Phi Theta Kappa inducts new members

 Parkersburg, W.Va.  (April 15, 2024) — The Sigma Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa inducted new members during a formal ceremony on Saturday, April 6, 2024 in the WVU Parkersburg Theater.

The Sigma Omega Chapter would like to welcome its newest members who accepted their invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa during the Spring 2024 enrollment period:

Anthony Beckett; Samantha Bragg; Andrew Bonnell; Tyler Copanic; Brianna Dalton; Joshua Hixon; Ethan Joy; Rebecca Kalb; Cassandra Lott; Christina Lunmeyer; Alexis McMillion; Addison Parks; Adam Rector; Michael Riblett; and Ariel Smith.

Witnessed by friends and family members, these students took the official oath of membership with the Sigma Omega Chapter President Anastasia Nicholas to uphold Phi Theta Kappa’s four Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.

“I want to thank each of you for attending today in celebration of these students. They have worked diligently to achieve academically and it’s only fitting for us to formally recognize them,” said Andrew Walker, professor and PTK advisor, during the ceremony. “We look forward to working with our newest members as they continue to grow in scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship; the four hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa.”

Dr. HG Young, professor and honorary PTK member, was the guest speaker during the ceremony.

Membership to Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation only. Eligible students must be currently enrolled at WVU Parkersburg with a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and have completed at least 12 credit hours leading to an associate degree. Students meeting these requirements who have previously earned an associate degree and are currently enrolled as students pursuing an additional, declared associate degree are also considered eligible for membership.

For more information on becoming a member, contact advisors Marie Butler at mbutler1@wvup.edu or Professor Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. More than 3.8 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges, making Phi Theta Kappa a true catalyst among members and colleges.

About WVU Parkersburg

West Virginia University at Parkersburg, established in 1961, is a life-changing institution for the students and communities it serves. The college offers over 50 degree programs, workforce development, short-term career training programs and community education classes. WVU Parkersburg is also the only community and technical college in West Virginia to offer bachelor’s degrees, and it is home to WPKM 96.3 FM, the first community college radio station in the state.

WVU Parkersburg’s BOG approves Staff Compensation Structure Update

Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 20, 2024) — WVU Parkersburg administration introduced a policy change to the Board of Governors that would update the Staff Compensation Structure, allowing the college to recruit more staff candidates.

A resolution was passed during the September 2023 BOG meeting to update the Faculty Compensation Structure. During the September meeting, WVU Parkersburg Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Alice Harris commented that it was time to update the Staff Compensation Structure in the future. It has not been revised since 2017.

“What’s been happening over the last two or three years is that we’re offering entry-level rates that aren’t competitive with what somebody can earn at McDonald’s or some other place,” said Harris. “Of course, money is important for people and having a pay scale that allows us to attract quality applicants is also important for us. So, we’re taking on the task of trying to increase that scale to make it more reflective of what is currently happening.”

From the 2017 compensation structure, administrations added the governor-mandated pay raises for state employees to come up with the new compensation structure. A basic entry level position at WVU Parkersburg would start at $9.85 an hour on the old compensation structure, where the increase would have a basic entry level position starting at $12.97 per hour. Harris said this would account for an average of a 4.5% increase in wages over the past seven years.

Existing staff who do not meet the minimum of the proposed staff compensation structure will be brought up to the minimum of the new scale. Staff who have five or more years of service at the end of the fiscal year, will receive a wage increase of up to the 25 percentile of the new scale or $5,000 annually, whichever is less.

WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Torie Jackson said the update to the new compensation structure will approximately affect 30 current employees.

Harris said the cost of bringing staff in compliance with the new compensation structure is approximately $230,000.

Cody Irick, BOG staff representative, said that this update to the compensation structure is very well received and very much appreciated by staff.

The board approved the resolution to update the staff compensation structure unanimously. It will go into effect immediately.

During the President’s Report, President Dr. Torie Jackson discussed the visit from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and WVU Parkersburg’s next steps as a college.

Jackson said HLC has not yet provided an official report of its visit, but WVU Parkersburg received good remarks during the exit meeting with HLC. Jackson said that WVU Parkersburg was described as a campus with teamwork and optimism. She also said that the HLC team were “envious of some of our processes and financial stability.”

“The HLC Review Team said we knew our mission and we put it into action. That speaks volumes as a community college, as a community partner and as a community leader; we are able to bring life-changing educational experiences to our students,” said WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Torie Jackson.

Jackson said WVU Parkersburg is planning for strategic growth moving forward. She highlighted the expansion of the Riverhawk Farm, updating the Jackson County Center to include an Applied Technical Center and the WVUP Incubator and Technology Center.

The next Board of Governors meeting will take place on April 23, 2024.

West Virginia University Parkersburg’s Board of Governors will meet Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the Francis and Nina Phares Board Room (Room 1300A) on the main campus.

Visit the Board of Governors agenda page to view the complete agenda.

WVU Parkersburg Announces eCampus.com as the University’s New Official Online Bookstore Partner  

eCampus.com was selected to serve as the official online bookstore of WVU Parkersburg.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 13, 2024) — In the search for the perfect partner to serve as the institution’s official online bookstore, WVU Parkersburg has announced the selection of renowned edtech company eCampus.com to launch in partnership in the summer of 2024.

Founded in 1961 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, WVU Parkersburg is an independently accredited community and technical college. Offering a wide range of programs and majors, WVU Parkersburg is the only public community and technical college to issue baccalaureate degrees. The institution values student access to their educational materials. By announcing the partnership with eCampus.com as the official online bookstore, WVU Parkersburg students are granted access to high-quality course supplies at affordable prices.

eCampus.com provides students with an online bookstore experience that simplifies and eases the stress of purchasing course materials. Through the partnership, a customized online storefront will be designed and prepared with students’ needs in mind. By using single sign-on, students will have immediate access to a one-stop shop for their professor-selected course materials. These materials will be available in new, used, digital, or rental formats, with school-exclusive shipping options that will allow students to make purchase selections that best fit their unique educational styles or needs and allow them to stay within budget. With access and affordability as a core value, eCampus.com also offers access to the online bookstore Marketplace where students can purchase course materials from third-party vendors typically at additional steep discounts.

WVU Parkersburg professors and instructors will be granted many great benefits through this partnership. Through the online storefront, professors and instructors can use eCampus.com’s advanced research tools to assist in their task of selecting and assigning course materials that fit their needs. With insights into real-time pricing and availability, professors and instructors can make informed selections with their students’ purchasing habits, access, and affordability in mind.

“eCampus.com is proud of our ability to provide an elite online bookstore shopping experience that brings students access to the educational tools they need to succeed without exhausting their resources,” said Matt Montgomery, President and CEO of eCampus.com. “We are honored to have been selected as the official online bookstore partner to work alongside WVU Parkersburg.”

“WVUP considered several providers for a textbook service before choosing eCampus.com. In addition to a campus team who listened to presentations from companies, we also chose to talk to other colleges who were utilizing different service providers. We believe eCampus.com will provide for more offerings for our students. And while this process is different than our previous provider, books will still arrive quickly to the campus or to homes and will be eligible for previous financial aid benefits. It will continue to be a seamless process for students to have the books and supplies necessary to be successful in their courses, which is always our ultimate goal – student success,” said Dr. Torie Jackson, President of WVU Parkersburg.

##

WVU Parkersburg is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

About WVU Parkersburg

West Virginia University at Parkersburg, established in 1961, is a life-changing institution for the students and communities it serves. The college offers over 50 degree programs, workforce development, short-term career training programs and community education classes. WVU Parkersburg is also the only community and technical college in West Virginia to offer bachelor’s degrees, and it is home to WPKM 96.3 FM, the first community college radio station in the state.

 About eCampus.com

eCampus.com is a premier online retailer of textbooks and digital course materials. Consistently exceeding industry standards, eCampus.com’s mission is to provide the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way for K-12 and higher education students to buy, rent, or sell textbooks and digital content. Founded on July 2, 1999, eCampus.com reshaped the textbook industry by taking the traditional college bookstore online. Remaining an edtech leader in future-proof course material solutions, eCampus.com serves over 300 schools, colleges, and universities. Their comprehensive course material solutions suite includes full-service online bookstores, inclusive access and equitable access programs, and expert campus store operations and management. Through products that simplify the adoption, management, and procurement of course materials, eCampus.com propels student success by delivering the right course materials, at the right time, and the right price. Learn more at www.ecampus.com and www.ecampushighered.com.

 ###

McKenna Named Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar  

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 5, 2024) — Autumn “Augustine” McKenna, a student at WVU Parkersburg, has been named a 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s global community leaders.”

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies. They will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Orlando, Florida, April 4-6.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

About WVU Parkersburg

West Virginia University at Parkersburg, established in 1961, is a life-changing institution for the students and communities it serves. The college offers over 50 degree programs, workforce development, short-term career training programs and community education classes. WVU Parkersburg is also the only community and technical college in West Virginia to offer bachelor’s degrees, and it is home to WPKM 96.3 FM, the first community college radio station in the state.

WVU Parkersburg signs new students into Education program

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 5, 2024) — The WVU Parkersburg Professional Studies Division hosted a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 27 to honor students being admitted into the education program, as well as induct new members into the honor society Kappa Delta Pi.

Students Caleb Akers, Kyanah Baldwin, Justin Barker, Kashia Brown, Josie Diets, Emily Ebert, Aleeah Fletcher, Kaylee Hall, Cole Hanshaw, Madison Hatcher, Shaley Hughes, Taylor Leaptrot, Abigail Offenberger, Lillith Parsons, Abigail Roberts, Samuel Schuler, Conner Shaffer, Kaci Shanabarger, Josie Smith and Ashlynn Taylor were admitted into the Education Program.

“This is a great accomplishment. You should be very proud of what you’ve been able to do. We want to honor you this evening for all that you’ve been able to accomplish in the past few semesters.” said  Dr. Bobbi Marshall, Dean of the Professional Studies Division.

Marshall introduced the students and explained what it takes to be a teacher. She said teachers must be lifelong learners dedicated to their profession, who can commit to being a role model while demonstrating dispositions that support growth in themselves and their students.

In order to be admitted into the Education Program, Marshall said the candidates must have completed at least 30 hours of coursework, 60 hours of field placement, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass or be exempt from three PRAXIS Core or Case exams and complete 50 hours of service learning.

During the ceremony each student signed their name as a commitment to the Architects of the Future Code of Honor and were presented with a personalized certificate of admission to the teacher education program, as well as a copy of the Architects of the Future Code of Honor and a lapel pin symbolizing their admission and commitment to the program.

“Teaching is not a glamorous profession, you are not going to get rich being a teacher. However, there is no other profession that can have such a drastic impact on the future. If it weren’t for teachers, we would have no doctors, no lawyers, no accountants, no architects, no business owners, no NFL quarterbacks, no talk show hosts. Teachers influence the lives of everyone. You are embarking on a career that can change the future, embrace it,” said Dr. Bobbi Marshall, Dean of the Professional Studies Division.

Zoe Butcher, Allison Ezell, Shaley Hughes, Tristan Lanham, Taylor Leaptrot, Haley Martin, Josie Reed and Alissa Saffell were all inducted into Kappa Delta Pi.

“The WVUP Sigma Omega chapter Kappa Delta Pi focuses their work on providing professional development opportunities to current students and graduates, service to the community, teacher education recognition, and receptions for the signing ceremony, KDP initiation, and celebration ceremonies for education graduates,” said KDP Chapter Advisor Danielle Shockey.

The Education Department had a small reception with food and drinks for guests after the ceremony.

For more information on the WVU Parkersburg education program, please visit wvup.edu/education.

Nichole Dellinger named a 2024 New Century Transfer Scholar

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 29, 2024) — Nichole Dellinger, a student at WVUP, has been named a 2024 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.

New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state.

The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

“We congratulate Nichole for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and the AACC to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for two-year college students to succeed and for putting college completion within reach.”

About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit coca-colagivingback.com.

About The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

About WVU Parkersburg

West Virginia University at Parkersburg, established in 1961, is a life-changing institution for the students and communities it serves. The college offers over 50 degree programs, workforce development, short-term career training programs and community education classes. WVU Parkersburg is also the only community and technical college in West Virginia to offer bachelor’s degrees, and it is home to WPKM 96.3 FM, the first community college radio station in the state.

WVUP announces Pitch Competition Winners

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 19, 2024) — WVU Parkersburg hosted the first stage of the WVUP Pitch Competition in the Proud Room of the main campus on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

The WVUP Pitch Competition gives student entrepreneurs an outlet to present their business ideas to community figures with business acumen. The judges included: Kathy Eddy, Erickson Foundation trustee; Tres Ross, Ross Foundation executive director; Dr. Jacqueline Khorassani, senior director of Entrepreneurship and Career Development at Marietta College; Michele Wilson, dean of WVUP’s Workforce, Technical, and Computer Information Science Division; And Gregory Hill, WVUP Business Instructor.

“I’m very grateful to be a part of this and especially thankful to Dr. Jackson, NACCE, the Erickson Foundation, and the Ross Foundation for helping make it possible. This is an amazing opportunity for everyone involved,” said Charles Almond, C.O. and Charles F. Erickson distinguished faculty chair in Entrepreneurship. “For the students, it’s a chance to be innovative and solve a real-world problem by applying what they’ve learned. They and other students can also work towards achieving a dream and helping others.”

He continued, “For the college, it’s a chance to live our missions and provide life-changing educational opportunities, and for the community it’s a chance to build a better economy where everyone can have new opportunities.”

During the competition, students presented ideas like software agencies, an ever-evolving playset for children and a back-up safety system for campers.

WVUP students Elizabeth Perdue, Eric Wright and Devon Dalrymple, won first, second and third place, respectively.

Perdue presented her idea for a mobile welding unit she could use to travel to fix heavy machinery.

“My idea was a mobile welding rig, that I can use to help support my local community,” said Perdue. “I want to help our local heavy equipment operators, whether that’s logging, farming, you name it, anything that involves big machinery where it breaks down in the middle of nowhere and you can’t reach it. I want to be able to go to them instead of them having to fight the hassle of bringing that [machinery] out to a shop.”

Perdue is a Wirt County native who graduated from Wirt County High School. The fascination for her high school welding program is what drove her to pursue a degree in welding. Perdue currently lives at North Bend State Park, where she works as a trail coordinator.

Wright presented a customizable playset for children to help expand their creativity during playtime.

“I hope it encourages kids to engage in imaginative play,” said Wright. “The idea behind my project is to create a framework in which kids can play and develop stories and ideas.”

Wright grew up in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Clearfield High School. He moved to Marietta with his wife to connect with family about 15 years ago, and he still lives there to this day. Wright is a Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) student at WVUP.

Dalrymple is creating a web development agency with one of his close friends.

“We’re a web development agency that plans to offer both the initial building and maintenance [of a website].

Dalrymple lives in Williamstown, where he graduated from Williamstown High School. Before coming to WVUP and majoring in Software Engineering, Dalrymple took a course in computer repair systems at the Caperton Center for Applied Technology, where he became captivated with the topic.

In stage two of the Pitch Competition, students will have the chance to win a grand prize of $10,000 and a spot in one of the WVUP ITC’s technology-based incubators to help them incubate their business from a concept to a company. The competition will take place on Friday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Proud Room. To register, contact Charles Almond at calmond1@wvup.edu.

WVUP’s Pitch Competition is in partnership with NACCE’s Everyday Entrepreneur program. For more information about NACCE’s Everyday Entrepreneur program, visit https://www.nacce.com/EEVF

WVU Parkersburg Professional Studies division announces Spring 2024 Education clinical students

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 16, 2024) — WVU Parkersburg is proud to announce its Spring 2024 Clinical students.

“The Residency Model has been such a wonderful addition to teacher preparation programs. Residents are given the opportunity to work with the same cooperating teacher and the same K-6 students for an entire year,” said Dr. Bobbi Marshall, dean of Professional Studies. “Being able to participate in the same class for a full school year gives teacher candidates the opportunity to participate in the start of the school year as well as the end of the school year. The full year experience provides teacher candidates with the skills that they need to successfully step into their own classroom after graduation.”

The Elementary Education program provides field experience in the classroom as early as the freshman year. With the traditional student teaching model, teacher candidates spend a semester in two classrooms and quickly assume teaching responsibilities under the mentorship of an experienced teacher until they are teaching full-time. The new residency model places teacher candidates in one classroom for their entire senior year, and they assume responsibilities more gradually.

The Spring 2024 class of students in Education 401 includes:

TYLER COUNTY — Scott Gorby

WOOD COUNTY— Makayla Burns; Chloe Kennedy; Quentin Kennedy; Abigail Lathem; Eliza Lawrentz; Jessica Morrison; Sydney Nuckolls; Ariana Pagan; Hanna Smith; Elizabeth Weaver

The Spring 2024 class of students in Education 410 includes:

JACKSON COUNTY — Maggy Criser

PLEASANTS COUNTY — Lindsey Cross

RITCHIE COUNTY — Valerie Bircher

WOOD COUNTY — Nolan Brace; Alysha King

To learn more about the Elementary Education program, please visit wvup.edu/education or contact Bobbi Marshall at Bobbi.Marshall@wvup.edu or (304) 424-8000 ext. 442.