Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 7, No. 23 • December 9, 2022

President’s Points of Pride

I am thrilled to share the Fall 2022 edition of Shepherd University magazine, the first delivered digitally. This exciting e-edition celebrates 50 years of women’s basketball; 60 years of the Shepherd University Foundation’s service and success; the rise of podcasts; the dedication of the Coach Walter Barr Locker Room; and Shepherd’s Center of Excellence for Photobiomodulation. Please enjoy these stories and many more that represent the essence of what makes Shepherd special.

Gat Caperton wins American Home Furnishing Alliance award

Congratulations to Board of Governor’s Chair Gat Caperton on winning The American Home Furnishings Alliance’s (AHFA) highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, which is presented each year to an industry executive selected for his or her contribution to the home furnishings industry, to AHFA, and their local community. Caperton is the 55th recipient of the award, which was first presented in 1966. Caperton received the award on Nov. 4 during the organization’s Annual Meeting and CEO Conference in Sea Island, Georgia. You can read more here.

Ram football team faces Colorado School of Mines in NCAA Division II semifinals

The third-seeded Shepherd University (13-1) football team will face second-seeded Colorado School of Mines (12-2) in the NCAA Division II Football Championship semifinals on December 10. The game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. MT/3:30 p.m. ET at Marv Kay Stadium and broadcast exclusively on ESPN+. The Ram football team earned a berth in the semifinals after the Rams defeated Indiana University of Pennsylvania 48-13 in the 2022 Super Region One NCAA II Football Championship title game at IUP on December 3.

Support the Rams’ playoff run through Ram Rally 2022

The football team traveled to Golden, Colorado, on Thursday, December 8, a day earlier than typical road games, to give the student-athletes a chance to acclimate to the altitude there. The cheerleading squad also made the trip to cheer on the Rams. Since the NCAA does not cover expenses for the team’s extra day in Colorado or any expenses for the cheer team’s travel, your support helps these student-athletes have an unforgettable experience. Your donation will help cover the additional travel and lodging expenses for our students. Photos from Thursday's send-off are on Shepherd's Flickr site.

Come cheer the Rams as they play in the Division II semifinals!

Join fellow Ram Fans in the Student Center Storer Ballroom at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 10, for a watch party to cheer on the Rams as they take on the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado! The Shepherd University Alumni Association will have the game streaming with free food and soda, so bring your Ram family for food and fun! For questions, please reach out to Katie Swayne, director of alumni affairs, at kswayne@shepherd.edu.

Wishmakers on Campus encourages voting for Lights on the Lake tree

This year, Make-A-Wish at Shepherd is participating in two nonprofit competitions through Lights on the Lake West Virginia and asks all Rams to help by casting a vote for the Make-A-Wish tree. There are two ways to vote: 1) Vote here for the Make-A-Wish tree on Facebook! The photo with the most “likes” can win a monetary prize. 2) The organizations that receive the most votes on this link have a chance to win! Click the link and pay $1 per vote for your favorite tree/organization, and all that money will go to the nonprofit you vote for! You can view a leaderboard on the site to see who is in the lead. For more information, visit LightsontheLakeWV.com.

Welcome to James Taylor!

On Monday, December 5, James Taylor joined the Shepherd University Foundation as its executive vice president. James comes to Shepherd from Virginia, where he served as president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg. To learn more about James, read the original announcement from Foundation Board Director Chris Colbert.

News

Shepherd, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sign agreement to work together

Science students at Shepherd will have the opportunity to gain practical research experience and exposure to state-of-the-art technology thanks to a new memorandum of understanding between the University and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in Frederick, Maryland.

Fisher finishes fourth in Gene Upshaw Award voting

Senior offensive tackle Joey Fisher of the football team finished fourth in the 2022 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award balloting. NCAA Division II sports information directors vote on the award, open to linemen on both sides of the ball. All nominees must be seniors or graduate players/transfers.

McCook named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year

Head football coach Ernie McCook has been named American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region One Coach of the Year. McCook will be honored on Monday, January 9, during the 2023 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. He joins former head football coach Monte Cater, the 2015 honoree, as Shepherd coaches to garner this honor.

Bittner, Hohn garner CSC Academic All-American Honors

Sophomore midfielder Delaney Bittner and senior midfielder Sara Hohn of the Shepherd women's soccer team have been named to the 2022 Academic All-American® Women's Soccer Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators. Bittner and Hohn are the first Shepherd women's soccer players to garner this honor.

Business students are semi-finalists in West Virginia Business Competition

Business plans created by four students through the School of Business are semifinalists in the 16th Annual West Virginia Business Plan Competition (BPC). The BPC provides college students throughout West Virginia with the opportunity to make a business idea come to life with the support of state higher learning institutions and investors from across the country by awarding technical assistance funding each year to West Virginia entrepreneurs.

Sports Roundup

December 2: Women’s basketball bested by Slippery Rock Read more »

December 2: Men's basketball edged by Slippery Rock Read more »

December 3: Men’s basketball handles Edinboro Read more »

December 3: Women’s basketball falls to Edinboro Read more »

Upcoming Events

Friday, December 9

Last day of final exams

Saturday, December 10

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

1 p.m.—TubaChristmas, McMurran Hall, free and open to the public (more information)

3 p.m.—Shepherd vs. Colorado School of Mines Football Watch Party, sponsored by Shepherd University Alumni Association, Student Center Storer Ballroom (more information)

3:30 p.m.—Football vs. Colorado School of Mines (NCAA Division II playoff semifinals)