Vol. 6, No. 43 • May 13, 2022
 
President’s Points of Pride 
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and profound gratitude for the outstanding efforts of the Commencement Committee, facilities and IT staffs, and the student, staff, faculty, and administrative volunteers resulting in a successful 2022 Commencement experience for our students and their families. You “weathered” the challenges of rain, building renovations, and an alternate reception site with grace and determination. You made our students feel very special. You are an extraordinary team, and I thank you for all your efforts in planning and implementation. 
 
Class of 2022 celebrated at 149th Commencement 
As stated in The Journal on May 8, “Rain showers did not dampen the mood of excited Shepherd University graduates as they came together for the 149th Commencement on Saturday. Sixty-nine students graduated with master’s degrees from the university, while 13 students received Doctor of Nursing Practice doctoral degrees. Just over 600 students graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Students receiving diplomas had completed their studies either in the summer and fall of 2021 or the spring of 2022.” Read The Journal’s entire story online (article may be behind paywall for some) or visit the University’s Flickr album for some great photos
 
New York Times cites Stubblefield Institute event in article about West Virginia primary 
On May 9, The New York Times featured an in-depth article about the West Virginia primary between U.S. Representatives Mooney and McKinley, citing the Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications. “A Blood Feud in West Virginia Involves a Familiar Figure: Trump” mentions the Town Hall hosted by the Stubblefield Institute on April 25. The article reads,  
“...[West Virginia] has changed in the Trump era, and loyalties have hardened, said Scott Widmeyer, co-founder of the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.V.  
“We’ve seen heated political races, but I don’t think anything has been as nasty and down and dirty as this one,” he said. “Republicans are eating their own.” Institute officials invited both candidates to a debate, but only Mr. McKinley accepted. They then suggested that the candidates come separately to town hall meetings. Only Mr. McKinley accepted.”  
Mr. Widmeyer was quoted, and the Stubblefield Institute mentioned, in a Washington Times article summarizing primary results. These mentions are proof that the work done at Shepherd has a ripple effect far beyond the physical boundaries of our campus. 


News
FASTEnER Lab offers free workshops through May 24 
The Fine Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, Educational Resource (FASTEnER) Lab is working with several collaborative partners to offer free welding workshops and an iron casting demonstration. 
 
Biology department receives microscopes from NIH 
Students taking biology classes at Shepherd can use two professional-grade inverted fluorescence microscopes that were recently donated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Shepherd is on the approved NIH donation list, and Dr. Sara Reynolds, assistant professor of biology, reached out to the agency to inquire about receiving surplus microscopes. 
 
Shepherd receives $10K grant for writer-in-residence program 
The West Virginia Humanities Council has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Shepherd University Foundation, enabling the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities to bring novelist Barbara Kingsolver to West Virginia as the Shepherd University Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence and One Book, One West Virginia author. 
 
Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities starts new radio show 
The Shepherd Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities has launched a new radio program on the University’s public station, WSHC, called “Voices from Appalachia.” The half-hour show runs every Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-noon and features personalities and programs affecting the state and Appalachian region. 
 
Purtell gains CoSIDA Academic All-District honors
Senior third baseman Nicole Purtell of the Shepherd softball team has been selected to the 2021-22 CoSIDA Academic All-District Softball Team. The teams were selected by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) to recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. 

Foundation welcomes new members at annual Joseph P. McMurran Society dinner  
The Shepherd University Foundation welcomed the return of the annual Joseph P. McMurran Society and President’s Award dinner on April 30. Hosted by Shepherd President Mary J.C. Hendrix and sponsored by the Foundation, the event brings together Society members and their guests, along with Shepherd faculty and administrators, to honor those who have chosen to share their lifelong financial achievements with the University through estate and other planned gifts. 
 
Purtell, Davis earn NFCA All-Region honors  
Senior third baseman Nicole Purtell and junior designated player Cameron Davis of the Shepherd softball team have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA II All-Atlantic Region Team.  
 
Sevilla named PSAC Freshman of the Year  
Freshman Sebastian Sevilla of the Shepherd men's tennis team has been named PSAC Men's Tennis Freshman of the Year as announced by the league office on May 6. 
 
Shepherd softball pair gains PSAC honors 
Senior third baseman Nicole Purtell and junior designated player Cameron Davis of the Shepherd softball team have been named to the 2022 All-PSAC East team as announced by the league office on May 11. Purtell and Davis were first team selections 
 
Shepherd baseball falls to East Stroudsburg 
Shepherd lost 6-1 to East Stroudsburg in PSAC East baseball action at East Stroudsburg on May 8. 
 
Shepherd softball drops elimination game at PSAC Tournament  
Shepherd dropped an 8-6 decision to Bloomsburg in an elimination game of the PSAC Softball Tournament at Veterans Park in Quakertown, Pa., on May 8. 
 
Kidwell ties for 34th place at NCAA Division II men’s golf regional  
Senior Mason Kidwell of the Shepherd men's golf team completed play at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Regional at the Ravenwood Golf Club on May 7. 


Upcoming Events
Friday, May 13 
5-7 p.m.—Tours of Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 E. Washington St., Charles Town  
7 p.m.—Shepherdstown Film Society Film Screening of “Blinded by the Light” sponsored by Lifelong Learning Program and Scarborough Society, Reynolds Hall (free and open to the public) 
7:30 p.m.—West Virginia Mine Wars live concert, Old Opera House, 204 N. George St., Charles Town (tickets available at the Old Opera House) 
 
Saturday, May 14 
11:30 a.m.—“Voices from Appalachia” radio show (listen online
 
Sunday, May 15 
Open Enrollment for PEIA and FBMC Benefits ends (refer to emails from Tammy Gill for details) 
 
Friday, May 20 
7 p.m.—Shepherdstown Film Society Film Screening of “Snowpiercer” sponsored by Lifelong Learning Program and Scarborough Society, Reynolds Hall (free and open to the public) 

Saturday, May 21
11:30 a.m.—“Voices from Appalachia” radio show (listen online
 
Monday, May 23 
7 p.m.—“America’s Climate Change Policies: Who Will Pay, Us or Our Children?” sponsored by the Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications, Storer Ballroom, Student Center (registration required

Tuesday, May 24 
Summer Term 2022/Summer Session A classes begin 
Add/drop and late registration via RAIL 
8 a.m.-4 p.m.—Add/drop and late registration, Registrar’s Office, Ikenberry Hall 
 
Wednesday, May 25 
Add/drop and late registration via RAIL 
8 a.m.-4 p.m.— Add/drop and late registration, Registrar’s Office, Ikenberry Hall 
 
Saturday, May 28 
11:30 a.m.—“Voices from Appalachia” radio show (listen online)  
 
Monday, May 30 
University closed—Memorial Day 
 
Tuesday, May 31 
Last day to change a course from credit to pass/fail for Summer Term 2022 (including sessions A/B)

 
 

Shepherd University news and events are available here. 
Shepherd Athletics news and schedules are available here.  
 
To submit an idea for a future issue, email University Communications.
 
Dana L. Costa
Executive Director, University Communications
Shepherd University
P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown WV 25443-5000