Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 16, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg Business Policy Capstone students are nationally ranked for global market leadership competing in the international market simulation GLO-BUS. One of their student teams is currently tied for 29th place.

The competition promotes students to co-managers of a company – selling either wearable video cameras or sophisticated camera-equipped copter drones – where they must make major decisions in areas such as product design and performance, financing company operations, pricing and marketing.

A computer provides insight into how each decision will impact the company’s performance by calculating the potential sales, profit, and other key information. The companies are judged on five criteria, including earn per share, return on equity, stock prices, credit rating and brand image.

“At the beginning of the semester, Professor Holland mentioned how he previously had a team finish in the top 10 in the Glo-Bus competition,” said Jessika Doster, WVU Parkersburg student and team member of the Glo-Busters. “I honestly didn’t think or expect to even rank in the top 100. Now that we have, I can’t wait to see how far we can go with our company.”

The Glo-Busters are one of the teams tied for 29th place during the week March 6 – 12 in the overall game-to-date rankings scoring 107 out of a possible high score of 110. These rankings are based on a 50%-50% weighting for the Investor Expectations and the Best-in-Industry and are based on a maximum score of 110.

Students in this group include: Patrick Francis, Jessika Doster, Jackson Justice, James Malson, Shannon Reilly and Boston Caruthers.

“WVU Parkersburg business students perform at high levels in these competitions,” said Jeff Holland, professor. “Our students are beating students at large colleges and universities across the country. Our students are among the top-rated graduates in the country, and I’m proud of their accomplishments.”

The Business Policy Capstone students are joined by more than 2559 students worldwide from 119 colleges and universities. GLO-BUS combines all of the student’s previously learned concepts throughout the baccalaureate business programs and lets them create their own strategies for success. The competition is ongoing and the teams are planning for continued success.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 10, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is celebrating this year’s Women’s History Month with an evening panel discussion with women from the community and the college as they share how their hard work and dedication have paid off in big dividends on March 30 at 7 p.m.

The panelists include Dr. Torie Jackson, Interim President, WVU Parkersburg; Alice Harris, Executive Vice President of Finance & Administration, WVU Parkersburg; Christie Willis, Superintendent, Wood County Schools; Wendy Shriver, Executive Director, Discovery World on Market; and Lindsey Piersol, Economic Development Director, Wood County.

“As part of the efforts of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, we felt the need to share with our students a program that could have a lasting impact on their career goals.  Each one of our distinguished panel members is a leader,” said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Nancy Harris.  They represent the college and our community, and they have broken the ‘Glass Ceiling.’”

A display in honor of International Women’s Day will also be present at the event. WVU Parkersburg Art Club and Psychology Club created a display that showcases women in art and psychology history.

“According to Forbes, leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal.  We have also invited the female leaders of many local non-profit organizations, service agencies and college leadership because they are true influencers and leaders who understand that hard work and dedication pays big dividends,” said Harris.

The event is free and open to the public and will act as an opportunity for students to network with community members. The Breaking the Glass Ceiling event will take place in the College Activities Center on Thursday, March 30, at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Nancy Harris at nancy.harris@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 3, 2023) – Several WVU Parkersburg students and honorary members were inducted into WVU Parkersburg’s Omicron Pi Chapter of Delta Mu Delta at a ceremony that took place at the college on March 2.

The students inducted were Tyler Bumgarner, Jenny Dixon, Bradley Emerick, Alex Hendrickson, Adam Hoschar, Ryan Malson, Angel Spangler and Michael Yonis III.

“Serving as the faculty advisor for the chapter, I have witnessed the real-world significance of membership for our students at the beginning, and throughout their careers. Our chapter’s membership includes WVU Parkersburg alumni who hold positions in the federal government, law, and own prominent local businesses,” said Dr. Billy Stone, faculty advisor at WVU Parkersburg.

Also inducted as honorary members were Dr. Torie Jackson, Interim President, WVU Parkersburg; Wendy Shriver, Executive Director, Discovery World on Market; Amanda Stevens, Executive Director, Downtown PKB; Benjamin Poling, President, McDonough, Eddy, Poling & Baylous A.C.; Rachel Poling, Accountant, McDonough, Eddy, Poling & Baylous A.C.; Lauriel Rader, Administrative Associate, WVU Parkersburg; and Melody Hatfield, Instructor, WVU Parkersburg.

 “The beauty of Delta Mu Delta is that individual chapters celebrate the academic achievements of students while honoring exemplary, local professionals who are recognized as role models for the next generation of business leaders,” said Stone.

WVU Parkersburg’s Omicron Pi chapter of Delta Mu Delta was established in 2019. It fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through life-time membership.

Delta Mu Delta is an international business honor society that recognizes students with exceptional academic achievement in bachelor’s degree programs in Business Administration. It was founded in Nov. 18, 1913, by the Dean of Harvard University and four professors from Yale University and New York University and currently has almost 200 chapters worldwide.

For more information about Delta Mu Delta, visit their website https://deltamudelta.org. For more information about WVU Parkersburg’s chapter, Omicron Pi, contact Billy Stone at wstone1@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 28, 2023) – The WVU Parkersburg Professional Studies Division hosted a ceremony Feb. 27 to honor students being admitted into the education program, as well as induct new members into the honor society Kappa Delta Pi.

Students Chloe Blatt, Rebecca Burdette, Elizabeth Collie, Scott Gorby, Kensley Hager, Quentin Kennedy, Madeline Kitts, Kelsie Means, Kathryn Offenberger, Ariana Pagan, Mariah Parks, Kaeleigh Parsons, and Harley Saxton were admitted into the education program.

“The signing ceremony is a pivotal point for our education majors. Teacher candidates being accepted into the program must have a 3.0 GPA, pass three PRAXIS Core exams, successfully complete 60 hours of field placement and complete 50 hours of service learning,” said Dr. Bobbi Marshall, Dean of the Professional Studies Division.

“Teacher candidates have worked hard to get to this point in the program. We are very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing great things from them as they move into the next phase of their education.”

Olivia Birkhimer, Rebecca Burdette, Lindsey Cross, Abigail Lathem, Kathryn Offenberger, Hannah Parsons, Vanessa Patton, Harley Saxton, and Elizabeth Weaver were all inducted into Kappa Delta Pi.

“Seeing new faces joining the education program and Kappa Delta Pi brings me joy. In today’s society, this profession is much needed. I can’t wait to see how these future teachers positively impact the lives of their students,” said KDP President Maggy Criser.

For more information on the WVU Parkersburg education program, please visit wvup.edu/education.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 27, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg will host an Adult Mental Health First Aid course on Friday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in support of the West Virginia Green Bandana Initiative.

The Green Bandana Initiative, an effort spearheaded by members of the 2021-2022 State Advisory Council of Students, is a mental health awareness and training campaign aimed at encouraging students at West Virginia’s colleges and universities to receive peer-level mental health training and at increasing awareness of the importance of mental health. The Green Bandana Initiative is intended to be a student-led effort, calling on SGA members and other student leaders on campus to help spread the word about mental health trainings, such as Mental Health First Aid, QPR, SafeTALK or other evidence-based mental health/gatekeeper trainings to their fellow students.

Students who complete training will receive a green bandana to wear or tie to their book bag to signify to other students that they have been trained and can offer peer-level assistance. The green bandanas worn by the trained students also serve to raise awareness of the importance of mental health.

Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use issues. The course gives tools for reaching out and providing help and support to someone experiencing a crisis or who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem.

The training is open to students, staff, and faculty. Registration is first come, first serve, with a limit of 30 people for the training session. This is a blended training with online coursework that must be completed prior to the in-person training session on March 3.

To register for the training, contact Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu by Wednesday, March 1.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 23, 2023) – Want to be a part of something big, really big? Then come to the Parkersburg Art Center Friday, 4-7 p.m., or Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., to attend the first of several painting parties for a new mural that will surround the entrance to Point Park.

The Arts of the MOV and the Parkersburg Art Center have commissioned West Virginia Muralist Nichole Westfall to create a mural to adorn the floodwall on both sides and across the top of the entrance to Point Park. Westfall’s design creates an open feeling to the entrance, that can feel narrow for drivers and pedestrians. The design reflects the community gardens of the Greater Parkersburg CVB Welcome Center, opening this spring, native birds and other elements of the river and city.

Like the mural that now adorns the Parkersburg Art Center wall, this mural starts with five by five foot pieces of polytab material that have been marked with color codes. The community is invited to help paint this color-coded base layer. The mural will be completed and applied to floodwall in early June. Westfall and her assistant artists were trained in the polytab process by Muralist Greta McClain when they assisted her in 2021 with the Good Space mural.

The work is funded in part with a grant from the City of Parkersburg. For information about the painting parties and how you can get involved, please contact the Parkersburg Art Center, 304-485-3859.

The Arts of the MOV is a collaboration of 12 local arts organizations that is coordinated by WVU at Parkersburg Foundation. http:/artsofthemov.wvup.edu

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 14, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg’s Criminal Justice Organization (CJO) is collecting donations to help support the Carry On Campaign, now until Feb. 17.

“Our students learned about the processes of Child Protective Services and the foster care system and were shocked to find that, in many instances, young people in an emergency situation or in foster care are forced to carry their possessions in a garbage bag,” said Assistant Professor Andrew Walker. “They chose to support the Carry On Campaign to help address this critical need in our area.”

The Carry On Campaign aims to help children in the West Virginia foster care system by collecting donated luggage and other supplies. Donations primarily include new and gently used luggage, backpacks, and duffle bags, but can be filled with other supplies, such as hygiene products, cosmetic products, school supplies, coloring books, blankets and card games.

The campaign started in October 2010 as part of a collaborative, multi-agency partnership that includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Mission West Virginia, Inc., the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorney’s Institute and the West Virginia Drug Endangered Children Task Force.

Donations can be dropped off at The Success Epicenter in Room 1332 from now until Feb. 17. For more information, contact Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu or Criminal Justice Instructor Amy Strong at astrong2@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 13, 2023) – Careers in health care are exciting, rewarding, and offer a lifetime of fulfillment. The Nursing and Health Sciences Division prides itself on the quality of education we offer with new simulation labs, clinical rotations, concept-based learning and much more!

The Nursing and Health Sciences will be having an Open House event Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., in the Nursing and Health Sciences classrooms located on the second floor of the main campus, to showcase the state-of-the-art equipment WVU Parkersburg has to offer. Prospective students and their families can connect with faculty and staff.

Hands-on activities during the Open House include:

• In the Simulation Lab, prospective students can participate in live simulation features like mother and baby and a CPR demonstration.
• In the Campus Lab, prospective students can work with our robotic mannequins, take vital signs, practice removing staples, and learn about wound care.
• In one of the classrooms, participants will be able to wear our new HoloLens (virtual reality) goggles and experience different types of patient situations.
• The Surgical Technology Lab will also provide live demonstrations.

“This event is an excellent opportunity to experience hands-on activities that will provide knowledge of what our program can offer before becoming a healthcare professional,” said Katie Finnerty, Nursing and Health Science’s Student Success Advisor.

Visit wvup.edu/nursing to learn more about the Nursing Program. For more information contact Katie Finnerty at kfinnert@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 10, 2023) – With a focus on creating new technology companies in the Mid-Ohio Valley, Professor Charles Almond will serve as WVU Parkersburg’s first C.O. and Charles F. Erickson Distinguished Faculty Chair in Entrepreneurship.

“Professor Almond’s proposal embodied what The Erickson Foundation envisioned when the C.O and Charles F. Erickson Distinguished Faculty Chair in Entrepreneurship was established,” said Kathy Eddy, Trustee, The Erickson Foundation. “He intends to challenge students to develop entrepreneurial ideas that can lead to a business, including assisting them to develop a business, marketing plan and hopefully attract investors. In addition, his vision includes the intent for the businesses developed to remain in the local area. I see that as a win for WVUP and a win for our community.”

Almond’s proposal for the distinguished faculty chair is based in his discipline of computer science/software engineering program, as well as the information technology program. His proposal includes recruiting students to come up with innovative ideas for their own potential software businesses, mentoring students as they start developing their products, and working with students through classes to create the software for their business. The proposal also includes helping students to incorporate their businesses and become connected with resources for advertising and marketing, as well as accounting and financial management. The project culminates with helping students create a “pitch” for their business to potential investors.

“These engagement goals should foster an entrepreneurial spirit of creativity, opportunity, and innovation among students,” Almond said. “Students who take advantage of this will also benefit from applying what they are learning in a much more significant and meaningful way.”

Funded by The Erickson Foundation, this distinguished, endowed faculty chair position is designed to enhance faculty/student partnerships to promote faculty and undergraduate research to engage students in advanced experiential learning opportunities, and to promote faculty and student academic endeavor.

“We appreciate The Erickson Foundation for recognizing the value of the faculty at WVU Parkersburg and understanding their significance to our community’s success,” Interim President Dr. Torie Jackson said. “We challenge the faculty member to apply and test academic knowledge and strategies in field-based, hands-on situations and to infuse that real-world experience into teaching, mentoring, and research strategies to enhance experiential learning. In this proposal, we hope to see new technology companies emerge and operate in the Mid-Ohio Valley.”

Selection for the distinguished chair was open to faculty members teaching in all academic and technical disciplines currently offered by WVUP. This will be a rotating appointment. The initial appointment will begin with the spring 2023 academic term and will be for a two-year period with the possibility, but not the guarantee, of renewal for one additional two-year period for a maximum total of four years.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 8, 2023) – WVU Parkersburg’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is hosting a presentation by Adjunct Economics Instructor Terry Tamburini that will focus on diversity and how diversifying the Mid-Ohio Valley can lead to maintaining a consistent level of economic and social progress.

“I am proud that we can share unique programming with our campus community. Tamburini’s presentation will undoubtedly give many of us a new perspective when it comes to diversity, especially in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Nancy Harris.

Tamburini has been an adjunct instructor of economics at WVU Parkersburg since 1990. He is a native of Parkersburg and received his post-secondary education at Xavier University and a master’s degree at Miami University.

Upon completing of his academic responsibilities, he began his professional career as an economic development specialist for the West Central Community Action Association. He followed this experience with the directorship of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council and served as development director with the City of Parkersburg, a development faculty position with the Ohio State University, and the directorship of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority.

The event will take place on Monday, Feb. 20 at 12:15 p.m. in the College Theater with no entry cost. For more information, contact Nancy Harris at nharris2@wvup.edu.