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.

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.

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.

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.

A Memorandum from President Dr. Chris Gilmer to the WVU Parkersburg Campus and Guests

Effective immediately, but with a transition period for full enforcement to begin on Monday, August 16, 2021, the following protocols governing face coverings are in place for all WVUP facilities without exception, unless or until they are repealed by order of the President who is authorized by the WVUP Board of Governors to make updates to existing COVID-19 protocols. These requirements will be enforced:

1. The wearing of masks is strongly encouraged indoors in all WVUP facilities by all people at all times until further notice.

2. The wearing of masks is strongly encouraged outdoors at all WVUP facilities until further notice, when groups of people congregate.

3. WVUP will not issue a comprehensive mask mandate at this time, but will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that masks should be worn indoors by all people, vaccinated and unvaccinated, in areas of “high” or “substantial” spread as measured by the CDC. When either Wood County or Jackson County, West Virginia, or both, are rated “high” or “substantial,” since all of WVUP’s facilities are located in these two counties, masks will be required indoors in all public spaces in all WVUP facilities. This requirement will be enforced with employees, students, and guests. Until further notice, the administration will review CDC’s map before close of business each Friday and will issue through multiple communication channels before closing of business each Friday what the face coverings protocol will be for the following week. Changes in protocol, if any, will go into effect at the opening of facilities on Monday of each week. At present, any changes of mask protocols will be made at one-week intervals, and WVUP will be pleased to relax the mask protocols at any time that the public health guidance discussed herein allows. Today, all counties in our primary service area, including Washington County, Ohio, are rated “high” or “substantial” except for Ritchie County.

4. Faculty members may choose to teach their face-to-face classes wearing clear face shields instead of wearing masks.

5. Exceptions for masks at times when masks are required will only be made, on a case-by­case basis, for those people who have a legitimate medical reason documented by a medical or behavioral health professional or through a properly filed Americans with Disabilties Act (ADA) accommodation request.

6. “Public spaces” are defined as any space within any facility on WVUP property which is not a private, one-person enclosed work area inhabited by only the one person assigned to that area.

7. Violations of these protocols should be reported to the Office of the President, to any Vice President of the university, or to campus security. If any employee is placed in the position of enforcement with any student or guest, call any executive officer or campus security for assistance.

8. Signs will be posted at each main entrance of campus facilities indicating the current protocol level: “Masks Required” or “Masks Suggested.” Anyone entering our facilities will be required to comply with posted guidance.

9. Anyone entering WVUP’s facilities at a time when masks are required should provide his, her, or their own mask. The administration reserves the right to approve or to disapprove of any mask or face covering based on current public health guidance regarding efficacy. Alternative masks will be made available by WVUP as needed.

Questions or concerns about these protocols may be referred to the President or to any Vice President. It is always my wish and my commitment that our facilities are as welcoming as possible and that WVUP is serving the educational needs of our students and communities, but protecting the health and safety of those who work and learn here, as well as the public health of the communities we serve, is an even more paramount concern. As stated, these protocols, based solidly on the best available public health guidance, will be fully enforced beginning with the opening of facilities on August 16, 2021.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 10, 2021) – After being awarded the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grant, Westbrook Health Services is partnering with West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Veterans Resource Center to enhance awareness of available mental health services.

The Behavioral Health Clinic will be streamed on the college’s Facebook page on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 12:15 p.m.

“As the WVU Parkersburg Veterans Advocate, I often liaison with other military resource providers, and when I see a service than may be of benefit to our students, I want the resource provider to let our students how they can access it,” said Veterans Advocate Darren Shearlock.

Tim Leach, veteran and service coordinator at Westbrook Health Services, will be presenting on behavioral health services offered to the military personnel, veterans and their families. During his 25 years of military service, Leach served as a staff sergeant for the Army, in addition to spending time in the National Guard.

“There’s several different behavioral health services that are a benefit to the community, if only they could access them. If the community doesn’t know about these services, it’s almost like they don’t exist,” Shearlock said.

The clinic will offer behavioral health services including: mental health disorders, substance abuse, case management, therapy and doctor services. It is open to anyone interested in learning, but is particularly pertinent to those with military ties.

“Currently in the United States, there are 22 military suicides a day. Part of that high number is due to lack of proper behavioral health treatments and substance abuse treatments. If we can get this information out there, so those services can be available, hopefully we can lower that suicide rate,” Shearlock said.

For more information, please contact Darren Shearlock at Darren.Shearlock@wvup.edu or 304-424-8337.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 9, 2021) – Intubations equipment, check; blood pressure cuffs, check; suture kit, check; ready for take-off.

As a flight nurse, Chelsea Epling provides medical care to patients who get transported to hospitals in helicopters or planes. Even before she receives requests for transport, she performs daily checks of the aircraft and equipment, like ensuring all medications are current, cataloging supplies and packing accessories for electronic monitors.

“With our advanced scope of practice, we can bring the hospital to the patient,” said Epling. “Intubation, mechanical ventilation, chest decompression, blood administration, diagnosing STEMIs that occur in the field, critical drips. You name it; we can do it.”

Epling is a 2016 graduate of WVU Parkersburg and holds her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, Regents Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is a critical care registered nurse (CCRN) and emergency medical technician (EMT-P). In addition to her training and certifications, Epling was also accepted into the ECHO’s Future Flight Crew.

The ECHO’s Future Flight Crew is a national program founded by operation flight programs to help train groups and discuss public safety issues and EMS flight services. ECHO also provides tactical, search and rescue and air medical training.

“This was a six-month training program that was mostly distance learning,” said Epling. “I had to fly out to Minnesota for a weekend of hands-on sessions and then spent a week at a conference specifically for flight medical providers, learning from some of the industry’s leading flight clinicians.”

Epling calls on her training and experience every day on the job. She credits her instructors and nursing education at WVU Parkersburg for providing her the skills to be successful.

“Kathy Frum, Cindy Watkins and Dr. Stephanie Smith-Stout spent countless hours giving me ‘tough love,’ praying with me and encouraging me,” said Epling. “They believed in me when I didn’t. They truly cared about my success in the nursing program and my success as a practicing RN. They taught me how to break down questions and apply what I was learning to real-life scenarios.”

She continued, “Hard work and determination can get you anywhere. This career can take you far, even up to 10,000 feet.”

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 10, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Tuesday, August 10, 2021. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the College Activities Center (Room 1536). Due to COVID-19, a virtual option to attend is also available.

For further details and instructions on how to attend the meeting, please contact Brady Whipkey, WVU Parkersburg chief of staff, at brady.whipkey@wvup.edu.

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

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 2, 2021) – Beginning in Summer 2021, West Virginia University at Parkersburg began offering a special education specialization to Elementary Education students and alumni. This opportunity has now expanded and is being offered to anyone with a teaching degree.

During the July 2021 West Virginia Board of Education meeting, WVU Parkersburg’s special education specialization was approved to be offered to any other individuals with teaching degrees interested in getting the certificate. Prior to this, WVU Parkersburg students and alumni were the only one’s eligible for these courses.

“This is a great opportunity for current teachers to gain an additional certification in Multi-Categorical K-12 Special Education. I consider this a win for our students and teachers,” said Dr. David Lancaster, Education Division chairperson and professor.

The certification is a total of 15 credit hours, with an additional 80 hours of field placement. Students who have completed the Elementary Education program at WVU Parkersburg will only need to take nine credit hours, with 20 hours of field placement.

“There is a great need for Special Education teachers, so we’re excited to be offering this certification to teachers, in order to fill those roles,” Dr. Lancaster said.

Anyone interested in obtaining this certificate can sign up for classes for the Fall 2021 semester.

For more information on the new special education specialization, contact Bobbi Marshall at rmarsha7@wvup.edu or 304-424-8000 ext. 442. To discuss a future in the Elementary Education program, contact Dr. David Lancaster at dlancas1@wvup.edu or 304-424-8314. Visit wvup.edu/education to learn more about the WVU Parkersburg Education Division.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 30, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is using funding from the American Recovery Plan Act to give students a second chance, far beyond putting extra dollars in their pocket.

The college notified 245 students Thursday morning that their tuition balances were covered, and they no longer owe the institution money. The benefit — $230,397.57 dispersed to student accounts — expunging the balance of students’ accounts who had balances from the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 semesters.

“We are happy to announce our decision to utilize a portion of the proceeds from our ARPA funding to pay off the balances of student accounts for the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 semesters. We are so pleased to have this funding available to provide our students with a second chance at pursuing their dream of completing their college education,” said Executive Vice President of Finance & Administration, Alice Harris.

“There is no distance we will not go to provide a path to college completion for our students, and this is just one more example of our commitment to student success,” said WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer.

In Fall 2021, all students who are charged regular tuition fees, with the exception of Early College student, will be eligible for additional relief funds. The first of three fund disbursements, for students who did not have a balance, will begin being released as early as Sept. 10. Per the ARPA, funding will be dispersed to students with the greatest financial need first; those who qualify for the PELL Grant after filling out the FAFSA will be among the first to receive funding. No additional paperwork is needed to qualify for the funds, aside from the FAFSA.

“For many students, COVID is an obstacle that they were unable to overcome, which led many of them to stop pursuing a college degree. As a result of their withdrawal, many students had unpaid tuition and fee balances that jeopardized their ability to return to classes or obtain a college transcript. The administration of WVUP has great compassion for the struggle all of our students have encountered during the pandemic,” Harris said.