Initiatives, News, and Events

Vol. 7, No. 22 • December 2, 2022

President’s Points of Pride

As we head into the holiday season, I am very pleased to share with you that Shepherd’s Fall 2023 admission numbers continue to trend ahead! This week, applications are up 11 percent compared to last year, and deposits are up 28 percent (31 percent of these are from first-year students). Before the holidays, estimated financial aid award packages will be sent to accepted students. I would like to especially acknowledge the collective efforts of Dr. Kelly Hart and her entire enrollment management team—working in partnership with our faculty, staff, and students—to attract new and continuing students to Shepherd University. #TheFutureofYou

Alumna Sara Lueck honored at Jefferson High School

Longtime Jefferson High School librarian Sara Lueck ’67 learned on November 28 that the high school’s library is now named for her. The Jefferson County Board of Education unanimously agreed to name the Sara Lueck Library and Media Center for the retiring educator who has devoted 44 years to the students at Jefferson High School. For more information about Sara and this honor, visit the Jefferson County Schools website.

Tyson Bagent finalist for Harlon Hill Award for second year

Senior quarterback Tyson Bagent of the Shepherd football team has been named one of nine finalists for the 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy, the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. The nine finalists will now be placed on the national ballot, where all 178 NCAA Division II sports information directors will select the award's 36th winner. The winner will be announced on December 16. Visit the Shepherd Athletics website for the full story!

Lifelong Learning’s Karen Rice receives SAIL award

Congratulations to Karen Rice, director of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, who received the Community Service Award from Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL) on November 18. This is the fourth year for the award, recognizing a person who has positively impacted the Shepherdstown community. In his nomination of Karen, SAIL founding member Jack Young said, “her actions are totally supportive of SAIL’s mission.” For more about SAIL and this award, read the article in The Shepherdstown Chronicle.

A Shepherd Giving Tuesday thank you!

Thank you to everyone who donated and to those who shared the #RamsGivingTuesday messages on social media. Together, we reached our donor goal! The power of Giving Tuesday means more supplies for our Shepherd Counseling Services staff and more needed items for the Ram Pantry and Ram Closet. If you still wish to donate to the Student Well-being Giving Tuesday initiative or any other fundraising program, contact Christine Meyer at cmeyer@shepherd.edu.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs hosts roundtable at Shepherd

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough held a Veterans Roundtable on campus on November 18 to discuss the impact of the PACT Act and the VA’s continued efforts to improve the lives of Veterans through the implementation of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA healthcare and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Before visiting Shepherd, Secretary McDonough spent time at the VA Martinsburg Healthcare System.

Shepherd to sign cooperation agreement with Ukrainian university

On Friday, December 9, Shepherd leaders will meet virtually with their counterparts at West Ukranian National University (WUNU) to sign a cooperation agreement between the two institutions. The agreement aims to open free discussion of relevant issues that unite Ukraine and the United States.

Follow Shepherd in the news

University Communications has added a new feature to its website: Shepherd In the News. The page collects the many references to Shepherd in newspapers, websites, TV, and radio. Every mention of Shepherd in the media boosts the University’s exposure in the region. The page will be updated as relevant information becomes available. If you have any questions, contact University Communications at university-communications@shepherd.edu.

Ram football team faces IUP in NCAA Division II quarterfinals

After beating New Haven and Slippery Rock in the first two rounds of the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Shepherd football team travels to Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, December 3, for the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Miller Stadium in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the stadium on game day.

Updates on Student Community Service holiday giving opportunities

There is still time to brighten up our community through holiday giving. Here’s a reminder of opportunities that are still available:

Angel Stockings

Spread joy to a child under the age of 12 by filling a stocking with small toys, candy, gum, hair accessories, games, Magic or Pokemon cards, school supplies, bath items, art and craft supplies, gift cards, hats, jewelry, sports supplies, and/or electronic items. Please, no clothing! Empty stockings can be picked up in Student Center room 216. Return the filled, unwrapped stocking to the same location.

Toy Drive

The holidays will be a bit more joyous for children of Jefferson County who live in underserved and low-income neighborhoods thanks to the Shepherd Toy Drive. The goal is to collect over 50 toys for children 17 and under before December 9. For toy ideas, this Amazon Wishlist has items selected by the children we are supporting and can be shipped directly to Shepherd, where the Student Community Service team will collect and distribute the toys. Prefer to shop locally? Toys can be dropped off at the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center, the Butcher Center, the Commuter Lounge in Stutzman-Slonaker Hall, Miller Hall, Ikenberry Hall, or Student Center room 216.

All donations must be dropped off no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, December 9.

Make-A-Wish fundraising events this weekend

Shepherd's Wishmakers on Campus has planned a weekend full of fun for everyone—all to raise money for our Make-A-Wish kids!

On Friday, December 2, at 5 p.m., come to the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center for a dodgeball tournament. Gather friends in teams of six to join the fun and have a chance to win Book Store gift cards! Registration is $5 per player, and all proceeds will help grant the wish of Everlee, Shepherd’s most recent Make-A-Wish child. Register online or email Aly Nazarok at anazarok@shepherd.edu.
Craft lovers should come to Butcher Center room 114 on Friday, December 2, from 5-7 p.m. to decorate ornaments! Everlee will be on hand to help paint wooden ornaments and create reindeer ornaments. All ages are welcome to join the fun. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for students of any age.
Wishmakers on Campus encourages everyone to come to the Butcher Center on Friday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. to watch the men’s basketball team take on Slippery Rock—and to buy raffle tickets and yummy baked goods! All purchases will be a direct donation to Make-A-Wish.
All Shepherd staff, faculty, students, and community members are welcome to join Wishmakers on Campus at the Community Trees Lights on the Lake in Harpers Ferry on Sunday, December 4, from 5-6:30 p.m. Come to enjoy food, music, photo-ops, and view Christmas trees decorated by area nonprofit organizations. Shepherd student Maddie Rhine decorated a tree for Make-A-Wish at Shepherd. Lights on the Lake is open on select days and times through December 30. If you cannot join the Wishmakers on Sunday, December 4, show your support by voting online for the Make-A-Wish tree.

News

Students gain research experience through National Science Foundation summer program

Two Shepherd science majors acquired real-life research skills during the summer of 2022 through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) program. Mikhaela Ferguson, a biology major from Martinsburg, and Victoria Nicholes, an environmental studies major from North Huntington, Pennsylvania, spent 10 weeks working on research projects at two sites.

School of Music to present holiday gala concert December 3 and 4

The Shepherd School of Music will present “A Storybook Holiday,” its annual holiday gala concert, on Saturday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 4, at 3 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater.

Five Rams gain D2CCA All-Super Region One accolades; Bagent named Offensive Player of the Year

Five members of the Shepherd football team have been named to the 2022 D2CCA All-Super Region One Team. Additionally, senior quarterback Tyson Bagent was named Regional Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Joining Bagent as first team selections were junior running back Ronnie Brown, senior offensive lineman Joey Fisher, senior tight end Brian Walker, and senior defensive end Kyle Smith.

Applications open for Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities 2023 teacher institute

Teachers and librarians across West Virginia are encouraged to apply for Shepherd University’s “Voices from the Misty Mountains West Virginia Teacher Institute,” which will run July 10-21, 2023. The Institute was created by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities and will be offered both in-person and virtually to 20 teachers and librarians from across the state who work with kindergarten through 12th-grade students.

Fisher named finalist for Gene Upshaw Award

Senior offensive tackle Joey Fisher of the Shepherd football team has been named one of nine national finalists for the 2022 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award, presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club.

Bagent adds NCAA Division II passing mark to list of records

Senior quarterback Tyson Bagent of the Shepherd football team added another NCAA Division II career mark to his resume during the team’s win over Slippery Rock on November 19. Bagent passed for 235 yards on the day to give him 16,266 passing yards for his career. He eclipses the previous NCAA II mark of 16,265 passing yards set by Bo Cordell of Tusculum (2009-13).

Shepherd student-athletes earn CSC Academic All-District honors

Six Shepherd student-athletes were named to 2022 Academic All‐District® teams, as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC). Senior outside hitter Mikaylah Hoy, junior setter Victoria Nicholes, redshirt-sophomore libero Claire Ellis, and sophomore middle hitter Renee Killough from the Shepherd women’s volleyball team garnered CSC Academic All-District honors. Graduate student center Adam Stilley and redshirt-sophomore defensive lineman Matt Bednarski of the Shepherd football team have been named to the 2022 Academic All-District® Football Team. The teams recognize the nation's top student‐athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.

Something for everyone at Shepherd University’s Community Music concert on December 7

The Shepherd School of Music’s Community Music program will present an ensembles concert on Wednesday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater. The concert will feature performances by the Shepherd Community Orchestra, directed by Camilo Pérez-Mejía; the Shepherd Junior String Ensemble, directed by Renee Shaw Nutwell; and the Shepherd Community Recorder Ensemble, directed by Andrea Diggs.

Football holds off New Haven; Bagent breaks total offense record

Junior running back Ronnie Brown rushed 21 times for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and senior quarterback Tyson Bagent completed 28-of-39 passes for 235 yards to lead #11/9 Shepherd (11-1) to a 16-13 win over New Haven (8-3) in first round action of the 2022 NCAA II Football Championship at Ram Stadium on Saturday, November 19.

Football fights off Slippery Rock

Junior running back Ronnie Brown rushed 20 times for 205 yards and a touchdown, and senior quarterback Tyson Bagent completed 28-of-45 passes for 372 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead #11/9 Shepherd (12-1) to a 37-27 win over #20/20 Slippery Rock (10-3) in second round action of the 2022 NCAA II Football Championship at Ram Stadium on Saturday, November 26.

Sports Roundup

November 19: Men's cross country team finishes 23rd at Atlantic Regionals Read more »

November 22: Women’s basketball falls to Lincoln Read more »

November 22: Men’s basketball downs Lincoln Read more »

November 27: Women’s basketball falls to Virginia Union Read more »

November 27: Men’s basketball downs Bowie State Read more »

Upcoming Events

Friday, December 2

Last day of classes

Last day for complete withdrawal from semester

5:30 p.m.—Women’s basketball vs. Slippery Rock

7 p.m.— Women’s basketball season tip-off reception, sponsored by the Shepherd University Alumni Association, Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center Multipurpose Room (tickets required)

7 p.m.—Shepherdstown Film Society showing of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, sponsored by the Scarborough Society and Lifelong Learning, Reynolds Hall (more information)

7:30 p.m.—Men’s basketball vs. Slippery Rock

Saturday, December 3

10 a.m.—Ram Band performs in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Christmas Parade, German St.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.—Women’s basketball pre-game meet and greet brunch, sponsored by the Shepherd University Alumni Association, Student Center Storer Ballroom (more information)

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

Noon-5 p.m.—Holiday Open House, sponsored by the Department of History and the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, 136 W. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

1 p.m.—Football at Indiana University (Pa.), NCAA Division II playoff quarterfinals (tickets required)

2 p.m.—Yule Log Demonstration sponsored by the Department of History and the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, 136 W. German St., Shepherdstown (more information)

5:30 p.m.—Women’s basketball vs. Edinboro

7:30 p.m.—Annual Holiday Gala Concert, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required)

7:30 p.m.—Men’s basketball vs. Edinboro

Sunday, December 4

3 p.m.—Annual Holiday Gala Concert, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required)

Monday, December 5

First day of final exams

12:10-12:50 p.m.—Mindful Monday, Student Center Cumberland Room

Tuesday, December 6

6 p.m.— Meghan Butler, voice recital, Frank Arts Center W. H. Shipley Recital Hall (free and open to the public)

Wednesday, December 7

7:30 p.m.—Shepherd Community Orchestra and Shepherd Youth Chorus, Frank Arts Center Theater (tickets required)

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 (more information)

Monday, December 12

9 a.m.—First semester grades due

Tuesday, December 13

Grades available via RAIL for students

Thursday, December 15

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

Saturday, December 17

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

Sunday, December 18

1 p.m.—Women’s basketball at Gannon

3 p.m.—Men’s basketball at Gannon

Monday, December 19

1 p.m.—Women’s basketball at Clarion

3 p.m.—Men’s basketball at Clarion

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