Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 7, No. 11 • September 9, 2022

President’s Points of Pride

On September 6, Shepherd University was honored to receive a visit from Senator Shelley Moore Capito and members of her congressional staff. Together with our Executive Leadership Team, I expressed our profound gratitude for the Senator’s support of Shepherd’s Congressionally Directed Spending Requests. The funded projects and the newly submitted proposals include critically needed campus security upgrades, technology and broadband equipment, dual enrollment hub sites, accessibility technology services, Agricultural Innovation Center small business incubators, Chemistry Department equipment, professional development programs for teachers, and the East Loop projects, which are transformational for our campus and community. The East Loop development project, previously under the directorship of Pam Stevens, vice president for finance and administration, and co-directed by Shelley Shaffer, director of facilities, is now being directed by Sonya Sholley, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and presidential operations. The initial phase of this project consists of the demolition of two old residential buildings and the creation of a gateway entrance to our campus to facilitate traffic flow. The next phase will involve “reimagining the East Loop” to meet Shepherd’s expanding activities and community partnerships.

Come Celebrate Family Day on Saturday, September 10

Saturday, September 10, is Family Day at Shepherd! In addition to seeing students on campus, their parents will join them! Family Day isn’t just about the first home football game of the season! Student Affairs and the Alumni Association have planned events and suggested great activities to highlight the unique aspects of the University and the surrounding area that range from photo opportunities with J.C. to free ice cream at Rock Hill Creamery. The full schedule of events is available online!

Help navigating student debt

TIAA has joined forces with Savi, a social impact technology company, to help West Virginia public higher education employees benefit from student loan forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and others. The service helps eligible borrowers to understand their choices, lower their monthly payments, and enroll in a loan forgiveness program. For more information about Savi, you are invited to join a webinar exclusively for West Virginia public higher education faculty and staff on Wednesday, September 21, from 4-4:30 p.m. Registration is required. If you cannot attend the webinar, these downloadable PDFs will tell you more about Savi and its partnership with TIAA.

Ram Stadium locker room dedication planned for September 16

Shepherd is honoring the legacy of the late Walter Barr, a dedicated and beloved coach at Shepherd from 1971 to 1985, by naming its newly renovated locker room in the Kenneth J. Boone Field House at Ram Stadium after him. The official dedication of the Coach Walter Barr Locker Room will take place on Friday, September 16, at 6 p.m. The event will include a tour of the locker room and a reception at the Gridiron Club tent following the ceremony. If you’re interested in attending or donating, contact Sherri Janelle at 304-876-5043 or sjanelle@shepherd.edu.

Rhonda Smith, Dr. Dawne Raines Burke involved in Storer College exhibit

Work featuring students from Storer College created by retired Shepherd art professor Rhonda Smith is on display at The Artists Gallery, 501 N. Market St., Frederick, Maryland, through September 25. Dr. Dawne Raines Burke, professor of education, will give a special talk at the gallery on September 18. You can read and listen to the West Virginia Public Broadcasting story online.

Next President’s Lecture speaker featured in news

The Panhandle News Network recently aired the story “Lecture Shines Light on Thousands of Fort Ritchie Volunteers Who Worked in WWII Intelligence,” which focused on the upcoming President’s Lecture about Fort Ritchie. Landon Grove, museum director and curator at Fort Ritchie in Washington County, Maryland, will give the talk titled “Camp Ritchie: America’s Secret Weapon in WWII” on Monday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium.

Dr. James Pate publishes a new book

Dr. James Pate, associate professor of English, recently published a poetry collection titled “Mineral Planet.” The experimental/surrealist book explores climate change, the pandemic, and recent global catastrophic events, often employing the imagery of Hades and underworlds to do so. The book was published by Schism Press, and copies may be found at Four Seasons Books, 116 W. German St., Shepherdstown.

News

United States Attorney to host September 12 civil rights forum

United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld will host a half-day Civil Rights Symposium on Monday, September 12, highlighting the constitutional rights of citizens and how they are enforced through civil and criminal actions. Experts will discuss fair housing rights, the right to be free from employment discrimination, hate crimes, and the impact of Title IX upon higher education. The event is free and open to the public and will be held in person in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium and livestreamed.

Book co-authored by Dr. Sylvia Shurbutt receives prestigious book award nomination

A 2021 book published by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities, “Silas House: Exploring an Appalachian Writer’s Work,” has been nominated for the prestigious South Atlantic Modern Language Association’s (SAMLA) 2022 Book Award.

Cook named to DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll

Junior wide receiver Marlon Cook of the Shepherd University football team has been named to the DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll. Cook was one of eight student-athletes to be honored. Cook had eight receptions for 154 yards and a pair of scores in Shepherd's 48-7 win over Southern Connecticut State on September 1.

Killough named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week

Sophomore middle hitter Renee Killough of the volleyball team has been named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week. Killough put together an impressive three-game performance for the Rams last week. Defensively, she helped tally 17 blocks. She also added 14 assists, 19 kills, and 13 digs in Shepherd's victories over Queens (N.Y.), Georgian Court, and Saint Rose.

Bagent, Grantham gain PSAC weekly honors

Senior quarterback Tyson Bagent and junior linebacker Dewayne Grantham of the football team earned PSAC weekly honors. Bagent garnered PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Grantham was named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week.

Women’s volleyball goes 3-0 at Georgian Court Invitational

Shepherd handed Queens (NY) College a 3-0 setback in volleyball action at the Georgian Court Invitational on September 2. In continued tournament play on September 3, Shepherd won a pair of matches: a 3-0 win over Georgian Court and a 3-1 win over The College of Saint Rose.

Sports Roundup

September 5: Women place ninth at Vulcan Invitational golf tournament Read more »

September 5: Men’s golf ties for fourth at Vulcan invitational Read more »

September 6: Volleyball falls to IUP Read more »

September 7: Volleyball downed by Cal Read more »

September 7: Men’s soccer edged by Millersville Read more »

September 7: Women’s soccer falls to #25 Bloomsburg Read more »

Upcoming Events

Saturday, September 10

Family Day (more information)

8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.—“Exposed to the Fire of Slavery and Freedom: A Symposium Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam,” JBK Theater, Frederick Community College (more information)

11 a.m.—Men’s soccer at East Stroudsburg

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

Noon—Football vs. Edinboro (Family Day)

1:30 p.m.—Women’s soccer at East Stroudsburg

2 p.m.—Volleyball at California (Pa.)

Monday, September 12

Last day to change a course from credit to audit status

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—Civil Rights Symposium, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (more information)

12:10-12:50 p.m.—Mindful Monday, Student Center Cumberland Room

6:30 p.m.—President’s Lecture Series, “Camp Ritchie: America’s Secret Weapon in WW II” by Landon Grove, sponsored by the President’s Office and Lifelong Learning, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (more information)

Tuesday, September 13

7 p.m.—Volleyball vs. Fairmont State

Wednesday, September 14

1 p.m.—Women’s soccer vs. Shippensburg (Rams Rush Day)

4 p.m.—Men’s soccer at West Chester

Friday, September 16

5 p.m.—Men’s cross country at DII/DIII XC Challenge (8K)

5:45 p.m.—Women’s cross country at DII/DIII Challenge (8K)

6 p.m.—Coach Walter Barr Locker Room Dedication, Kenneth J. Boone Field House at Ram Stadium (RSVP required)

7 p.m.—Volleyball at Shippensburg

Saturday, September 17

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

Noon—Football vs. California (Pa.)

Noon—Women’s soccer at West Chester

Monday, September 19

Noon-1 p.m.—Meet the Author: An Engaging Conversation with Emma Copley Eisenberg facilitated by Chiquita Howard-Bostic (via Zoom)

12:10-12:50 p.m.—Mindful Monday, Student Center Cumberland Room

Tuesday, September 20

7 p.m.—18th Annual Constitution Day lecture featuring distinguished scholar Norm Ornstein, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (RSVP required)

Wednesday, September 21

1 p.m.—Men’s Soccer vs. Bloomsburg

4-4:30 p.m.— West Virginia Public Higher Ed: Student Loan Forgiveness Workshop (registration required)

Friday, September 23

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

7 p.m.—Volleyball vs. East Stroudsburg

7 p.m.—Shepherdstown Film Society screening of award-winning film Dark Waters, sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence program, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (more information)

Saturday, September 24

10 a.m.—Men’s cross country at Lock Haven Invitational (8K)

11 a.m.—Women’s cross country at Lock Haven Invitational (6K)

11 a.m.-9 p.m.—Appalachian Heritage Festival, Reynolds Hall and Butcher Center Plaza (more information)

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

Noon—Football at Kutztown

2 p.m.—Volleyball vs. Kutztown

4 p.m.—Men’s soccer at Shippensburg

5 p.m.—“Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Volume XIV: Marie Manilla” book reading, sponsored by Four Seasons Books and the Shepherd University Foundation, Four Seasons Books, 116 W. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

7 p.m.—Appalachian Heritage Festival concert “Women’s Voices in Appalachia,” Frank Center Plaza, sponsored by Student Activities and Leadership, Program Board, and the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities (more information)

Monday, September 26

12:10-12:50 p.m.—Mindful Monday, Student Center Cumberland Room

6-8 p.m.—Phaze 2 Gallery, “Speculative Sex” exhibit, Center for Contemporary Art (more information)

7 p.m.—“Connected: Reflections on Ecology, Technology, and the Human Condition” with Dr. Jeff Groff, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (more information )

Tuesday, September 27

7 p.m.—“A Celebration of Appalachian Storytellers, Anthology of Appalachian Writers” with Marc Harshman and Marie Manilla, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (more information )

Wednesday, September 28

3:30 p.m.—Men’s soccer vs Lock Haven

6-8 p.m.—Phaze 2 Gallery, “Speculative Sex” exhibit, Center for Contemporary Art (more information)

7 p.m.—“The Writing Life” with Barbara Kingsolver, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (more information )

Thursday, September 29

2-3:30 p.m.—Writers Master Class with Barbara Kingsolver, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (more information )

6-8 p.m.—Phaze 2 Gallery, “Speculative Sex” exhibit, Center for Contemporary Art (more information)

7 p.m.—Scarborough Society Keynote with Barbara Kingsolver and AHWIR Awards Ceremony and Reception, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (more information )

Friday, September 30

7 p.m.—Volleyball at West Chester

7 p.m.—“Stories from the Heartland” with Adam Booth, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (more information )

Saturday, October 1

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

Noon—Football at Shippensburg

2 p.m.—Men’s soccer at Frostburg State

2 p.m.—Volleyball at Millersville

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