President’s Points of Pride
Here at Shepherd University, we’re basking in the glow of the national press coverage of our outstanding student-athletes, Tyson Bagent ’22, Ronnie Brown, and Joey Fisher ’23. Tyson was the only football player from West Virginia to play in the recent Senior Bowl and compete in the NFL Combine. These athletes have been dedicated to hard work and discipline and committed to the highest level of excellence, which has brought extraordinary recognition to Shepherd. Although we are a relatively small, under-resourced school, our students, faculty, and staff have BIG dreams...and are willing to work tirelessly to make them a reality. We hope Tyson, Ronnie, and Joey will be drafted by the NFL this week. They and others all deserve the opportunity to be successful. Please see an example of one of the national stories circulating, a video produced by The NFL Network. #WeAreShepherdProud
Allen and Sara Lueck Scoreboard planned for Ram Stadium
Ram Nation lost an ardent fan when Sara Lueck passed away on April 13. The University intends to recognize her and her husband, Allen Lueck, by replacing Ram Stadium’s scoreboard with the Allen and Sara Lueck Scoreboard. The proposed new scoreboard features, among other things, a large video screen and the new Shepherd Athletics logo. Al and Sara both graduated from Shepherd in 1967. Al was a member and coach of the Shepherd football team, so the Luecks were regularly found in the stands cheering on their beloved Rams. The Luecks also helped found both the Shepherd University Athletic Club and the Ram Gridiron Club. Sara and Al received the Hall of Fame Medallion in 2003 and were named Alumni of the Year in 2013 by the Shepherd University Alumni Association. Help to make this tribute a reality by donating to the effort today.
Alumnus named Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Raymond Weber ’09 who was named Washington County (Maryland) Teacher of the Year! Raymond received his B.A. in elementary education on his way to teaching excellence as a 5th-grade teacher at Salem Avenue Elementary in Hagerstown, Maryland. Learn more about Raymond’s path in teaching and those who encouraged him along the way in this article from The Herald-Mail.
Campus Experience Survey deadline is May 5
Please take a few moments to complete the Shepherd Campus Experience Survey before the May 5 deadline to provide feedback about your experience as staff/faculty at Shepherd. The results will be used to help guide Shepherd initiatives that encourage a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment for all members of the campus community. Your input is invaluable—plus you can be entered to win one of 200 $5 Bistro/Starbucks gift cards!
Former Shepherd outfielder called up to the Major Leagues
Former Shepherd All-American outfielder Brenton Doyle has been recalled by the Colorado Rockies from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. He played outfield for the Rockies during the team’s three-game series with the Guardians in Cleveland. Brenton went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Guardians—all firsts after going 0-for-3 on Monday. The 24-year-old was called up to the majors while Randal Grichuk is rehabilitating from a groin injury. Brenton is the first former Shepherd baseball player to be on a major league roster since Charles “Lefty” Willis played for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1925-27. Lefty played for Shepherd from 1922-23. The Rockies return home for a series with the Arizona Diamondbacks starting tonight at 8:40 p.m. ET—perhaps with Brenton on the starting roster.
TIAA retirement plan webinars
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission recently conducted a review of the retirement plans and decided to make some important changes. The upcoming changes provide an excellent opportunity to revisit retirement plan options. A transition guide with additional information will be mailed soon. Carefully review the guide for key dates, the impact of the changes, and available resources. The changes do not require you to take any action at this time. TIAA will host live educational webinars with more information. Please click one of the links below to register. If you can’t attend a live webinar, a recorded version will be available; however, you must register for the event to be able to access the recording later.
Wednesday, May 3 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, May 9 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 11 at 1 p.m.
Student leaders recognized, Ikenberry Awards presented at Student Recognition Day
On April 18, Student Affairs hosted its 75th Annual Student Recognition Day in the Frank Arts Center Theater to honor the accomplishments of more than 100 of Shepherd's outstanding student leaders. In addition to the presentation of awards for student excellence, volunteerism, and outstanding achievements, the Ikenberry Award for Distinguished Human Service was presented to two exceptional graduating seniors: Charlotte Puttock and William Prudnick. The Ikenberry Award, named in honor of Dr. Oliver S. Ikenberry, who served as president of Shepherd from 1947-1968, was established to honor two students for "exemplary human service to Shepherd University as evidenced by campus leadership, community service, and overall achievement." In addition to a certificate and cash award, these students’ names are placed on a plaque on a wall in Ikenberry Hall. On hand to present the awards were Dr. Ikenberry's daughter, Jane Ikenberry Dorrier, and granddaughter, Margaret Dorrier Mais, who shared reflections on Shepherd and the award recipients. Congratulations to Shepherd's exceptional student leaders on their accomplishments!
Earth Day celebrated across the Shepherd community
Shepherd's beautiful campus is a great place to celebrate Earth Day every day. On April 15, Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society and the Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm partnered with community volunteers to plant trees in honor of Arbor Day and as part of the Tabler Farm food forest project. On April 20, Program Board, Multicultural Student Affairs, the Student Environmental Organization, and Tabler Farm partnered to sponsor an Earth Day event on Potomac Place lawn. Students were able to paint terra cotta pots, pot succulents and seedlings, and learn about reducing consumption and reusing/recycling materials. Wendy Baracka, director of Counseling Services, led an Earth Day intention-setting and mindfulness exercise. Across campus in the Rams Den, Dining Services gave away culinary herbs with information about windowsill gardens.
Midnight Breakfast serves up mocktails, prizes, and fun
A beloved student tradition returned to campus last week as Student Affairs hosted the 43rd Midnight Breakfast on April 23 from 10 p.m. to midnight in the Student Center. More than 230 students turned up for food, dancing, and fellowship at this semester's disco-themed event. The Student Affairs staff served as the party hosts while the campus Program Board spun the tunes and transformed the Rams Den into the perfect venue for disco waffles, raffles for stuffed rams, and dancing. Faculty members served up mocktails to order while the Student Center Games Zone provided free bowling, billiards, and arcade play. Line dancing and sing-alongs helped students release stress and celebrate the upcoming completion of another year.
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