Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 7, No. 34 • March 3, 2023

President’s Points of Pride

I am delighted to share that fall 2023 Shepherd University undergraduate admission numbers continue to trend ahead compared to this time last year! Overall, admission applications are up 15 percent year-over-year, and admission deposits are up over 22 percent. In addition, registration numbers for Shepherd’s Accepted Student Day events are up 23 percent over last year. Another positive indicator of predicted enrollment growth for fall 2023 is the number of incoming and current students filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)—this year’s filing rate is up 33 percent compared to last year at this time. Thank you to Dr. Kelly Hart, the Enrollment Management team, and members of the Shepherd campus community for your collective recruitment efforts!

Countdown to Giving Day 2023

Wednesday, March 8, is Shepherd’s fourth annual Giving Day! For 24 hours, the Ram family will come together to support the programs, scholarships, and experiences that make Shepherd so special. The goal is ambitious: Receive gifts from 500 donors in one day. We are investing in the lives of students and every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Checks in support of Giving Day can be mailed to the Shepherd University Foundation, P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. Make the check payable to the Shepherd University Foundation and put Giving Day 2023 in the memo line. If you have any questions, please contact Christine Meyer, director of annual giving, at cmeyer@shepherd.edu or 304-876-5526. Make your gift, share Giving Day on social media, and challenge your friends to donate. #ShepGives!

Students educate students about healthy relationships and consent

In February, members of Shepherd's fraternities and sororities collaborated with staff of Student Activities and Leadership, the Multicultural Leadership Team, Counseling Services, and the Office of Social Equity, Title IX, and Multicultural Student Affairs to host a week of events focused on promoting a culture of consent to ensure a healthy, inclusive, and safe campus community. Student organizations facilitated educational programs about healthy relationships, bystander intervention, understanding the importance of consent, and creating a culture of respect on campus. Fraternities and sororities hosted resource tables and created posters and social media to promote consent awareness. More than 85 percent of Fraternity and Sorority Life members attended a training focused on respect and bystander intervention led by Student Affairs staff and Shepherd alumna Nora Fraser, who now works for the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Student Organization Spotlight: Delta Sigma Pi

The Shepherd chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity, is open to students in the College of Business who are majoring in accounting, economics, or business administration. These students exemplify teamwork, leadership, and service to others through events and activities, including resume workshops, guest speakers, networking events, and charitable drives. This year, Delta Sigma Pi won two Consent Education Week competitions for its flyer and TikTok video submission. Follow the activities, events, and service projects of the Shepherd chapter of Delta Sigma Pi on Instagram at @shepherddsp.

Bowling and Billiards for a Cure

Join the Alumni Association at the Bowling and Billiards Tournament supporting the Jefferson County Relay for Life at the Games Zone in the Student Center on Saturday, March 4, beginning at 3 p.m. For bowling, there will be teams of two and the cost will be $30 per team, with 16 teams total. Billiards will be single-player, $10 per player, with eight available players spots. All proceeds benefit the Jefferson County Relay for Life. Winners for both bowling and billiards will have their names engraved on a plaque that will proudly hang in the Student Center. Preregistration is required. Pay before or the day of! Come out and help us support a great cause! Snacks and drinks will be provided.

March Alumni Highlight: Alyssa Roush

Alyssa Roush, class of 2019 and 2021, has been honored as a Delta Zeta National 35 Under 35 recipient for her professional accomplishments combined with her sorority achievements while at Shepherd. In 2019, Alyssa received her bachelor’s degree in biology with a psychology minor, followed by a master’s in college student development and administration in 2021. For more information about Alyssa and the path that brought her to Shepherd, read the full Alumni Highlight online.

Students attend Recovery Advocacy Day at the state Capitol

On February 21, eight students from Shepherd's social work, psychology, and computer and information technology programs traveled to Charleston, West Virginia, for Recovery Advocacy Day at the Capitol. The trip was hosted by the Department of Social Work and the students were accompanied by social work faculty members Karen Green, Dr. Craig Cline, and Pippa McCullough. Dr. Joshua Stout from the Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice was also in Charleston for the event. At the Capitol, students learned about the legislative priorities of the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and the National Association of Social Workers West Virginia Chapter. In the morning, students had an opportunity to visit legislators to discuss these priorities before attending a floor session in the House of Delegates. During the afternoon, the students and faculty attended a panel discussion focused on the state's current approach to substance use and treatment. They also attended a panel discussion about prevention, recovery, and reentry resources in West Virginia.

Shepherd students debate current political topics

The Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications Civility Club hosted the third annual “Not Your Parents’ Debate” Debate on March 1, at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. This event was an opportunity for four students and a moderator to demonstrate a civil political discussion about serious topics. Questions related to the structure of government as it relates to multiple political parties, freedom and responsibilities of comedians, and opinions on West Virginia SB10, the Campus Self-defense Act. Civility Club members chose the topics for this debate together over several months and decided to include SB10 once it had passed the Judiciary Committee of the West Virginia Legislature; in fact, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed SB10 into law the same day as the Club’s event. Forty students attended the debate, listening attentively to the arguments and counterarguments made by the debaters, and continued the discussion over pizza.

News

Chloe Bailey is Truman Scholarship finalist

Political science major Chloe Bailey is one of 199 students from 133 institutions across the country selected as a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Foundation’s 2023 Truman Scholarship. Bailey, a senior from Red House, West Virginia, is one of four college students from the state in the finals.

March 9 Salon Series to feature world premiere of work by alumnus

The Sylvan Waters Duo with bassist Raymond Irving and harpist Tula Ruggiero will perform the world premiere of “Strange Dances,” a commission funded by a grant from the American Harp Society and composed by Shepherd alumnus Walker Williams, during the next Salon Series concert. The free concert, sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank and titled “Dances and Mirrors,” will take place Thursday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center C.W. Shipley Recital Hall.

Registration deadline for Shepherd summer teacher programs is May 1

West Virginia teachers and librarians can earn $1,000 stipends by participating in two summer institutes that will give them additional classroom resources. The Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education and the Shepherd Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities invite West Virginia teachers to apply for the institutes before the May 1 deadline. Both offer professional development credit, and social studies teachers may apply for both institutes and receive $2,000 in professional development stipends.

Rude Mechanicals perform at humanities conference

The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players performed the 15th-century medieval comedy The Second Shepherds’ Play at the Wilson College Humanities Conference on February 25.

Sports Roundup

February 24: Lacrosse falls to Wilmington

February 24: Softball splits with Emory & Henry

February 24: Baseball knocks off #13 UNC Pembroke

February 25: Women’s basketball downed at Kutztown

February 25: Men’s basketball falls at Kutztown

February 25: Baseball tops #13 UNC Pembroke

February 26: Softball drops pair at King

February 26: Baseball falls to #13 UNC Pembroke

February 27: East Stroudsburg rallies past Shepherd at PSAC tournament

March 1: Lacrosse tops Lock Haven

Upcoming Events

Friday, March 3

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Reading Room (more information)

Noon-8 p.m.—Lauren Koch Artist Installation, Phaze 2 Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art and Theater

Noon—Baseball vs. Lake Erie (at UNC Pembroke)

2:30 p.m.—Baseball vs. Lake Erie (at UNC Pembroke)

6-10 p.m.—Parent’s Night Out benefitting Jefferson County Relay For Life, sponsored by Shepherd student-athletes, Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center (preregistration required)

7 p.m.—Shepherdstown Film Society Screening: “You Can Count on Me,” sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Program and Scarborough Society, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (more information)

Saturday, March 4

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

Noon—Baseball vs. Lake Erie (at UNC Pembroke)

Noon—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Reading Room (more information)

1 p.m.—Lacrosse vs. Chestnut Hill

2:30 p.m.—Baseball vs. Lake Erie (at UNC Pembroke)

3 p.m.—Relay for Life Team Fundraiser: Bowling & Billiards Tournament, sponsored by the Alumni Association, Student Center Games Zone (more information)

Sunday, March 5

Noon—Women’s tennis vs. Juniata

Noon—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Reading Room (more information)

1 p.m.—Softball vs. Slippery Rock

3 p.m.—Softball vs. Slippery Rock

Monday, March 6

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

12:10—12:50 p.m.—Mindful Mondays, sponsored by Counseling Services, Student Center Cumberland Room

Tuesday, March 7

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Reading Room (more information)

2 p.m.—Softball at West Liberty

4 p.m.—Softball at West Liberty

7 p.m.—“Portraits of Persistence” by Dr. Dawne Raines Burke and Rhonda J. Smith, Scarborough Library Reading Room

Wednesday, March 8

Shepherd University Giving Day (more information)

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Reading Room (more information)

1 p.m.—Baseball at Virginia State

3 p.m.—Baseball at Virginia State

4 p.m.—Lacrosse at Kutztown

Thursday, March 9

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Reading Room (more information)

Noon—Women’s tennis vs. Salem

Noon—Men’s tennis vs. Salem

7:30 p.m.—Shepherd Music Salon Series: Tula Ruggiero, harp, and Ray Irving, bass, sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank, Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall

Friday, March 10

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

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Reading Room (more information)

2 p.m.—Softball vs. American International (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

2 p.m.—Baseball vs. East Stroudsburg

4:30 p.m.—Softball vs. Pitt-Johnstown (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

Saturday, March 11

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

Noon—Baseball at East Stroudsburg

Noon—Softball vs. Minnesota Crookston (The Spring Games, Clermont, Florida)

2:30 p.m.—Baseball at East Stroudsburg

4:30 p.m.—Softball vs. Southern Connecticut State (The Spring Games, Clermont, Florida)

Monday, March 13

Spring Break: No classes

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

11:30 a.m.—Softball vs. New Haven (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

2 p.m.—Softball vs. Nyack (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

Tuesday, March 14

Spring Break: No classes

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

9 a.m.—Softball vs. Salem (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

11:30 a.m.—Softball vs. Bentley (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

Noon—Baseball vs. West Liberty

2:30 p.m.—Baseball vs. West Liberty

Wednesday, March 15

Spring Break: No classes

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

2 p.m.—Lacrosse vs. Bloomsburg

5 p.m.—Joint Mixer, sponsored by Graduate Studies, Master of Business Administration, Alumni Association, Career Services, and Admissions, Shepherd’s Martinsburg Center, 261 Aikens Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia (registration required)

Thursday, March 16

Spring Break: No classes

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

9 a.m.—Softball vs. Felician (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

11:30 a.m.—Softball vs. Le Moyne (The Spring Games, Leesburg, Florida)

6 p.m.—High School Dual Enrollment Information Session, Office of Dual Enrollment and Admissions, Erma Ora Byrd Hall auditorium

Friday, March 17

Spring Break: No classes

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence, Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

2 p.m.—Baseball at Mansfield