Dear Wheeling University Students, Faculty, Staff, Trustees, Alumni, and Friends:

As February comes to an end I want to share my appreciation for all of the individuals who work tirelessly to serve our students in many ways. Our dedicated faculty and staff are the backbone of our storied institution.  As an example, our staff ensures the information technology infrastructure is operating in an optimal way, students are receiving tutoring and help when they need it, the campus is both safe and beautiful, and students have access to support for their recreational and fitness needs. While our faculty serve our students in a myriad of areas, in the classroom, through research and internships, a nd in the field. I often refer to Wheeling University as a family and like a family every individual is valued and important. Please join me in appreciating their kindness care and support for all they do.
Wheeling University Physical Therapy Department Lives the Mission on Annual Service Trip

Transforming lives is at the heart of Wheeling University’s physical therapy department’s service-learning program in Mexico.
 
For the past 20 years, the department’s service-learning program has been changing the lives of students and faculty, as well as the patients they serve. The experience provided valuable hands-on learning, as well as the opportunity to live out the University’s mission to be ‘men and women for others.’
 
“This service-learning trip is a transformational experience in our students’ lives. They not only get to fulfill the University’s mission to serve those in need, but also witness the lack of medical care and social services have in the regions that we visit,” said Dr. Mark Drnach, clinical professor of Physical Therapy at Wheeling University.
 
This year a group of twenty students and four faculty from Wheeling University spent a week treating the underserved residents of Merida and Izamal and provided educational instruction to the staffs at the sites they visited. Additionally, the students applied classroom instruction in real life situations by providing care to patients. Read More ...
Growth and Learning Assembly

We introduced our employee professional development series the Growth and Learning Assembly this month with special guest Wheeling Central Catholic High School's Coach Mike Young. Coach Young shared his commitment to faith in a winning culture. Our goal is to help our employees excel in their positions and enhance and build their professional skills strengthening the culture of the university. The GALA Series is meant to demonstrate Wheeling University's support and investment in our staff, faculty and coaches.Today, organizations are faced with many challenges, not the least of which is constant change. Workforce diversity, reorganization of workgroups, diminishing resources, technological innovations, rising worker expectations and the changing routine of the work itself all challenge employees in ways they've never been challenged before. We are committed to meet the challenges our employees are facing by drawing upon resources from both inside and outside the University with programs and speakers. For More...
Engineering Students Complete Assessment of Wheeling Hospital UVC Devices

 Wheeling University engineering students recently completed an assessment on 20 of Wheeling Hospital’s new UVC Devices. UVC Technology refers to a type of ultraviolet light, also known as Germicidal UV. It has the power to kill or incapacitate bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses by destroying the DNA of dangerous pathogens. Read More...
Ritz named USBWA Division II National Player of the Week
Ritz matched the record set by Christine DeSaine of West Virginia Tech against Ohio Valley back on January 30, 1995. Read More ...
Pittsburgh Alumni & Friends Gathering

Thank you to Kathleen Carrigan Hill for arranging a Pittsburgh Alumni & Friends Gathering. I had the good fortune along with Alumni and Family Engagement team members Julia Cook and Kelly Klubert to visit with Pittsburgh Alumni at the Roman Bistro restaurant. Among other topics I had the opportunity to share an update on the five million dollar investment on behalf of the Wheeling Charleston Diocese, plans to return the Ratt as an Internship Program through our Business Department and the good news of continued progress. In March, I will have the opportunity to attend a Columbus Alumni & Friends event organized by Alumni Council President, Joe Munhall and the staff of Alumni and Family Engagement are working to schedule additional events.
Inter-Professional Event Teaches Health Science Students Benefit of Teamwork

Students and faculty from Wheeling University’s health care programs, along with community members, participated in the third Inter-Professional Education (IPE) Collaboration event earlier this semester. Students and faculty members from Wheeling University's health care programs joined community panel members for this event. The students, who were from the Athletic Training, Nursing and Physical Therapy programs, spent the afternoon working through a paper case in small inter-professional groups. The groups discussed the case and developed a comprehensive inter-professional treatment plan. The goal of IPE is to prepare health professional students with the values and core competencies necessary for collaborative, inter-professional practice for best patient care and outcomes. During the IPE event, students had the opportunity to gain exposure to and immersion in inter-professional collaboration, values and core competencies. Students who apply the values and the competencies acquired through this inter-professional education activity can exemplify student leadership in future collaborative situations. The Inter-Professional Education event prepares our students to be work-force ready upon graduation as students need to be able to perform well in inter-professional and multidisciplinary teams.
The Cardinal as the Wheeling University Mascot

According to historical accounts, students of the newly ordained Wheeling College chose the Cardinal as the institution’s mascot. Following a vote by the student body, the administration announced Dec. 6, 1955 that the winning symbol was the Cardinal. The students also decided crimson and gold would be the school colors. Along with Cardinals, other nicknames the students brought forward were Lancers, Pioneers and Amalgamated Book Worms. The first sports team, men’s golf, was the first squad to compete as the Cardinals in 1956. Men’s basketball, was the second squad to compete as the Cardinals. The all-freshman team took the hardwood in 1957. The Cardinal logo has taken on different looks over the past 65 years, the newest version incorporates Wheeling University’s flaming W into the Cardinal’s head of hair.
Career Services

Career Services has been busy with a handful of fun things. To help our students learn the etiquette skills they need for career networking and job interviews, which often include lunches and dinners, the Office of Career Services recently held the Annual Business Etiquette Dinner and Fashion Show in Swint Hall’s Troy Theatre. The etiquette dinner offers an ability to teach proper etiquette necessary during a business-related dinner - the mock fashion show provided examples of proper business attire for a variety of related situations and also be the debuted the Cardinal Career Closet, a service we offer to students that will allow them to use our inventory of business clothing at no charge!

Our upcoming Career Fair in March has gotten some attention from local and regional businesses, and we are already having organizations reserving tables for the event. There is a buzz among the students as well, and we are expecting a solid attendance from both employers and the student body as well.

Our student interns are all performing extremely well in their various work locations on campus as well as off. They are developing their existing skills and are getting exposure to new experiences, all of which are helping them to focus on the specifics of their chosen fields and what work paths they may want to consider choosing after graduation. It's been very encouraging meeting with the students and seeing them excited about the work they are doing!

We continue to develop relationships with companies in the immediate area and in the general region, we are developing various career-related workshops to be implemented in the fall, and are exploring creative ways to provide students with multiple access points to employers to further educate them on the "working world" as well as provide networking opportunities for them.
Athletics

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams secured post-season berths in the Mountain East Conference Basketball Tournament next month here in Wheeling at the WesBanco Arena. The event begins on Wednesday, March 4 downtown and runs until Sunday, March 8 with both the men’s and women’s championship games.
 
Sophomore Lilly Ritz garnered national attention early in the month when she pulled down an incredible 36 rebounds to tie a NCAA Division II record and help the team earn a 75-72 win over West Virginia State. Lilly was later named both the MEC and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Division II National Player of the Week for her effort.
 
Junior Liz Fleming won both the shot put and weight throw at the inaugural MEC Indoor Track & Field Championships and was named the MEC Field Athlete of the Year at the conclusion of the event. Her efforts helped the women’s team take third place, while the men finished in fifth.
 
The baseball and softball teams both took the field for the first time this spring. The baseball team and second-year Head Coach Ryan Lewicki opened the season with a two-game sweep at Salem, while new Head Softball Coach Tiffany Buckmaster picked up her first-win at the University with a 8-7 win at Seton Hill.
 
Senior  Josh Bell  was named the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Pitcher of the Week . Bell helped the Cardinals open the 2020 campaign with a 7-0 win at Salem Sunday afternoon. The right-hander earned the win on the bump after tossing five scoreless innings, while yielding only one hit with four strikeouts. 

The football team announced their recruiting class for this upcoming season. Head Coach Zac Bruney and his staff inked 35 commitments and are still in the process of adding more talented players for the team’s second season in the MEC this fall.
Campus Ministry

February was a busy month for Campus Ministry with various events targeting thought-provoking topics.

Along with their daily masses, Campus Ministry held a special mass for Founder's Day (February 11) to celebrate the legacy of Archbishop John Swint with Bishop Mark Brennan and a Valentine's Mass on February 16 which included a renewal of marriage commitment for couples in attendance.

A Human Trafficking in the Ohio Valley Panel occured on February 17th with over 70 community and campus members attending. The partnership with criminal justice, sociology and the Sisters of St. Joseph met to discuss human trafficking in the Valley, resources, obstacles and what we can do to stop it.

Healing Harm: A Conference on Restorative Justice and the Catholic Abuse Crisis finished up the month with over 100 people participating in a conference featuring national experts who have implemented Restorative Justice in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis to address the harms of the abuse of power from former Bishop Michael Bransfield.

Kairos XXXIII Retreat Wheeling University's peer-led retreat for upperclass students to explore their relationships with friends, family and God will take place March 20-22 at Lantz Farm.
Admissions and Enrollment

The Admissions Office at Wheeling University has begun their spring travel, with the first event at the Pittsburgh Convention Center for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Fair on February 6 th and 7 th . Associate Director of Admissions, Mary Meiman,(left in photo) and Assistant Director of Admissions, Jessica Holubeck, (right in photo) both alumnae, represented the university. 

Additionally, VP of Enrollment, Rebecca Pauls, represented Wheeling University at the Monroe Central HS College and Career Day on Februray 13 th , where May 2019 alumna, Jessie Truex, is an English Intervention Specialist. The university is also proud to have four Monroe Central HS graduates as current students.

Campus visits by prospective students from numerous states and even Canada continue to happen on a weekly basis. Admission and Financial Aid information is discussed with families in addition to a campus tour.
February was also a busy month for group visits and the university welcomed the Wheeling Park HS Boys Basketball Coach, Mike Jebbia, along with some of his varsity team members to attend the Wheeling University versus Glenville State University men’s basketball game.

Then on February 19 th , the Madonna High School Boys Basketball team and Wheeling Central High School Boys and Girls basketball teams and Coaches attended the Wheeling University versus Fairmont State University Men’s and Women’s Basketball games. 

To wrap up the month, Wheeling University faculty have been reaching out to accepted students in order to answer any specific questions that students may have about their respective majors.
We look forward to the fast-approaching month of March, as we have our Red & Gold Open House on Saturday, March 7 th . The Admissions Office invites juniors and seniors in high school to attend this on-campus event.
Be Our Next Wheeling University Alumni Enrollment Missionary

Wheeling University's living alumni are 13,000 strong. They love this institution, feel it has changed their lives and most bleed red and gold!  I would like to reach out to you to ask you to consider being a "Wheeling University Enrollment Missionary." What does that mean? It is simple. Talk about Wheeling University in your community, consider visiting a high school, encourage high school juniors and seniors to check out the college via our website at www.wju.edu, or encourage them to contact our admissions department for additional information. Just think about it, if even 200 Wheeling University alumni each reached out to five possible new students, you would have expanded our outreach to 1,000 high caliber leads. I can assure you, this would have a significant impact on our outreach to prospective students.
 
For more information, please feel free to reach out to Director of Admissions, Jennifer Board at jboard@wju.edu or call her at  304-243-2089 . She would be more than happy to send you materials and brief you on the best ways to help out. Remember, simply sharing your stories about Wheeling University and belief in its impact along with our website (www.wju.edu) is also very welcome and appreciated!
Student Services

The Office of Student Services has had a busy month with a plethora of activities. Wheeling University Campus Activities Board (CAB) continued hosting their monthly Bingo, and weekly Team Trivia with aid from the Student Government Association (SGA) and other clubs and organizations. The Senior Class within SGA Senate made soap in the 24 Hour lounge this month and also had pizza party in celebration of National Pizza Day!

The Offices of Engagement and Campus Activities, along with SGA passed out over 100 carnations around campus for Valentine's Day. CAB and SGA partnered to host a Masquerade themed Valentine's Day Dance in the 24 Hour Lounge on Valentine’s Weekend. Students were invited to take a matchmaking test one week prior to the event, with results being available at the dance. The event well attended and a resounding success. 

The Office of Campus Activities and the Black Student Union (BSU) partnered to host the 2nd Annual Black History Month Convocation, with guest speaker Javier McCoy on late in February in the Mount de Chantal Recital Hall. Members of BSU and McCoy spoke to the theme "The Race to Freedom Never Ends & The Marathon Continues". To round out the month the Black Student Union hosted a Soul Food Plate sale in celebration of Black History Month, with food being picked up and delivered at the end of the week. The food was delicious and a huge hit among students, faculty and staff. They also, along with the Student Government Association, are in the final steps of planning Wheeling University's Annual Last Blast event which is held annually right before graduation. Events for Last Blast will include a concert, outdoor carnival and more! 

The Residence Life Office completed their Resident Assistant selection process with an official signing day coming up next month. The applicants go through a rigorous interview process to make sure we are getting the best RAs for our students. 

We are happy to bring back the preforming arts with the theater guild preforming 2 one act plays later in April! The group has been very active going to both local and regional productions. 
Wheeling University  Gaudiosa  2020

Wheeling University will host its annual scholarship dinner  Gaudiosa  on Saturday,  April 18 at Wheeling Park's White Palace.   This event supports the many   students that attend the University.  Gaudiosa  is an evening of fine food and entertainment with one single purpose - to raise funds to support scholarships at Wheeling University.  Gaudiosa   , Latin for "Joyous Feast," will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails followed by dinner at 7 p.m. This year's committee, which is made up of alumni, board members, employees and community members includes: Rev. Carlos L. Melocoton, Jr., Msgr . Paul  Hudock, Lawrence Bandi '86, Robby de Andrade '72, Mary Smith de Andrade '72, Carlos C Jimenez, M.D., Joe Pangilinan '88, Carol Pangilinan, Mike Young, Carol Young and Joan Carrigan.

For more information about Gaudiosa or to make your reservation, log onto www.wju.edu/gaudiosa or call 304-243-8166.  If you would like to learn more information about how you can support this cause, please visit the    official Gaudiosa site.  Your support and attendance at Gaudiosa will help us continue to educate our students in the  tradition of St. Ignatius, as we prepare them for Life, Leadership, and Service with and among others.
Important Dates to Know

Spring Open House Saturday, March 7, 10:00 am
Kairos XXXIII March 20-22
Career Services Career Fair March 25
Screening of Serving Life March 25 ( documentary followed by discussion)
Skype lecture by Fr. Jim Martin March 27
Campus Ministry Live the Fourth April 3-5
Cardinal Day/Early Registration Friday, April 3, 9:00 am
Gaudiosa Saturday April 18, 6:00 pm
Baccalaureate Mass & Reception Friday, May 1, 7:00 pm
62 nd Commencement May 2, 10:30 am
Alumni Weekend June 26-28
Summer Cardinal Orientation Friday, June 12 and Friday, July 17
I believe the excitement for spring 2020 is related to Wheeling University’s mission and our exceptional brand recognition as the only Catholic institution of higher learning in West Virginia as well as the fact that a Wheeling University education affirms the centrality of the wisdom, compassion, and peace in the process of forming "Men and Women for Others" - committed to of the service of the poor and the promotion of justice.

As always, thank you for your comments and questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at  president@wju.edu if you have any questions or comments. Wheeling!, West Virginia

Blessings and Go Cardinals!

Sincerely,
Ginny R. Favede
President