Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 7, No. 37 • March 31, 2023

President’s Points of Pride

We are deeply appreciative to Sen. Joe Manchin for visiting Shepherd on March 24 and holding a Town Hall meeting in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Manchin was especially interested in talking with our political science students—the leaders of tomorrow. He encouraged them to become involved in public service. Both Sen. Manchin and Sen. Capito have co-sponsored critically needed funding for transformational projects on our campus through Congressionally Directed Awards, for which we are profoundly grateful. Photos from the Senator’s visit are available online.

Dr. Cole appointed chair of ACS test committee

Congratulations to Dr. Jacquelyn Cole, associate professor of chemistry, and chair of the Department of Chemistry, for her recent appointment as chair of the test committee to prepare the 2025 General, Biochemistry Condensed Examination by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Chemical Education Examinations Institute. Cole has previously served on two exam committees and said she is excited to be asked to chair this group. Well deserved, Dr. Cole!

Tickets available for inaugural Alumni Association Legacy Gala

Join the Shepherd University Alumni Association for the inaugural Legacy Gala on Saturday, April 22, from 5-9 p.m. at the Shepherdstown Fire Department’s Barron Hall. The event supports the Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund and will be a night of good food, drinks, music, and prizes. For full event details, including ticket details and sponsorship opportunities, visit the Legacy Gala webpage.

April means art Capstone exhibits

The Capstone Studio Art program is the culminating experience for graduating studio art majors. As part of that process, each B.F.A. candidate must exhibit a body of their work in a local professional gallery space. These students will put into practice the professional skills that will be crucial to their success in the field of contemporary art. They handle all aspects of the exhibition, including finding an exhibition space, preparing the space, publishing catalogs, promoting the events, installing the works, hosting the event, and breaking down the show. The collective name of this year’s Capstone experience is Miscellanea. While each candidate’s exhibit has its own name, the group wanted to highlight how they have splintered out into diverse fields yet are still bound by a common experience. Details about the exhibits, locations, and dates are available online. All events are free and open to the public. Please contact Capstone Director Evan Boggess at eboggess@shepherd.edu with any questions.

San Merci Release Party

Come support Shepherd's writers and artists on Monday, April 17, at the Sans Merci Volume 47 Release Party, where you can see and hear curated student art and literature in person! Students, employees, and community members are invited to the Marinoff Theater to walk through the gallery of students' work and listen to readings of students' prose and poetry pieces. The art gallery opens at 6 p.m. and literature readings begin at 7 p.m. Free copies of San Merci Volume 47 will be available. Awards will be given for Best Prose, Best Poetry, and Best Art. Any questions can be directed to Charlotte Puttock at cputto01@rams.shepherd.edu or via Instagram @sansmercimag.

NFL day 2023 brings reps from several pro teams

Ram Stadium was abuzz with activity on March 29 when pro football league scouts visited campus to check out the skills of several Ram football players as well as players from Concord University, Wheeling University, West Liberty University, West Virginia State University, the College of Charleston, and the University of Buffalo. Thirty-one pro teams were represented, 30 from the NFL and one from the Canadian Football League. Shepherd Rams who participated are quarterback Tyson Bagent, offensive lineman Joey Fisher, running back Ronnie Brown, tight end Brian Walker, and defensive lineman Solomon Alexander. Photos are available on the University’s Flickr page and on the SmugMug page of Pam and John Boyle. Many local media outlets were on campus, including The Shepherdstown Observer, MetroNews, and The Herald-Mail.

QPR mental health and suicide prevention training comes to Shepherd

On Friday, April 7, the Student Government Association will host Shepherd’s first Green Bandana Initiative mental health and suicide prevention Question Persuade Refer (QPR) training. The QPR training, led by Director of Counseling Services Wendy Baracka, is a 90-minute training course designed to empower student leaders to assist others in crisis by recognizing risk factors, intervening, and helping guide others to resources that can save lives. The Green Bandana Initiative is a mental health awareness and training campaign spearheaded by members of the 2021-2022 State Advisory Council of Students, part of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

School of Education hosts future Rams

The School of Education hosted an open house for high school students on March 24—Excited about Shepherd! Careers in Teacher Education (ExCITEd). Twenty-four students from eight high schools in Berkeley and Jefferson counties, West Virginia, and Washington and Frederick counties, Maryland, attended the event. The high school students enjoyed participating in education classes, meeting with various specialization coordinators, spending time with current education majors, and learning important tips about what to expect as new college students and how to be successful in a college education program like the one offered here at Shepherd. Of the 24 in attendance, four will be graduating in May 2023 and three have applied to Shepherd. An additional nine indicated they plan to apply to Shepherd in the future.

News

Rude Mechanicals to perform medieval comedy, student plays starting March 31

Shepherd’s Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players will perform an anonymous short medieval comedy, “The Second Shepherds’ Play,” and three short plays written by creative writing students beginning March 31 in Reynolds Hall.

Common Reading program to host April 4 panel discussion about Rainbow Murders

Shepherd’s Common Reading program is hosting “Revisiting the Case of the 1980 Rainbow Murders,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, April 4, at 6 p.m. in Erma Ora Byrd Hall auditorium. The event, which is free and open to the public, will offer an opportunity to learn more about the unsolved 1980 Rainbow murders that took place in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities to host April 5 book reading by Dr. Corley Dennison

Audiences will explore issues of early 1960s race relations on Wednesday, April 5, when Dr. Corley Dennison will read from his first novel, “When the Center Held True.” The free event sponsored by Shepherd’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium.

Softball splits with Bloomsburg, Purtell sets Shepherd career runs mark

Shepherd softball split a doubleheader with Bloomsburg in PSAC East softball action at Shepherd on March 26. Bloomsburg gained a 3-2 win in nine innings in game one, while Shepherd grabbed a 2-1 triumph in the nightcap. Graduate student third baseman Nicole Purtell scored the game-winning run in the nightcap for her 158th career run to break the old Shepherd mark of 157 set by Alexandra Witt (2014-17).

April 6 Salon Series to feature piano and strings music

The final concert of the 2022-2023 Shepherd Music Salon Series will feature a faculty trio—violinist Heather Austin-Stone, cellist Camilo Peréz-Mejía, and pianist Yu-Hsuan Liao—in an exploration of some intriguing piano trio repertoire that expresses our sense of time and how a season, a day, or just a morning can last both an instant and a lifetime. The free performance, sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank, “Relative Time,” will take place on Thursday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall.

Shepherd retains Tree Campus designation

For the fourth consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Shepherd University as a Tree Campus. Dr. Court Campany, associate professor of biology, the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society, Madison Hale, coordinator at the Shepherd’s Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm, and the Shepherd Environmental Organization have planted 20 native trees on West Campus and at Tabler Farm across multiple tree planting events. The University will celebrate Arbor Day on Monday, April 10, when students will plant more trees in the Carl F. Bell Arboretum, located on West Campus near Printz and Dunlop Halls.

Purtell named to 2023 Tucci/NFCA Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist

Graduate student third baseman Nicole Purtell of the Shepherd softball team is one of 115 student-athletes from across the country to be named to the 2023 Tucci/NFCA Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist. Purtell is one of 15 players selected from the Atlantic Region. Purtell, who recently became the program's all-time run scorer, leads the Rams in batting average (.473), hits (44), runs scored (24), runs batted in (20), and total bases (60). Her .645 slugging percentage and .515 on-base percentage also top the team.

Sports Roundup

March 25: Tennis teams fall at Edinboro

March 26: Women’s golf finishes fourth at Cardinal Spring Classic

March 26: Men’s golf team finishes second at Cardinal Classic

March 26: Tennis teams downed at Mercyhurst

March 28: Softball rallies in nightcap to gain split with Shippensburg

March 28: Baseball sweeps Davis and Elkins

March 29: Women’s tennis falls at Lock Haven

March 29: Baseball outslugs Mansfield

March 29: Lacrosse falls at Millersville

Upcoming Events

Friday, March 31

8 a.m.—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

2 p.m.—Softball at Mansfield

2 p.m.—Baseball vs. Shippensburg

4 p.m.—Softball at Mansfield

7:30 p.m.—Spring Choral Concert, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required)

7:30 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Saturday, April 1

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

Noon—“Portraits of Persistence,” Storer College student portraits, sponsored by Scarborough Library, Scarborough Library Reading Room (more information)

Noon—Baseball at Shippensburg

Noon—Women’s tennis vs. West Chester

Noon—Men’s tennis vs. West Chester

1 p.m.—Softball at Lock Haven

2:30 p.m.—Baseball at Shippensburg

3 p.m.—Softball at Lock Haven

7 p.m.—16th Drag Show Benefit, sponsored by Program Board and Gender-Sexuality Alliance, benefits Hagerstown Hopes, Student Center Storer Ballroom (more information)

7:30 p.m.—Musical Showcase for Scholarships, Frank Arts Center Theater (more information)

7:30 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Sunday, April 2

10 a.m.—The Trifecta: 2023 Trombone Workshop, sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Trombone Alliance, Frank Arts Center Theater (register here)

3 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Monday, April 3

First day of Fall 2023 RAIL registration for continuing students, until 4 p.m.

Men’s golf at West Chester Invitational

Women’s golf at Dr. Edwin Cotrell Invitational

Noon—Faculty Research Forum: Hermeneutics and Euretics in Frank Herbert’s Dune, presented by Dr. Kevin Williams, Frank Arts Center, W.H. Shipley Recital Hall (more information)

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

Tuesday, April 4

Men’s golf at West Chester Invitational

Women’s golf at Dr. Edwin Cotrell Invitational

2 p.m.—Baseball at West Liberty

2 p.m.—Men’s tennis at Millersville

2 p.m.—Women’s tennis at Millersville

6 p.m.—Hindsight 2023: Revisiting the Case of the 1980 Rainbow Murders, sponsored by the Common Reading program, the Shepherd University Foundation, and the Office of Diversity and Equity, Erma Ora Byrd auditorium

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

Wednesday, April 5

Last day of academic advisement for continuing students for Summer/Fall 2023

2 p.m.—Softball vs. Frostburg State

4 p.m.—Softball vs. Frostburg State

6:30 p.m.—When the Center Held True, reading by author Dr. Corley Dennison, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium

7:30 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Thursday, April 6

3:30 p.m.—Phi Beta Delta Induction Ceremony, White Hall 104/Jefferson Room

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.—Shepherd Music Salon Series: Relative Time—Yu-Hsuan Liao, Heather Austin-Stone, and Camilo Peréz-Mejía, sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank, Frank Arts Center W. H. Shipley Recital Hall

7:30 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Friday, April 7

Last day to withdraw from second-half semester class (see advisor by noon)

10 a.m.-6 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: A Celebration of Breeds by Ashley Cox, Evolve, 106 W. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

11 a.m.-1 p.m.—First Friday, sponsored by Relay for Life, Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center

1 p.m.—Women’s tennis vs. Kutztown

1 p.m.—Men’s tennis vs. Kutztown

1-7 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: ArtTrek by Abby Bowman, Alma Bea, 202 E. Washington St. (outdoors), Shepherdstown (more information)

2 p.m.—Softball vs. Millersville

2 p.m.—Baseball at Kutztown

4 p.m.—Softball vs. Millersville

4-6 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit and Reception: A Celebration of Breeds by Ashley Cox, Evolve, 106 W. German 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)

7:30 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Saturday, April 8

10 a.m.-6 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: A Celebration of Breeds by Ashley Cox, Evolve, 106 W. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

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

Noon—Baseball vs. Kutztown

Noon—Men’s tennis vs. Bloomsburg

Noon—Women’s tennis vs. Bloomsburg

1 p.m.—Softball vs. West Chester

1-7 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit and Reception: ArtTrek by Abby Bowman, Alma Bea, 202 E. Washington St. (outdoors), Shepherdstown (more information)

2 p.m.—Lacrosse at Bloomsburg

2:30 p.m.—Baseball vs. Kutztown

3 p.m.—Softball vs. West Chester

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.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

Sunday, April 9

10 a.m.-6 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: A Celebration of Breeds by Ashley Cox, Evolve, 106 W. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

3 p.m.—The Second Shepherds’ Play, and three short plays written by creative writing students, presented by The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players, Reynolds Hall

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

Monday, April 10

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

4:10 p.m.—Spring Assembly, Erma Ora Byrd auditorium

Tuesday, April 11

1 p.m.—Softball vs. Shippensburg

3 p.m.—Softball vs. Shippensburg

Wednesday, April 12

1 p.m.—Baseball at Bloomfield

1:10-2 p.m.— Criminal Justice Lecture Series: Centering Impacted Families in Transforming the Criminal Legal System presented by Emily Cole, co-founder and executive director, Ohio Families Unite Against Political Action and Change, Zoom

3 p.m.—Baseball at Bloomfield

3 p.m.—Women’s tennis at Shippensburg

4 p.m.—Lacrosse vs. Kutztown

7:30 p.m.—Piano Ensemble and Studio Recital, Frank Arts Center W.H. Shipley Recital Hall

Thursday, April 13

5 p.m.—Art Capstone Exhibit: Sky Citadel by Patrick Quigley, Evolve, 106 W. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

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

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

11 a.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—Women’s tennis vs. East Stroudsburg

Noon—Lacrosse vs. East Stroudsburg

Noon—Baseball vs. West Chester

Noon—Spring Football Game, Ram Stadium

1 p.m.—Softball at Bloomsburg

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

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)

Shepherd University news and events are available here.

Shepherd Athletics news and schedules are available here.

To submit an idea for a future issue, email University Communications.

Dana L. Costa

Executive Director, University Communications

Shepherd University

P.O. Box 5000

Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000

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