There is something magical about the beautiful campus that is Wheeling University! This has been an extraordinary period for Wheeling University and the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese. In August, we witnessed the ordination and installation of Bishop Mark Brennan at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling. Brennan, a former auxiliary in Baltimore, became the ninth bishop to head the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The ceremony was beautiful, ornate, and moving. We are blessed to welcome Bishop Brennan to West Virginia the Diocese and this university. He spent the day touring Wheeling University in September and celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit in late September. His commitment to our beloved institution is quite evident in his efforts. Over the past few months, Wheeling University’s Fall athletic teams and students have returned our campus to a vibrant place bursting with constant activity. 

We have been busy rebuilding our university. As you know by now majors in biology, engineering science, and English will return to campus beginning in January. Online programs in criminal justice and psychology will also be offered starting in January. We are bringing back programs that we know have the revenue to support themselves. Several beloved Wheeling University athletic programs will be reinstated in 2020, including men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, wrestling and men’s and women’s swimming. We will also introduce Competitive Cheerleading as a new sport for our student-athletes beginning in 2020, which will give our Cardinals even more opportunities to shine at the regional and national level.

To grow the university, we must be able to increase our student population and to do that we have to offer high-demand programs. Among our goals, we need to achieve undergraduate student enrollment that helps position WU for fiscal sustainability, but at the same time holds to our mission.  Our efforts include aggressive marketing of our Learn Local commuter program and strengthening relationships with local community colleges. We are also working on the final edits of a 2 + 2 Program with Belmont College in Criminal Justice. I must share that we are taking an innovative approach to growth when it comes to what programs we could potentially add. 

 From the annual WVU Economic Outlook Symposium, we learned the four most important educational programs that will provide real-world jobs for our students include: Health Care, Social Services, Tech Program, and Engineering. Knowing these programs are intrinsically tied to the economic prosperity of our area, we are aggressively looking for funding sources that will allow us to add these programs to enhance the economy of our community. While our course offerings will continue to evolve with the needs of America’s workforce, our academic core will always strive to deliver the crucial and creative lessons that enable our students to become critical thinkers, clear communicators, and creative problem-solvers. Additionally, we authored a Community Health Care Needs Assessment survey submitted by Brian McCagh Class of ‘68 that is being marketed to hospitals in our tri-state area to help identify the specific medical needs as well as potential scholarship opportunities for our students. We are currently working with both West Liberty University and Bethany College on a consortium agreement that will allow our students to take classes not offered at the respective parent institution at the two neighboring schools with no additional tuition dollars. Finally, we are working to develop a robust online program that will allow us to increase revenue at minimal costs. It should be noted that this category includes the masters and doctorate levels as well as evening and online undergraduate and certificate programs.  

We are working to increase our International Recruitment efforts and are looking to return our successful English Language Institute (ELI). Wheeling University’s long-term success depends not on any one program, administrator, or faculty member, but on all of us working together in a combined effort to give our best to our students each day. 

Everything we achieve academically, athletically, financially, or administratively is all part of this collaborative process. Every idea shared, every innovative step, every proactive endeavor makes it possible for Wheeling University to grow, evolve, and thrive far into the future.

I am excited about the career and enrichment opportunities that these new and returning programs will create for everyone involved, and I look forward to working with each of you to help Wheeling University find even more victories to celebrate in the months to come.

Rev. James Conroy, S.J.,  Rev. Hadi Sasmita, S.J. and Fr. McCouch continue their service to our university and students. Our name may have changed, but our longstanding values of faith, service, and kindness, as well as our commitment to providing a robust catholic education founded in the liberal arts for students of all creeds, have not.   ~Ginny
Student Success Center Opens
We are growing to meet the needs of every student! This was exemplified as Wheeling University celebrated the grand opening of our new Student Success Center. The Student Success Center (SSC), strives to ensure the success of Wheeling University students. Faculty, staff, and students work collaboratively to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where students can enhance their academic, professional, and personal development. The mission of the Student Success Center is to positively impact retention and progression by providing academic assistance and support to our students. Through the First Year Seminar program, peer tutoring, Success Sessions, the Early Alert Retention Program, and access to an array of campus resources, the SSC works to serve as a “one stop shop” for all student needs. Find academic assistance, general guidance, or even sometimes a cup of coffee and a quiet place to study. You can also find computers, private study areas, group study rooms, and plenty of resources at the front desk to help you meet your academic goals.   Learn More about the Student Success Center
KAIROS # 32 RETREAT
 For me, Kairos has complete my education here at Wheeling. It truly embodies the traditions of this university, emphasizing ideals such as honestly, openness, and service to others. Putting into words the experience of Kairos is difficult because there are so many emotions that are revealed throughout the trip. Retreat-ants and leaders get to know one another on a deeper level. Friendships are formed and already existing friendships deepen. It removes the chaos from the world for just a few days, allowing students to reflect on who they are, their relationships with those around them and potentially with God, and how to put love in action once they have returned to campus. It is renewal, a revival and a restoration all in one. ~ Brianna Grimes


SGA Eboard – Vice President
Alpha Sigma Nu 
Ignatian Honors College
WJU Cardinals – Softball 
Academic Service Center WVNCC – Math, Physics
Campus Ministry – Fall ’19 Kairos Rector
SGA Eboard – Vice President
St. Michael Parish School Annual Angel Walk

Over 300 hundred students, teachers parents, grandparents, parishoners, and friends enjoyed the beautiful fall morning for the St. Michael Parish School's 9th annual Angel Walk. Wheeling University has hosted this event since its inception, which has raised an amazing $46,000 to date. The proceeds benefit the students of our fellow Wheeling Catholic institution as well as the Jackie Zavolta Student Scholarship Fund. We are alll looking ahead to next October which marks the tenth year for this outstanding fundraiser. At Wheeling Universty, we are proud to support our neighbors and community.
A Mission For Securing Our Future 
Wheeling University employees recently gathered to officially kick off the “Let Your Light Shine” Campaign! To pursue a re-imagined, revitalized Wheeling University, we must keep pushing the boundaries together. That starts with an unprecedented fundraising campaign $5 million in cash in 2020, and $25 million over the next five years. 

This campaign to SECURE OUR FUTURE is a full community effort and your support will be vital. 

Our current and future students are at the center of the developing vision, and so are our core values.
Wheeling University has embarked upon a capital campaign with a goal of securing twenty-five (25) million dollars over five (5) years. This campaign is focused on raising unrestricted dollars that will assist Wheeling University with operational and capital expenses. The campaign is not aimed at focusing on the projects or the amount of money, but on the benefits to the students and the greater Wheeling. The goal of this campaign will provide an ability to demonstrate to the community that the updated facilities or enhanced endowment will provide educational opportunities through expanded, increased or more efficient programming.

Today's world needs more Wheeling University thinkers, innovators, problem solvers, and experimenters. More graduates with ethics, empathy, and a commitment to social justice. Before we ask you to contribute we wanted to ensure that we had our faculty, staff and administration completely invested. Inspiring stories from SGA President Chelsea Ward, Carrie Hanna and Jimmy Regan made the breakfast a huge success. Our employees were asked to share their “Why” for giving to the Let Your Light Shine Campaign. I thought you would enjoy the photos below.

We will be rolling out our "Let Your Light Shine" Campaign NEXT WEEK and hope that you to will invest in Securing Our Future and share your Why !
Gaudiosa 2020: An Evening in Paris

Wheeling University’s Gaudiosa has always been a personal favorite. Join us this year as we feature a locational theme for Gaudiosa based on the travels of St. Ignatius of Loyola . This years theme is “A Night in Paris”.

Your support of WU's Gaudiosa matters and helps the university generate scholarship dollars. In fact, 95% of the students enrolled at Wheeling Jesuit receive scholarship support to attend Wheeling Univer sity. Of this total, more than 30% come from families that live below the poverty line, which is $32,000 per year for a family of four. Scholarship support ensures that qualified young men and women can access a private, catholic education.

That is why we are asking for your support for Gaudiosa 2020. In just three years, $400,000 has been donated towards supporting student scholarships and Gaudiosa has become one of the most popular annual events in the Ohio Valley. Gaudiosa features an elegant dinner and entertainment by Wheeling University students, alumni, as well as an opportunity to catch up with friends, family and Alumni. Gaudiosa 2018 attracted 315 guests.

Your sponsorship of Gaudiosa 2019 will go directly to scholarships for students who have great potential, but need financial support. Together, we can help offer a high-quality education that prepares students to live out the WU mission of life, leadership and service.
The Alumni Holiday Celebration is Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the Erickson Alumni Center!
The Alumni Holiday Celebration brings the Ohio Valley Alumni community together for a festive evening each December to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. Join us for this year's event at the Erickson Alumni Center to celebrate the holidays with cocktails and enjoy catching up with former classmates. We are all very much looking forward to spending time with you and your family as we celebrate the magic of Christmas. 
Cardinal Athletics
A historic win to close out the season has the football team on the right course; a team that on paper returns all 11 starters on both offense and defense.  Cardinal Football ended the season with three selections to the All-Mountain East Conference .  

Christy Benner’s volleyball team continued to find a way all season and won another MEC Championship and earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament. Setter Stephanie S ylvester became the second player in the MEC history to reach 5000 career assists, six players were named to the MEC All-Conference Teams including Player of the Year Stephanie Sylvester and Libero of the Year Audrey Francis. Christy Benner was named MEC Coach of the Year . Wheeling Volleyball was ranked nationally every week of the season. Cross Country’s Scheffel and Delaney collected all-region status at Atlantic Regionals. Lindsay Scheffel, Jordan Delaney, and Devin Rich all earned MEC All-Conference Awards . 
 
Wheeling University was one of three soccer programs from the MEC to have both the men's and women's teams recognized with Academic Team Awards from the United Soccer Coaches. Men’s team captain Andres Da Silva also became just the sixth Cardinal in school history across all sports to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American .
 
Sue Vail’s women’s golf team continued to be in the upper echelon of the MEC with a third-place finish at the conference championships.
 
The Cross Country teams had a pair of all-region runners in senior Lindsay Schefel and junior Jordan Delaney.
 
The rugby team is poised to make a resurgent push under our new coach Michael Geibel. The team recently took second place at a tournament in New York City over Thanksgiving break and will compete in spring.
Battilochi Reflects On Panama Trip

The future of USA Wrestling is very bright. Just ask Jess Battilochi.

The Wheeling University athletic trainer recently spent a week with the 15U boys and girls teams at the Pan American championships in Panama City, Panama.

To say the teams were successful would not be an understatement. The boys swept the nine weight classes in both freestyle and greco, while the girls claimed seven golds, a silver and two bronze.

"It was an amazing trip. The guys went undefeated. The girls went 7-1-2 in their 10 matches," Battilochi said. "The team success was unbelievable. We won the tournament by about 275 points."

The International competition, Battilochi's first, was like a working vacation. She was only called upon for minor injuries such as bloody noses while getting a chance to see her second country. She had previously visited China with the U.S. Senior Women's team.

"The experience was top-notch. The staff I got to work with was amazing," she raved. "The things we got to see down there were unbelievable. We went to the Panama Canal one day as a team. We were down there for Dia de los Muertos, which is Day of the Dead, where they celebrate their loved ones. So we went to a grave yard to see that. It was a really cool experience.

"The people were so friendly. The parents, the coaches. It was unbelievable."

The Buckeye Local graduate said the competition was good.

"There were 12 countries. It ran pretty much like a normal wrestling tournament, not much different. Smaller event than I'm used to," Battilochi said.

The best part of her trip came at the end during the team's celebration.

"Chills. After seeing the kids run around the mat with the flag draped over their shoulders, and then to hold that trophy up and put the American flag over my own shoulders, there's no words to describe how awesome that was," she recalled as goosebumps formed on her arms.

So, what's next?

"Without wrestling this winter I'll be covering men's basketball, but I will be catch some former Cardinals wrestling when I can," she said. "There were a couple of tours I could have went on but couldn't because of work and stuff, but just being asked and thought of for more is really awesome," she allowed. "Hopefully, if more pop up maybe I'll be asked.

"It was amazing to see what these kids were able to do now. I can't wait to see how they do in the future. The future of USA Wrestling is bright."
Stay warm this winter while showing off your Wheeling University pride!

T-Shirts and hoodies are for sale!

T-Shirt prices: $15 for non glitter, $20 for glitter
Hoodie prices: $25 for non glitter, $35 for glitter

Cash and card will be accepted. 

WU Sweatshirts will make great Christmas gifts!

Spread Christmas Cheer and Support Wheeling University!
On Veteran's Day we recognized Engineering Professor, Bob Yahn. Colonel Yahn has an extremely impressive 30 year career with the U.S. Air Force. He has flown all over the world including Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. Bob sees many similarities between his time serving our country and now serving the students of Wheeling University. He appreciates having the opportunity to lead and mentor and to also follow the military and Wheeling University core value of "service before self."
Stay Near Go Far
This fall we introduced the Wheeling University Learn Local Program for Commuters providing commuter students access to West Virginia’s number one university. With out-of-pocket cost similar to regional public institutions, this program allows students in the region to make their college decision on academic quality and outcomes rather than price. Students in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio in West Virginia, Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson and Monroe in Ohio and Green and Washington in Pennsylvania are now eligible for an affordable tuition rate $12,000 per year. The photo’s above are (2) billboards featuring local students and are located in Elm Grove and New Martinsville. Learn More about Learn Local
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Wheeling University Football 2019
Wheeling University Supporters Come Together at the Red Zone
Wheeling University hosted a special Red Zone Tailgate for every home football game of our inaugural season. The gathering provided a great oppportunity for the University to thank our supporters and alumni, all while cheering on our brand new team. This event was made possible by the generosity of alum , Mr. Vince Gallagher, and Pathway Growth Partners,LLC .
President Favede's Tour
President's Tour
As a commitment to turning our university around and growing our student population I have committed to a Presidential Tour. This is a Wheeling University rebuilding tour with our education partners and our alumni, friends and family. I will be visiting schools and alumni in Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia in the next two months. I intend to visit all of the catholic schools in the state of West Virginia and surrounding area. The tour will allow me to share the progress and success Wheeling University has made in the last few months and our plans for the future. I want to let the high school I believe that it is critical that I tell our story personally. I recognize that although many of you receive our news and may follow our social media but I recognize that not everyone is as informed. I believe to rebuild our university that it needs done the right way, and that is in person.  
Cleveland Tour
President Favede, Jennifer Board, Admissions Director, and Kelly Klubert, Alumni Director traveled to Cleveland to meet with several schools including St. Ignatius, St. Edward's and Cleveland Central Catholic. Cleveland Alumni gathered at Flannery's Pub in the evening and enjoyed catching up with one another and a informative Q & A session on the State of Wheeling University.