West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business accepted new members at a recent ceremony held on Feb. 25, at 6 p.m., in the college theater.

During the ceremony, the society inducted new student members – juniors and seniors majoring in business who rank in the top ten percent cumulative grade point averages out of currently enrolled business administration baccalaureate students. Inductees took the official oath of membership and were presented with a certificate and honor society’s key.

In addition to the new student members, Alice Harris, WVU Parkersburg Executive Vice President, was inducted as an honorary member. “To have your colleagues recognize you for excellence in your chosen profession is a humbling experience and I am honored and thankful to be inducted into this prestigious society,” Harris said.

Dr. Billy Stone, Delta Mu Delta Omicron Pi chapter faculty advisor and WVU Parkersburg assistant professor of business, officiated the ceremony. Jeff Holland, WVU Parkersburg Business, Accounting and Public Service division chairperson, inducted the new honorary members.

Additionally, Jillian Ballengee, Daniel Seebaugh, Mariah Stansberry and Victoria Poellot-Tauber attended as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary, respectively.

“It’s always a great evening when you get invited to the most exclusive club on campus, the Delta Mu Delta Business Honorary Society,” Holland said. “Only the top students are invited to apply, and the annual induction is a true celebration of scholarship.”

Delta Mu Delta is an international honor society established to recognize and reward superior scholastic achievement of students in business administration, as well as faculty members and business leaders who have experienced measurable success in their profession.

Membership to Delta Mu Delta is by invitation only and extended to undergraduate students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

“An invitation to join the Omicron Pi chapter of Delta Mu Delta is reserved only for the students who are top academic achievers pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business,” Stone said. “Their membership confirms that the individual has a proven track record of working hard to achieve excellence in their studies and the drive to succeed in a business career.”

The new student members inducted include:

Undergraduate inductees: Morgan Bonnett; Nancy Goff; Serena Graham; Bryanna Monroe; Justina Morris; Mitchell Levi Newbanks; Elijah Randolph; Morgan Reilly; and Amy Smith.

Honorary inductees: Alice Harris and Dana Lee.

For more information about WVU Parkersburg’s Omicron Pi chapter of Delta Mu Delta, contact faculty advisor Dr. Billy Stone at 304-424-8281 or billy.stone@wvup.edu.

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg student Veterans Corps invites campus members and the community to help salute the outstanding accomplishments of the nation’s African-American service members in honor of Black History Month.

On Tuesday, February 25, at 12:15 p.m., in the college theater, the organization will host a short presentation on the contributions of African-American service members to the United States defense. A showing of the 1995 movie “The Tuskegee Airmen” will follow.

The presentation will be given by Kurt Klettner, armed forces veteran and current WVU Parkersburg Student Support Services executive director. Klettner served in the United States Air Force from 1973 until his Honorable Discharge in 1980, with the rank of Staff Sergeant and all of his assignments associated with Strategic Air Command. He earned his bachelor’s and graduate degrees while on active duty at Loring AFB, Maine. His military duty assignments included training in Ground Radio Communication Repair and later, after the completion of his master’s degree, he was a drug and alcohol counselor stationed in March, AFB, California.

Additional movie showings will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Starring Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding, Jr., “The Tuskegee Airmen” tells the story of the first African-American combat pilots in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. Tuskegee Airmen, Retired Brigadier General Charles McGee, was recently honored at the 2020 State of the Union Address. He is the last survivor of the Tuskegee Airmen at the age of 100.

“The only way our nation will forget our national heroes is if we stop telling their stories,” said Darren Shearlock, WVU Parkersburg veterans advocate. “The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Veterans Corps is not willing to let that happen. We are honored to host an event remembering the valiant actions of the Tuskegee Airmen. I am definitely looking forward to the presentation and hope many community members take the opportunity to join us for an entertaining and informative afternoon.”

The presentation and movie showings are free and open to the public.

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

WVU Parkersburg’s own, Rachael Flanagan, has recently been accepted to the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort. Flanagan is set to move to Florida for the duration of the spring 2020 semester. As an elementary education student in her junior year, Flanagan has always known working with children is her path and plans to graduate from WVU Parkersburg in 2021 with a baccalaureate degree.

Growing up in a Disney-loving family, Flanagan has always had a special place in her heart for the company. Her family frequently visits Disney World – Flanagan has been to the theme park more than 20 times since the age of two. As annual pass holders, the Flanagan family even enjoys spending holidays there each year.

“We don’t have a large family, so Disney is just where we go for our holidays,” said Flanagan. “My sister was married there, so it has always been part of our family and a part of who we are.”

When applying to the Disney College Program, Flanagan filled out an initial application requesting her education information, job experience and the Disney roles she was interested in. Once her application was accepted, she took a web-based interview requiring a full-pass to be considered a valid candidate. Upon passing, she spoke to a Disney representative during a phone-based interview, to later find out she was accepted to the program.

“I was so excited to find out I had been accepted, so happy, I started crying in class,” said Flanagan. “I called my mom and said, ‘I’m going to Disney World, I’m really going to Disney World.’”

Flanagan will serve as a lifeguard at a Walt Disney World Resort location decided upon her arrival. As a recreation cast member, she will not only ensure the safety of every guest but make sure their vacation experience is an enjoyable one. Flanagan is already a certified lifeguard; however, she will complete an additional swim test to become an official Disney lifeguard. During the lifeguard swim test, Flanagan must swim 200 yards freestyle or breaststroke, retrieve a 10-pound brick from the deepest section of the pool and tread water with her hands out for two minutes.

Flanagan will have a five-day workweek and receive a week-long vacation, which she will use to visit her family at home. On her days off, she will be able to study and focus on her classwork. Students in the Disney College Program may also receive academic credit for participating in Disney educational courses like Resume Writing and Leadership 101 through the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service.

Dr. David Lancaster, WVU Parkersburg Division of Education chairperson, made sure Flanagan knew the entire division is supportive of her pathway decision and the Disney College Program is a valuable opportunity for her to gain hands-on learning experience, meet people from across the world and take part in personal and career development.

As a beneficial addition to her resume, Flanagan feels the Disney College Program will open doors for her as well as present the opportunity to learn in the process. 

“I think it is really about the experience, getting to branch out, be myself and grow as a person,” Flanagan said. “Working with children, learning how to better communicate and having the Disney mentality will benefit me when I am in the classroom.”

WVU Parkersburg is providing a multimedia educational experience that will allow the community an opportunity to explore the brilliance of African-American composers, performers and influential players through live music, spoken word and cultural imagery. The Legacy Show, presented by violinist Dr. Tami Lee Hughes, will take place on Monday, February 17, at 6 p.m., in the college theater.

The Legacy Show will highlight the Antebellum Period, Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era and Modern Times. Hughes will also dedicate a part of the show to African-American women with a tribute to iconic, female, music artists. She will also read poems and narratives written by Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou to introduce each musical piece during the show.

“It is enough that Dr. Tami Lee Hughes is a violin virtuoso of the highest order, but she is also a music historian who uses her talent to keep classical music by African-American composers alive and actively performed,” said Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Parkersburg president. “The Legacy Show is a multimedia event combining a lesson in American history with some of the finest violin music you are likely to hear anywhere. I know firsthand what I say because I have had the privilege of hearing her perform twice, and we are honored she included WVU Parkersburg on her very busy performance schedule.”

Hughes, a well-known performer, has recorded on projects with Grammy Award-winning Donnie, McClurkin, Fred Hammon, Aretha Franklin and live with Smokey Robinson. She has toured the United States, Europe and Central America with the National Symphony Orchestra. Her solo album, “Legacy: Violin Music of African-American Composers,” was called on of the top 10 albums of 2011 by audiences and critics alike.

Kurt Klettner, executive director of WVU Parkersburg Student Support Services, has been working with Dr. Hughes in preparation for her visit to the institution. “Dr. Tami Lee Hughes is an absolute delight to work with,” said Klettner. “In addition to being a talented musician and educator, she presents with a kind and gentle spirit.”

Financed by the Diversity for Equity Grant provided by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the Legacy Show is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Special Events and Projects Director David Creel at david.creel@wvup.edu or 304-424-8285.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is pleased to announce its President’s and Dean’s scholars for the fall 2019 semester.

President’s Scholars

Students on the President’s List maintained a 4.0 grade point average while earning 12 or more hours of college credit. The scholars include:

BOONE COUNTY – Seth: Sarah Foster;

CALHOUN COUNTY – Millstone: Asa Naylor;

DODDRIDGE COUNTY – West Union: Amanda Gist;

 JACKSON COUNTY – Advent: Levi Butcher;

Cottageville: Alexis Casto; Jonathan Fields;

Evans: Meghan Morgan;

Given: Reagan King; Catherine Shouldis;

Kenna: James Thomas;

Leroy: Aarin Cale; Hannah Hamon;

Millwood: Tiffany Bever; Jacie Shaver; Jalyn Shaver;

Ravenswood: Logan Jarrett; Jordan Knotts; Fiona Lane; Natasha Mason; Alison Shumate;

Ripley: Michael Cavender; James Dobbs; Nisha Holley; Miranda Johnson; Ayaka Mcbee; Madison Tanner;

Sandyville: Brooke Hatcher;

MARSHALL COUNTY – Moundsville: Mitchel Herbold;

MASON COUNTY – Leon: Valissa Bailes; Emily Keefer;

Letart: Noah Litchfield;

Mason: Isaiah Pauley;

Point Pleasant: James Dabney; Benjamin Halley;

MONONGALIA COUNTY – Morgantown: Brooke Mcdonald; Karanveer Rathore;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – Belmont: Alexis Carder; Rachel Gumm;

Saint Marys: Summer Bayless; Anthony Bowie; Dylan Fitzsimmons; Brody Grimes; Ryan McCoy; Jadon Satterfield; Tina Smith; Kelsie Thein;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Harrisville: Cheyenne Bartlett; Amanda Mowery;

Pennsboro: Alexander Gilliland; Hannah Ray; Tristan Ray; Sherilyn Stahlman;

ROANE COUNTY – Reedy: Madison Marshall;

Spencer: Alexis Saunders;

Walton: Jamie Huffman;

TYLER COUNTY – Sistersville: Erin Gieseke; Levi Shreves; Savannah Wright;

UPSHUR COUNTY – Buckhannon: Brock Lewis;

WETZEL COUNTY –  Jacksonburg: Bobbi Warner;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Ericka Cheuvront; Deborah Darling; Jeremy Kelbaugh; Seth Kerby; Thomas Mullenix II; Shannon Stanley; Kaitlyn Thompson;

Palestine: Haley McCoy; Brooklyn Smith;

WOOD COUNTY – Belleville: Sarah Kaufman; Megan Smith; Olivia Smith; Amy West;

Davisville: Anna Cunningham; Zachary Elkins; Nancy Goff; Sierra Hays;

Mineral Wells: Brooke Buchanan; Fallyn Buffington; Justina Morris; Miranda Reed; Megan Swearingen;

Parkersburg: Hanna Argabrite; Timothy Bales; Tristen Beha; Morgan Bonnett; Johnny Britton Jr.; Holly Buskirk; Sean Carpenter; Vanessa Chilcote; Justin Cronin; Casey Daggett; Olivia Dailey; Ashleigh December; Jonathan Defibaugh; Travis Doss; Judith Field; Travis Fordyce; Serena Graham; Toni Grogg; Anthony Harber; Casey Harker; Angela Hernandez; John Hickman; Samuel Homan; Joseph Hunt; Joshua Johnson; Emily Jones; Hannah Kelley; Paris Kessinger; William Knotts; Katherine Lemley; Branden Lemon; Alexander Life; Amy Martin; Camie Martinez; Sarina Morris; Darlin Muelas Cruz; Melissa Nestor; Mitchell Newbanks; Jessica Perkins; Ashley Perry; Damien Pfalzgraf; Jennifer Phillips; Eric Pittaway; Victoria Poellot-Tauber; Anthony Province; Candy Pyles; Hanna Richards; Jennifer Riffle; Janine Roddey; Jasmin Ross; Madison Sayre; David Sears; Daniel Seebaugh; Kyle Somerville; Shawn Stark; Whitney Stewart; Christina Swiger; Robert Taylor; Alexandra Tennant; Elizabeth Vincent; Aaron Walker; Sarah Weeks; Jason Young;

Vienna: Hunter Ackerman; Allison Akers; Lyndsay Baker; Tyler Brownfield; Paige Burner; Jordan Cunningham; Austin Cutlip; Dawson Cyran; Nicole Evans; Hannah Harvey; Leah Harvey; John Kavanagh; Jared Lake; Teresa Ohrn; Kelsie Sanders; Bryan Van Norman;

Walker: Mackenzie Byrd;

Washington: Travis Barton; Reganne Dailey; Annette Emrick; Ryan Hesselrode; Bryanna Monroe; Randall Nelson; Breanna Paxton; Meredith Perkins; Chase Porter; Alex Saunders; Alexis Wiseman; Julie Wolfe;

Waverly: Lakyn Ankrom; James Kelley; Whitney Kiger;

Williamstown: Kendra Allen; Heather Carpenter; Emma Coiner; Devon Dalrymple; Kayla Deem; Joshua Fluharty; Ivy Linger; Carl Moore; Hallie Oblisk; Mara Rinehart; Tammy Robinson; Laken Valentine; Bailee Westbrook; Travis Wright;

OHIO – Belpre: Mary Aquino;

Fleming: Michael Brannon; Matthew Stuckert;

Fredericktown: Jason Rhoades;

Long Bottom: Johnny Vancooney;

Marietta: Jason Huck; Douglas Morris; Tyler Wears;

Reedsville: Gail Hollon;

Waterford: Abigael Huffman;

Zanesville: Shyanne Baker.

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:

BARBOUR COUNTY – Moatsville: Bailey Nestor;

BERKELEY COUNTY – Martinsburg: Judy Courtney; Daniel O’Brien;

BRAXTON COUNTY – Sutton: Monica Stewart;

CABELL COUNTY – Lesage: Shala Henry;

CALHOUN COUNTY – Grantsville: Kayla Morford; Matthew Rush;

Millstone: Selina Rush;

DODDRIDGE COUNTY – New Milton: Jocelyn Atkinson;

West Union: Maci Britton; Gabrielle Jones; Staclyn White;

GREENBRIER COUNTY – Ronceverte: Ashtann Brown;

HARDY COUNTY – Moorefield: Christa Burton; Myra Kessel;

HARRISON COUNTY – Salem: Griffin Devericks; Alexia Poling; Eliana Sias;

JACKSON COUNTY – Cottageville: Daniel Easter; Makayla Edwards; Andrew Hoschar; Randi Stalnaker; Brittany Sword;

Evans: Izabella Donohew; Joshua Mcpherson; Lucas Smith;

Given: Megan Barnett; Kyle Smith;

Kenna: Kayla Jones; Joseph Wortham;

Leroy: Morgan Cale; Moriah Cale; Isaiah Price;

Mount Alto: Meredith Mchugh;

Ravenswood: Victoria Allinder; Alexa Barker; Abigail Barton; Kendra Casto; Samantha Casto; Heavenly Chase; Alexa Claypool; Rachel Fisher; Allison Fletcher; Victoria Hudson; Michael Hupp; Shane Johnson; Sean Matics; Emily McCommack; Marissa Modesitt; Dalton Phillips; Philip Randolph II; Sandy Simmons; Jillian Smith; Kaylee Stewart; Anthony Vespucci; Ashley Wyant;

Ripley: Anna Belcher; Victoria Cunningham; Griffin Durst; Gabriel Haynes; Steven Jones; Anna Kimble; Bobbi Nichols; Morganne Phillips; Mary Pittman; Alexis Powers; Sarah Purvis; Elijah Randolph; Micah Ranson; Kevin Renforth; Ethan Rhodes; Katherine Simmons; April Wilcox;

Sandyville: Sara Almashy; Karissa Neeley; David Smith;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Belle: Victoria White;

Charleston: Emily Burdette; Ryan Burgess; Eden Cunningham; Courtney Mongold; Jacqueline Pring; Nicole Shutts;

Chesapeake: Phillip Priddy;

Elkview: Annessa Sweeney; Charles Sweeney; Hunter Sweeney;

Saint Albans: Morgan Cook;

Sissonville: Hannah Faber;

LEWIS COUNTY – Jane Lew: Erica Anderson;

LINCOLN COUNTY – Yawkey: Kassie Mccormick;

LOGAN COUNTY – Amherstdale: Tracy Amburgey;

Chapmanville: Jared Topping;

MARION COUNTY – Fairmont: Edward Rothwell;

MASON COUNTY – New Haven: Lauryn Fields;

Point Pleasant: Brianna Haga; Hannah Halley; Andrew Roach; Josiah Sargent;

MINGO COUNTY – Delbarton: Carl Dempsey;

Red Jacket: Kimberly Horton;

MONONGALIA COUNTY – Morgantown: Baldev Krish Rathore;

OHIO COUNTY – Wheeling: Carissa Pauley;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – Belmont: Michelle Neff; William Stanton;

Saint Marys: Devon Amos; Shelby-Jo Anderson; Peyton Auxier; Hannah Barker; Jenna Barnhart; Jeffrey Bennett; Robert Bills II; Richard Burkhammer; Kelly Chandler; Aidan Cosper; Gabrielle Cunningham; Bralynn Davis; Isabella Davis; Jacob Elder; Lara Fetty; Jaden Hatcher; Adriana Matson; Bethany Mcfarland; Miranda Myers; Kyra Parker; Abigail Peckens; Logan Rice; William Steele; Laura Taylor; Juan Timmons; Mallory Webb; Austin Weikart; Aaron Wince; Kylie Wright

PUTNAM COUNTY – Culloden: Patricia Adams;

Scott Depot: Melissa Melton;

RALEIGH COUNTY – Crab Orchard: Shawna Hopkins;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Cairo: Chloe Elliott; Katrina Jones; James Malson; Roxy Monroe; Jennifer Shuman; Julia Spears; Nathan Windom;

Ellenboro: Brandon Bowie; Kristie Campbell; Ashley Davis; Caleb Kuffner; Morgan Reilly;

Harrisville: Ashley Beck; Ashley Cox; Kylie Daniels; Alexis Enoch; Isaiah Guess; Margaret Hardbarger; Carigan Hayes; Alexander King; Katelyn Lambert; Miguelina Mcmichael; Kayden Procacina; Destinee Smith; Mary Spencer;

Pennsboro: Lily Copeland; Natasha Cox; Mikayla Hayes; Madeline Hilvers; Robert Hoffman; Addison Jones; Tanner Langmeyer; Anthony Rader; Avery Taylor; Kaitlyn Wass; Dakota Wayne;

Petroleum: Haley Spears;

Pullman: Leewood Molessa; Evan Napier;

Smithville: India Hodge;

ROANE COUNTY – Left Hand: Hannah Hill;

Reedy: Erica Ellison; Samantha Paxton; Felicity Shannon;

Spencer: Jennifer Obrien; Derek Freshwater; Madison Rhodes; Zachary Whitehouse;

TYLER COUNTY – Alma: Ashlyn Miller; Lauren Seckman;

Friendly: Isabella Hileman; Thomas Hill; Jaden Schofield; Jacob Sharp; Sydney Smith;

Lima: Abigail Thompson;

Middlebourne: Imagen Anderson; Abigail Ebert; Katlyn Griffey; Shayla Griffey; Regan Smith;

Sistersville: Samantha Barnhart; Theodore Day; Izic Fiber; Alexis Huffman; Madeline Ice; Abigail Kemp; Claire Miller; Sadie Nichols; Hallie Placer; Sarah Riddle; Brittney Strum; Hali Westcott; David Wickham;

WAYNE COUNTY – Kenova: Tasha Curnutte;

WETZEL COUNTY – Jacksonburg: Kelsi Vandruff;

New Martinsville: William Nice; Katelyn Stillwagoner; Kylee Walker;

Paden City: Tanya Duncan;

WIRT COUNTY – Creston: Jonathan Siegrist; Hannah Stephens; Matthew White;

Elizabeth: Curtis Browning; Christian Cline; Haylee Exline; Hunter Hickman; Michaela Johnson; Shawn Jones; Timothy Kemp; Daniel Mccloy; Lynsey Munday; Cianna Murray; Mika Parsons; Catreena Shears;

Palestine: Shawni Hill;

WOOD COUNTY – Belleville: Morgan Bowman; Jared Enoch; Ellora Foggin; Anna Gathman; Mckayla Kemp; Bianca Miller;

Davisville: Chloe Arnold; Ashleigh Carter; Emily Delancey; Shannon Dickerson; Kailey Elliott; Emily Fowler; Jordan Irick; James Mccay; Breeanna Moore; Shannon White;

Mineral Wells: Caroline Affolter; Tori Aronhalt; Faith Blosser; Isabelle Bradley; Emily Browning; Cole Burrows; Dylan Daley; Ryan Daley; Emily Dugan; Katelyn Enoch; Caitline Ferguson; Nathan Grygiel; Mary Hale; Nicolas Hardway; Nicholas Hayner; Robert Jarvis; Tiffany Johnston; Hannah Kinzer; Alicia Life; Jessica Life; Wyatt Linder; Cortnie Logston; Chelsy Martin; Kenneth Mason; Adelynn Mccoy; Autumn Morehead; Tiarra Nicholson; Colton Parsons; Tkeirston Sams; Kelsie Schramm; Jordan Stanley; Jennifer Ward; Elizabeth Weaver; Megan Wilson; Heather Winebrenner; Margaret Womack;

Parkersburg: Samuel Abels; Suleiman Abimiku; Abby Anderson; Jayda Aucoin; Jillian Ballengee; Keegan Barnette; Peyton Barton; John Best; Noah Bird; Alexis Bland; Connor Blevins; Alayna Boggs; Blake Boswell; Sara Brace; Nicole Buck; Aaron Burrows; Andrew Bush; Joshua Campbell; Emily Cancade; Mason Cantwell; Morgan Carez; Katelyn Carroll; Amy Cass; Ethan Cline; Evan Collins; Adam Colunga; Rebecca Cottrill; Emily Cunningham; Erin Cunningham; Rachel Cunningham; Nathan Currey; Alexis Dailey; Angela Davidson; Dahlia Davis; Jamicha Davis; Leena Davis; Shelby Dearth; Ranchie Delacruz; Andrew Demeter; Seneca Donahue; Harmony Doyle; Brandy Edgar; Emilee Ellison; Amanda Emrick; Joshua Enoch; Chelsie Fast; Annaliese Felker; Kendall Ferrebee; Shaleigh Ferrell; Taylor Flowers; Matthew Folts; Danielle Folwell; Madison Forshey; Preston Forshey; Corey Frazier; Kenneth Freeman; Sara Furner; Michael Gaines; Cameron Gault; Bayley Gherke; Makenna Gibson; Brandon Gill; Joel Green; Emily Hadley; Austin Handley; Haley Hatfield; Isabella Haynes; Emma Hornbeck; Amy Hupp; Morgan Hupp; Shennay Jackson; Savannah Jeffers; Erika Johnson; Kelly Jones; Kristofer Jones; Katherine Justice; Glenna Kaltenecker; John Kinnaird; Nathaniel Kiser; Abigail Kuhlman; James Lawrence; Callie Leasure; Paige Leasure; Joey Lemasters; Sean Lilly; Shemir Lobbins; Lee Lynch; Kendal Mader; Bradley Maggard; Kimberly Matheny; Terry Mcdonald; Kelsi Mcfarland; Christina Mcfee; Bethany Meek; Traci Mills; Morgan Mercer; Preston Metzger; Savannah Miller; Alexis Moore; Gregory Moore; Megan Morgan; Jennifer Morris; Brianna Myers; Linsley Myers; Madison Newbanks; Sydney Nuckolls; Reagan Nutter; Anna Oman; Blessing Onianwa; Tristan Opel; Daniel Parsons Jr.; Lacy Parsons; Breanna Pelfrey; Lauren Pelfrey; Jacob Pickens; Cameron Plauche; Abram Poling; Kelsay Proffitt; Lindsay Proffitt; Karissa Quillen; Gabriel Ray; Emily Rexroad; Jonathan Reynolds; Nathaniel Rippeto; Jenna Robinson; Nick Roedersheimer; Andrew Ruble; Savannah Ruble; Ethan Rutherford; Gregory Sams; Maggie Sauers; Andrea Sears; Kelly Senchyshak; Aaron Sereno; Timothy Sharp; Andrew Shaw; Victoria Shepherd; Melissa Shutts; Zach Silvia; Renee Simms; Kaci Sink; Korey Smith; Kristyn Smith; Niveah Smith; Robert Smith; Casch Somerville; Madison Spears; Justin States; Ian Stengel; Kelly Straley; Morgan Stump; Michelle Sturm; Haighley Summers; Bailey Surbaugh; Alexandra Tennant; Douglas Tingler; Remy Toncray; Danielle Toothman; Sherree Townsend; Katelyn Turner; Matthew Vanmeter; Nicholas Vanway; Victoria Voshel; Cyndie Wade; Paul Weekley; Jaden Welsh; Justin Welsh; Taylor Westfall; Daniel Wharton; James White; Stacey Whitlatch; Makalah Williams; Marissa Williams; Olivia Williams; Jennifer Williamson; Philip Wilson; Makenna Winans; Sarah Woofter;

Vienna: Zachery Anderson; Julia Auch; Jennifer Broffman; Keegan Bush; Payton Buttrey; Jeremy Caplinger; James Couch; Grace Cox; Seth Davidson; Abigail Davis; Emily Davis; Justin Davis; Garret Donahue; Kaitlyn Dornick; Jesse Eaton; Mckenzie Flinn; Seth Flowers; Darcie Fonner; Eryn Gray; Henry Grewe II; Azarian Grim; Kristina Hamilton; Loren Hays; Makinzie Hewitt; Lauren Hissem; Remington Hitchcock; Catherine Hudson; Claire Hudson; Dylan Huynh; Hannah Lamb; Alex Lauer; Ryan Long; Samantha Lowther; Jennifer Mackey; Elizabeth Malm; Avery Mcclung; Farrah Mcginnis; John Mills; Sarah Moise; Kyle Moore; Kristen Morgan; Patrick Nestor; Stephen Nguyen; Jason Ohler; Brianna Owen; Amanda Parsons; Khylan Plants; John Ralsten; Mikaela Randolph; Jared Ream; Shelby Roberts; Kaitlyn Rupert; Seena Saadevandi; Nathan Settle; Henry Shockey; Julian Siefert; Kristi Smith; Cleo Spader; Janna Spencer; Evan Stavrakis; Lora Stavrakis; Cassell Stewart; Marymichael Strobl; Cindy Todd; Cameron Tracewell; Jade Traugh; Campbell Turner; Jane Uhl; Savannah Wade; Tiffani Walters; Matthew Wilson; Bryon Yetter; Leslie Yetter;

Walker: Casey Bennett; Timothy Bower; Jacob Brannon; Amy Cross; Kylee Dean; Kaleb Galloway; Savana Goff; Kaylynn Hill; Katie Hudkins; Michelle Moore; Luke Myers; Mariah Stansberry; Nathan Stoneking; Trevor Woodyard;

Washington: Mitchel Allen; Kaitlyn Boston; Asia Brady; Priscilla Brady; Chelsea Bunner; Kinley Caudle; Corettia Davis; Amy Dean; Brittany Dils; Madison Dye; Kohl Eddy; Talia Edge; Kayleigh Fanelli; Paige Flanigan; Jennifer Floyd; Abbie Gibbs; Beth Guinn; Christopher Hanna; Riley Harris; Taylor Harrison; Katelyn Hofmann; Jamie Hughes; Grant Hussey; John Johnson; Madison Jones; Jayson Kyle; Brittany Lamar; Heather Lawson; Gracie Lowers; Kasandra McCartney; Kendra Notgrass; Audra Parker; Rebecca Reynolds; Kirsten Riesbeck; Javier Santelices; Samuel Shaffer; Robert Shank; Aubrey Snyder; Samantha Suggs; Lydia Walters; Tina Wheeler; Brady Whipkey; Joseph Whipkey; Jacob White; Hunter Wigal; Jacob Wilcox; Emily Yanok; Kendra Yocum;

Waverly: Meredith Davis; Hannah Hudson; Jacob Huggins; Hannah Mollohan; Shannon O’Dell; Taylor Jo Smith;

Williamstown: Mason Adkins; Laurel Allen; Ashley Atkinson; Samuel Cremeans; Mason Deem; Laura Delancy; Zachary Doughty; Stella Flanagin; Arielle Fluharty; Rhonda Galyean; Lakin Hall; Jefferson Haught; Jamie Hersman; Brittney Hooper; Chloe Hooper; Camryn Irvin; Drew Johnson; Jerry King III; Tiffany Longwell; Laura Maidens; Lilly McMullen; Brayden Modesitt; Tyler Moore; Elizabeth Newton; Brooke Parsons; Allyson Pickering; Katelyn Pickering; Nicole Reynolds; John Samson; Kayli Sauro; Lauren Sexton; Brooke Shockey; Kelsey Smith; Richard Tate; Courtney Taylor; Joshua Taylor; Yurgita Vaidya; Destinee Williams:

CALIFORNIA – Lake Balboa: Dulse Tenorio;

FLORIDA – Crestview: Jillillian Houser;

GEORGIA – Midway: Maryah Patterson;

OHIO – Beavercreek: Jessica Wells;

Belpre: Courtney Cain; Gary Gorrell; Gabrielle Hamilton; Kasey Mcculty; Mikah Mcintyre; Mara Mendenhall; Austin Spencer; Hannah Sprout; Mark Yeager;

Caldwell: Shailyn Hayes;

Chesapeake: Sarah Mattox;

Coolville: Owen Tidd; Ashley Ward;

Cortland: Vanessa Hedrick;

Crown City: Samantha Buttrick;

Cutler: Courtney Shaffer;

Grandview Heights: Zane Nielsen;

Little Hocking: Christine Berg; Chase Weihl;

Lowell: Matthew Harisiades;

Marietta: John Grega Jr.; Courtney Griffiths; Hannah Holbert; Katlyn Holsinger; Joshua Roberts; Pamela Russell; Ella Sillaman; Amanda Snyder; Lacey Wilson; Rebekah Wingrove;

Newport: Lindsey Cross; Mariah Mason;

Syracuse: Christine Morgan;

Tuppers Plains: Tyler Hensley; Jonathon Newell;

Vincent: Douglas Summers;

Waterford: Charles Thompson Jr.;

TEXAS – Friendswood: Kayli Graham;

Marshall: Sunny Lindley;

San Angelo: Edward Dehoyos;

Victoria: Jason Palacios;

VIRGINIA – Christiansburg: Ariel Bowman;

Goode: Kevin Smith.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg awarded certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees to fall 2019 graduates during commencement held Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 in the College Activities Center. This semester, the college graduated 231 students from seven states.

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

BRAXTON COUNTY – Sutton: Monica Stewart, BAS, Business Administration;

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY – Romney: Bethany Kesner, CAS, Child Development;

JACKSON COUNTY – Cottageville: Randi Stalnaker, AAS, BOG, Cum Laude;

Evans: Joshua Mcpherson, AAS, Drafting, Cum Laude; Meghan Morgan, AAS, Criminal Justice;

Gay: Brittiny Cooper, AS, Business Administration;

Kenna: Corey Duff, BAS, Business Administration; Jessica Goosman, AS, General Education; Tyler Smith, BAS, Business Administration;

Millwood: Taylor Bowen, BAS, Legal Studies; Andrew Mcdowell, AA, General Education;

Ravenswood: Chloe Allen, CAS, Child Development; Leanna Amos, AAS, Business Administration; Allie Barton, AAS, Nursing; Tyler Bennett, BAS, Communication & Media Studies – Digital Communication; Brooke Carter, AAS, Nursing; Natasha Mason, BAS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Jordan Matics, BA, Elementary Education; Philip Randolph II, AAS, Legal Studies; Dani Sinnett, BA, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude; Kaylee Stewart, BAS, Legal Studies; Keiah Stewart, AAS, Business Administration; Megan Stoffel, AAS, Criminal Justice; Patrick Watson, CAS, BAS, Business Administration; Ashley Wyant, AA, General Education;

Ripley: Michael Cavender, RBA, Magna Cum Laude; Tara Green, RBA; Tyler Harmon, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, CAS, Industrial Maintenance, and AAS, BOG; Brittany Hicks, AAS, Business Administration; Ayaka Mcbee, AS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Alexis Powers, RBA; Isaac Vidrine, BAT; Victoria Wilcox, AAS, Surgical Technology; Tanya Winter, BAS, Child Development;

Sandyville: Merriea Ayers, AS, General Education; David Smith, AAS, BOG;

KANAWHA COUNTY – Charleston: Nicole Shutts, BAS, Business Administration;

Clendenin: Jade Walls, AAS, Nursing;

Elkview: Lydia Murray, AAS, Nursing;

Saint Albans: John Johnson, AAS, Business Administration;

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

MARION COUNTY – Fairmont: Michelle Anderson Sawyer, AAS, Child Development;

MASON COUNTY – Letart: Michael Seagraves, AAS, Nursing;

Mason: Brady Kinzel, CAS, Welding; Courtney Rickard, CAS, Child Development;

New Haven: Keely Ankrom, BA, Elementary Education, Cum Laude;

Point Pleasant: Adam Kaylor, RBA;

PLEASANTS COUNTY – Saint Marys: Brandon Baxter, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, Cum Laude; Brody Grimes, AAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Ryleigh Scovill, AAS, Business Administration; Tina Smith, RBA; Kelsie Thein, BAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Noah Vanzile, CAS, Chemical & Polymer Operator Technology; Aaron Wince, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice;

RITCHIE COUNTY – Cairo: Ashton Devereux, AAS, Legal Studies; Jennifer Shuman, BAS, Criminal Justice;

Harrisville: Cheyenne Bartlett, AAS, Business Administration;

Pennsboro: Shelby Barr, AS, Business Administration; Mikayla Hayes, BAS, BS, Business Administration; Allen Lamp, AA, General Education; Tristan Ray, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology;

ROANE COUNTY – Gandeeville: James Osborne, RBA, Cum Laude;

Reedy: Anna Errickson, AAS, Nursing;

Spencer: Josie Cottrell, AAS, Nursing; Brooke Nichols, CAS, Welding;

Walton: Krystal Webb, AAS, Nursing;

TYLER COUNTY – Friendly: Marsha Davis, RBA;

Middlebourne: Myra Boggs, RBA;

Paden City: Madison Pierce-Meadows, BA, Elementary Education;

WETZEL COUNTY – Jacksonburg: Bobbi Warner, AAS, Nursing, Cum Laude;

New Martinsville: William Nice, CAS, Industrial Maintenance, Cum Laude; Kylee Walker, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

Paden City: Tanya Duncan, AAS, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude;

WIRT COUNTY – Elizabeth: Laura Alt, AAS, BOG; Christian Cline, CAS, AS, Business Administration; Deborah Darling, CAS, Legal Studies, Magna Cum Laude; Kaitlyn Frazier, AS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Sami Knicely, RBA; Tori Powell, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Darrin Roberts, BAS, Business Administration;

Palestine: Haley McCoy, AAS, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude;

WOOD COUNTY – Belleville: Jared Enoch, BAS, Business Administration; Mickinzie Smith, AAS, Nursing;

Davisville: Amy Hudson, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice; Ashley Ruble, AAS, Nursing; Shannon White, CAS, AAS, Child Development, Magna Cum Laude;

Mineral Wells: Faith Blosser, RBA, Cum Laude; Sierra English, BA, Elementary Education, Cum Laude; Katelyn Enoch, BS, Business Administration; Carter Grogan, AAS, Welding Technology; Robert Hoover, AAS, BOG;

Parkersburg: Aubrianna Ansell, BAS, Criminal Justice; Faith Atkinson, CAS, Business Technology, and BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Tristen Beha, AA, General Education, Cum Laude; Alexis Bland, AAS, Business Administration; Johnny Britton Jr., CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Magna Cum Laude; April Brooks, CAS, AAS, Business Technology; Aaron Burrows, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Amy Cass, AAS, Business Administration; Erin Chambers, BAS, Child Development; Vanessa Chilcote, BS, Business Administration; Amy Clark, BA, Elementary Education; Ali Cooper, AAS, Nursing; Rebecca Cottrill, CAS, Child Development; Nathan Cunningham, AAS, Computer & Information Technology; Melissa Dailey, AAS, Nursing; Cheyenne Eddy, CAS, AS, Business Administration; Judith Field, RBA, Cum Laude; Jacob Giffin, RBA; Brandon Gill, AAS, Business Administration; Anthony Harber, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Cum Laude; Casey Harker, AAS, Nursing, Cum Laude; Hailey Harvard, CAS, AS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Angela Hernandez, AS, Business Administration; Joseph Hunt, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Magna Cum Laude; Amy Hupp, AAS, BOG; Shennay Jackson, BAS, Business Administration; Savannah Jeffers, RBA, Cum Laude; Carmen Joachim, CAS, BAS, Child Development; Jennifer Kersey, AAS, Nursing; Alex Kimble, AAS, Digital Communication; Nathaniel Kiser, BAT; Branden Lemon, BAS, Legal Studies, Magna Cum Laude; Beverly Mace, CAS, Business Technology; Amy Martin, AAS, Nursing, Cum Laude; Kelsi Mcfarland, BAS, Child Development, Cum Laude; Tyler McIntosh, CAS, BAS, Business Administration; Eric Miller, RBA; Allison Monroe, AAS, Nursing; Cody Monroe, AAS, AS, Business Administration; Kathryn Nelson, AAS, Surgical Technology; Melissa Nestor, AAS, BAS, Legal Studies; Shannen Nichols, AAS, Business Administration; Kelee Nigh, BAS, Business Administration; Keith Penn, AAS, BOG; David Perine, CAS, Chemical & Polymer Operator Technology; Damien Pfalzgraf, BAS, Business Administration; Tristin Rempel, AAS, Criminal Justice; Jenna Robinson, AS, Business Administration; Kayce Rogers, AAS, Nursing; Savannah Ruble, CAS, Welding; Chloe Salvatore, AAS, Criminal Justice; Jenna Shaver, AAS, Business Administration; Brittany Sheppard, BA, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude; Grace Shockey, AS, General Education; Morgan Stump, AS, Business Administration; Michelle Sturm, CAS, Child Development; Haighley Summers, AAS, Welding Technology, Magna Cum Laude; Christina Swiger, AAS, Nursing; Cyndie Wade, CAS, AAS, Legal Studies; Nicholas Wright, CAS, Chemical & Polymer Operator Technology, Magna Cum Laude;

Vienna: Tyler Brownfield, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Cum Laude; Marcia Buckley, BA, Elementary Education; Mary Cafego, AAS, Surgical Technology; Cory Davis, BAT; Andrea Franklin, CAS, Child Development; John Kavanagh, BA, Multi-Disciplinary Studies; Jared Lake, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Cum Laude; Daniel Miller, CAS, AAS, Child Development; Patrick Nestor, CAS, AS, BS, Business Administration; Nathan Settle, AAS, Criminal Justice; Kristi Smith, RBA; Audrey Ungar, AAS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Savannah Wade, AAS, Business Administration;

Walker: Timothy Bower, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Amy Cross, RBA, Cum Laude; Luke Myers, AAS, Criminal Justice;

Washington: Travis Barton, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Cum Laude; Jacqueline Cline, AAS, BOG; Taryn Davis, BAS, Business Administration; Brittany Dils, BAS, Business Administration; Evan Elmore, CAS, Chemical & Polymer Operator Technology, Cum Laude; Jennifer Floyd, AAS, BOG, and RBA, Cum Laude; Beth Guinn, AAS, BOG, Magna Cum Laude; Ryan Hesselrode, AAS, Nursing; Randall Nelson, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Breanna Paxton, BS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Chase Porter, AAS, Business Administration; Samantha Suggs, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Tina Wheeler, RBA, Magna Cum Laude; Alexis Wiseman, AAS, Welding Technology, Magna Cum Laude;

Waverly: Andrew Bayer, BS, Business Administration; Maria George, AAS, BOG; Dylan Gray, CAS, Chemical & Polymer Operator Technology; Sarah Hart, BS, Business Administration; James Kelley, BAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Jessica Stollings, BAS, Criminal Justice;

Williamstown: Kendra Allen, AAS, Nursing, Cum Laude; Joshua Fluharty, RBA, Cum Laude; Allexus Frazier, CAS, AAS, Criminal Justice; Allison Hurst, AAS, Nursing; Benjamin Kelley, AAS, BOG; Alisha Masten, BAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Joellen Masten, BAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Jordan Melott, RBA; Carl Moore, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Summa Cum Laude; Bradly Pieper, AAS, Engineering Technology; Joshua Taylor, AAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Adesa Williams, AAS, Criminal Justice; Travis Wright, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Magna Cum Laude;

DELAWARE – Smyrna: Cassandra Gold, AAS, Nursing;

FLORIDA – Coral Springs: Corey Eaton, BAS, Criminal Justice;

Palm Bay: Betty Beck, RBA, Cum Laude;

NEW JERSEY – Barnegat: Patricia White, BS, Nursing;

OHIO – Belpre: Tyler Cunningham, BAS, Criminal Justice; Kayla Norman, BA, Elementary Education, Cum Laude; Mark Yeager, RBA;

Fleming: Michael Brannon, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Magna Cum Laude;

Grandview Heights: Zane Nielsen, AAS, Occupational Development, Summa Cum Laude;

Long Bottom: Johnny Vancooney, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology;

 Lowell: Matthew Harisiades, RBA;

Marietta: Jesse Henry, BAS, Business Administration; Jason Huck, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Zachary Lanham, RBA; Taylor Mcintyre, AAS, Criminal Justice; Douglas Morris, CAS, Electricity & Instrumentation, and AAS, Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Jasin Plaugher, AAS, Nursing; Joshua Roberts, CAS, BAS, Business Administration; Darrion Sillaman, AAS, BOG; Ella Sillaman, RBA, Cum Laude; Lucinda Swartz, AA, General Education, and BA, Elementary Education; Tyler Wears, BAS, Business Administration; Rebekah Wingrove, AS, BS, Business Administration;

McConnelsville: Kiya Pires, AAS, Surgical Technology;

Perrysville: Eric Walton, AAS, Occupational Development, Summa Cum Laude;

Quaker City: Taylor Laipply, AAS, Surgical Technology;

TEXAS – Friendswood: Kayli Graham, RBA; Magna Cum Laude;

San Angelo: Edward Dehoyos, AAS, Occupational Development, Cum Laude;

Victoria: Jason Palacios, AAS, Occupational Development, Magna Cum Laude:

VIRGINIA – Christiansburg: Ariel Bowman, AAS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude;

Woodstock: Shannon Buchanan, RBA, Magna Cum Laude.

Pencils are being traded for dry erase markers, college textbooks are being replaced with math workbooks and presentations now include leading group reading sessions. The WVU Parkersburg spring 2020 student teacher candidates are making the final transition from student to professional by sharing the classroom with experienced teachers in five W.Va. counties, including Jackson Pleasants, Roane, Wirt and Wood.

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Education Division presents the following student teacher candidates:

Hanna Argabrite

Paige Burner

Hannah Hamon

Hannah Harvey

Shawni Hill

Brittany LaMar

Camie Martinez

Alexis Saunder

Laura Taylor

 

 

 

 

“I am excited to apply the teaching theories and strategies we learned to the classroom and improve my own methods as I get a real feel of what it is like to be a teaching professional and create positive relationships with the students,” said candidate Shawni Hill.

Hill is a Joseph Badgley Minority Scholarship recipient. Established in November 2017, the scholarship is made available to self-identified minority students enrolled at WVU Parkersburg with the intent of completing a baccalaureate degree in elementary education.

“Receiving the Joseph Badgley Minority Scholarship has been wonderful because it offers the extra monetary support that makes schooling a possibility,” said Hill. “Being a mother of three and having a husband that works to provide for the family, the scholarship allows me to pursue my education while also making sure the needs of my family are met.”

In the elementary education program, students gain hands-on experience as early as their freshman year observing and practicing teaching skills in real school settings. This includes learning key decision-making skills, creating effective lesson plans, developing and assessing one-on-one and group instruction, integrating new technologies into the classroom and more.

“Starting today, our WVU Parkersburg students will leave our classrooms for elementary classrooms as they aspire to be teachers,” said Dr. David Lancaster, WVU Parkersburg Education Division chairperson. “At the end of their clinical placement, they will be a certified teacher; they will also be my colleague and considered to be a hero in many of their students’ eyes. I am so proud of these wonderful individuals.”

Visit wvup.edu/education to learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s accredited programs.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg has been recognized as one of the top-ranked institutions in the nation for its Associate of Applied Science in Child Development degree program by Intelligent.com. The college ranked No. 1 among 31 other competing institutions across the nation. More than 360 programs were evaluated by the student-focused publication that helps students make informed decisions about higher education programs offered by top institutions across the country.

“With the support of the college, we have achieved being number one in affordability in the nation for some time, and we have been working constantly to improve quality one class at a time in hopes of one day being mentioned with the best programs,” said Dr. David Lancaster, professor and chair of the WVU Parkersburg Education Division. “Today, we have been able to do something special at WVU Parkersburg and that is to be number one in affordability and ranked number one in quality.”

Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation and post-graduate employment. The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system, which includes student engagement, a potential return on investment and leading third-party evaluations. Scores are used to compare degree programs using the Intelligent.com algorithm on a scale of 0 to 100.

WVU Parkersburg offers a highly flexible and accommodating online program for those interested in pursuing a 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. All students admitted to the program receive in-state tuition rates, regardless of geographical location.

“It is a good day to be the chair of the Education Division that houses one of the top child development programs found anywhere,” said Lancaster.

To view the complete rankings, visit https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-child-development-degree-programs/.

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.

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, Jan. 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. View the complete agenda here.

The Community and Technical College System (CTCS) of West Virginia today announced that it has been awarded a nearly $4.2 million grant from Arnold Ventures to pilot a program at West Virginia University Parkersburg and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College that supports students as they work toward their credentials.

Modeled after the highly successful Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) at City University of New York (CUNY), and informed by CUNY ASAP’s technical assistance, West Virginia’s program will provide academic, personal, and financial supports to help students at those two institutions complete their degrees in high-demand fields, such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, welding, and health care.

The goal, according to CTCS Chancellor Sarah Armstrong Tucker, is to pilot the program at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC, with the hope of dramatically increasing the number of students who enter and graduate from high-demand programs, and then move on to high-wage jobs. If effective, the CTCS will work to scale the program to all two-year institutions across the state.

“West Virginia’s system of community and technical colleges has become a national leader in implementing meaningful changes that have resulted in more of our students completing college,” Chancellor Tucker said. “But to reach our goal outlined in West Virginia’s Climb initiative – to arm 60 percent of our workforce with a postsecondary credential by 2030 – now is the time to double down on student success. This pilot project at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC, which we hope to ultimately expand statewide, is one of the most important ways we can get there. I thank Arnold Ventures for this remarkable investment in the Mountain State, and I thank CUNY for their leadership in developing this incredibly successful program.”

West Virginia’s program stems from Arnold Venture’s Moving the Needle initiative, which supports expanded implementation and evaluation of social programs with rigorous evidence of large, sustained impacts on meaningful life outcomes. Alongside this grant, Arnold Ventures will fund an independent randomized control trial to evaluate the impact of the program on college graduation and workforce earnings over time.

“ASAP is one of the only programs in higher education that, when rigorously evaluated in a randomized controlled trial, was found to produce meaningful, sustained impacts on degree attainment,” said Erin Crossett, Evidence-Based Policy Manager for Arnold Ventures. “We look forward to supporting WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC as they implement ASAP in a new environment, with majors that are in-demand in the local economy. Understanding whether the impacts on graduation can replicate in West Virginia – and whether those graduation impacts yield an increase in earnings – is a critical next step towards scaling ASAP.”

Consistent with CUNY’s ASAP model, key program components at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC will include a student recruitment strategy, as well as early engagement that connects new students to the campus community. Financial resources will be provided to address participating students’ unmet needs beyond tuition aid – including tuition waivers, textbook assistance, and food and transportation stipends. Students also will be given structural pathways that allow them to fully enroll in academic programs more quickly, along with individualized support services in areas like advising, tutoring, and career preparation.

“Recruitment of students is important, but retention of students is even more critically important. Once we enroll them, we have both a joyful and a solemn responsibility to do everything within our power to ensure their success and completion,” said Dr. Chris Gilmer, President of WVU Parkersburg. “We consider our participation in CUNY’s ASAP replication to be a major step toward meeting our goal of turning every student possible into a graduate. We appreciate the confidence the Arnold Foundation has shown by selecting us for this prestigious partnership, and we commit ourselves fully to its success.”

“We are very excited to be partnering with CUNY to replicate their evidence-based model for student success,” echoed WVU Parkersburg Provost Chad Crumbaker. “Over the past several years WVU Parkersburg has implemented many changes to improve student success with great results and adding an even higher level of proven supports and resources will be invaluable to our students and the workforce in our region for many years to come.”

“Blue Ridge CTC is honored to be chosen for such an opportunity,” said Dr. Peter Checkovich, Blue Ridge CTC Founding President. “This partnership with Arnold Ventures, CUNY, CTCS, and Blue Ridge CTC is remarkable. The proven success of the CUNY replication model will provide much needed benefit for our students. The identified degree programs are all occupationally based, providing our regional industries with qualified employees. This is a win for all involved.”

At CUNY, ASAP has substantially improved students’ academic outcomes over three years, almost doubling graduation rates. According to a randomized control trial of CUNY ASAP, 40 percent of the program group students had received a degree by the end of the three-year follow-up period, compared with 22 percent of the control group – an 18-percentage point impact.

“CUNY is immensely proud of the trailblazing impact ASAP has had on more than 58,000 of our community college students since it was launched 13 years ago,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “ASAP has systematically improved outcomes and regularly doubles graduation rates for our students. We are pleased to know that, thanks to a generous grant from Arnold Ventures, students at two colleges in the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia will benefit from ASAP through this pilot.”

An initial cohort of qualifying students at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC will be selected to participate in the program in Fall 2020, with full implementation of the program in Fall 2021 and continuing through Spring 2025 – serving a total of 600 students.

Press release provided by Jessica Tice, Community and Technical College System of West Virginia.