew

Aleea Gray

Crystal Green

John Harvey

Monique Hitt

Rebekah Hogsett

Taylor Hoover

Caitlyn Hudnall

Melissa Hughart

Ashley Mellinger

Megan Lamb

April Myles

Blessing Onianwa

Morganne Pauley

Katelyn Radabaugh

Eric Showen

Emilia Summers

Carleigh Walker

Visit www.wvup.edu/nursing for more information on WVU Parkersburg nursing and health science programs.

May 11, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg held its spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the College Activities Center. The college awarded 244 certificate and associate degrees as well as 114 bachelor’s degrees to 272 students this semester.

Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Parkersburg president, gave the opening remarks and introductions. In his message to graduates, he encouraged them to use their education for the greater good, hoping their mentors at WVU Parkersburg helped them along life’s journey.

“The vision of this university is to be the region’s premiere college, recognized for quality education, commitment to student empowerment, workforce collaboration and community involvement,” said Gilmer. “I hope we have taught you not with our words, but with our deeds, modeling for you the behaviors of good citizenship.”

Sharon O’Neill, the state’s eldest community and technical college graduate presented the commencement address.

O’Neill, born Feb. 6, 1936 in Parkersburg, holds many life experiences as she was a single mother of five children, and witnessed many monumental events including the JFK assassination, the Civil Rights Movement and World War II. Each challenge and change O’Neill met, she conquered with a belief in herself and encouraged graduates to do the same.

“Think of what you have accomplished. Each of you have met challenges of various kinds, and you still may be facing them,” said O’Neill. “But say to yourself, ‘I conquered those challenges…I will conquer whatever I need to.’”

O’Neill received a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree with a 3.83 GPA.

Distinguished commencement guest Chad Shealy, superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School District in Vicksburg, Miss., also gave graduates words of encouragement. Shealy is a first-generation college graduate and credits the sacrifices of past family generations for his current accomplishments.

“Higher education is always so important to all of those who made it possible for me, even though life never allowed them to obtain one for themselves,” said Shealy.

Passing on guidance to the graduates himself, Shealy also challenged them to embrace their unique purpose in life stating, “There are many graduates before you that participated in a commencement ceremony much like yours today. However, there has never been another you, and there will never be another you. That is an awesome truth to consider; that you have something to offer that no one else will be able to provide.”

Also during commencement, WVU Parkersburg recognized Andrew Walker as the Bernard P. McDonough Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year. Walker, an assistant professor of criminal justice, received his Masters of Science in Criminal Justice from Marshall University and is currently a PhD candidate in Social and Behavioral Science from West Virginia University. He is also the advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa Sigma Omega Chapter honor society and student criminal justice organization on campus.

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg and its community of graduates, visit www.wvup.edu. Fall classes are now enrolling for those interested in becoming a graduate too. Call 304-424-8310 or visit our campus for more information.

May 7, 2019 – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, May 8. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the Francis and Nina Phares Board Room (room 1300A) on the main campus.

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

May 7, 2019 – Three members of West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Sigma Omega chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society were formally recognized as All-West Virginia Academic Team members during a formal ceremony held at the state capitol on April 30.

Justin Bosley, Fallyn Buffington and Brittany Sword were formally named to the 2019 All-West Virginia Academic Team during the ceremony held at the Governor’s Mansion. West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice presented each recipient with a medallion and certificate of recognition. Bosley, one of 24 state recipients chosen for the honor this year, was selected to share how Phi Theta Kappa and WVU Parkersburg directly benefited his life.

Bosley, who serves as the Sigma Omega chapter president, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in financial management. He plans to continue his education at West Virginia University in pursuit of an MBA degree.

Buffington, the chapter public relations officer, will graduate in May with an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. She anticipates completing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice in fall 2019.

Sword, the chapter secretary/treasurer, is working toward a Bachelor of Applied Science in Legal Studies and expects to complete her studies in spring 2021.

Phi Theta Kappa, two-year college presidents, and community college state associations co-sponsor All-State Academic Team recognition programs in 39 states. Each two-year college in West Virginia may nominate two students per campus to the All-USA Academic Team. West Virginia students nominated to the national team are generally named to the All-State Academic Team.

Students are selected for membership in the All-West Virginia Academic Team based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community.

“These honorees represent some of WVU Parkersburg’s best and brightest students,” said Marie Butler, Phi Theta Kappa Sigma Omega chapter advisor for WVU Parkersburg. “I am extremely proud of each of them.”

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,250 chapters across the United States, Canada and Germany. Membership to PTK is by invitation only and extended to students meeting specific eligibility criteria. To be eligible for membership, currently enrolled students must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and completed a specific number of credit hours, depending upon their degree program.

Participating in the ceremony were (from left to right): WVU Parkersburg Sigma Omega chapter advisor Marie Butler; Honoree Justin Bosley; West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice; Honoree Brittany Sword; Honoree Fallyn Buffington; and WVU Parkersburg Sigma Omega chapter advisor Andrew Walker. (Photo by Steven Rotsch)

May 2, 2019 – The state’s oldest community and technical college graduate will be the commencement speaker for West Virginia University at Parkersburg at its 48^th annual spring ceremony on Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the College Activities Center.

Sharon O’Neill, 83, of Parkersburg, is the eldest community and technical college graduate since the inception of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System in 2004. She will join 265 graduates of WVU Parkersburg this semester. O’Neill will complete a Regents Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in history.

“I am one of those who has a bucket list, and coming to WVU Parkersburg was at the top of that list,” O’Neill said. “It is very important to receive as much education as you can to better yourself and provide a better life for you and your family.”

Before attending WVU Parkersburg, O’Neill worked as a Wood County Board of Education secretary and retired with 34 years of employment from the Bureau of Fiscal Service. O’Neill lives by the motto of the three C’s: Can’t, Change and Challenge. She advises that individuals cannot let bad or painful experiences stop them from being who they really are; change is to be accepted and everyone must challenge themselves to go above and beyond what is required of them to truly succeed.

“Many people have had a bad childhood and adolescence. The scars don’t go away, but like all scars, you need to accept them and go forward. You cannot let the scars stop you from being the person that you really are,” she said.

O’Neill warns of the change younger generations will experience in their lifetime. The world has evolved since she was 20 years old, and everyone needs to be adaptable to an evolving environment as she has.

Many events in American history inspired a change in her life. The attack on Pearl Harbor happened when she was just five years old. She and her step-grandmother were washing dishes after Sunday dinner. The radio was on, and all of a sudden, the attack was announced. Her startled grandmother dropped one of the cups to their Haviland china set. Her grandfather was a small town business owner. He rigged two large radios together and set them outside of his storefront. This way, any passersby would be able to stay up-to-date on the tragedy.

“Pearl Harbor happened on a Sunday, and the president’s speech happened that Tuesday. People walking by on the streets would crunch together so they could hear every bit of news while shopping,” O’Neill said.

As a grown woman, she experienced the Kennedy assassination and the Civil Rights Movement.

“I will have to say that speech, ‘I Have a Dream,’ is one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century. We should all have a dream for our children, and we should all want to judge people by the content of their character,” O’Neill said of the Civil Rights movement. “It changed my attitude, and it made me aware that we had to make a change.”

She committed to another change when she went back to college at WVU Parkersburg, as did several other students.

This semester, WVU Parkersburg plans to award 350 certificate, associate and bachelor’s degrees to 265 students, pending final grades. More than 120 students are planning to participate in the ceremony.

At this commencement, WVU Parkersburg will also announce the Bernard P. McDonough Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, and award emeritus status to past faculty and staff. Nominations for the Bernard P. McDonough Outstanding Faculty Member are from the campus community and submitted based on an individual’s contribution in service to the students, institution, community, and for professional activities and personal growth.

Spring 2019 emeritus award recipients include:

• Pam Braden, professor of marketing and management, following 39 years of service;

• Dina Braniff, program assistant II, following 29 years of service;

• Julie Heller, associate professor in nursing and health sciences, following 15 years of service;

• Jeffrey Scott, financial aid counselor, following 40 years of service;

• Jim Haines, press operator II, following 40 years of service;

• John Gorrell, WVU Parkersburg Jackson County Center dean, following 22 years of service;

• Pamela Clevenger, administrative associate, following 27 years of service; and

• Rebecca Scarberry, program assistant II, following 17 years of service.

Annually, the college awards an outstanding alumnus. This year, a young alumnus will also be recognized.

Alumni of the Year, James E. “Jimmy” Colombo, is the former mayor of Parkersburg, current Wood County Commissioner and landmark restaurant owner. He attended WVU Parkersburg until 1964 when he transferred to Marietta College to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was appointed by then Governor Joe Manchin to the West Virginia Parole Board in 2010. Colombo is a long-time supporter of and benefactor to WVU Parkersburg, including his establishment of the James B. and Anna M. Colombo scholarship fund.

Young Alumni of the Year, Jonathan Kirk Heath, is a 2013 magna cum laude graduate of WVU Parkersburg with a Board of Governors Associate of Arts and Regents Bachelor of Arts degrees. Kirk also graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence concentrating in international law. He currently serves as a magistrate with the 31st Judicial District in the Commonwealth of Virginia and will receive a graduate certificate in Advanced International Affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University this spring.

College is not just for adults. Children ages eight to 12 can attend West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s inaugural Kid’s College program this summer. Children can attend one or three weeks of fun, educational classes, from June 13 – 16, June 20 – 23 and June 27 – 30, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.

Children can choose four classes per week; topics range from arts & crafts and welding to archeology and media arts. Lunch will be provided.

The complete list of classes includes:

• Arts & Crafts
• Media Studies
• General Programming
• Welding
• Beginning Drawing
• CoBot
• Chemistry
• Farm Technology
• Bookmaking
• Photography
• Archeology
• Music Technology
• Chemistry
• Intro to Making
• Geology
• Journaling
• Space and Rocketry
• Bird-O-Rama
• Geology

Class sizes are limited and granted on a first-come, first-serve basis (with payment). The Kid’s College registration fee is $150 per week.

Visit the Kids’ College page to complete an application. For more information, contact WVU Parkersburg’s Workforce and Economic Development Division at wed@wvup.edu or (304) 424-8383.

Students in West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s welding program recently had an opportunity to use their hands-on instruction and experience to help create a decorative exterior wall for an outdoor classroom project with the Parkersburg Art Center. The outdoor learning space will be used for art programs and serve as an event venue when it opens later this spring.

The wall, comprised of 8-by-5 feet steel panels, features a giant Brachiosaurus, nicknamed “PACCYosaurus,” who will preside over the outdoor classroom space where children and creativity will be nurtured. Parkersburg Art Center artistic director, Abby Hayhurst, created the design for the wall, which was then graphed onto the metal panels by Parkersburg Art Center staff.

The college’s welding program students – under the supervision of welding instructor Joe Hunt – used plasma cutters to make the design on each of the panels at WVU Parkersburg’s Applied Technology Center.

“We are honored to partner with the Parkersburg Art Center on this project,” said Joe Hunt, assistant professor of welding, WVU Parkersburg. “In addition to being a great hands-on learning opportunity for students in our welding program, we are excited to contribute to this one-of-a-kind space that will be a wonderful asset to downtown Parkersburg and our entire community.”

Following the installation of the panels by Phoenix Associates, Inc., the welding students will buff the wall as part of the final step in the wall project.

“Joe Hunt and his students have been so very helpful,” said Jessie Siefert, managing director, Parkersburg Art Center. “Joe understood what we wanted to do and guided us throughout the process. He helped us understand the properties of this metal, how it will wear, the stress it can withstand, and how it can be shaped into the image we want. I am very thankful that we made this connection. I am so excited for the students who helped carve these panels to see the final project installed.”

The Parkersburg Art Center will use the outdoor classroom for its annual summer camp, Camp Creativity, and throughout the year by the ArtStart Preschool Program.

“The ArtStart Preschool teachers are the most excited about this project,” said Siefert. “We have a wonderful indoor activity space, but children need to get outside, breathe fresh air, run, shout, dig in the dirt, and plant a garden. These are all great things, but they get a little messy.”

A grand opening for the outdoor classroom is being planned for late spring.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg will recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) by hosting the local Clothesline Project, as well as inviting campus members to participate in the Wailing Window Project and Denim Day during the week of April 22.

The Clothesline Project, supported by the WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice Organization, aims to raise awareness and advocate against violence, and bring to light the stories of victims and survivors in the region. The project will be on display for students April 22 – 25 from 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. and for the public on Tuesday, April 23, from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Criminal Justice Simulation Lab (room 0404) on main campus.

“The Clothesline Project not only brings awareness to domestic violence, but it brings a personal connection to the subject,” said Andrew Walker, WVU Parkersburg assistant professor and criminal justice student organization advisor. “Nearly half of domestic violence incidents go unreported; the victims sharing their stories through the project are more than statistics, they are advocates for change.”

The student organization will also be collecting paper towels, toilet paper and trash bags for the Parkersburg Family Crisis Intervention Center. Donations may be dropped off in room 0404 or the Business, Accounting and Public Service Division office (room 1018).

Individuals may also recognize SAAM by participating in the Wailing Window Project sponsored by the WVU Parkersburg Social Justice Committee. From April 22 – 26, survivors of sexual assault and individuals wanting to show their support may anonymously write and color messages of pain, recovery and/or hope on paper butterflies located in the hallway by the tutoring center. The butterflies will be placed on the Wailing Window for display.

Additionally, WVU Parkersburg students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 24. Denim Day was developed by Peace Over Violence in response to a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against the destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault and rape.

For more information about the Clothesline Project or to donate, please contact Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu or (304) 424-8429. To learn more about the Wailing Window Project and Denim Day, contact WVU Parkersburg Social Justice Committee co-chair Debbie Richards at Debbie.Richards@wvup.edu or (304) 424-8201.