Vol. 7, No. 43 • May 12, 2023

President’s Points of Pride 

I am pleased to highlight the Shepherd University Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities, which has evolved from a modest program created almost 20 years ago into a statewide and regional entity, serving Shepherd University and the state of West Virginia. The Center, which celebrated the ribbon cutting of its permanent home in the Scarborough Library two years ago, is a leader in scholarship in the region, publishing an award-winning study of Silas House in 2021, featuring the scholarship of the Center’s Adam Booth, David O Hoffman, Natalie Sypolt, and Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt, as well as Pulitzer-nominated poet Maurice Manning. This year, the Center was part of two major publications, Appalachian Ecocriticism and the Paradox of Place and the 2023 Women Speak Collection, while its annual Anthology of Appalachian Writers has grown from a small regional publication in 2009 to a powerhouse of national writers, including poet laureates and Pushcart Prize winners; its Barbara Kingsolver volume in 2022 receiving plaudits across the country and Kingsolver receiving a 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for Demon Copperhead, launched during the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence project last fall. Directed by Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt, the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities’ mission is to tell the story of Appalachia and Appalachians, which it does by partnering with the West Virginia Library Commission to select the state’s One Book One West Virginia common reading book each year and hosting a variety of academic events, including the Shepherd Speaks StoryCorps Project, the annual West Virginia Fiction Competition, interdisciplinary and social studies teacher institutes, the Celtic Roots/Global Appalachia Study Abroad program, and a vibrant series that brings a range of speakers and programs to the community. It also offers Shepherd students the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary minor, B.S./B.A., or M.A. in Appalachian studies. 

May 6, 2023, marked a return to traditional Commencement ceremonies for all Shepherd graduates. This photo of Undergraduate Commencement was taken by Tory Orr '20.

150th Commencement celebrates student achievements 

Last week’s 150th Commencement activities were a wonderful celebration of Shepherd students’ hard work and achievements. For the 2022-2023 school year, Shepherd conferred 506 undergraduate and 75 graduate degrees. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Commencement exercises a remarkable success. The students, parents, and participating employees were very impressed and grateful to be celebrating together again! If you want to relive the festivities, visit the Commencement website, where you can watch the video of the ceremonies, read the Commencement program, and view pictures from the day. 

 

2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence wins Pulitzer in Fiction 

Earlier this week, Barbara Kingsolver won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her novel Demon Copperhead. Kingsolver was the 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence, participating in dozens of activities throughout the year—from book readings and Q&A sessions to master classes and lectures. Some of the key events of her residency are available to watch online. West Virginia Public Broadcasting has also re-aired its interview with Kingsolver. Listen here

 

Free relaxation workshop combines CBD and meditation 

Women for Shepherd and the Shepherd University Foundation will be hosting Let’s Relax: A CBD & Meditation Workshop on Saturday, May 20, at 1:30 p.m., at the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center. Led by Samantha Savoca, owner of Meditative Medicinals in Shepherdstown, and Wendy Baracka, Shepherd’s director of counseling, the workshop will provide a modern insight into relaxation methodology and techniques. Light refreshments will follow. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by Monday, May 15. To register, contact Meg Patterson, director of donor relations, at mpeterso@shepherd.edu or 304-876-5021, or RSVP online.  

 

Nominations open for Athletic Hall of Fame

The Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame is accepting nominations until June 1 for the 2023 Class. The nomination form includes all criteria for nominating former student-athletes and coaches for recognition. For more information, contact Chip Ransom, sports information director, at cransom@shepherd.edu or 304-876-5228.  

 

Doyle hits his first home run in the majors 

Former Shepherd All-American Brenton Doyle belted his first Major League home run as the Colorado Rockies handed the New York Mets a 13-6 defeat on May 7. Doyle went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three runs batted in to lead the Rockies. He launched a two-run homer to right in the fifth inning and added a stolen base. Congratulations, Brenton!  


Alzona sculpture selected for MSAC Juried Exhibition  

Esperanza Alzona's sculpture “Time to Reflect” was selected for the Maryland State Arts Council Maryland Arts Directory Triennial Juried Exhibition. The exhibition runs from Thursday, May 18, to Saturday, June 24, at the Maryland Art Place, 218 West Saratoga St., Baltimore, Maryland. The opening reception is on Thursday, May 18, from 5-9 p.m. 

News

New SBDC campus office offers practical experience to students 

Businesses and students are benefiting from a new partnership between Shepherd University and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Last summer, the SBDC named Carol Goolsby, clinical assistant professor of business administration, a part-time business coach for the eastern region. She joined full-time coach Michael Boyd, whose office is in the Shepherd University Martinsburg Center. Adding Goolsby to its staff gives the SBDC additional resources, including access to Shepherd’s Applied Business Lab and student interns who can play a role in helping small businesses succeed.  

Read more » 


Social studies teacher institute deadline extended through June 1 

The deadline has been extended to June 1 for the Benedum Foundation-supported social studies teacher institute at Shepherd University. “People Powered: Civic Action, Community Engagement, and American Representative Democracy” is hosted by the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education. 

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Shepherd tennis trio gains CSC Academic All-District honors 

Three members of the men's tennis team have been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Men's Tennis Team. Junior Hamilton Hall, junior Yuto Shimotsuji, and sophomore Sebastian Sevilla were honored. 

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Baseball trio gains All-PSAC East honors 

Three members of the baseball team have been named to the 2023 All-PSAC East Baseball Team. Senior first baseman Ross Mulhall garnered first-team honors, while graduate student third baseman Connor Dewees and redshirt-sophomore outfielder Sam Daggers were second-team selections. 

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Purtell, Donnelly earn NFCA All-Region honors 

Graduate student third baseman Nicole Purtell and junior second baseman Caitlin Donnelly of the softball team have been named to the 2023 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Atlantic Region Team. Purtell and Donnelly earned first-team honors. 

Read more » 

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 13

11:30 a.m.—“Voices from Appalachia” radio show (listen online)  


Tuesday, May 16 

4:30-6:30 p.m.— Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)


Thursday, May 18

4:30-6:30 p.m.—Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)


Saturday, May 20

11:30 a.m.—“Voices from Appalachia” radio show (listen online)  

1:30 p.m.—Let’s Relax: A CBD & Meditation Workshop, presented by Women for Shepherd University and the Shepherd University Foundation, Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center (registration required


Tuesday, May 23

4:30-6:30 p.m.— Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)


Thursday, May 25

4:30-6:30 p.m.— Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)


Friday, May 26

Memorial Day Holiday, University closes at 12 p.m.


Saturday, May 27

10 a.m.—Tabler Farm’s Beginning Farmer Workshop Series: Advanced Bee Keeping (registration required)


Monday, May 29

Memorial Day, University Closed

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