Parkersburg, W.Va. (Aug. 11, 2020) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, Aug. 12. Due to COVID-19, the members will not meet face-to-face. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. via video conference.

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

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 20, 2020) – WVU Parkersburg will operate in Fall 2020 with technology-enabled instruction, President Chris Gilmer announced on Friday, July 17.

“The bottom line is this:  I must live with my own conscience, and ultimately we can have no greater concern than the preservation of even a single human life,” Gilmer explained as he noted the decision could impact enrollment and have a short-term financial loss for the institution. 

Meetings with stakeholder groups on how to best implement technology-enabled instruction begins on Monday, July 20. “We will follow the leadership of faculty and students about the best ways to implement instruction,” Gilmer assured.

WVU Parkersburg will follow the leadership of staff and students about the best ways to serve the front-line needs of our students while keeping everyone safe.

WVU Parkersburg will make some exceptions for our technical programs such as welding, and for some of our science, healthcare, and education programs which have lab and field experiences.

WVU Parkersburg will reopen our computer labs on a limited basis because we recognize that access to Internet in rural areas is one of the primary challenges of virtual instruction.

WVU Parkersburg will continue our phased reopening of our facilities to register, advise, teach, and serve students, but in a slow and safe way emphasizing the mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing.

To students, the college president offered assurance. “We will be here to ensure the best possible learning experience for you.”

To staff, the college president offered safety. “We will design our workspaces to provide you with the most safety possible.”

To faculty, the college president offered resources. “We will make our Zoom rooms and other tools you need to do your job available.”

And to parents, spouses,  and families, the college president made a promise. “Send us your loved ones as students for the fall semester, and we will do all within our power to keep them safe while we provide a quality education.” President Gilmer further explained his decision for a semester of technology-enabled instruction, “I can’t promise that I will keep the virus from coming to our campuses. No one can. But I can promise you this—my most solemn responsibility is to do all that I can toward that end, and this decision is a reflection of that promise. 

What does this mean for students? Some classes will still meet face-to-face, but most will use a virtual means to communicate. The methods will vary. Faculty will reach out to the students with more information. Students do not need to worry about changing their classes to online; all changes as a result of this announcement will be made for students. More information on a technology-enabled instruction for Fall 2020 will be posted on the college website as it becomes available. Students are encouraged to check their WVUP email accounts regularly and to find updates in the weekly Blue & Gold Post, a resource sent out by email.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 13, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg has formed a partnership with the Mister Bee Potato Chip company to collaborate with local farmers and begin producing West Virginia-grown potatoes for the company.

Mary Anne Ketelsen, owner and president of Mister Bee Potato Chips, has provided WVU Parkersburg with a grant to assist the college in growing 10 acres of specialty chipping potatoes for Mister Bee. The project will begin this fall on the Riverhawk Farm near the college’s Parkersburg campus.

“Love for a certain locally-produced potato chip, and a passion for WVUP, led me to explore ways for us to ‘grow’ together,” said Senta Goudy, WVU Parkersburg executive director of Civic Engagement and Innovation. “I am so excited to be helping WVUP, Mister Bee and the local economy by helping to build a sustainable agriculture program on the WVUP Riverhawk Farm. The first year’s pilot growing season is in full swing, and this fall, Mister Bee will produce its first potato chips from West Virginia-grown, WVUP potatoes.”

With a resource and training center focus, WVU Parkersburg is developing the Riverhawk Farm to expand sustainable agriculture practices. The college will also be training a workforce for production and supporting the region’s agricultural small businesses. Current business leaders in the agriculture field will be providing expertise and support for the WVU Parkersburg Potato Cooperative and the Riverhawk Farm Learning Center.

“Thanks to the generosity of Mary Anne Ketelsen and her team at Mister Bee, we are engaging in one of the most exciting and entrepreneurial ventures that WVU Parkersburg has undertaken in a long time,” said WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer. “We are bringing the university’s farm back into service to provide locally-grown potatoes so that Mister Bee can now promote that some of its potatoes are West Virginia grown. We hope to expand our growing potential in future years and to bring together a coalition of local farmers who are interested in helping to meet even more of Mister Bee’s needs.”

WVU Parkersburg will offer ways for individuals in the community to get involved. SW Resources and the college are collaborating to bring opportunities for individuals in recovery from substance abuse. WVU Parkersburg will also be working with the WV Department of Agriculture to give student veterans the chance to receive agricultural training with the WV Vets to Agriculture program.

“This will be of direct benefit to our students who will be able to engage in a number of new experiential learning roles related to agribusiness,” Gilmer said.

WVU Parkersburg and Mister Bee continue to look for area farms that would like to help the local economy and save shipping costs for Mister Bee during certain times of the year.

“WVUP is planning a variety of training and educational opportunities at the Riverhawk Farm to encourage and promote farming innovations that improve the environment, increase profitability and improve the quality of life for individuals in our community,” Goudy said.

For more information about how to get involved with the Riverhawk Farm, email Senta Goudy at sgoudy4@wvup.edu.

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Photo (left to right): Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Parkersburg President; Mary Anne Ketelsen, Mister Bee Potato Chip Company Owner; Ed Morrison, Mister Bee Potato Chip Company Plant Manager; and Senta Goudy, WVU Parkersburg Dean of the Center for Civic Engagement and Innovation.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 10, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s main campus and Jackson County Center will reopen for appointment-only, in-person services beginning July 13. Office hours will be offered Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the Center for Student Services, Professional Advising Center and the college’s business office.

Prospective and current students can make an appointment to meet with an admissions counselor, get help with the application process, register for classes, get financial aid questions answered, pay tuition, take a campus tour or conduct other business.

All visitors will be required to pass a temperature check before entering the facilities, wear a mask and maintain social distancing during their appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call 304-424-8310 to reach the Parkersburg campus or 304-372-6992 for the Jackson County Center.

The college will continue to offer all services remotely in addition to in-person appointments.

“While WVU Parkersburg has never been closed – just offering services virtually – we are thrilled to open our doors to students again,” said Dr. Steven Smith, vice president of enrollment management and CEO and dean of the Jackson County Center, WVU Parkersburg. “In good times and bad, we are committed to helping our students succeed by providing the highest quality educational opportunities.”

Fall semester registration is currently open, and classes are set to begin Aug. 17. WVU Parkersburg plans to offer high-quality instructional options this fall, including in-person, online and hybrid classes in a safe, flexible and supportive environment to help students reach their education goals.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (June 22, 2020) – As one of WVU Parkersburg’s literary magazines, “The Poorhouse Rag” serves as a written review for artists and writers to submit poetry, flash fiction, fiction, creative nonfiction, children’s stories and artwork. Artists and writers can use their voices to bring awareness to varied social justice topics and themes including marginalization.

This year, “The Poorhouse Rag” will include themes of social and political marginalization and lack of equity in opportunity to honor 100 years of women’s suffrage. The edition will recognize the positive social changes that have occurred but also highlight the continued hardships of political minorities. “The Poorhouse Rag” is asking for submitted pieces to be connected to the feeling of “being left out” in terms of gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, social status or other challenges and obstacles, emotional and physical, individuals may have faced.

“The Poorhouse Rag” is led by the WVU Parkersburg Editorial Collective, including Dr. Sandra Kolankiewicz, Dr. Lauri Reidmiller, Danielle Kelly, Joyce Stover, Dr. Alicia Matheny Beeson and Dr. Woody Wilson. The Editorial Collective selects the pieces featured in the magazine, however, the goal is to transition into a student-led process. Last year, “The Poorhouse Rag” received over 50 submissions from the WVU Parkersburg campus community.

“We pick quality pieces that align with the theme and are written by individuals affiliated with the college community,” Dr. Beeson said.  “We especially look for heartfelt, thoughtful, well-constructed pieces in a range of genres!”

All works will be considered for a $50 prize in each genre as well as the Foundation Prize for best cover art, and the President’s Prize for best overall art or literary work.

“We hope to provide opportunities for those affiliated with the college to express themselves through visual and written mediums, and to educate our campus and local community about the history of the poor farm on our campus grounds,” Dr. Beeson said.

To submit a piece of writing or artwork to “The Poorhouse Rag,” or to view submission guidelines, visit wvup.edu/poorhouserag. Submissions are open to WVU Parkersburg students, faculty, staff, alumni and their family members. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2020, and there is no fee to enter.

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (June 22, 2020) – Seven West Virginia University at Parkersburg faculty members have been selected for promotions ahead of the 2020-2021 academic year. The promotions are effective August 10.

Three faculty members earned the rank of full professor, three more received promotions to associate professor, and one was promoted to assistant professor.

Promoted to Professor

• Dr. Jared Gump, Physics

• Dr. Sandra Kolankiewicz, English

• Dr. Larry Muller, Business Administration

Promoted to Associate Professor

• Dr. Mary Beth Held, Communication Studies

• Thomas Riddle, Mathematics

• Andrew Rochus, Sociology

Promoted to Assistant Professor

• Kaitlin Life, Mathematics

To receive a promotion in rank, a faculty member must have demonstrated significant contributions in the areas of teaching and service to students, professional growth and development, and service to the institution and community.

“We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that each of the faculty promoted this year have put in to achieve this important academic and career milestone,” said Chad Crumbaker, Provost, WVU Parkersburg. “The contributions each of them have made to the success of our students cannot be overstated and is being recognized after review by their faculty colleagues and the institution as a whole based on their academic and professional activities over the past several years.”

Parkersburg, W.Va. (June 12, 2020) – Adam Stover, WVU Parkersburg adjunct professor of English and Theatre Appreciation, has a secret talent – one that has recently been nationally and internationally recognized.

Stover began writing screenplays in graduate school where he served as the producer and secondary writer for his first creative team. As the team pursued other ventures, Stover began writing smaller pieces and gradually transitioned to longer ones. “It takes varying amounts of time to produce a finished screenplay,” Stover said. “It usually takes me one to two months depending upon the amount of time I can dedicate to the project and can take longer to develop original concepts depending upon the amount of research necessary to successfully build the world in the story.”

“I’m actually a transmedia producer at heart, and writing is one of the things I do to generate projects,” Stover said. Before this year, Stover had only entered the West Virginia Writer’s, Inc. 2015 Annual Writing Contest, and placed fourth in the screenplay category.

“I went through a project generation phase last year that’s resulted in a number of promising scripts,” Stover said. The Shadow of Frankenstein was entered into four screenwriting contests and has two first-place finishes – the 2020 Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival Best Feature Screenplay and Royal Wolf Film Awards Best Screenplay Feature for April 2020. Stover also received a second-place finish in the Pinnacle Film Awards and a fourth-place finish at Mindfield Film Festival.

“We’re obviously happy about the start,” Stover said. “It’s (The Shadow of Frankenstein) been entered into a number of European film festivals, so I’ll be curious to see how it does overseas.” Although the film has not been recognized internationally yet, it has been a hit all over America and Stover says they will find out how the film does in Europe in July.

John Johnson, actor, producer, director and writer, released two plays that Stover produced in the previous four years with Johnson’s company Astral Theatre Collective. In 2016 and 2017, two of those plays were brought to WVU Parkersburg, Sherlock Holmes and the Beast of White Chapel and Carmilla. Johnson and Stover served as co-writers on the project.

Stover continues to work on his current project, Pinpricks, an anthology animated film based on the graphic novel of Charleston, W.Va. author Jason Pell. “It’s reminiscent of ‘The Twilight Zone’ if it were set in West Virginia,” Stover said. “It’ll premiere later this year and have its own run on the festival circuit.”

Parkersburg, W.Va. (June 8, 2020) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, June 10. Due to COVID-19, the members will not meet face-to-face. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. via video conference.

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

Parkersburg, W.Va. (June 8, 2020) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg has announced that there will be no tuition increase for the 2020-2021 academic year. Students will pay the same tuition rates for the 2020-2021 academic year as they do now for the current 2019-2020 academic year.

“We are living in challenging and uncertain times, and many of our current and potential students are facing financial difficulties from the loss of jobs,” said Alice Harris, executive vice president of finance and administration, WVU Parkersburg. “Adjusting our expenditures so that we can hold our tuition rates at their current affordable level is one way that we can help to ensure that our students can fulfill their educational dreams and that those who may need job retraining have affordable options to do so.”

WVU Parkersburg offers the lowest bachelor’s degree tuition rate in West Virginia and in-state tuition rates to all Ohio residents, making it one of the most affordable, accredited four-year colleges in the nation. Additionally, WVU Parkersburg’s tuition charges are capped, so any credits taken over 12 credit hours per semester are offered at no additional charge. Scholarships, need-based grants, loans and employment opportunities are also offered to students to help cover the cost of attendance.

“We are all about creating opportunities for our students,” said WVU Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer. “Summer 2020 enrollment increased considerably, and we are hoping to welcome face-to-face a large and excited class for the fall 2020 semester beginning in August. We hope that both new and returning students will register early so that their course schedules can be confirmed, and while most of our staff and faculty are still working remotely due to social distancing, we are eager to help you by telephone and online. Soon, we hope our doors will be opening again in person, with proper health precautions in place. The University is fully open for business and committed more than ever to supporting our communities as we all navigate these challenging times together.”

For more information on WVU Parkersburg’s tuition and fees, go to wvup.edu/tuition-fees.