#ginnyfavede

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Town Hall Aim to Spark Dialogue

University held its first of what figures to be many virtual presidential town halls. Andrew Lewis, the Vice President and Chief Student Services Officer, joined President Ginny Favede for an hour-long Q&S session Thursday evening. In keeping with social distancing guidelines, a few students were allowed into the meeting room, with the majority watching virtually via YouTube. You can find the replay of the first meeting here. The main topics of discussion dealt with the university’s return to school policies in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as touching on some of the changes and the rules. The main premise, however, is to keep an open dialogue between university leadership, its faculty, and its students. That’s why the show will air weekly, starting next week on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and continuing throughout each Wednesday. “We wanted to talk a bit about our reopening plan, how we’ve implemented it and what our plans are moving forward,” Lewis said. “ “We want to insure we keep an open dialogue with our campus community,” Favede added. Central Theme Much of the topic of conversation centered on the importance of getting the students back on campus and learning in person. How was that plan accomplished? What challenges were overcome to get to and through move-in day three weeks ago? Everything is geared toward the students and ensuring they have a positive, in-person experience. Read the full article

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Wheeling University Sets Live Commencement

Wheeling University is prepping to step to the forefront and be the commencement guinea pig for the other seven local institutions of higher learning. President Ginny Favede announced this week that Wheeling is holding in-person commencement exercises on July 25. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. with the annual Baccalaureate celebration slated for 7 p.m. the night before. West Liberty and Bethany both held digital conferences of degrees last weekend with hopes of an in-person ceremony in the future. Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern indefinitely postponed their ceremonies until conditions allowed. Franciscan University moved its exercises to August 14-15 and tonight, West Virginia Northern will air a tribute to the 2020 commencement whilst students wait for the right time to gather in person. Eastern Gateway Community College’s May 23 exercises are postponed and a virtual ceremony is still in the planning stages. Wheeling too had postponed, opting for a December 2020 in-person commencement ceremony, but Favede never wavered from the fact her seniors and graduate students were getting a live graduation. They’d worked too hard not to; endured too much not to. The university’s seniors had battled through exams and late-night study sessions, but also exigency declarations, the dropping of academic programs and the uncertainty if their beloved university would even remain open.  Then throw the pandemic upheaval on top of that. “We’re excited to make this decision and that commitment to them,” Favede said. “They’ve been through a lot. Everyone knows that. But it was personally harmful to our students. We lost a significant amount of enrollment and these students stayed through the good, the bad and the indifferent. This school means something to them, and they mean something to the school.”

Originally postponed until December 2020, university president Ginny Favede saw an opportunity with the state starting to reopen and seized it to hold the outdoor graduation ceremony

Coordinating the Details in the COVID-19 Age

When the WU ceremony begins, faculty, distinguished alumni, Jesuit priests and other dignitaries will be seated on the stage in the middle of Bishop Schmitt Field. Yes, that’s another first for Wheeling as the ceremony is being moved outdoors from the usual McDonough Center location. The students will be seated—and properly socially distanced from one another—in the infield, while family and friends will be located in the bleachers.  Families may sit together, but social distancing guidelines will be in place to increase safety. “We have a relatively small class, 124 students, but people are going to need to learn to live like this for a while and give each other space,” Favede said. The Baccalaureate celebration for July 24 also takes place at the field, with the Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, offering the blessing. Favede said members of all faiths are invited to attend. Those uncomfortable being in a potentially sizable crowd of people will be able to watch the events livestreamed.

This will be the first time graduation will be held outdoors on the turf at Bishop Schmitt Field. Previous ceremonies were held inside the McDonough Center nearby.

Student Assistance in Planning

Favede has worked closely with members of the student body to help plan the events. She’s communicated daily on a virtual basis with members of the Student Government Association. “I want the kids to be actively involved in this,” Favede said. “It’s very important to them.” The president expressed her excitement in having Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott as commencement speaker. Elliott is a law school graduate from Georgetown University, a Jesuit-institution. He’s also worked closely with Favede and knows the importance of WU to the city. “He has a Jesuit education and Glenn has been a friend to this university,” Favede noted. “He understands its importance to the city. This school is working to come back, just like the city. We have a partnership and a friendship.” Favede noted during the ceremony, no one on stage, whether faculty, alum, or student, will be required to wear a face covering. People may, but it’s not a must-have. There will also be two lines for photographs for students. They can either stand directly by the president when receiving their degree for a photo, or, a second line will be social distanced but still give the optical illusion of being next to the president. “From the front it will appear we are standing side-by-side,” she said. Favede does have a confirmed number yet, but she’s working to help bring back as many international students as possible to participate in commencement. The main issue, aside from travel, is lodging. “With Governor (Jim) Justice opening the state back up, we saw it as a window of opportunity,” Favede said. “The with the potential of a second wave of coronavirus in late winter, we didn’t want to have to postpone our commencement again. I don’t want that to happen to these families.” Read the full article

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Wheeling University Sets Live Graduation

Wheeling University is prepping to step to the forefront and be the commencement guinea pig for the other seven local institutions of higher learning. President Ginny Favede announced this week that Wheeling is holding in-person commencement exercises on July 25. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. with the annual Baccalaureate celebration slated for 7 p.m. the night before. West Liberty and Bethany both held digital conferences of degrees last weekend with hopes of an in-person ceremony in the future. Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern indefinitely postponed their ceremonies until conditions allowed. Franciscan University moved its exercises to August 14-15 and tonight, West Virginia Northern will air a tribute to the 2020 commencement whilst students wait for the right time to gather in person. Eastern Gateway Community College’s May 23 exercises are postponed and a virtual ceremony is still in the planning stages. Wheeling too had postponed, opting for a December 2020 in-person commencement ceremony, but Favede never wavered from the fact her seniors and graduate students were getting a live graduation. They’d worked too hard not to; endured too much not to. The university’s seniors had battled through exams and late-night study sessions, but also exigency declarations, the dropping of academic programs and the uncertainty if their beloved university would even remain open.  Then throw the pandemic upheaval on top of that. “We’re excited to make this decision and that commitment to them,” Favede said. “They’ve been through a lot. Everyone knows that. But it was personally harmful to our students. We lost a significant amount of enrollment and these students stayed through the good, the bad and the indifferent. This school means something to them, and they mean something to the school.”

The graduation ceremony will be July 25 at 10:30 a.m. The Baccalaureate ceremony will be held the night before at 7.

Coordinating the Details in the COVID-19 Age

When the WU ceremony begins, faculty, distinguished alumni, Jesuit priests and other dignitaries will be seated on the stage in the middle of Bishop Schmitt Field. Yes, that’s another first for Wheeling as the ceremony is being moved outdoors from the usual McDonough Center location. The students will be seated—and properly socially distanced from one another—in the infield, while family and friends will be located in the bleachers.  Families may sit together, but social distancing guidelines will be in place to increase safety. “We have a relatively small class, 124 students, but people are going to need to learn to live like this for a while and give each other space,” Favede said. The Baccalaureate celebration for July 24 also takes place at the field, with the Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, offering the blessing. Favede said members of all faiths are invited to attend. Those uncomfortable being in a potentially sizable crowd of people will be able to watch the events livestreamed.

This will be Wheeling University's first outdoor graduation on Bishop Schmitt Field

Student Assistance in Planning

Favede has worked closely with members of the student body to help plan the events. She’s communicated daily on a virtual basis with members of the Student Government Association. “I want the kids to be actively involved in this,” Favede said. “It’s very important to them.” The president expressed her excitement in having Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott as commencement speaker. Elliott is a law school graduate from Georgetown University, a Jesuit-institution. He’s also worked closely with Favede and knows the importance of WU to the city. “He has a Jesuit education and Glenn has been a friend to this university,” Favede noted. “He understands its importance to the city. This school is working to come back, just like the city. We have a partnership and a friendship.” Favede noted during the ceremony, no one on stage, whether faculty, alum, or student, will be required to wear a face covering. People may, but it’s not a must-have. There will also be two lines for photographs for students. They can either stand directly by the president when receiving their degree for a photo, or, a second line will be social distanced but still give the optical illusion of being next to the president. “From the front it will appear we are standing side-by-side,” she said. Favede does have a confirmed number yet, but she’s working to help bring back as many international students as possible to participate in commencement. The main issue, aside from travel, is lodging. “With Governor (Jim) Justice opening the state back up, we saw it as a window of opportunity,” Favede said. “The with the potential of a second wave of coronavirus in late winter, we didn’t want to have to postpone our commencement again. I don’t want that to happen to these families.” Read the full article

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Wheeling University Unveils Summer of Progress

Wheeling University’s summer course offerings had never been what you call robust. There were a few classes held each summer term, but nothing compared to the more varied and ample selection offered at other local institutions of higher learning. Note the emphasis on the past tense. The preceding statement no longer applies to Wheeling University and earlier today it officially began a far more extensive collection of summer courses for current and incoming students to select from. Summer Session I kicked off today and runs through June 26 for current and incoming students with signups still being accepted through May 20. The classes are discounted, with the percentage off increasing with six or more credit hours taken. It’s all part of what President Ginny Favede has coined the university’s “Summer of Purpose.” “This is more than just something to do for the summer,” Favede said. “What are you doing to invest in yourself and your future? Do you want to accomplish something that helps put you ahead? We wanted to provide that to our students, and I think it’s exciting.” This isn’t just being provided to current or incoming Wheeling University students. For the first time, the institution is offering all rising high school seniors the opportunity to take collegiate level courses. “In these times of uncertainty, this is allowing the high school seniors an opportunity to take a class or two during the summer that will earn them credits toward a college degree down the road.” Current high school students will be able to take more core-style classes like General Psychology that can be passed and used at any institution.

While there won't be any students on campus learning during these summer sessions, education is still happening at Wheeling University during the pandemic.

Coronavirus as the Catalyst

Wheeling University’s spring break came at a different time than other area colleges and universities. So, when students and faculty returned to campus this Spring, decisions needed to be made—and fast—about how to continue with the students’ education in a safe environment. The administration and faculty rallied together quickly, forming an all-online model on the fly, and having it ready within 72 hours. On-campus housing eventually was closed, and students returned to their respective hometowns. Learning, however, continued safely and virtually, allowing the students to close out the semester. “Our Wheeling University dedicated faculty, they’ve gone above and beyond,” Favede said.  “They put together in 72 hours what might have taken a year to do so normally.” The university no longer lags behind in online offerings. Why not take additional advantage of the newly established learning versatility? “You want to talk about silver linings; God certainly provided one,” Favede said of the move. From that move, the “Summer of Purpose” was born.

Rising Seniors

The first summer session for high school seniors starts May 26 and runs through June 26. The main class offered is a three-hour course in general psychology. Others will be listed as the term nears, including 20th Century History. Students can take the classes for the discounted rate of $185 per credit hour. Given that Wheeling still is a Catholic institution, there is a agreement worked out that diocesan students pay $85 per credit hour. What’s better is that for seniors taking at least nine hours of credits and earning a 3.0 grade point average or higher, they will be granted early admission to the university. Favede obviously would like to retain as many of those students as possible and welcome them into the WU family, but she knows some have other plans. That is why these classes will be core only to increase transferability. “We know how hard it is to graduate with a four-year degree in four years,” Favede said. “This will give them the opportunity to get some core classes out of the way.”

The class listings available this summer for the current students and incoming freshman at Wheeling University

Current and Incoming Students

The course offerings are more diverse for these students, including some 200 and 300-level classes. All classes are discounted, with the first three hours receiving a 10 percent discount and six hours or more taken will receive a 25 percent discount. Much like with Xfinity, bundling leads to increased savings. Favede is not just the lead administrator for the university, she is also a mother. Her daughter just graduated from medical school at The Ohio State University while her son is still earning his undergrad. She knows what he had planned for his summer, and what will be available in terms of both educational and employment opportunities are vastly different. But it doesn’t have to be a lost summer. She knows there are many students and families in similar situations. Why not take that time and further your education? It’s also a good time to get that one class you may be dreading or struggling with out of the way. It’s far easier to work through, say, college algebra when you are only taking three or six hours of courses as opposed to 15 or 18. “This is an opportunity to get ahead and to take a couple extra credits that will help down the road and enable you to graduate early from college,” Favede said. “What a wonderful investment for your time.” The president believes this is only the beginning as Wheeling University’s allotment of undergrad-level classes online will continue to expand, not only during the “new” normal of the pandemic, but beyond. “We have to address the changing needs of all of our consumers,” Favede said. Read the full article