After being born without a leg in May 2014, Keating was rescued by Mark and Nancy Miller, owners of Miller Prosthetics and Orthotics in the Mid-Ohio Valley, with the mission to continue making prosthetic legs for Keating as he grew. Keating became a therapy dog in 2016 and currently has the job of bringing smiles to those in need.

Keating recently brought smiles to the WVU Parkersburg Entrepreneur Center staff and local youth during the Teen 3D Printing Academy in July. His purpose, to show students a real-life example of how 3D printing technologies, and users, can change lives.

Entrepreneur Center Coordinator Logan Mace worked with the Millers to create a 3D printed prosthetic limb for Keating. Nancy brought in a 3D scan of Keating’s leg without a prosthetic, which Mace then imported into CAD software, Fusion 360 and Meshmixer, to design the prosthetic socket and foot sections (from a hand-drawn sketch of Nancy’s), make adjustments and fine-tune the alignment for comfortability and functionality.

“If it doesn’t fit and feel good to Keating, he won’t use it,” Nancy said.

3D printing the prosthetic limb was a trial and error process –  tweaks, adjustments and reprints had to be made. The first leg created for Keating was too small, the second was too thin and not aligned correctly, however, the next is in the works of being perfect. The prosthetic limb was made of a NinjaTek material, called Armadillo, in their most recent trial.

“Makerspaces really have the potential to be ground zero for real-world problem solving by individuals who may not have access to large amounts of capital or manufacturing equipment,” Mace said. “Nancy has waited five years for a 3D printed prosthetic, and for this to be happening in our facility is exciting for me, from a maker’s perspective, and I am proud to be a part of the process.”

“The Entrepreneur Center is an amazing community resource,” Nancy said. “WVU Parkersburg offers great equipment and personalized instruction.”

The Millers always envisioned Keating helping others, and as he has become important to them, he has also become important to their business. Nancy explained that when patients are in pain, and there are no calming words left to say, Keating plays a comforting role in the patient’s journey to healing.

Another part of Keating’s job is to aid children in coming to terms with a family member who has a prosthetic limb. “Kids are able to feel Keating’s leg, giving them comfort,” Nancy explained.

Keating has even brought joy to conferences of over 700 amputees. After taking Keating to a National Amputee Coalition Conference, the Millers decided to share him with the community. He currently takes weekly trips to visit Belpre Landing residents along with surrounding hospitals and even Mineral Wells Elementary School.

“He’s added a whole new dimension to our life and became a celebrity in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Nancy said, “He’s even learned to pose for pictures and has his own business cards.”

Follow Keating’s journey on Facebook at Miller Prosthetics & Orthotics (@MarkMillerCPO). For more information about the Entrepreneur Center, contact Logan Mace at wed@wvup.edu or 304-424-8383.

Recently, The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley held its “The Key to the Community is You” fundraising dinner and silent auction. During the event, WVU Parkersburg Wellness Center Program Coordinator Pamela Santer received the first-ever Key to the Community award for her collaborative spirit to aid the community.

“Pamela has spent countless hours connecting and volunteering in the area and throughout the state,” Liz Ford, The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley executive director said. “From developmental disabilities and substance abuse to health and wellness, Pamela’s insight, support and involvement are something to be commended. She is truly a key to our community!”

Santer’s many community roles include Mindful West Virginia, What’s Next Mid-Ohio Valley, Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer, Community Recovery Center board member, Hope Manor and Recovery Point advisory board member, and participating on the Wood County Prevention Coalition and Wood County Board of Education Prevention Council.

These organizations convene community conversations on substance abuse, homelessness and safe and inclusive communities, as well as work on the prevention of substance abuse in youth.

“I was very humbled and honored to receive the Key to the Community award; however, I accepted on behalf of many individuals who contribute to the area,” Santer said. “What I do, I do not do alone. I have many friends and family who also give endless hours to making our community a healthy and peaceful place to live.”

“We all are keys to unlocking the potential in our fellow community members,” she continued.

Since 1955, The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley has been dedicated to ensuring a satisfying and productive life for children and adults with intellectual, cognitive and related developmental disabilities by providing programs and services that enable, empower and encourage them to live, learn, work, worship and play in their community along with their peers and neighbors.

The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley is currently accepting donations for its Secret Christmas program. Donations of $40 will provide Christmas gifts, cookies, housekeeping and toiletry packs to adults and teens 13-years and older with intellectual, cognitive or related developmental disabilities in Wood County.

For more information about the Secret Christmas program, contact Liz Ford at Liz.Ford@thearcmov.org or 304-422-3151 ext. 106.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer wishes everyone a “joyful, safe, blessed holiday season.” Happy Thanksgiving from WVU Parkersburg!

West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Sigma Omega chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society welcomed 15 new members during the fall 2019 semester. A formal induction ceremony was held on Thursday, November 14, in the college theater.

Dr. Blake Ellis, Phi Theta Kappa headquarters senior vice president of student engagement, joined the ceremony via Zoom and served as the keynote speaker.

Officers Fallyn Buffington, Victoria Poellet-Tauber, Brittany Sword, Allison Ezell and Seth Kerby were installed as president, vice president, and secretary, public relations officer and honors in action chair respectively.

“As president of the Sigma Omega chapter, I hope to achieve a five-star rating – that is the highest status that a chapter can receive,” said Buffington. “What I truly enjoy about Phi Theta Kappa is how much we support and push each other towards success. Not to mention, we have three advisors who constantly go out of their way for us and are with us each step of the way.”

Inductees took the official oath of membership to uphold PTK’s four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship in the presence of their friends and family. New WVU Parkersburg Sigma Omega chapter members include:

Asia J. Brady

Brittany N. Brady

Priscilla D. Brady

Shannon M. Buchanan

Erin E. Gieseke

Nancy J. Goff

Amelia J. Hartzog

Fiona N. Lane

Ayaka McBee

Mikala S. Miller

Zane A. Nielsen

Jonathan M. Siegrist

Kaitlynn L. Vincent

Amy L. West

Philip R. Wilson

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,250 chapters across the United States, Canada and Germany. Membership to PTK is by invitation only and extended to students meeting specific eligibility criteria. In order to be eligible for membership, currently enrolled students must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and completed at least 12 credit hours of associate degree course work.

For more information about WVU Parkersburg’s Sigma Omega chapter, contact advisors Marie Butler (mbutler1@wvup.edu), Andrew Rochus (arochus1@wvup.edu) or Andrew Walker (wwalker1@wvup.edu).

WVU Parkersburg has once again been recognized for its support of veteran and military students by Military Times, ranking No. 8 on its annual “Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges list.”

Military Times “Best for Vets” survey is an editorially independent news project that evaluates many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. The ranking is based upon an institution’s culture, student support, academic policies, academic outcomes/quality and financial aid.

WVU Parkersburg consistently ranks among the top career and technical schools for veterans by Military Times, both nationally and in West Virginia overall.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the best career and technical colleges for veterans and active military across the country,” said WVU Parkersburg Veterans Advocate Darren Shearlock. “WVU Parkersburg is committed to creating an environment that enables veterans to reach their educational, professional and career goals.”

The college’s Veterans Resource Center provides a learning environment that conveys the college’s appreciation of the service and sacrifices of our veteran students and offers the tools and services necessary for them to achieve academic success. The center gives veteran and military students a quiet place to study, a space to socialize and a place to discuss veteran-specific issues on campus.

Students also have access to a veterans advocate to help them manage college credit transfers, secure financing through the GI Bill and apply for VA benefits. Other services provided by the center include free tutoring and veteran-based scholarships to help students pay for tuition and fees.

More than 200 veterans and their family members are currently taking advantage of the many degree programs and classes offered by WVU Parkersburg to help further their academic and professional interests.

“I encourage everyone in the veteran community to consider WVU Parkersburg as their first choice in higher education,” added Shearlock.

The “Best for Vets” college rankings are published in the Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corps Times and Navy Times, as well as on the Military Times website. To view the full rankings, go to https://charts.militarytimes.com/chart/18.

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s veteran resources, contact Darren Shearlock at 304-424-8337 or darren.shearlock@wvup.edu.

Silk red poppies lay vibrant against suit coats, a symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans to honor the service of veterans. To help pay tribute to veterans, West Virginia University at Parkersburg is extending an invitation to the community to celebrate Troops Week, November 11 – 15, which will include a Veterans Day ceremony, Academy Award-winning film screening and many more free and open activities held on the main campus.

The week will begin with a Veterans Day ceremony held on Monday, November 11, at 1:30 p.m., in the college theater. Lieutenant Colonel Alex Cantu, United States Air Force (Retired) will serve as guest speaker.

Lt Col Cantu joined the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant in 1988. He served in a variety of roles, including intercontinental ballistic missile launch officer, space surveillance crew commander, program manager, Air Force Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment commander and Air War College instructor. He also held staff positions in the Air Force, to include setting nuclear weapons policy and procedures, managing day-to-day operations of US Strategic Command computer networks, managing North American Air Defense Command space warning systems and spending a year in Afghanistan to help build the Afghan Air Force Academy.

Lt Col Cantu retired in 2015 after 26 years of active duty. Since then, he has been the Parkersburg South High School Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) senior instructor.

The Parkersburg South AFJROTC will provide a color guard to raise the flag while Artsbridge and guest performer Amanda Stevens lead the “National Anthem.” Stevens is a Parkersburg High School and WVU Parkersburg alumni who has performed in the Actors Guild of Parkersburg productions, local TV commercials and the band MIXX.

“On Veterans Day, our nation honors the men and women who served in the military, both in times of peace, and in times of war. I love the way WVU Parkersburg honors our veterans by extending that sentiment into a week-long celebration,” said WVU Parkersburg Veterans Advocate Darren Shearlock. “Every veteran had to sacrifice to serve their country, and during troops week, the institution shows its appreciation by offering services for our veterans. We will host several veteran-centric, fun and information events, and I look forward to seeing the whole Parkersburg community join us during Troops Week 2019.”

The rest of Troops Week will follow accordingly:

Tuesday, November 12

Branch/Unit Pride Day: The WVU Parkersburg campus community is encouraged to wear apparel displaying a military branch or favorite unit. The Veterans Corps will also host a fundraiser, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Veterans Resource Center. Individuals may honor a service member, past or present, by placing the service member’s name and branch on the Memorial Dog Tag display. Dog tags are available for $1 each.

Wednesday, November 13

Soul Injury, 10 – 11 a.m.: The informational session, presented by Housecalls Hospice in the college theater, will discuss a Soul Injury, a wound that penetrates the deepest self and pierces the ego. It disrupts a person’s fundamental identity, shrinking the sense of inner goodness; it can even fuel a haunting sense of defectiveness. But, a body can heal from the guilt and shame.

Rock Wall Challenge, 12 – 1 p.m.: Presented by the WV Army National Guard in the College Activities Center parking lot, the climbing wall is a way to try rock climbing in a fun, safe outdoor setting. The challenge of scaling the “easy,” “medium” and “hard” level sides of the towering fiberglass wall is popular with youths and adults.

Thursday, November 14

Santa’s Sweet Charity, 6 – 8 p.m.: The Mid-Ohio Valley Toys for Tots (a Marine Corps organization) will host a dessert competition in the College Activities Center. A $5 entry fee will allow attendees to sample treats provided by local competitors and vote for their favorite submission. Live music will be provided, and the organization will be collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys.

“Hacksaw Ridge” Movie Screening, 6 – 9 p.m.: Listen to a short presentation by WVU Parkersburg professor Aaron Crites about Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to bear arms during WWII on religious grounds. Then, sit back, relax and grab free popcorn and drinks for the movie screening of the Academy Award-winning “Hacksaw Ridge” in the student lounge.

Friday, November 15

Pool Tournament, 5 – 7 p.m.: The WVU Parkersburg Veterans Corps will host a pool tournament with the chance to win prizes. Sign-up for free by emailing Anthony Perry at aperry6@wvup.edu, and put “Pool” in the subject line. The first game will begin at 5 p.m. in the student lounge. Prizes donated by Backwoods Woodcrafts by Vets.

Ricky’s Café will also provide refreshments for veterans, in the WVU Parkersburg Veterans Resource Center, all week.

WVU Parkersburg was recently ranked eighth in the nation by the Military Times Best for Vets: Top Colleges 2020 in the Career and Technical Colleges category. This ranking is based upon an institution’s military and veteran student policies, academic outcomes, military-supportive cultures and more.

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