Vol. 7, No. 36 • March 24, 2023

President’s Points of Pride 

I am pleased to highlight the Alternative Spring Break trip experienced by our Shepherd students and staff who spent last week enhancing the lives of others, learning about the hardships faced in Appalachia, and building essential leadership skills. Five undergraduate students, two graduate students, and one staff member traveled to Unicoi, Tennessee, near Johnson City, to volunteer with Appalachia Service Project (ASP). ASP addresses substandard housing using volunteer labor to perform repairs to make homes “warmer, safer, and drier.” The group from Shepherd was connected with a homeowner to repair rafters and replace a 30-year-old tin roof. The group learned how to measure and cut underlayment, secure purlins, and install a metal roof. Many of the students were new to holding a hammer, drilling, or using a miter saw. Through their openness to learn, work, and laugh, they not only built the confidence to replace a roof but also had the courage to build lifelong friendships. Weather delayed the group from completing the roof project but that didn’t stop them from finding others to serve. During their time in Tennessee, the group also painted rooms inside a newly built house for a homeowner who currently lives in a manufactured home. They also spent time at Small Miracles, a therapeutic equestrian center that enhances the lives of those with special needs by means of horse-assisted activities. When they weren’t serving, they were hiking the Smoky Mountains, exploring Johnson City, and enjoying many milkshakes from the restaurant Cook Out. These Alternative Spring Break trips change lives—in Appalachia and at Shepherd University.  

  

16th Shepherd Drag Show Benefit Returns on April 1  

The Shepherd Program Board and the Gender-Sexuality Alliance are excited to announce that after a long COVID hiatus, the 16th Shepherd Drag Show Benefit will return on Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Storer Ballroom. Dress to impress and get ready for a night of glamour, illusion, and lip sync fun from an all-star cast of performers including Nicole James, Ashley Bannks, Chasity Vain, Ivana Rights, Bayley, Dezi Minaj, Maranda Rights, Remington Steele, and Alexa V. Shontelle. While the event is free to the campus and community, audience members are encouraged to bring cash for the silent auction and donations to performers. All donations go directly to Hagerstown Hopes, a nonprofit organization that seeks to create spaces for unity, education, resources, and support services for LGBTQ+ folks in the local community. For more information, contact rmeads@shepherd.edu

 

Reminder: Vote for the next Common Reading book 

Only one week left to vote online for the 17th annual Shepherd University Common Reading book. The book receiving the most votes by March 31 will serve as the University’s Common Reading selection for the 2023-24 academic year. Please share widely and encourage others to vote. Copies of the five semi-finalist books are available through the Scarborough Library and most booksellers.  

 

Volunteers needed for 150th Commencement 

In order to give our graduating students and their families public recognition of their achievements, the Commencement Committee needs your help. We are looking for faculty and staff to volunteer to assist as ushers at our 2023 Commencement on Saturday, May 6. Volunteers are needed to scan tickets, direct guests to seating, and provide excellent customer service during the ceremony. Faculty volunteers can still join the processional. Staff volunteers will earn a comp day off from work. The time commitment is minimal compared to the rewards. Volunteers will attend a short training on Friday, May 5, at 1 p.m. On Saturday, May 6, volunteers will arrive at the Butcher Center by 11 a.m. Commencement should end by 3 p.m. The rewards? Amazing! Volunteers will receive a free lunch on May 6, will have a great view of one of the most important days of our students’ academic careers, and receive the gratitude of peers, students, and guests. If you’re able to help, please contact Dr. Liz Sechler at esechler@shepherd.edu.  

 

Athletics to host NFL Day 

Ram Nation—don't miss your last chance to see some of your favorite Shepherd Rams in action! Pro Day will take place on Tuesday, March 28, at 11 a.m. at Ram Stadium. All spectators should plan to park in H Lot on West Campus. We hope to see you there! 

 

Football Spring Game is April 15 

Spring brings warmer weather, longer days, flowers blooming, and football! Yes, football! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 15, for the 2023 Shepherd football Spring Game! Join the RamFam at noon on April 15 at Ram Stadium for an afternoon of (hopefully) spring sunshine and good times watching the football team scrimmage. Even better: Shepherd is guaranteed a win! 

 

Spring into Service projects benefit Shepherdstown community 

Over 80 Shepherd students sprang into service from March 6-10 before departing for Spring Break. Throughout the week, student-led organizations hosted seven community service opportunities in and around Shepherdstown. The week started with students weaving potholders to donate to the Martinsburg Rescue Mission. The project was co-sponsored by the Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications’ ListenLearnEngage Initiative (LLE) and the Office of Student Community Service and was guided by graduate assistant Aly Nazarok. Two groups—Tau Kappa Epsilon and the Shepherd Environmental Organization with Dr. Brooke Comer’s sustainable development class—completed service events that focused on cleaning up trash and debris in the community and along the C&O Canal towpath. Sociology and Criminology Club members teamed up with LLE to facilitate a panel about the opioid crisis and pack bags of hygiene products, some with Naloxone, to donate to statewide organizations supporting those in need. Panelists were Dr. Joshua Stout, assistant professor of criminal justice at Shepherd; Tara Mayson, founder and CEO of the Hope Dealer Project; and Brad Martin, case manager at Berkeley Day Report Center and Shepherd alumnus.  

Other projects completed during the week: 

  • The Program Board gathered students to paint spring-inspired art for residents of Canterbury Center nursing home 
  • Members of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity made dog toys from repurposed shirts for local animal shelters 

The Office of Student Community Service provides opportunities to connect with and impact the local community throughout the year. For more information, visit the Office’s RamPulse page

 

President’s Lecture to feature Dr. William Stubblefield 

Rear Admiral William “Bill” Stubblefield, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (retired) will present “Management Lessons Learned Through Life Experiences” during the final President’s Lecture Series event of the spring on Monday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. The lecture is free and open to all! 

 

Esperanza Alzona awarded third place in juried art exhibition 

Esperanza Alzona, operations manager for the School of Music, was awarded third place for her cast iron sculpture “Silence Within” in the juried art exhibition “Being Seen” at TAG/The Artists Gallery, 501 N. Market St., Frederick, Maryland. The juror, painter, and printmaker Craig Allen Subler selected 47 works from more than 450 entries for the exhibition, which will be open through Sunday. 

 

Employees from several departments receive specialized training  

Representatives from Counseling Services, the Title IX office, and officers from the Shepherd University Police Department (SUPD) attended the two-day Multidisciplinary Interpersonal Violence Summit hosted by the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center to expand their skills and abilities in responding to students impacted by human trafficking, interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and stalking/harassment. Counselors Jami Cross, LICSW, and Kelli Manzano, LICSW; SUPD’s Sgt. John Brown, Officer Adam Letts, and Officer Mary Reagan; and Director of Social Equity, Title IX, and Multicultural Student Affairs Annie Lewin participated in 16 hours of learning including a mock comprehensive community response to sexual assault, LGBTQIA+-specific concerns, and technology-assisted abuse, harassment, and extortion. 

News

Debate and Forensics Team ends tournament year in second place 

The Debate and Forensics Team was highly successful at the end-of-season CFA–at–the Beach tournament hosted by the Collegiate Forensics Association in Ocean City, Maryland, on March 3 and 4. The Rams won second place in the overall sweepstakes for the entire year. Olivia Stevens took first place in one category and was among eight team members winning yearlong awards. 

Read more » 

 

Art student hopes to introduce emerging artists across the state 

Senior Abigail Bowman is hard at work on her capstone final college project—something she hopes will change the way art and artists are viewed in West Virginia. Bowman is creating ARTtrek, a box trailer turned mobile gallery that will travel the state exhibiting the work of West Virginia artists.  

Read more » 

 

Upcoming Faculty Research Forums showcase wide range of topics 

The psychology behind why people choose the hobbies they do, helping students develop intercultural competence, and a deep dive into the Dune novels are the topics for this semester’s series of Shepherd University Faculty Research Forums. All the presentations will take place in the Frank Arts Center C.W. Shipley Recital Hall. 

Read more » 

 

Symphonic Band to present March 24 concert 

The Shepherd Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott Hippensteel, will present “Simple Gifts” on Friday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater. The concert will feature “Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs,” a suite of American folk songs set by Frank Ticheli. A pre-concert lecture describing the works in the concert program will begin at 7 p.m. 

Read more » 

 

Musical Showcase for Scholarships planned for April 1 

Mark your calendars for the 2023 School of Music’s Musical Showcase for Scholarships on Saturday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater. The evening’s program will feature performances by the exceptional faculty, students, and School of Music alumni to raise much-needed scholarship money. 

Read more » 

 

George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War receives $5K grant to create exhibit 

The George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War (GTM Center) will expand its offerings thanks to a $5,000 grant from Americana Corner’s Preserving America Grant Program. The grant will allow the GTM Center to transform a room in its headquarters, the Conrad Shindler House, into an exhibit space that will tell the story of how the war impacted Shepherdstown. 

Read more » 

 

Deadline for West Virginia Fiction Competition submissions is May 1 

Shepherd’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities is accepting submissions from writers for this year’s West Virginia Fiction Competition. Any writer living in West Virginia or student attending school in the state may enter the competition. The submission deadline is May 1. 

Read more » 

 

Students to perform ‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’ beginning April 6 

Shepherd University’s Contemporary Theater Studies program will present the comedy “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin on April 6-8, 14, and 15 at 7 p.m., and April 16 at 3 p.m. All performances, which will take place in the Marinoff Theater, are free for Shepherd students with a valid Rambler ID and pay-what-you-will for the public.  

Read more » 

 

School of Music to present March 31 choral concert 

The Shepherd University Chamber Singers and Camerata, under the direction of Dr. Steven Grives, visiting assistant professor and choral director, will present “A World of Music” on Friday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater.  

Read more » 

 

Relay For Life at Shepherd University seeks to honor survivors and caregivers, raise funds for cancer programs 

The Relay For Life of Jefferson County presented by Shepherd University on Friday, April 14-Saturday, April 15, is a 12-hour community event where teams and individuals come together to honor, celebrate, and fight back by raising funds and awareness to help free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer.  

Read more » 

 

Women’s lacrosse tops Frostburg State, Miller gains 50th win 

Sophomore midfielder Katie Paredes scored three goals and added two assists to lead Shepherd to a 12-10 win over Frostburg State in women's lacrosse action at Ram Stadium on March 18. The win gave Shepherd head coach Jenny Miller her 50th career victory. 

Read more » 

 

Softball ups win streak to 14 games 

Shepherd gained a pair of wins in softball action at The Spring Games on March 16. The Rams earned a 10-8 win over Felician in the early game and added a 10-1 triumph over Le Moyne in five innings in the later contest. Shepherd extended its win streak to 14 games. 

Read more » 

 

Shepherd baseball, softball schedule changes 

Several changes have been made to the schedule for the Shepherd baseball and softball teams for this weekend due to weather concerns.  

Read more » 

Sports Roundup

March 10: Softball wins pair at The Spring Games 

March 11: Women’s golf finishes 10th at Golden Knight Carolina Classic

March 11: Men’s golf team finishes third at Laker Spring Shootout

March 11: Softball runs win streak to eight games

March 12: Baseball splits with #18 East Stroudsburg 

March 12: Women’s tennis falls to Edgewood 

March 13: Softball wins pair 

March 14: Softball adds two more wins 

March 15: Lacrosse falls to Bloomsburg 

March 15: Baseball sweeps West Liberty

March 17: Tennis teams sweep Western New England 

March 18: Baseball sweeps Mansfield 

March 20: Baseball falls to East Stroudsburg 

March 21: Women’s tennis downed by Bowie State 

March 21: Softball drops pair at Kutztown 

March 21: Lacrosse downs Shippensburg

Upcoming Events

Friday, March 24 

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

Noon—2:30 p.m.—Baseball at Bloomsburg 

7:30 p.m.—Simple Gifts: Symphonic Band Concert, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required

 

Saturday, March 25 

Men’s and women’s golf at Cardinal Classic (Hagerstown, Maryland) 

10 a.m.—Beginning Farmer Workshop Series: High Tunnel Growing 101, presented by the Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm (registration required

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

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

Noon—Lacrosse at East Stroudsburg 

1-3 p.m.—Seeding Your Future Spring Summit, Center for Contemporary Arts, room G03 (more information

3 p.m.—Softball vs. Bloomsburg 

6:30 p.m.—Women’s tennis at Edinboro 

6:30 p.m.—Men’s tennis at Edinboro 

 

Sunday, March 26 

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

1 p.m.—Softball vs. Bloomsburg 

1 p.m.—Women’s tennis at Mercyhurst 

1 p.m.—Men’s tennis at Mercyhurst 

3 p.m.—Emily McMoran, composition recital, Frank Arts Center, McCoy Rehearsal Hall 

5 p.m.—Alexander Strain, voice recital, Frank Arts Center, W.H. Shipley Recital Hall 

 

Monday, March 27 

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  

2 p.m.—Baseball at Mansfield 

6:30 p.m.—President’s Lecture Series: Management Lessons Learned Through Life Experiences with Dr. William Stubblefield, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (more information

 

Tuesday, March 28 

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

11 a.m.—Pro Day, Ram Stadium 

Noon—Baseball vs. Davis & Elkins 

1 p.m.—Softball at Shippensburg 

2:30 p.m.—Baseball vs. Davis & Elkins 

3 p.m.—Softball at Shippensburg 

3 p.m.—Faculty Research Forum: “Developing Intercultural Competence through Perspective Taking,” by Dr. Rachel Krantz, Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall (more information

 

Wednesday, March 29 

4 p.m.—Women’s tennis at Lock Haven 

4 p.m.—Lacrosse at Millersville 

 

Thursday, March 30 

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

1 p.m.—Women’s tennis vs. Shaw 

1 p.m.—Men’s tennis at Shaw 

 

Friday, March 31 

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

2 p.m.—Softball at Mansfield 

2 p.m.—Baseball vs. Shippensburg 

4 p.m.—Softball at Mansfield 

7:30 p.m.—Spring Choral Concert, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required

7:30 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by Shepherd University creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall 

 

Saturday, April 1 

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

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

Noon—Baseball at Shippensburg 

Noon—Women’s tennis vs. West Chester 

Noon—Men’s tennis vs. West Chester 

1 p.m.—Softball at Lock Haven 

2:30 p.m.—Baseball at Shippensburg 

3 p.m.—Softball at Lock Haven 

7 p.m.—16th Drag Show Benefit, sponsored by Program Board and Gender-Sexuality Alliance, benefits Hagerstown Hopes, Student Center Storer Ballroom (more information

7:30 p.m.—Musical Showcase for Scholarships, Frank Arts Center Theater (more information

 

Sunday, April 2 

10 a.m.—The Trifecta: 2023 Trombone Workshop, sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Trombone Alliance, Frank Arts Center Theater (register here

 

Monday, April 3 

First day of Fall 2023 RAIL registration for continuing students, until 4 p.m. 

Men’s golf at West Chester Invitational 

Women’s golf at Dr. Edwin Cotrell Invitational 

Noon—Faculty Research Forum: Hermeneutics and Euretics in Frank Herbert’s Dune, presented by Dr. Kevin Williams, Frank Arts Center, W.H. Shipley Recital Hall (more information

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

 

Tuesday, April 4 

Men’s golf at West Chester Invitational 

Women’s golf at Dr. Edwin Cotrell Invitational 

2 p.m.—Baseball at West Liberty 

2 p.m.—Men’s tennis at Millersville 

2 p.m.—Women’s tennis at Millersville 

7:30 p.m.—Composition Recital, Frank Arts Center W. H. Shipley Recital Hall 

 

Wednesday, April 5 

Last day of academic advisement for continuing students for Summer/Fall 2023 

2 p.m.—Softball vs. Frostburg State 

4 p.m.—Softball vs. Frostburg State 

 

Thursday, April 6 

3:30 p.m.—Phi Beta Delta Induction Ceremony, White Hall 104/Jefferson Room 

7 p.m.—Picasso at the Lapin Agile, performed by Shepherd’s Contemporary Theater Studies program, Marinoff Theater (pay-what-you-will at the door, free entry for students with valid Rambler ID) 

7:30 p.m.—Shepherd Music Salon Series: Relative Time—Yu-Hsuan Liao, Austin-Stone, and Peréz-Mejía, sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank, Frank Arts Center W. H. Shipley Recital Hall 

 

Friday, April 7 

Last day to withdraw from second-half semester class (see advisor by noon) 

11-1 p.m.—First Friday, sponsored by Relay For Life, Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center 

1 p.m.—Women’s tennis vs. Kutztown 

1 p.m.—Men’s tennis vs. Kutztown 

2 p.m.—Softball vs. Millersville 

2 p.m.—Baseball at Kutztown 

4 p.m.—Softball vs. Millersville 

7 p.m.—Picasso at the Lapin Agile, performed by Shepherd’s Contemporary Theater Studies program, Marinoff Theater (pay-what-you-will at the door, free entry for students with valid Rambler ID) 

 

Saturday, April 8 

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

Noon—Baseball vs. Kutztown 

Noon—Men’s tennis vs. Bloomsburg 

Noon—Women’s tennis vs. Bloomsburg 

1 p.m.—Softball vs. West Chester 

2 p.m.—Lacrosse at Bloomsburg 

2:30 p.m.—Baseball vs. Kutztown 

3 p.m.—Softball vs. West Chester 

7 p.m.—Picasso at the Lapin Agile, performed by Shepherd’s Contemporary Theater Studies program, Marinoff Theater (pay-what-you-will at the door, free entry for students with valid Rambler ID)

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

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