Vol. 6, No. 27 • January 21, 2022
President's Points of Pride
I would like to dedicate this week’s “pride section” to recognizing the talents and achievements of the 17th Annual High School Honor Music Festival, held at Shepherd University last weekend. Students from Boonsboro, Musselman, Greenbrier East, Spring Mills, Martinsburg, Point Pleasant, Walkersville, Tuscarora, Linganore, Brunswick, Greenbrier West, Berkeley Springs, Morgantown, Cameron, Clear Spring, Preston, Jefferson, Moorefield, and Hancock Middle high schools and the Academy for the Fine Arts proudly performed on the Frank Arts Center stage under the leadership of Dr. Scott Hippensteel and Dr. Mark McCoy—himself a Shepherd alumnus who served as Chair of the Shepherd Music Department for 16 years. This special performance by the next generation of musicians was followed by the Shepherd Jazz Band, which brought the house down with guest artist Kenny Rittenhouse. After 30 years with The U. S. Army Band ‘Pershing’s Own’ and touring nationally and internationally with numerous jazz legends, Mr. Rittenhouse continues to perform regionally leading his own ensemble. These wonderful events happened the very first week of the Spring semester. We are most fortunate to be able to enjoy the musical talents of students, colleagues, and professional artists. Please stay tuned for more entertainment news to come!
January 24 President’s Lecture to focus on Nobel Prizes
Join Shepherd President Mary J.C. Hendrix for the first President’s Lecture of 2022 on Monday, January 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. A panel of six Shepherd professors will discuss the importance of the 2021 Nobel Laureates’ works and the nature of the prize in each discipline. The President’s Lecture Series website details this year’s panelists and the Nobel Award-winning topics they will address. Join in person in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, or attend via Zoom.
PEIA coverage for COVID-19 at-home testing
In accordance with the latest federal mandate, PEIA will cover at-home, self-administered COVID-19 test kits for PEIA PPB Plan members without a prescription effective January 15. Coverage is limited to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests per covered individual in the household per 30-days without a healthcare provider order or clinical assessment.
To be eligible for reimbursement, the purchased COVID-19 tests:
- must be purchased on or after January 15, 2022
- must be for personal diagnostic use
- used to identify the potential COVID-19 infection
- not be used for employment purposes
- not used for surveillance testing
- will be self-administered with results that can be self-read
- will not be resold, given, or supplied to persons other than family members covered under the same policy
- will not be reimbursed by another source
If you already paid for at-home, self-administered COVID-19 test kits after January 15, you can submit a claim for reimbursement to CVS/Caremark following the instructions in your Summary Plan Description. For additional details, refer to the email sent by Tammy Gill, assistant director of Human Resources (tgill@shepherd.edu), on January 19.
Shepherd hosts West Virginia Academic Showdown on January 22
Shepherd is one of four inaugural host locations for the West Virginia Academic Showdown, a statewide academic quiz competition for high school students. Championed by West Virginia Senate President Craig Blair, the Academic Showdown is a new academic competition for West Virginia high school students that brings teams together from across the state for five regional matchups on college campuses. The initiative represents a partnership among the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. Competition questions cover literature, math, history, science, geography, fine arts, religion/mythology, social science, philosophy, current events, pop culture, and general knowledge. The Showdown starts on Saturday, January 22, at 10 a.m. at the Frank Arts Center theater. For more information, visit the HEPC website.
Stubblefield Institute program focuses on the debate on teaching American history
Join the Stubblefield Institute on Monday, January 31, at 7 p.m. for “Teaching American History,” with an all-star panel consisting of nationally recognized historians and teachers. From generation to generation, America has struggled with how to teach its own history to elementary and high school students. This has been especially true when the debate is connected to historical issues related to race and slavery. In today’s politically divided nation, the questions surrounding the debate over how and what to teach about American history have reached the frontlines as a campaign issue, serving only to intensify the question and create public confusion. The panel will be broadcast on Facebook Live. To register to attend and be alerted to event updates, RSVP online.
Mindful Mondays return January 24
Join Counseling Services each Monday for mindfulness practices and activities that can help reduce stress and tension, improve focus and concentration, and help support you on your path to success! Mindful Mondays will take place in the Cumberland Room, located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center, each Monday when school is in session from 12:10-12:50 p.m. The last Monday of each month will take place on Zoom to offer another platform to increase accessibility. No prior mindfulness or meditation experience is necessary. Zoom links will be added to the weekly invitation on RamPulse when applicable. For more information, contact Counseling Services by phone (304-876-5276) or by email (wbaracka@shepherd.edu)
.
Recent political environment sparks greater engagement, survey shows
Stephanie Slocum-Schaffer, professor of political science and senior fellow at the Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications at Shepherd University, recently presented her research examining the impact of political civility on civic engagement at the annual meeting of the Southern Political Science Association in San Antonio, Texas. The research uses national-level survey data collected via telephone interviews in 2020. Dr. Slocum-Schaffer's study reveals some encouraging results: that the current political environment—one characterized by historically elevated levels of partisanship, polarization, and incivility—produces greater citizen engagement in the political system, not less. The widespread fear that the average American will be turned off by the rancor and the win-at-all-costs political environment is therefore not merited. The connection between a hostile political arena and the quality and speed with which our governmental institutions address the pressing problems and crises that face the nation is less clear, however. Dr. Slocum-Schaffer thus concludes that our focus needs to shift to understanding how to leverage increased political engagement by the electorate into productive policy outcomes. The research was sponsored by the Stubblefield Institute, and the full report is available on its website.
News
Chuck Feaster receives Veterans Upward Bound scholarship
Charles “Chuck” Feaster has been awarded a $2,000 National Association of Veterans Upward Bound Scholarship. Feaster was presented the Combat Tracker Award, which is named after its funders, the Combat Trackers who served in the Vietnam War. Feaster started with Veterans Upward Bound in 2020 and completed its Computer Skills class. He is now completing his Regent’s Bachelor of Arts Degree from Shepherd.
Shepherd women hold off Shippensburg
Junior guard Abby Beeman scored a game and season-high 37 points and dished out a game-high 10 assists to lead Shepherd to an 81-75 win over Shippensburg in PSAC women's basketball action at Shippensburg on Wednesday, January 19.
Shepherd graduate student earns national scholarship
Shepherd graduate student Emily Walker of Stephens City, Virginia, is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the national chapter of Tau Sigma National Honor Society. Tau Sigma is an academic honor society designed to recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students.
West Virginia DHHR commissioner visits with social work students
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Commissioner Jeffrey Pack visited with social work students on Wednesday, January 19. Pack shared information and answered questions about child welfare and adult service programs in West Virginia. He also discussed job opportunities for social workers at DHHR.
Baltimore gallery features interactive work by David Modler
The Maryland Art Place in Baltimore is hosting the interactive exhibit “tet[R]ad: Draw and Play Here” through March 12 featuring the work of David R. Modler, associate professor of art at Shepherd, and artists Samuel H. Peck and Desmond Beach.
Criminal Justice Presentation Series to present ‘Formal Education as Preparation for Integrated Emergency Operations’
The Shepherd Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice will present a talk by S. Marshall Wilson titled “Formal Education as Preparation for Integrated Emergency Operations” via Zoom on Wednesday, January 26, from 1:10-2 p.m. Wilson will discuss his personal biography, educational experience, background in military operations, and service to the state and local communities.
Shepherd women down Millersville
Junior guard Abby Beeman scored 19 points and graduate student forward Sydney Clayton added 18 to lead #24 Shepherd to a 56-44 win over Millersville in PSAC women's basketball action at Millersville on Monday, January 17.
Shepherd men fall to Shippensburg
Senior guard Cam Stephens’ solid performance wasn't enough to hold off Shippensburg, who beat the Rams 66-60 in PSAC men’s basketball action at Shippensburg on Wednesday, January 19. Stephens paced the Rams with 16 points, a game-high 10 rebounds, and eight assists. His 10 boards and eight assists are career highs.
Additional Shepherd basketball schedule changes
The men's and women's basketball doubleheader initially slated for January 15 between Shepherd and Lock Haven has been rescheduled for Monday, February 14 at Lock Haven.
Shepherd women’s basketball tied for seventh in latest D2SIDA Atlantic Region poll
The Shepherd women's basketball team is tied for seventh in the latest D2SIDA Women's Basketball Atlantic Region Poll for January 17. Shepherd dropped a 71-60 decision to Bloomsburg on January 12 but followed up with a win over Millersville on January 17.
Upcoming Events
Friday, January 21
Last day for instructor-approved late adds via RAIL
Saturday, January 22
10 a.m.-2 p.m.—West Virginia Academic Showdown, Frank Arts Center theater
1 p.m.—Women’s basketball at Kutztown
3 p.m.—Men’s basketball at Kutztown
Monday, January 24
Last day to change a course from credit to pass/fail status
12:10-12:50 p.m.—Mindful Mondays, Cumberland Room, Student Center
12:30-1:30 p.m.—READ Poster Ceremony for the 2020 Outstanding Teacher, Main Reading Room, Scarborough Library
5:30 p.m.—Women’s basketball vs. Mansfield
6:30 p.m.—President’s Lecture Series: Nobel Prize Topics, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (and via Zoom)
7:30 p.m.—Men’s basketball vs. Mansfield
Wednesday, January 26
1:10-2 p.m.—“Formal Education as Preparation for Integrated Emergency Operations” by S. Marshall Wilson (Zoom)
5:30 p.m.—Women’s basketball vs. East Stroudsburg
7:30 p.m.—Men’s basketball vs. East Stroudsburg
Thursday, January 27
7:30 p.m.—Salon Series featuring faculty member James Martin, Frank Arts Center theater
Saturday, January 29
1 p.m.—Women’s basketball vs. Lock Haven
3 p.m.—Men’s basketball vs. Lock Haven
Monday, January 31
Last day to change a course from credit to audit status
5:30 p.m.—Women’s basketball vs. West Chester
7 p.m.—The American Conversation Series: “Teaching American History: Will it Change?” Facebook Live (registration required)
7:30 p.m.—Men’s basketball vs. West Chester
Wednesday, February 2
5:30 p.m.—Women’s basketball at West Chester
7:30 p.m.—Men’s basketball at West Chester
Friday, February 4
11 a.m.-1 p.m.—First Friday hosted by Student Academic Enrichment, Scarborough Library patio
Shepherd University news and events are available here.
Athletics news and schedules are available here.
Dana L. Costa
Executive Director, University Communications
Shepherd University
P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown WV 25443-5000
