General News Archives - Page 25 of 51

Adam Stover, Adjunct Professor at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, to be Recognized at San Francisco Independent Short Film Festival

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 16, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s adjunct professor, Adam Stover, had his short film “Jason Pell’s Pinpricks” chosen as the winning animated film in the clever and creepy category at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival. The film can be viewed here.

“It’s always great to be recognized for artistic achievement, especially in one of the great American cities for film like San Francisco,” Stover said.

Inspired by Jason Pell, another West Virginian’s graphic novel, the science fiction/horror short film adds animation, narration, music and sound effects, bringing to life 20 of the 101 stories in the novel. Pell’s graphic novel, “Pinpricks,” can be purchased on Amazon.

“Being an anthology film with twenty stories, there’s not a single plot synopsis, but a theme does run throughout: Surviving West Virginia, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally,” he said. “That’s always been a challenge to the citizens of this state and is even more so now that we’re living in this post-pandemic time frame. I hope everybody’s staying safe out there and taking care of each other.”

Stover recently learned that his film will be played before the feature film at the West Virginia International Film Festival Oct. 15 in Charleston.

“My advice is to get out there and do your thing. There’s going to be some kid out there that sees this film and decides to start their own band, or business, or whatever their dream is, and that will be a great thing. I hope a lot of people give it a chance. It’s one of those artworks that’s open to interpretation, so different people can draw different things from it and like it for their own personal reasons.”

West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s English Faculty Acknowledged for Their Writing Skills

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 13, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s English faculty members are continuing their writing practice beyond what’s expected of them in the classroom.

Dr. Alicia Beeson, assistant professor, is one of four English faculty members to further her teaching skills by entering her writing into contests. Her piece “Wonder Woman’s Etta Candy: The Heroine We Need” will be published in Gender, Race and Beyond in Contemporary Superhero Cinema, an edited collection by Amherst College Press.

“Having English faculty who are published is beneficial for students because it demonstrates that we are actively participating in the field, keeping up with what’s current, and it also highlights that we’re passionate about what we do, which makes classes more engaging for everyone,” Dr. Beeson said.

Joyce Stover, associate professor, entered two pieces in the West Virginia Writers, Inc. Annual Writing Contest— “Swinging Doors,” which placed first in the middle school books category, and “Simple Truths,” which was an honorable mention in the same category.

“[Swinging Doors] focuses on three teenagers, Mark, Hank and Will, who witness an oil boom in East Texas in the early 1930s when the nation was in the depths of the Great Depression,” Stover said. “I chose this location for the story based on tales related to my father and older men who lived in that era.”

Assistant Professor Danielle Kelly wrote a creative nonfiction essay, “Husband Material,” which was published in Hedge Apple Magazine, a student-run literary magazine out of Hagerstown Community College, in their May 2021 issue Feminism in Rural America. You can find her essay here.

Dr. Sandra Kolankiewicz, who has had nearly 500 various writing pieces published over the past 40 years, said that writing is a skill set that constantly needs practicing.

“Sticking in the game and not giving up, even when my work was rejected, is what makes success possible,” Dr. Sandra Kolankiewicz said. “For every accepted magazine, there are ten ‘no’ responses. A lot of success is based on continuing to try and improve at all stages of your writing life, even if you don’t get the feedback you want.”

WVU Parkersburg Education Division Announces Fall 2021 Student Teachers and Residents

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Sept. 7, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is proud to announce its Fall 2021 student teacher candidates, teacher residents and Clinical Teachers of Record.

“It is always a pleasure to watch all our student teachers enter the field and begin their career,” said Dr. David Lancaster, Education division chairperson. “However, with two of our students going to Jackson and Wirt counties as Clinical Teachers of Record, it is extra special. This time, we will be supporting both counties due to the teacher shortage, and I’m very proud that our students can assist them during these challenging times.”

The WVU Parkersburg Elementary Education program provides field experience in the classroom as early as a student’s freshman year. However, during their final semester, student teacher candidates will enter the classroom, taking on increasing teaching responsibilities under the mentorship of an experienced teacher.

Student teacher candidates also can complete a year-long residency in lieu of one semester of student teaching. Under this model, student teacher candidates will have time to assume classroom responsibilities gradually.

Due to the teacher shortage in West Virginia, WVU Parkersburg has also placed two Clinical Teachers of Record (CTRS) in Jackson and Wirt counties. CTRS will student teach for one semester under the supervision of a university instructor and will receive pay and benefits. As a CTRS, the student teacher candidate will have complete responsibility of the classroom.

“I am so grateful to both WVU Parkersburg and Jackson County Schools for allowing me the opportunity to manage my own classroom before graduating in December,” said Nisha Holley, Jackson county CTRS. “I have tremendous confidence in the education and training I have received as a teacher candidate in the Education program. This opportunity means I will be able to take the strategies and skills learned and directly apply them to the classroom. I feel the best learning experiences are not found in textbooks. The best learning experiences come by doing, putting into practice what we have been taught.”

The Fall 2021 class of student teacher candidates includes:

Katie Carroll
Kinley Caudle
Greg Cochran
Britney Hersman
Camille Jones

Wood County student teachers from left to right: Britney Hersman, Camille Jones, Katelyn Carroll, Kinley Caudle, Greg Cochran.

The Fall 2021 class of teacher residents includes:

Lakyn Ankrom
Toni Cain
Meredith Davis
Leah Harvey
Alexandra Tennent

Student teacher residents from left to right: Toni Cain, Lakyn Ankrom, Alexandra Tennant (Zoom), Meredith Davis, Leah Harvey.

The Fall 2021 class of CTRS includes:

Nisha Holley
Shayla Griffey

To learn more about the Elementary Education program, please visit wvup.edu/programs. Contact Dr. David Lancaster at david.lancaster@wvup.edu or 304-424-8314 to start a career in Elementary Education or Child Development.

An Open Letter from WVU Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer Regarding COVID-19

An Open Letter from WVUP President Chris Gilmer Regarding COVID-19

Click here for updated COVID-19 protocols.

On Friday, August 27, I watched as Governor Jim Justice paid heartfelt tribute to 18 West Virginians lost to COVID-19 in a short period of time, and I felt tears, real ones, in my eyes as he implored all of those listening never to consider them as statistics, or the more than 3,000 West Virginians who have died from this pandemic so far. They are real people with real names, and their absence leaves real holes in the hearts of many.While far too many people in this nation are making COVID-19 a political issue and a cultural war, it is not a Democratic, or Republican, or Independent issue, a liberal or conversative issue; it is a human issue, a threat that every one of us has in common even if we view it differently. We set aside all of these considerations at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and whether popular or unpopular, I do what I was called here to do, what I have been trying my best to do every day since this pandemic started. I lead, with proper and diligent consideration, but without hesitation, and I take responsibility for my decisions even as I do not yet know the outcomes of them.

In summary, beginning September 7, 2021, as we return from the Labor Day holiday, WVUP will shift much of its instruction fully online and will implement remote work assignments for more employees. All locations will remain open, and all essential offices will be staffed. We are simply shifting the majority of our class instruction and other faculty responsibilities and some of our staff workforce to remote instruction and remote work assignments to minimize the number of people on our campuses and to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Faculty members will be able to use Zoom rooms and other campus-based tools for instruction, may still meet with individual students and very small groups of students on campus, and will receive professional development opportunities and other needed support to fulfill their absolutely essential role with and for our students. We will take increased measures to protect our staff by minimizing the amount of physical contact and exposure. Students will be able to come to campus to use computer labs, Internet, counseling services, and other needed services. Students should be informed by faculty members prior to September 7 about how specific classes will be taught. We will do our best not to leave any of you unsupported.

Some limited exceptions will be made to allow face-to-face instruction in technical programs and labs, and perhaps in field experiences and clinicals, for which there are not viable online options. The week of August 30 through September 3 is serving as a time of transition. If the pandemic quickly abates, we will consider a return to face-to-face instruction later in the semester, recognizing the considerable challenges that such shifts cause.

Just weeks ago there were about 1,000 COVID-19 active cases per day in West Virginia. Today there are more than 18,000 active cases, growing by 500 to 1,000 cases per day, each one of them someone’s parent, someone’s child, someone’s spouse, or someone’s friend. In fact, during a recent seven-day period the number of in-state reported cases grew by approximately 4,400 people, and during one 24-hour period the number of West Virginia’s active cases grew by 1,328–old people, young people, unvaccinated and vaccinated. While the vast majority of those infected are unvaccinated and the vast majority of those who develop severe or deadly illness are unvaccinated, more and more vaccinated people are getting sick and transmitting the disease to others. My position about the importance of vaccination has not changed, and I continue to strongly encourage everyone to consider becoming fully vaccinated.

While most of WVUP’s students and many of our employees are young, and while the rate of severe illness and death is significantly lower for young people without co-occurring health problems, we are seeing serious illness and death even among young and healthy people, and young and healthy people can actively spread the disease among themselves and to older and more vulnerable colleagues, family members, and the public. For several weeks, all seven counties in our primary West Virginia service area, plus Washington County in Ohio, have been rated high exposures on the tracking map of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with one or two counties occasionally dropping into the substantial category. Once again, all are rated high. Remember that our conditional mask requirement remains in place for all WVUP facilities at any time that either Wood County or Jackson County is rated high or substantial spread by the CDC, and we will continue to update the community each Friday about the protocol for the upcoming week.

Since we started fall classes in-person on August 9, we have had 12 reported COVID-19 cases and 319 known exposures on our campuses. Keep in mind that the great majority of these exposures will not turn into active cases, but the number is still alarming. While it was necessary to attempt a typical face-to-face fall semester, it is equally necessary that we now shift to a modified virtual approach. It was necessary to try to have a typical semester because face-to-face or hybrid instruction is generally a richer learning experience for our students, no matter how well we do virtual instruction; it was necessary because we need to be responsive to our students, and the great majority of them seemed to want a traditional, on-campus college experience; it was necessary because many of our students and some of our colleagues have felt isolated through lack of human contact and have developed mental health challenges during the pandemic; and it was necessary because we are residents of a state and local community which has set the norm that providing face-to-face learning is the preferred approach. Since many students are required to isolate from campus due to exposure and will not receive face-to-face instruction during the time of isolation, and since many more students would likely be quarantined if we continued extensive face-to-face learning, many if not most students will actually receive better instruction online until the pandemic abates.

Now it is necessary, even as we pay respect to all of these valid considerations, that we reaffirm the position WVUP has taken from the start: we put public health and safety first, and with the pandemic shifting in a negative direction, new approaches are required. We took deeper precautions ahead of state and national trends in March of 2020, and we are doing so again now. While I consider this decision to be appropriate and necessary, when I am called to judgment for the decisions I have made as a leader, as every leader is invariably and appropriately called, I would rather account for an overreaction than an underreaction when your lives and those of your loved ones are on the line.

I have spoken to the leadership of our Board of Governors, and they are in support of this decision. They join me in thanking you for your unselfishness and your resilience and in applauding this community for moving forward in so many positive ways even in a time of national crisis. We did not choose the pandemic, but we can choose the way we react to it. At WVUP, that reaction will be one of productivity, hope, and unity rather than despair, defeat, and divisiveness.

In closing, students, parents, employees, and community members, we make these difficult choices in an attempt to promote your safety, and we will do our very best to ensure the highest quality education for our students and service to our communities in these difficult times. I know that everyone does not agree with our decisions, and I fully respect each of you who holds a different view. My hope is that we can all rally together around the main point on which we all agree–uplifting our students to help make their dreams come true.

Warm regards,

Chris

GoodSpaces Murals to Take Over the Streets of Downtown Parkersburg

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 30, 2021) – The streets of downtown Parkersburg will be filled with color as the Goodspace Murals are soon underway.

Greta McLain, owner and artistic director of GoodSpace Murals, will spearhead the project, beginning mid-September. Her work can be seen across the globe in places such as California, Argentina and France.

“I was at the Creative Placemaking Summit in Charleston, W. Va., where I attended a workshop led by Greta McClain of Goodspace Murals. I loved her spirit and the process that she uses to create the murals,” said Jessie Siefert, managing and education director at the Parkersburg Arts Center. “It enables people from the community to not only have input on how the mural looks and the images they depict but also in the painting process itself.”

The project will be displayed on the side of the Parkersburg Art Center and Actors Guild buildings along 8^th Street. The completion process will take two to three weeks once the project begins and will be unveiled during the ArtOberfest on Oct. 16 in Downtown PKB. The mural design is still in process.

“Her designs always feature people from the community along with significant landmarks; they are very colorful. We said that we wanted the mural to represent our future vision for the arts district and the community as a whole while paying tribute to our history,” Siefert said.

The mural will be comprised of 5-inch by 5-inch pieces of primed fabric surface. Once completed, the mural will be coated with anti-graffiti sealant. Those interested in being a part of the mural should follow the Parkersburg Art Center and Arts Collaborative of the MOV Facebook pages.

“Public art not only beautifies a community, but it can also draw people to see it. With the Art Center expanding and adding more opportunities, we are hoping to see more foot traffic downtown. The mural is one way of letting new visitors know that this is a creative and interesting place to be.”

For more information or to become a part of the mural painting, contact Jessie Siefert at artstart06@gmail.com.

WVU Parkersburg Announces Summer 2021 President’s and Dean’s Scholars

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 26, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is pleased to announce its President’s and Dean’s scholars for the Summer 2021 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:

CLAY COUNTY – Clay: Timothy Crum;

Clendenin: Tabitha Adkins;

WOOD COUNTY – Parkersburg: Sydney Bohn; Kaylyn Parsons; Alexandra Tennant; Stacey Whitlatch;

Washington: Jakob Hupp; Travis Spears;

Williamstown: Carley Jarvis;

OHIO – Belpre: Megan Gorham; Carla Rasmussen.

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:

CABELL COUNTY – Huntington: Donnell Reed;

CALHOUN COUNTY – Creston: Hannah Stephens;

CLAY COUNTY – Wallback: Jonathan McCormick;

HARDY COUNTY – Mathias: Amanda Kern;

HARRISON COUNTY – Clarksburg: Alyssa Miller;

JACKSON COUNTY – Cottageville: Ada Freshour;

Evans: Haley Carson;

Gay: Trevor Price;

Ravenswood: Caylee Carmichael; Jacob Graham; Natasha Lemley; Russell Nichols; Jeremiah Seabolt;

Ripley: Joely Good; Caden Harpold; Miranda Johnson; Jonathan Jones; Amanda Lee; Olivia Sharp;

Sandyville: Natasha Canterbury; David Smith;

JEFFERSON COUNTY – Ranson: Miranda Day;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: Anetria Stewart;

Saint Albans: Jennifer Raines;

LINCOLN COUNTY – Alkol: Chasty Vickers;

MARSHALL COUNTY – Glen Easton: Walter Doyle;

MASON COUNTY – Leon: Brad Chattin; Nena Hunt;

Mason: Joshua Petry;

New Haven: Bryton Grate;

Point Pleasant: Kinneson Leslie;

MONONGALIA COUNTY – Morgantown: Tiaa Ferrebee;

OHIO COUNTY – Wheeling: Jacie Baker; Marlena Jasper;

PLEASANTS COUNTY –St. Marys: Kylea Fraser;

PUTNAM COUNTY – Poca: Tammy Naylor;

Scott Depot: Adrien Gibbs;

RALEIGH COUNTY – Beaver: Kailea Sawyers;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Cairo: Valerie Bircher;

Ellenboro: Shannon Reilly;

Pennsboro: Creed Knight; Hannah Ray;

ROANE COUNTY – Reedy: Erica Ellison;

WETZEL COUNTY – New Martinsville: Breanne Carr;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Jody Hill; Jason Hopkins; Penny Shrader; Nicholas Bain; Sydney Woods;

WOOD COUNTY – Mineral Wells: Robert Jarvis; Haleigh Kent; Jayde Metz; Katelyn Rhodes;

Parkersburg: Lorrie Allman; Chelsie Fast; Brett Barton; Justin Blevins; Nolan Brace; Samantha Burns; Tyler Byars; Ryan Cobb; Lanae Dailey; Jamicha Davis; Matthew Dodrill; Brandy Edgar; Eric Fajardo; John Hickman; Angel Hill; Jensen-Diana Hoover; Brenda Leasure; Alexander Life; Brett Lupardus; James Malson; Brittany Marrone; Travis McDonald; Savannah Miller; Robert Miller II; Toria Moore; Melissa Morris; Hannah Parsons; Rachael Pierce; Hanna Richards; Ashley Smith; Remy Toncray; Cyndie Wade; William Watson;

Rockport: Sharon McCoy;

Vienna: Kira Bennett; James Dauphin; Charles Helmick; Alyssa Hoffmann;

Walker: Tina Knopp;

Washington: Jayna O;

Waverly: Sara Hall; Amber Ward;

CALIFORNIA – San Jose: Almazi Eide;

GEORGIA – Brooklet: Justin Miller;

KENTUCKY – Prestonburg: Daniel Music;

Salyersville: Ryan Newsome;

NEW YORK – Seaford: Betty Berthiaume;

OHIO – Athens: Adam Fox;

Belpre: Travis Becker; Hannah Sprout; Michael Yonis III;

Cambridge: Caitlyn Dodd; Marian Kirkbride;

Cutler: Christy Barton; Bethany Steele;

Marietta: Majeda Al Waked; Emily Hinton; Katlyn Holsinger; Kimberly Null; Jared Smith;

New Carlisle: Alyssa Hildebrand;

Reedsville: Melissa Cowdery;

Somerset: Aaron Slatzer;

Vincent: Brayden Hanes;

OKLAHOMA – Apache: James Barber IV;

OREGON – Canby: Leigh Brocki;

PENNSYLVANIA – Mather: Melissa Rychtarsky;

TENNESSEE – Kingsport: Robert Arnold;

VIRGINIA – Goode: Kevin Smith;

Middletown: Kassi Scruggs.

WVU Parkersburg Announces Summer 2021 Graduates

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 26, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg awarded certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees to August 2021 graduates.

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

DODDRIDGE COUNTY – West Union: Christopher Hileman, BAT;

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY – Capon Bridge: Brooke VanMeter, AAS, BOG, Magna Cum Laude;

JACKSON COUNTY – Given: Megan Barnett, AAS, Legal Studies, Cum Laude;

Ravenswood: Maggie Bailey, BAS, Child Development; Allie Barton, BS, Nursing; Steven Fisher, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice; Natasha Lemley, AAS, BOG, Magna Cum Laude;

Ripley: Trenton Hilbert, AAS, BOG; Josiah Smith, BAS, Criminal Justice;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: Jacqueline Pring, BS, Nursing;

South Charleston: Candace Morgan, BS, Nursing;

LINCOLN COUNTY – Branchland: Ashley Spence, BAS, Child Development, Cum Laude;

MASON COUNTY – Gallipolis Ferry: Madison Hatfield, AS, General Education;

Leon: Brad Chattin, BAS, Supervisory Management;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – St. Marys: Kendra Allen, BS, Nursing, Cum Laude; Ali Wichterman, BS, Nursing;

RALEIGH COUNTY – Crab Orchard: Shawna Hopkins, AAS, Child Development, RBA, Magna Cum Laude;

ROANE COUNTY – Ravenswood: Cody Pittman, AS, Business Administration;

Reedy: Anna Errickson, BS, Nursing;

TYLER COUNTY – Paden City: James Baker, AAS, Welding Technology;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Jeremy Kerby, RBA; Penny Shrader, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

Palestine: Emily Shearlock, BS, Nursing;

WOOD COUNTY – Davisville: James Lutz, CAS, Chemical and Polymer Operator Technology;

Mineral Wells: Rebekah Hogsett, BS, Nursing, Magna Cum Laude; Chelsy Martin, BS, Nursing, Magna Cum Laude;

Parkersburg: Samuel Abels, AAS, Strategic Communication, Cum Laude; Chad Albright, CAS, Electricity and Instrumentation; Madison Burdette, AS, Business Administration; Mark DeQuasie, AAS, BOG; Michael Easton, RBA; Danielle Folwell, AAS, BOG, Cum Laude; Evan Goudy, CAS, Chemical and Polymer Operator Technology, Cum Laude; Kara Leisure, BS, Nursing; Ashley Lewis, BS, Nursing; Sean Lilly, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Kimberly Matheny, CAS, Legal Studies, Magna Cum Laude; Robert Miller II, CAS, Welding Technology; Clay Morgan, AAS, Computer Information Technology, Cum Laude; Lacy Parsons, AAS, Child Development; Womba Shepherd, BS, Nursing; Kameron Snyder, BAS, Criminal Justice; Christina Swiger, BS, Nursing; Douglas Tingler, AAS, BOG; Heather Vanway, AS, Business Administration; Cyndie Wade, AAS, Criminal Justice, BAS, Legal Studies; Nathaniel Weekley, AAS, BOG; Stacey Whitlatch, RBA;

Vienna: Elizabeth Gonzales, BAS, Business Administration; Brooke Stutler, AAS, BOG; Kathleen Wright, BS, Nursing;

Walker: Tina Knopp, RBA, Cum Laude;

Washington: Amy Hays, CS, Business Administration; Chasity Kerns, AAS, Business Administration;

Williamstown: Tressa Burton, BS, Nursing; Allison Hurst, BS, Nursing; Megan Ludwig, RBA; Allison Monroe, BS, Nursing;

CALIFORNIA – Bakersfield: Robert Lopez Jr., AAS, Surgical Technology;

San Jose: Almazi Eide, AAS, Surgical Technology;

MISSOURI – Columbia: Shannon O’Dell, BAS, Communication and Media Studies-Strategic Communication;

OHIO – Cutler: Bethany Steele, AAS, BOG;

Little Hocking: Caden Fryman, AS, General Education;

Tuppers Plains: Jonathon Newell, RBA;

Wellston: Nalin Arthur, AAS, Occupational Development, Magna Cum Laude;

VIRGINIA – Middletown: Kassi Scruggs, RBA, Cum Laude.

Artsbridge and Henderson Hall Teaming Up for History and Art Expo

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 23, 2021) – Art and history will be colliding Aug. 28 on the grounds of Henderson Hall.

The Mid-Ohio Valley History and Art show will be held Aug. 28, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Henderson Hall, located at 517 Old River Road, Williamstown, W. Va. All outdoor activities will be free to the public.

“The Mid-Ohio Valley is rich in history. There are many historical organizations here; our goal with this event is to connect these organizations and show the valley’s history,” said Randy Modesitt, Director of Henderson Hall.

Over 30 local historical organizations and local artisans will set up at the event, including glass blower Dave Fetty, blacksmith Brent Smith, woodcarver Pat Wentzel and tinsmith Rob Gorrel.

“The Henderson family and other local historic homeowners in the area would have used blacksmithing, carpentry, weaving, spinning, pottery and many other heritage skills to complete their day-to-day life. This event will allow visitors to learn more about the wide range of historical attractions and events in our area,” Modesitt said.

Live music will be playing throughout the event. Local Civil War expert Bryon Kesterson, Marietta College Legacy Library Head Linda Showalter and Archaeologist Jerald Anderson will be speaking at the event. Tours of Henderson Hall will be given.

For more information, contact Randy Modesitt at 304.375.2129.

Jan Dils Attorneys Supports WVU Parkersburg Student Veterans

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 20, 2021) – Jan Dils Attorneys at Law has raised $8,344 to provide scholarships for WVU Parkersburg student veterans.

The funds raised during the law firm’s Freedom Fun Run 5K will help pay for student tuition and fees and support the college’s Veterans Resource Center.

The annual event was held virtually this year, from July 3-10, and raised over $25,000. Not only did proceeds go to WVU Parkersburg, but also the MOV Transit Authority and “We Have Your Six.” The college’s campus community also participated in the event, holding a 5K course on the main campus’ walking trail.

“Earning a college degree can be expensive is not always an easy task. Fortunately, U.S. service members and veterans are used to completing difficult tasks,” said Darren Shearlock, WVU Parkersburg veterans advocate. “If they can succeed in boot camp, overseas deployments and war, they can succeed in college.”

He continued, “Most veterans plan on using the GI Bill to pay for the tuition. Regrettably, earning a degree involves expenses in addition to tuition. Other college costs include books, supplies, computers and transportation. Jan Dils’ Freedom Fun Run 5K will help bridge the financial gap for many students, and without it, several of our veteran students would not have earned their degrees.”

Services provided by WVU Parkersburg’s Veterans Resource Center include helping students secure financing through the GI Bill and manage college credit transfers.

Derek Carpenter, a WVU Parkersburg student and Marine Corps veteran, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He served five years of active duty in California, Okinawa, Japan and South Korea as a ground radio repair technician.

At the end of his five-year enlistment, his interest in the medical field led him to WVU Parkersburg, and as a traveling nurse, Carpenter may advance his career and see the country.

“I met many people from across the United States during my time in the Marines and made some very strong friendships. I had to deal with both the good and the bad at times – and learned some very important life skills along the way,” said Carpenter. “This scholarship helped me out greatly by relieving the stress of always worrying about money while obtaining my degree. I have found that the cost of books, uniforms, and fuel is very costly. This scholarship allowed me to worry less about those things and focus more on my education.”

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s Veterans Resource Center and services offered, please contact Darren Shearlock at darren.shearlock@wvup.edu or 304-424-8000 ext. 337.

WVU Parkersburg Surgical Technology Program Becomes First in the State to Offer Laparoscopic Simulator

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 16, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is the first university in the state to offer surgical technologists with the LapSim Laparoscopic Simulator, made by Surgical Science — an educational virtual reality machine that prepares students for the operating room.

On this simulator, students will become skilled on performing laparoscopic surgeries, which will better prepare them for performing in a real operating room. The machine will give students practice holding the camera steady, in addition to assisting in the surgery.

“By practicing on the stimulator, students will gain confidence before they ever step foot in a legitimate operating room. They’ll be practicing in safe environment, where they’ll get immediate feedback with no repercussions,” said Amy West, surgical technology program director.

In knowing the steps of the procedure, Surgical Technologists can be one step ahead, making things run smoother in the operating room.

The machine records students’ progress, in addition to giving them tips on how to better improve. It also records the surgery, so it can be watched again. When a student is working on the simulator, their procedure can be projected on a screen in another classroom for other students to observe and critique one another.

“Students like hands-on training, so I’m hoping this will attract them to our campus. They will have time allotted each week to practice on the simulator. Their practice will make them more attractive job candidates to potential employers,” West said.

Students will be awarded with certificates upon completion of all the modules on the simulator. Certificates include: General Camera Navigation, LapSim Camera Navigation, LapSim OB Camera Navigation, and LapSim Instrumentation Navigation

“If our students are prepared when they get to clinicals, the hospital is going to recognize that, and it will give them an upper hand for post education placement,” West said.

For more information, contact Amy West at Amy.West@wvup.edu or 304-424-8655.