Vol. 6, No. 12 • September 17, 2021
President's Points of Pride
Shepherd University is proud to serve as an educational and informational resource for the campus and community at large. During this challenging time with the COVID-19 pandemic and its rapid transmission, we have expanded our University website to include specific information related to treatment options, including the monoclonal antibody intravenous infusion, offered at a convenient location. Please take a moment to review the detailed information on our website. We greatly appreciate the feedback we have received from campus and community members regarding Shepherd’s handling of the pandemic. This is truly a team effort, and I wish to thank our Campus Health Task Force, in partnership with the Health Department and the Higher Education Policy Commission, for their steadfast dedication and commitment to our safety. #WE-WILL-PERSEVERE-TOGETHER
Assembly recording available
Thanks to all who were able to join the Fall Assembly on Monday, September 13 — either in person or via Zoom. If you missed it, or want to experience it again, you can watch the recording on YouTube.
Aviation Program takes flight with three students
The Shepherd Aviation Program welcomed its inaugural class this semester with three students: Mason Kidwell, Jaxon Bakken, and Bailey Bakken. In March, Shepherd University, Bravo Flight Training, and the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB) announced a partnership to bring aviation training and education to the Eastern Panhandle. Shepherd is offering the academic portion of the program through its College of Business, while Bravo will deliver the ground school aviation training classes, and MRB will host the activities at the recently renovated airport facility.
4+1 economics program now available
Shepherd recently finalized a 4+1 agreement with West Virginia University (WVU) for students pursuing an economics degree. Shepherd undergrads can use up to three upper-level economics electives toward their M.S. in economics at WVU, if accepted into the Program. The Program allows students to finish their master’s degree in economics in as little as one year after completing their undergraduate degree.
School of Music recital October 8
Shepherd is proud to welcome to campus the West Virginia Music Teachers Association (WVMTA) annual state conference to campus on October 8-9, 2021. As part of the activities, American violinist Andrew Sords will be performing an evening recital with Johan Botes at the piano on Friday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is open to the public and tickets are $10 per person (cash at the door). Shepherd faculty, staff, and students may attend for free. The concert will be dedicated to Dr. Scott Beard (1964-2021), a longtime member of WVMTA.
Poetry Night Under the Stars
The Department of English and Modern Languages and Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, is celebrating the first day of fall by hosting “Poetry Night Under the Stars” on Tuesday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Run Garden between White and Knutti halls. The event is free and open to the public. Snacks will be served. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite poem, written by any poet or themselves, to read. For more information, contact Sarah Seibert at sseibe01@rams.shepherd.edu.
Don’t miss the next episode of Upstream Downstream
Episode 3 of Upstream Downstream features host David Welch discussing what student leadership looks like with Elana Gutmann, Shepherd University Student Government Association president, and Jaelyn Wratchford, Shepherd student and current Miss West Virginia. Elana, Jaelyn, and David discuss some of the motivators that cause students to develop their leadership skills and different types of leadership styles. Listen on Saturday, September 18, at 11 a.m. on 89.7 WSHC-FM or on podcasting platforms such as Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
Mindful Mondays — Weekly Mindfulness Practice Series
Mindful Mondays — mindfulness practices and activities that can help reduce stress and tension, improve focus and concentration, and help support you on your path to success — 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. Links will be available on Ram Pulse. For more information, contact Counseling Services at 304-876-5276 or through email at wbaracka@shepherd.edu.
Appointment of Ombudsperson at Shepherd University
Dr. Geri Crawley-Woods, professor emerita of social work, has agreed to serve as the new campus Ombudsperson. Dr. Crawley-Woods retired in 2020 after a distinguished 46-year career at Shepherd during which time she excelled as a teacher and mentor. She is widely respected and trusted and is uniquely skilled to continue the important Ombudsperson work for the campus. Dr. Crawley-Woods can be reached at gcwoods@shepherd.edu. The Ombudsperson assists members of the University community who may prefer to address their concerns informally rather than, or before, seeking remedies through formal organizational structures, serving as a sounding board, and at times conducting voluntary mediation among parties. The Ombudsperson reports directly to the President and meets periodically to provide updates.
Dr. Crawley-Woods succeeds Ms. Karen Green, associate professor of social work, chair of the Social Work Department, and director of field education, who is stepping down to focus on her departmental responsibilities. Known for her warmth and insight, Ms. Green has helped numerous employees and students to confidentially address concerns and navigate conflicts through this important channel for the 13 years she served as Ombudsperson.
Smithsonian Magazine 17th Annual Museum Day
The Jefferson County Museum in Charles Town, West Virginia, will open its doors free of charge to all Museum Day ticketholders on Saturday, September 18, 2021, as part of Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day. The annual event allows museums, zoos, and cultural centers from all 50 states to emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities, which offer free admission every day. Download the Museum Day ticket online.
In the News
Hall of Famer James L. Taylor passes away
The Shepherd University Department of Athletics is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer James L. Taylor on September 7. Taylor, a 1993 Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee, excelled as a two-way end for the Shepherd football team from 1955-58 as the program's first African American football player.
Bagent Selected as PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week
Junior quarterback Tyson Bagent of the Shepherd University football team has been named PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week. This is the second time in as many weeks that he’s earned this honor.
Shepherd Football Moves Up to 11th in Both Polls
Shepherd University is ranked 11th in the American Football Coaches Association Poll and the D2Football.com poll for this week. Shepherd recorded a 56-26 win over Gannon last Saturday.
Appalachian writer and heritage events planned September 24-October 1
The work of Marie Manilla, this year’s Shepherd University Writer-in-Residence, is inspiring events at this year’s annual Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence and Appalachian Heritage Festival. Events run September 24 through October 1 and are free and open to the public.
Appalachian Heritage Festival celebrates anniversary with free workshops, concert
The Appalachian Heritage Festival at Shepherd University will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, September 25. In the past quarter-century, thousands of community members, schoolchildren, and students have been introduced to the diverse cultural traditions of Appalachia and West Virginia through workshops, lectures, and concert performances by the region’s most outstanding artists, historians, and cultural ambassadors. In celebration of the festival’s 25th anniversary and Shepherd’s Family Weekend, all events, including the showcase concert, will be free and open to the public.
Shepherd to host athletic team reunions at football games
Shepherd University vice president for athletics Chauncey Winbush recently announced the athletic team reunion schedule in conjunction with the 2021 Shepherd home football schedule. Reunions kick off with the September 25 game against Kutztown on September 25 with softball (1991 and 2007 teams) and baseball (2016 and 2017 teams).
Sports Score Roundup
Hurt Lifts Shepherd Men’s Soccer Past UPJ; McDougall Gets First Win
Shepherd Volleyball Wins Pair at Goldey-Beacom
Shepherd Women’s Soccer Falls to West Chester
Shepherd Football Tops Gannon
Shepherd Volleyball Sweeps Lincoln
Mercyhurst Upends Shepherd Men’s Soccer
Upcoming Events
Friday, September 17
3 p.m.- 5 p.m. Student Honors exhibit, Phaze 2 Gallery
4 p.m. Women’s volleyball vs Davis & Elkins (at Edinboro, PA)
7 p.m. Women’s volleyball at Edinboro
Saturday, September 18
9 a.m. Men’s and women’s cross country at Kutztown
Noon Women’s volleyball vs West Virginia Wesleyan (at Erie, PA)
1 p.m. Women’s soccer vs Bloomsburg
2 p.m. Football at Indiana, PA
3 p.m. Women’s volleyball at Mercyhurst
3:30 p.m. Men’s soccer vs Bloomsburg
Monday, September 20
6 p.m. Freedom of Speech, Censorship, and the Cancel Culture: Social Media and Politics in Today’s America (RSVP required)
Tuesday, September 21
7 p.m. Women’s volleyball at Fairmont State
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. Men’s soccer at Shippensburg
6:30 p.m. Women’s soccer at Shippensburg
Friday, September 24
Last day to withdraw from first-half semester class (see advisor by noon)
7 p.m. Women’s volleyball vs Shippensburg
Saturday, September 25
10:30 a.m. Women’s and men’s cross country at Dickinson
1 p.m. Men’s soccer vs Slippery Rock
1 p.m. Women’s soccer at Mansfield
Monday, September 27
Tuesday, September 28
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Annual Faculty Exhibition, reception for artists, Phaze 2 Gallery
Wednesday, September 29
1 p.m. Women’s soccer vs Lock Haven
1:10 p.m. Salon Series Seminar, with George Crumb, W. H. Shipley Recital Hall
3:30 p.m. Men’s soccer vs West Chester
Thursday, September 30
Friday, October 1
3:15 p.m. Faculty Research Forum: Dr. John Steffen, Department of Biology, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Auditorium.
7 p.m. Women’s volleyball at East Stroudsburg
Saturday, October 2
Noon Football vs Shippensburg (Hall of Fame Weekend)
2 p.m. Women’s soccer at Millersville
2 p.m. Women’s volleyball at Kutztown
3:30 p.m. Men’s Soccer at Millersville
Shepherd University news and events are available here.
Athletics news, schedules, and scores are available here.
Dana L. Costa
Executive Director, University Communications
Shepherd University
P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown WV 25443-5000
