Vol. 6, No. 19 • November 5, 2021
President’s Points of Pride
‘Tis the season for accreditation site visits, program reviews, fall semester exams—and let’s not forget, the holidays! Shepherd University faculty, staff, and students are working extremely hard to meet deadlines, recruit and retain students, and continue to make our campus environment vibrant. I am proud and humbled by the profound spirit of giving at Shepherd and within our community. Although our daily activities can be overwhelming at times, we are committed to helping others. Over the coming days and weeks, you will hear about many opportunities to help others with kindness. That’s what makes Shepherd and our community special.
Salvation Army Christmas Stocking Program kicks off
Annual winter giving is here! Join the Office of Student Community Service in providing Christmas stockings to children in need. This initiative is through the Salvation Army of Martinsburg, WV. Stockings are divided by gender and age categories ranging from 0-12 years old. Participants should fill their stockings with new and unopened items such as small toys, candy, gum, hair accessories, games, Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon cards, school supplies, bath items, arts and crafts supplies, gift cards, socks, hats, jewelry, sports supplies, and electronic items. No clothing is permitted. If you are interested in helping make the holidays brighter for a child in our area, pick up a stocking during First Friday on the Scarborough Library steps from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today, or drop by Student Affairs, Student Center room 216, during standard business hours. Filled stockings must be returned to Student Affairs by December 1, 2021. For more information, please contact Danielle Stephenson at dstephen@shepherd.edu or call 304-876-5030.
Brandon Dennison’s Brief But Spectacular take on the revitalization of Appalachia
Brandon Dennison is a sixth-generation West Virginian—and Shepherd alumnus—who is on a mission to revitalize Appalachia. His community-based non-profit, Coalfield Development, has trained more than 1,200 people facing barriers to employment, helping with education and personal development. On a recent episode of PBS News Hour’s Brief But Spectacular, Brandon shares his take on rebuilding the Appalachian economy and making it sustainable in the process. Another great example of a Shepherd grad working to improve the lives of others.
Lifelong Learning announces retirement planning workshop
The Lifelong Learning program is hosting a two-part retirement planning workshop on Thursday, November 11, and Thursday, November 18, from 6-9 p.m. each day. The program, conducted by Edward Slonaker with Morgan Financial Group, costs $49. If you are interested in attending, please contact Karen Rice at krice@shepherd.edu or 304-876-5135.
Walter Barr: Honoring a Shepherd coaching legend
The Shepherd community is still processing and mourning the recent death of beloved football coach Walter Barr. Coach Barr spent 15 years as the Rams head coach and is often recognized as the architect of the modern Shepherd football program. The Shepherd University Ram Football Gridiron Club is sponsoring a memorial scholarship honoring Coach Barr. All donations made in his memory will fund a scholarship in his name awarded to a player to be selected by the coaching staff. Donations are being accepted on the Shepherd University Foundation website.
From Shepherd to the FBI
We love to hear stories of our students’ success after graduating from Shepherd. Sarah Leonguerrero, who recently graduated with a degree in criminal justice, checked in just the other day: “Hello! I wanted to update you guys on what I am currently doing. I started graduate school in August at Arizona State University for their Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program. Currently, I am still interning for the FBI. I had the opportunity to work in D.C. this past summer at the FBI Headquarters. I was featured in this article for the summer internship!” Way to go, Sarah!
Three cheers for Dr. Jim Cherry!
The accolades keep coming for Shepherd alumnus and Board of Governors member Dr. Jim Cherry, who is a scientific program director at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Just this week, Dr. Cherry learned that he’s been awarded the 2021 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s Award “for outstanding effort related to the establishment of the NCI's Serological Sciences Network in Response to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.” The NIH Director’s Award is “the most prestigious award that recognizes the greatest achievements of all Institutes and Centers within NIH.” Congratulations Dr. Cherry! You continue to be a wonderful example of the impact that Shepherd grads have on our world!
Debut poetry collection from Sadie Shorr-Parks
The debut poetry collection from adjunct lecturer and director for the Society for Creative Writing, Sadie Shorr-Parks, has been announced. Her book Honey Month is slated to be released in early 2022. The book was selected for publication by Main Street Rag, a national independent press established in 1996 that specializes in poetry. The book is currently available for pre-order on the publisher’s website.
Professional burnout: First you are seasoned, and then you are fried!
Dr. Geri Crawley-Woods, the current Shepherd ombudsperson, is hosting BYOB (bring your own brownbag) lunchtime conversations to discuss Burnout and Restoration in the Raging 2020s next week for all faculty and staff who are seeking to understand how prolonged stress can cause burnout, how to recognize it, and how to develop a plan to help yourself and others through the process. There will be two sessions:
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Tuesday, November 9, 12:15-1:10 p.m., via Zoom
- Wednesday, November 10, 12:15-1 p.m., Student Center Blue/Gray Room
In preparation for that interactive presentation (or perhaps as a substitute), you may access and complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The danger of burnout involves both risk and protective factors and consequently, we have different thresholds for vulnerability. Completing this self-assessment and pursuing the recommended resources on their website could be enough for you to address your level of concern about professional burnout. Dr. Crawley-Woods states: “Your company and conversation would be welcome, and I will make every effort to make it worth your precious time!”
15 more minutes of fame for Marie Manilla
If you missed Marie Manilla at Shepherd last month or as she zoomed across the state for two of her literary readings, you can take a listen to Tuesday’s episode of West Virginia Morning on West Virginia Public Radio. Manilla talks with Shepherd alumna and West Virginia Public Broadcasting Shepherd-based reporter Liz McCormick about being an urban Appalachian, the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence program at Shepherd, and the West Virginia Library Commission’s One Book One West Virginia program for 2021. A more extensive interview with Manilla will be included in the November 14 edition of Inside Appalachia, which airs locally on 88.9 FM Sundays at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. You'll enjoy.
News
Football win leads to boost in rankings; individual honors for Bagent, Gontarek
November 11 Salon Series to feature Afro House selections
The Shepherd School of Music presents a Salon Series Concert with Robin Rhodes and Friends in the Frank Arts Center Theater on Thursday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m. Shepherd adjunct professor and bassist Robin Rhodes, pianist Scott Patterson, and vocalist Max Bent will perform selections from Afro House’s house concert experimentation, featuring Afrofuturistic music that is disruptive, exuberant, innovative, emergent, and transformative, with beats, noise, and lush harmonies. Sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank, the performance is free and open to the public.
Federal grant will benefit dual enrollment program
Shepherd has received a United States Department of Agriculture, Distance Learning, and Telemedicine Program grant for $96,891 for three years for the “Bridges to Degrees” project. The grant will provide for the purchase of hub and end-user telecommunication for bringing live-streamed, synchronous distance learning courses offered through Shepherd’s dual enrollment program to students at Martinsburg and Jefferson high schools. Funding will outfit both high schools with the technology needed to engage in distance learning courses and will equip the university campus with the hardware necessary to deliver the courses. The project director is Dr. Christy Wenger, interim co-dean of the Ruth Scarborough Library and Center for Teaching and Learning. Co-principal investigators are Dr. Ben Martz, interim provost, Dr. Jeff Groff, chair, Department of Environmental and Physical Sciences, and Dr. Chiquita Howard-Bostic, associate vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. The Journal featured this program in its Sunday, October 31, edition.
Shepherd volleyball ranked second in the region
The Shepherd volleyball team is ranked second in the region in the initial NCAA II Atlantic Region rankings for November 3. Shepherd now has a 19-3 overall mark with a 17-3 in-region mark after their win over Kutztown. The Rams return to action tonight when they host Lock Haven for a 7 p.m. match.
School of Music presents a master class with Jazz Saxophonist Jeff Lederer
The Shepherd School of Music will present a master class today at 10 a.m. with New York City-based Jeff Lederer, a saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and educator whose work crosses the genres of jazz, Latin, and creative improvised music. The master class will take place in the Frank Center, room 157, and is free and open to the public. Attendees must register in advance at the Jeff Lederer master class registration page.
Celebrating first-generation student day on November 8
TRIO-Student Support Services is hosting a First-Generation College Celebration on Monday, November 8, at noon on the Midway next to the Student Center. Shepherd is participating in the national day of honoring the successes and contributions of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The program will include discussions about the journeys of some of Shepherd’s first-generation students and employees.
Criminal Justice lecture to feature public defender
The Criminal Justice Lecture series will feature Shepherd alumna Ashley M. Batten, assistant public defender, on Wednesday, November 17, from 1:10-2:00 p.m. via Zoom. Batten has been a public defender in the 23rd Judicial Circuit of West Virginia since February 2016. Her entire practice has been working with juvenile respondents in both Berkeley and Morgan counties, handling more than 100 juvenile defense cases per year. Batten graduated from Shepherd in 2011 and is a 2015 graduate of WVU College of Law, where she worked with the West Virginia Innocence Project. Batten was voted as one of the Top 40 under 40 in law in West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania by VerStandig Media in 2019. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Annual Art Market planned for November 18-21
The Department of Contemporary Art and Theater is hosting the annual Art Market on Thursday, November 18, through Sunday, November 21, in the Evolve Pop-Up Shop, 106 W. German Street, Shepherdstown. The Art Market offers original, one-of-a-kind artwork created by Shepherd students, including unique and affordable paintings, prints, mixed media works, photography, handmade jewelry, illustrations, note cards, and stickers. This event is free and open to the public. Cash sales are preferred. Masks are required.
Women for Shepherd University hosts town and gown historic walking tour
Forty alumnae and community members attended the Women for Shepherd University historic walking tour on Sunday, October 10, in downtown Shepherdstown. The tour was sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation and was an official event for Shepherd University’s 150th celebration occurring during the 2021-22 academic year.
School of Music to present November 12 multidisciplinary concert
The School of Music will present “Orpheus Explored,” the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, on Friday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater. The myth is a tale of intense love, tragic loss, a quest to the underworld, and a test of blind trust. This multi-disciplinary concert performance will feature poetry, movement, videos, and performance in the genres of opera, music theater, art song, and popular song. Tickets cost $15 for general admission, $10 for Shepherd faculty, staff, alumni, senior citizens, active-duty military, and students age 18 and under, and free for Shepherd students with a valid Rambler ID. To purchase tickets, visit the ticket office home page.
Shepherd Sports Score Roundup
Women’s volleyball downs Kutztown in four sets
Women’s basketball falls in exhibition game
Women’s soccer battles to tie with Shippensburg
Men’s soccer prevails against Millersville
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 5
11 a.m.-1 p.m.—First Friday, sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation, Scarborough Library steps
3-5 p.m.—Michael Coppage exhibit, Phaze 2 Gallery
7 p.m.—Women’s volleyball vs. Lock Haven
7 p.m.—When We Were Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem, Frank Arts Center (tickets required)
Saturday, November 6
Noon—Football vs. East Stroudsburg (Military Appreciation Day)
Noon—Men’s soccer at East Stroudsburg
2 p.m.—When We Were Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem, Frank Arts Center (tickets required)
2:30 p.m.—Women’s soccer at East Stroudsburg
4 p.m.—Women’s volleyball vs. Bloomsburg
7 p.m.— When We Were Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem, Frank Arts Center (tickets required)
Sunday, November 7
2 p.m.—When We Were Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem, Frank Arts Center (tickets required)
3 p.m.—Ian Walton, Bassoon Recital, Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall
5 p.m.—Issac Cheston, Clarinet Recital, Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall
7 p.m.— When We Were Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem, Frank Arts Center (tickets required)
Monday, November 8
Noon—First-Generation College Student Celebration, Midway
12:10 p.m.—FOSL Workshop: Using Student Evaluation Data, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education multipurpose room
3-5 p.m.—Michael Coppage exhibit, Phaze 2 Gallery
Tuesday, November 9
12:15-1:10 p.m.—Burnout and Restoration in the Raging 2020s (Zoom)
12:35 p.m.—FOSL Workshop: Using Student Evaluation Data, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education multipurpose room
Wednesday, November 10
12:15-1 p.m.—Burnout and Restoration in the Raging 2020s, Student Center Blue/Gray Room
3-5 p.m.—Michael Coppage exhibit, Phaze 2 Gallery
Thursday, November 11
12:30 p.m.—Walk With Frank, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium
3:30 p.m.—Induction Ceremony for Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, Student Center Storer Ballroom
Friday, November 12
3-5 p.m.—Michael Coppage exhibit, Phaze 2 Gallery
7 p.m.—Women’s volleyball at West Chester
Saturday, November 13
Noon—Football vs. Slippery Rock (Senior Day)
2 p.m.—Women’s volleyball at Millersville
Sunday, November 14
3 p.m.—Issac Vila Euphonium Recital, Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall
5 p.m.—Javier Flores Euphonium Recital, Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall
Monday, November 15
3-5 p.m.—Michael Coppage exhibit, Phaze 2 Gallery
Tuesday, November 16
4:30 p.m.—West Virginia State Auditor John B. McCuskey, hosted by the Accounting Club, White Hall room 113
Wednesday, November 17
1:10-2:00 p.m.—Criminal Justice Lecture Series featuring Ashley M. Batten (Zoom)
3-5 p.m.—Michael Coppage exhibit, Phaze 2 Gallery
6 p.m.—Premiere of First Steps documentary followed by discussion, Frank Arts Center Theater (registration required)
7:30 p.m.—Piano Ensemble and Studio Recital: Let’s Dance! Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall
Thursday, November 18
Noon-6 p.m.—Art Market, Evolve 106 West German Street, Shepherdstown
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
