Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 6, No. 13 • September 24, 2021

President’s Points of Pride

You may be familiar with First Friday events in other cities and towns, which bring communities together through food, music, art, and events. For our inaugural First Friday event, J.C., our beloved ram mascot, will be posing for photos; the first 100 people will enjoy free treats from Kona Ice (also available for purchase); and we’ll be giving away free T-shirts (while they last) — all on the Midway from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, October 1.

Shepherd University President Hendrix joins Rally for Medical Research Hill Day to advocate for NIH funding

Dr. Hendrix, representing Shepherd University and West Virginia, participated in the Rally for Medical Research Hill Day on Thursday, September 23. In its ninth year, Hill Day brings together more than 350 organizations to improve health, inspire hope, and save lives. Over the course of the daylong, virtual event, Dr. Hendrix was able to meet with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito and U.S. Representative Alex Mooney, and staff from the offices of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and U.S. Representative David McKinley. The ultimate goal for Hill Day is to urge members of Congress to continue their financial support of the National Institutes of Health and provide supplemental funding for research impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Sam’s expertise featured on MoneyGeek.com

A recent auto insurance study by MoneyGeek.com featured expert commentary by assistant professor and financial planning program director Dr. Janine Sam. Dr. Sam’s input was used for the site’s West Virginia auto insurance piece and the bundled insurance study. Thank you Dr. Sam for sharing your extensive knowledge with the MoneyGeek.com audience.

Apply for an assessment mini-grant from CTL

Calling all individuals, departments, and units! Need support to assess student learning and curriculum/program development? Mini-grants are awarded for up to $1,000! Learn more and download the application online. Applications are due by November 1, 2021.

HEPC seeks primary and rural health care advisory committee members

The Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Health Sciences is seeking nominations and applications for new members of its advisory committee, which provides guidance on initiatives aimed at improving healthcare education in West Virginia. A full description of the position requirements and responsibilities, as well as instructions for nominations and applications, can be found online.

Family Weekend, Appalachian Heritage Festival both kick off tonight

The weekend is packed with events to please anyone’s tastes — from stories to movies to sports to music. In addition to Family Weekend and the Appalachian Heritage Festival, the 11-1 women’s volleyball team, the 3-0 football team, and the men’s soccer team are all in action at home. For event details, including times, locations, and costs, visit the Family Weekend schedule of events. Saturday and Sunday brunch hours are 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Students, consider using your dining dollars to treat your families to an all-you-care-to-eat brunch.

Workplace wellness on this week’s Upstream Downstream

Episode 4 of Upstream Downstream features host David Welch discussing what wellness in the workplace looks like with Dr. Jenny Flora, director of the Shepherd University Wellness Center, and Jessica Graham, director of the Human Performance Lab at Shepherd University. Jenny, Jessica, and David discuss the impacts of employee wellness and how to incorporate wellness in a work environment. Listen on Saturday, September 25, at 11 a.m. on 89.7 WSHC-FM or on podcasting platforms such as Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

News

Shepherd football ranked in the national top 10 — in two polls

The Shepherd football team is ranked 8th in the latest D2Football.com and 10 ^th in the AFCA D2 top 25 poll after their win at IUP last week. The 3-0 Rams host Kutztown on Saturday for their first home game of the season. Kickoff is at noon.

Bagent named PSAC East Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week

Junior quarterback Tyson Bagent of the Shepherd University football team has been named PSAC East Co-Offensive Player of the Week. He shared the honors with Shippensburg quarterback Brycen Mussina. This is the third PSAC honor for Bagent in as many weeks.

Shepherd music professor to present September 29 seminar on composer George Crumb

Associate Professor of Music Dr. Yu-Hsuan Liao will present a Shepherd Salon Series seminar on composer George Crumb’s “Eine Kleine Mitternachtmusik” on Wednesday, September 29, at 1:10 p.m. in the Frank Center’s W. H. Shipley Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Faculty Research Forum to feature October 1 talk about painted turtles

The next Faculty Research Forum will delve into the secret world of the painted turtle. Dr. John Steffen, assistant professor of biology, will present “The Mysteries of Painted Turtle Spots and Colors” on Friday, October 1, at 3:15 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium.

Foundation announces 2020-2021 faculty excellence recipients

The Shepherd University Foundation provided more than $25,000 through endowed faculty excellence funds during the 2020-2021 academic year to nine recipients in seven departments across campus.

Shepherd’s Phaze 2 Gallery to host annual faculty exhibition and reception

Shepherd University’s Phaze 2 Gallery is hosting the Annual Faculty Exhibition September 23-October 18, with an artist’s reception on Tuesday, September 28, from 4-6 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Volleyball teammates Rakestraw, Ellis Garner PSAC Weekly Honors

Junior outside hitter Kiara Rakestraw and redshirt-freshman defensive specialist/libero Claire Ellis of the volleyball team earned PSAC Athlete of the Week honors. The team is currently 11-1 as they enter league play on Friday at home in a White Out against Shippensburg.

Sports Score Roundup

Shepherd Volleyball Knocks Off Fairmont State in Five Sets; improve to 11-1

Tennis Teams Sweep Mary Baldwin

Cross Country Teams Compete at Kutztown

Men’s Soccer Drops Heartbreaker to Bloomsburg

Women’s Soccer Falls to Bloomsburg

Women’s Golf Pair Competes at Evann Parker Memorial

Men’s Golf finish eighth at Bud Elwell Fall Classic; ninth at Mercyhurst Invitational

Shippensburg Edges Shepherd Men’s Soccer

For scores and schedules, visit the Shepherd Athletics GameDay Central website.

Upcoming Events

Friday, September 24