Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 7, No. 42 • May 5, 2023

President’s Points of Pride

As we continue our mad dash to Shepherd’s 150th Commencement on May 6, we have enjoyed many recent events celebrating the accomplishments of our student scholars; the excellence of our faculty; the noteworthy service of our staff; the NFL placements for four of our football players; and the generosity of our very special donors. We congratulate and thank everyone for the extraordinary roles they have played in advancing Shepherd’s mission of training the next generation of leaders and model citizens. #OnceARamAlwaysARam

Alumni Association inducts class of 1973 into Emeritus Club

The class of 1973 was honored during the annual Emeritus Club luncheon on May 4. The Emeritus Club is a constituency organization of the Shepherd Alumni Association and was created to encourage continued graduate involvement with the University. Alumni are inducted into the club on the 50th anniversary of their graduation during commencement week. Congratulations to this year’s inductees!

Summer athletic camps offered

Athletics is offering several summer sports camps for high school, middle school, and elementary school-aged students.

Shepherd Football Prospect Camps for students entering grades 9-12 will take place July 19 and July 26 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The registration fee is $25.
Youth Rams Coed Soccer Camps for ages 6-13 are planned for July 10-13 and July 31-August 3. The half-day runs from 9 a.m.-noon, and a full-day is 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The full-day registration fee is $249, and the half-day fee is $149.
Volleyball Skills Camps for girls will take place May 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Each day, one-hour skills coaching will be offered to students in grades 7-9 and 10-12 for a fee of $30.
Two three-day Elite Volleyball Camps for girls in grades 9-12 are also planned. The camps will take place July 13-15 and July 24-26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuition is $375 for students staying overnight and $275 for commuter students.
Basketball Day Camp for boys aged 8-14 will take place July 17-20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The registration fee is $185.
Elite Basketball Camp for boys in grades 10-12 is scheduled for August 12 from 10-30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The registration fee is $80.

Education students raise money for Kenyan elementary schools

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Education Honor Society is raising money to purchase books and soccer balls for elementary schools in Kenya. In these schools, there are 45+ students per teacher. All teaching is done on blackboards, and there are no books. Donations received so far have built a library with 1,500 books at Mulandi Elementary School. Shepherd students will travel to Kenya in June to teach and will use your donations to put books and balls in more schools. The needs are significant, and your donations will make a difference. To give, visit the KDP GoFundMe webpage.

Volunteers needed for Tabler Farm chestnut tree planting

A special tree planting will take place on Thursday, May 11, from 10 a.m.-noon in the Tabler Farm food forest. The farm has hybridized American chestnut saplings from the American Chestnut Foundation that have genetics from Chinese chestnut trees, making them more resilient to the chestnut blight that nearly brought the American chestnut to extinction in the early 1900s. Volunteers are needed to help plant the saplings. For more information and to register, visit the Tabler Farm Tree Planting webpage.

Deadline extended for social studies teacher institute

The deadline has been extended to June 1 for the Benedum Foundation-supported social studies teacher institute. “People Powered: Civic Action, Community Engagement, and American Representative Democracy” is hosted by the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education. Participating teachers will attend one of two workshops, on either June 28 or June 30, and will receive a $1,000 professional development stipend. For more information, visit the People Powered webpage.

News

University recognizes faculty achievements

Outstanding faculty for the 2022-2023 school year were recognized during a reception and awards ceremony on May 1. The awards celebrate the excellence of Shepherd’s faculty at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the classroom, advising students, for their scholarship, and for their impact in the community.

Purtell, Donnelly gain All-PSAC East honors

Graduate student third baseman Nicole Purtell and junior second baseman Caitlin Donnelly of the softball team have been named to the 2023 All-PSAC East Team. Purtell earned first-team honors, while Donnelly was a second-team choice.

Edwards, Witmer garner All-PSAC East honors

Junior midfielder Kaiya Edwards and sophomore defender Sydney Witmer of the lacrosse team have been named to the 2023 All-PSAC East Women's Lacrosse Team as announced by the league office. Edwards and Witmer were second-team selections.

English major presents paper at international convention

English major Lee DiFante, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, attended the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society convention in Denver, Colorado, March 29-April 1. DiFante presented a paper titled “The Use of Witches and Witch Tropes in Toni Morrison Novels” that provides an in-depth look at the use of symbols and concepts associated with witchcraft and magic across several Toni Morrison novels.

Football players signed as NFL free agents

A quartet of former Shepherd University All-American football players have signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams following the completion of the 2023 NFL Draft. Quarterback Tyson Bagent, offensive lineman Joey Fisher, running back Ronnie Brown, and tight end Brian Walker have been signed as free agents.

Women’s golf finishes in ninth place at PSAC championship

The Shepherd women's golf team had a two-round total of 770 to finish ninth in a 12-team field at the 2023 PSAC Women's Golf Championship at the Berkleigh Golf Club.

Sports Roundup

May 2: Baseball splits with Lock Haven

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 6

9:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.—150th Commencement, Butcher Center (more information)

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

Tuesday, May 9

9 a.m.—Aging Well Workshop: Introception (The Lesser-Known Sense): Why Listening to Your Body Matters, sponsored by the Shepherd Department of Psychology, Department of Social Work, School of Nursing, and Lifelong Learning Program, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (registration required)

4:30-6:30 p.m.— Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)

Wednesday, May 10

7:30 p.m.—Auditions for Euripides’ “Bacchae,” hosted by the Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Thursday, May 11

4:30-6:30 p.m.— Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)

7:30 p.m.—Auditions for Euripides’ “Bacchae,” hosted by the Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Saturday, May 13

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

Tuesday, May 16

4:30-6:30 p.m.— Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)

Thursday, May 18

4:30-6:30 p.m.—Volleyball Skills Camps for girls (registration required)