Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 6, No. 34 • March 11, 2022

President's Points of Pride

Shepherd stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their homeland. Like others around the world, many in our Shepherd community are watching the invasion of Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis thinking: How can I help? In the spirit of service that Shepherd is known for, we encourage you to find tangible ways to help the people of Ukraine as they are forced to flee their homes and take up arms amid this unprovoked attack on their country.

You’ve probably heard stories of how individuals are making a difference: collecting much-needed clothing and supplies to send overseas; booking accommodations to support individuals who are opening their homes to displaced persons; buying digital goods from Ukrainian online sellers; donating sales proceeds to humanitarian relief funds; and much more. We encourage you to share your efforts and ideas via the Shepherd University Facebook page.

If you are seeking reputable aid organizations to which to donate, the recommendation is to “give with your heart, but also give with your head,” meaning–do your homework on the organizations you choose to support to ensure your gift is going to the people in need and is given to a registered nonprofit organization. Charity Navigator has created a list of highly-rated nonprofits engaged in relief and recovery efforts, broken down by the type of service(s) they offer.

If you are personally struggling as you watch the unfolding events in Ukraine, we encourage you to find mental health services that may help you make sense of what is going on in the world. Shepherd employees have access to mental health services through the University’s Employee Assistance Program. Students can connect with the myriad services available through Counseling Services. Counseling Services also has a robust list of resources on their website that can help anyone in need.

Finally, I have contacted our Senators and offered Shepherd University available housing and education to Ukrainian refugees, and this proposal has been forwarded to the appropriate officials. Shepherd has a rich tradition of providing community service to those in need, and I can’t imagine a more urgent need than what we see unfolding in this current humanitarian crisis. #SHEPHERD STANDS READY TO HELP#

Courage to Inspire, Strength to Empower Award call for nominees

Women Investing in Shepherd (WISH) is seeking nominations for outstanding female student leaders whose service and commitment to excellence benefit and inspire the members of the Shepherd Ram family. WISH is committed to affecting and enhancing the Shepherd community. This award recognizes a student who, through her meaningful philanthropic work on- and off-campus, embodies this commitment. The award will be presented by President Mary J.C. Hendrix during the 2022 WISH Membership Reception on April 24. Nominations must include the candidate’s name and contact information; the nominator’s name and contact information; and a brief description of how the nominee has impacted Shepherd and/or her community through meaningful philanthropic work (500-word limit). Nominations must be submitted no later than Thursday, March 31, to Meg Patterson (mpeterso@shepherd.edu).

Women’s basketball team heads to NCAA DII championship

Congratulations to the Shepherd women’s basketball team who earned their place in the NCAA DII Women's Basketball Tournament! The fifth-seeded Rams take on fourth-seeded Gannon in first-round action on Friday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m., at Glenville State. Keep track of the Rams’ journey by following the championship bracket on the NCAA website. We are so proud of you! Go Rams!

Registration open for Glow Run for a Cause

Shepherd’s Office of Student Community Service is partnering with the Panhellenic Council to host a Glow Run for a Cause on Friday, April 8, to benefit Wishmakers on Campus. The evening run will feature a 5K route and a 1-mile route. Runners of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate! Run or walk at your own speed—time will not be kept. Come in your brightest clothes and decked out in glow sticks! Registration is $10 for current Shepherd students, staff, and faculty, and $20 for community members. The first 100 registrants by March 23rd will be guaranteed a t-shirt, so register online today! Prefer to help rather than run? Sign up online to volunteer.

New book from Shepherd’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities receives book award nomination

Shepherd’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities newest publication, Silas House: Exploring an Appalachian Writer’s Work, has been nominated for the South Atlantic Modern Language Association’s (SAMLA) Book Award for 2022. In the book, editor and coauthor Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt brings together established and rising scholars to discuss House and his writings through a critical lens. Various chapters address aspects of House's fiction and nonfiction, including the ways in which he deconstructs regional stereotypes, how he explores issues of diversity, his environmental activism, and his approach to LGBTQ issues. The collection begins with a foreword by Denise Giardina and concludes with a chapter by celebrated poet Maurice Manning exploring the lyricism that distinguishes House's work. Featuring an interview with House that further illuminates his philosophy and art, this volume offers an important critical appraisal of his oeuvre to date and illustrates why he is one of the most significant voices in Appalachian and American literature today. Shurbutt, director of the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities, will attend the 2022 SAMLA Conference next fall in Jacksonville, Florida, where the winner of the book award will be announced.

Adam Booth honored with Governor’s Arts Award

Congratulations Adam Booth—Shepherd’s storyteller-in-residence and adjunct professor in our Appalachian Studies program—on receiving the individual Folk Arts Award during a Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony on March 1. Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History (WVDACH) and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, the Governor’s Arts Awards are presented biennially to celebrate the state’s creative spirit and the amazing talents of the people and groups that produce art. These awards also recognize those whose willingness to support arts organizations and artists help to ensure the arts maintain an important place in our communities and schools. Learn more about the awards on the WVDACH website.

Sculptures by Alzona featured in several exhibits

Esperanza Alzona, music operations manager, has sculptures in several upcoming exhibits. They include:

Being Seen, a juried show featuring 35 artists at The Artists Gallery in Frederick, Maryland, through March 27.
Feminist Insight: Telling Her Story, a nationally juried exhibition at the Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, Fayetteville, North Carolina, from March 16-April 30. An artist’s reception is planned for Saturday, March 19, from 2-4 p.m.
Persistence IV: Annual National All Women’s Exhibition at the d’Art Center in Norfolk, Virginia, from March 19-April 16. An opening reception is planned for Friday, March 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Giving cheers for Giving Day 2022

What a difference a day makes! Giving Day 2022 was a remarkable success thanks not only to 411 donors (102% of the lofty 400-donor goal), but also countless staff and faculty members who recorded videos, shared social media posts, secured funding matches, and shared the word to encourage donations (or donated themselves!). In just 24 hours on March 9, members of our Shepherd community came together to raise more than $140,000! Congratulations to the Foundation staff who worked tirelessly to ensure Giving Day 2022 earned a place in the record books! See all the details—and a video message from President Mary J.C. Hendrix—on the Giving Day 2022 website.

Reminder: Classified Employees Council Scholarship Fund selling plants and bulbs to raise money

The Shepherd Classified Employees Council is sponsoring a sale of spring plants and bulbs to raise money for its Children’s Scholarship Fund. You can order flower bulbs, strawberries, tomatoes, and more for spring planting! Fifty percent of your purchase total will fill the coffers of the Classified Employees’ Children’s Scholarship Fund for the 2022-2023 academic year. The fund awards scholarships to children of full-time classified employees who are pursuing a degree at Shepherd. Just go to the Flower Power Shepherd University Classified Employees Children's Scholarship Fundraiser website and select your favorites. Items will be shipped directly to your home.

News

Debate and Forensics Team does well in Ocean City tournament

The Shepherd Debate and Forensics Team placed fourth in Team Sweepstakes and won or placed in nine events during the CFA (Collegiate Forensics Association) at the Beach tournament on March 4 and 5 in Ocean City, Maryland.

Shepherd once again earns Tree Campus USA designation

For the third year in a row, Shepherd has been named an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus USA.

Transfer agreements with Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College signed

Shepherd has signed two agreements with Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College that will make it easier for students from Eastern to come to Shepherd to earn their bachelor’s degree.

Shepherd cheer team takes Collegiate Grand Champion title at CCA nationals

The Shepherd cheer team took home the first-place trophy after completing at Christian Cheerleaders of America (CCA) Nationals in Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 5. The Rams won first place in the advanced Small Coed division and took home the Collegiate Grand Champion title as well.

Beeman earns D2CCA All-Region honors

Junior guard Abby Beeman of the Shepherd women's basketball team has been named to the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team. Beeman, a first-team selection, leads the Rams in scoring (18.8 ppg), assists (7.7 apg), and steals (2.7 spg). She also tops the team in three-pointers (71) and minutes played (1155). She leads NCAA II in assists (239) and assists per game. Beeman also ranks sixth nationally in steals (85). She was a four-time PSAC East Athlete of the Week honoree this season. Beeman scored 20 points or more in 15 games and has handed out eight assists or more in 18 games.

Stoner named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week

Sophomore midfielder Paige Stoner of the Shepherd women's lacrosse team has been named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week.

Shepherd women’s lacrosse falls to Wilmington

Sophomore attack Sam Lassahn and sophomore midfielder Kaiya Edwards each had four goals to pace the Rams in a road loss to undefeated Wilmington (Del.) on March 8.

Shepherd softball drops pair to West Liberty

Shepherd dropped a doubleheader to West Liberty in softball action at Sara Cree Field on March 8. The West Liberty Hilltoppers earned a 5-1 win in game one and added a 6-0 victory in the nightcap.

Shepherd women’s basketball falls to California (Pa.) in PSAC Tournament semifinals

Graduate student forward Sydney Clayton led the Rams with 18 points, seven boards, and four steals in a 78-49 loss to California (Pa.). in semifinal action of the PSAC Women's Basketball Tournament at Kutztown on March 5.

Shepherd softball splits with IUP

Shepherd split a doubleheader at Indiana (Pa.) on March 5. IUP gained a 4-3 win in game one, while Shepherd grabbed a 13-4 triumph in five innings in the nightcap.

Upcoming Events

Friday, March 11

Last day to withdraw from a full-semester class (see advisor by noon)

TBA—Women’s golf (Brown Gold Intercollegiate, Pinehurst, North Carolina)

11 a.m.-1 p.m.—Bone marrow donor registration drive, Rams Den

Noon—Baseball vs. Mansfield

2 p.m.—Baseball vs. Mansfield

7:30 p.m.—Women’s basketball vs. Gannon (NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament)

Saturday, March 12

Women’s golf (Brown Gold Intercollegiate, Pinehurst, North Carolina)

12:15 p.m.—Softball vs. Grand Valley State (The Spring Games, Jan Phyl Village, Florida)

2:30 p.m.—Softball vs. Saginaw Valley State (The Spring Games, Jan Phyl Village, Florida)

Sunday, March 13

First day of Spring Break