Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 7, No. 39 • April 14, 2023

President’s Points of Pride

I would like to gratefully acknowledge The Hunt Institute for holding the 2023 West Virginia Legislators Retreat at Shepherd last week. The distinguished co-chairs of this Retreat were The Honorable Mac Warner, The Honorable John B. McCuskey, The Honorable Patricia Rucker, The Honorable Ben Queen, and The Honorable Kayla Young. The Retreat theme focused on various aspects of early childhood education, and Dr. LeAnn Johnson, associate professor of education at Shepherd, served as one of the expert panelists. We deeply appreciate the commitment of our West Virginia leaders to advancing education as a top priority in the state. We share a common goal of developing the next generation of leaders and model citizens.

Spring football, Relay For Life...and so much more!

Get a sneak peek at the Shepherd football team at Saturday’s Spring Football Game at Ram Stadium starting at 3:30 p.m. It’s open to the public and free! But football isn’t the only game in town on Saturday. It’s Senior Day for the lacrosse team, who plays East Stroudsburg at noon, and the baseball team has a doubleheader at Fairfax Field with the first pitch at noon. Not a sports fan? That’s OK! There are Art Capstone exhibits sprinkled all around Shepherdstown on Saturday, the Department of Psychology hosts Senior Research Presentations in White Hall at 10 a.m., and Tabler Farm is looking for volunteers to join in its Annual Tree Planting. There are only three performances remaining of the Contemporary Theater Studies Program’s presentation of Picasso at the Lapin Agile at the Marinoff Theater. This flyer has more details about the performance schedule and tickets. Finally, do not forget that Relay for Life of Jefferson County at Shepherd University steps off on Friday, April 14, and will be walking through the night until 6 a.m. on Saturday. Yes, it’s a busy weekend, so visit the University’s online calendar to plan out the fun!

Annual tree planting at Tabler Farm on April 15

Happy spring! This Saturday, April 15, from 1-3 p.m. Tabler Farm is hosting a tree planting volunteer event in its native food forest. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the kids along for a fun day on the farm. Volunteers also receive a lesson on native food forests plus a tree planting demo from Cacapon Institute, our partner organization for this project. Learn more and sign up here!

Student Recognition Day planned for April 18

Students at Shepherd are recognized each year in April for their accomplishments in leadership as well as their contributions to the campus and community. Save the date for the 75th Annual Student Recognition Day Ceremony on Tuesday, April 18, at 3:10 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater. Please plan to attend—and encourage students being recognized to attend—as the University acknowledges their academic, co-curricular, service, and leadership accomplishments.

Political Science, Global Studies students to present April 18 capstones

The Department of Political Science, Global Studies, and Geography invites everyone to attend senior capstone presentations on Tuesday, April 18, from 4-7 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education multipurpose room. Refreshments will be provided. The following students will present:

Political Science

Chloe Bailey—“Evolution of Voting Technology: How Electronic Voting Systems Affect Voter Confidence”
Ryan Barlow—“A Divided People: Ideological Polarization and its Effect in Congress”
LaToya Frye—“Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Media Attention”
Joanna Hernandez – “Why Choose Spain? A Qualitative Study Investigating Increasing Migration Rates to Spain”
Tyler Jackson—“The ‘Resource Curse’: Exceptions to the Disease”
Kevin Knotts—“Fentanyl Assisted Chemical Warfare”
Georgiette Naupac—“Why do younger people have a lower voter turnout than older people?”
Hailey Sandate—“The Effect Gun Control Has on Mass Shooting: A Comparison of all 50 states from 2009-2022”
Thalia Sassman—“Lost Labor: Analyzing the Factors Contributing to the Decline of Unionization in the United States”

Global Studies

Natalie Pinto—“Globalization and the Language Vitality”

Math Field Day returns April 22

The 47th Annual West Virginia State Mathematics Field Day will be held on April 22 in the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center. Operated and organized by the West Virginia State Math Field Day Organization, the event is being sponsored in part by the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The event brings select students in grades 4-12 in each of the eight Math Field Day regions to Shepherd to represent their schools in math competitions. Opening announcements begin at approximately 8:50 a.m. with competitions running until 3:30 p.m. An awards ceremony is scheduled for approximately 3:45 p.m. Parents and interested guests are invited to attend.

News

Dr. Roberta DeBiasi, Lacy Rice III to serve as speakers during Shepherd University’s 150th Commencement

Shepherd will celebrate its 150th Commencement on Saturday, May 6, with words of wisdom from Dr. Roberta L. DeBiasi, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., and Lacy I. Rice, III, founding managing partner of Federal Capital Partners® (FCP), a privately held real estate investment company.

Stubblefield Institute supports campus conversation about Campus Self-defense Act

The Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communication and Shepherd University’s Division for Student Affairs cohosted a Campus Conversation on Wednesday night regarding the effects of the Campus Self-defense Act, a new West Virginia law that goes into effect July 1, 2024.

Shepherd student receives statewide leadership award

Xavier Hersom, a music composition major in Shepherd’s TRIO Student Support Services Program, was awarded the Dr. Anne Crum Student Leadership Award and Scholarship at the 22nd Annual West Virginia TRIO Association Student Leadership Conference in February.

Witmer named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week

Sophomore defender Sydney Witmer of the Shepherd lacrosse team has been named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week.

Baseball climbs to eighth in NCBWA regional poll

The Shepherd baseball team is ranked eighth in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Atlantic Region Poll for April 3. Shepherd went 4-2 for the week to improve to 18-11 overall.

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia; Eldersburg, Maryland, students receive business scholarships

Two high school students, one from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, and the other from Eldersburg, Maryland, were awarded scholarships by the Shepherd College of Business for their participation in the College’s Financial Plan and Entrepreneurship Scholarship Contest.

Phi Beta Delta international honor society inducts new members

Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars inducted 21 new members at a ceremony on April 6. Two honorary members were also inducted, Dr. Steven Spencer, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of English, emeritus, and keynote speaker Dr. John Sedlins, who retired from the U.S. Department of State. Sedlins gave a presentation titled “Think Outside the Box—Choose Study Abroad and International Scholarship.” Read more »

Shepherd trio gains NFF Hampshire Society honors

Senior quarterback Tyson Bagent, graduate student fullback/tight end Michael McCook, and graduate student center Adam Stilley of the Shepherd football team have been named to the 2023 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and sprint football who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers.

Aging Well Workshop planned for May 9, registration deadline is May 3

Shepherd is hosting its 14th annual Aging Well Workshop, “Interoception (the lesser-known sense): Why Listening to Your Body Matters,” on Tuesday, May 9, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium and virtually via Zoom.

Sports Roundup

April 7: Softball sweeps Millersville

April 7: Tennis teams fall to Kutztown

April 8: Tennis teams downed by Bloomsburg

April 8: Softball falls twice to West Chester

April 8: Lacrosse falls to Bloomsburg

April 8: Baseball drops pair to Kutztown

April 10: Women’s tennis tops East Stroudsburg

April 11: Softball drops pair to Shippensburg

April 12: Baseball sweeps Bloomfield

April 12: Women’s tennis edged by Shippensburg

April 12: Lacrosse edged by Kutztown in OT

Upcoming Events

Friday, April 14

1-5 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit and Reception: Unravel by Angela Kretzer, Mecklenburg Inn, 128 E. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

1-4:30 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: From the Pages by Lexi Heck, Scarborough Library (more information)

2 p.m.—Baseball at West Chester

2 p.m.—Softball at East Stroudsburg

3-8 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit and Reception: Grown Together by Skyler Trigger, War Memorial Building, 102 E. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

4 p.m.—Softball at East Stroudsburg

5-8 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: Dream Catcher by Madilynn Thomas, Phaze 2 Gallery (more information)

6 p.m.—Relay For Life of Jefferson County presented by Shepherd University, Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center (more information)

7 p.m.—Picasso at the Lapin Agile, performed by Shepherd’s Contemporary Theater Studies program, Marinoff Theater (pay-what-you-will at the door, free entry for students with valid Rambler ID)

7:30 p.m.—Wind Ensemble Concert: Call of the Wild, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required)

Saturday, April 15

9 a.m.—West Virginia Electric Auto Association EV Show, Lot A (corner of High and Princess Streets)

10 a.m.—Psychology Senior Research Presentations, presented by the Shepherd Department of Psychology, White Hall 104

11 a.m.-3 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: Reminiscence by Elizabeth Monsma, Sugar Whipped Bakery, 104 S. King St., Shepherdstown (more information)

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

Noon—Lacrosse vs. East Stroudsburg

Noon—Baseball vs. West Chester

1 p.m.—Softball at Bloomsburg

1-3 p.m.—Annual Tree Planting, sponsored by the Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm and Cacapon Institute, Tabler Farm, 482 Billmyer Mill Rd., Shepherdstown (more information)

1-4:30 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: From the Pages by Lexi Heck, Scarborough Library (more information)

1-5 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit and Reception: Unravel by Angela Kretzer, Mecklenburg Inn, 128 E. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

2:30 p.m.—Baseball vs. West Chester

3 p.m.—Softball at Bloomsburg

3:30 p.m.—Spring Football Game, Ram Stadium

5-8 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit and Reception: Dream Catcher by Madilynn Thomas, Phaze 2 Gallery (more information)

5-8 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: Ouroboros by Charlotte Puttock, Black Box Theater, 113 S. Princess St., Shepherdstown (more information)

7 p.m.—Picasso at the Lapin Agile, performed by Shepherd’s Contemporary Theater Studies program, Marinoff Theater (pay-what-you-will at the door, free entry for students with valid Rambler ID)

Sunday, April 16

Women’s golf at Kutztown Spring Invitational

9 a.m.-1 p.m.— Art Capstone Exhibit: Reminiscence by Elizabeth Monsma, Sugar Whipped Bakery, 104 S. King St., Shepherdstown (more information)

Noon— Art Capstone Exhibit: Unravel by Angela Kretzer, Mecklenburg Inn, 128 E. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

2 p.m.— Picasso at the Lapin Agile, performed by Shepherd’s Contemporary Theater Studies program, Marinoff Theater (pay-what-you-will at the door, free entry for students with valid Rambler ID) 3 p.m.—Savannah Williams, piano recital, Frank Arts Center W. H. Shipley Recital Hall

4-8 p.m.— Art Capstone Exhibit: From the Pages by Lexi Heck, Scarborough Library (more information)

5 p.m.—Joseph Rupert, trumpet recital, Frank Arts Center W. H. Shipley Recital Hall

5-8 p.m.— Art Capstone Exhibit: Ouroboros by Charlotte Puttock, Black Box Theater, 113 S. Princess St., Shepherdstown (more information)

Monday, April 17

12:10—12:50 p.m.—Mindful Mondays, sponsored by Counseling Services, Student Center Cumberland Room

6-8 p.m.—Sans Merci Vol. 47 Release Party, Marinoff Theater (more information)

Tuesday, April 18

1 p.m.—Softball vs. Kutztown

3 p.m.—Softball vs. Kutztown

3:10 p.m.—75th Annual Student Recognition Day Ceremony, Frank Arts Center Theater

4 p.m.—Lacrosse at Shippensburg

4-7 p.m.—Senior Capstone Presentations, presented by the Department of Political Science, Global Studies, and Geography, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education multipurpose room

5:30 p.m.—Seeding Your Future Workshop Series: Leuwenhoek’s Little Beasties, Byrd Science and Technology Center (more information)

7:30 p.m.—Small Ensembles Recital, Frank Arts Center W. H. Shipley Recital Hall

Wednesday, April 19

1 p.m.—Baseball at West Virginia Wesleyan (Buckhannon, West Virginia)

3 p.m.— Baseball at West Virginia Wesleyan (Buckhannon, West Virginia)

Thursday, April 20

4:15 p.m.—Board of Governors meeting, Student Center Storer Ballroom

7 p.m.—Jazz at Shepherd: Jazz-n-Java, Marinoff Theater (tickets required)

Friday, April 21

Last day of classes

Last day for complete withdrawal from semester

2 p.m.—Baseball vs. Millersville

2 p.m.—Softball vs. Mansfield

3:30 p.m.—McMurran Scholars Convocation, Frank Arts Center Theater

4 p.m.—Softball vs. Mansfield

7 p.m.— Shepherdstown Film Society Movie: “The Last Waltz,” sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Program and Scarborough Society, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium (more information)

Saturday, April 22

9 a.m.—47th Annual West Virginia State Math Field Day, operated and organized by the West Virginia Math Field Day Organization, Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center

10 a.m.—Men’s tennis PSAC Tournament (Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania)

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

Noon—Baseball at Millersville

1 p.m.—Softball vs. Lock Haven

1 p.m.—Lacrosse at West Chester

2:30 p.m.—Baseball at Millersville

3 p.m.—Softball vs. Lock Haven

5 p.m.— Shepherd University Alumni Association Inaugural Legacy Gala, Shepherdstown Fire Department-Barron Hall (tickets required)

7:30 p.m.— Masterworks Chorale: Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required)