April 2011
Volume 2 Issue 4
What’s Inside Page 2 ~Faculty Projects: Environmental Psychology Trip ~ Student & Alumni Activities: Career Services Page 3 ~ Donor Profile: Eldon Miller ~ Scholarship Recipient Profile: Susie Gunnels Page 4 ~ Campus Projects: Theatre Renovation ~ Calendar of Events Kim Jones Executive Director Molly Floding Office Administrator Katie Florence Communications Assistant WVU at Parkersburg Foundation 304-424-8340 www.wvup.edu/foundation
50th Anniversary Calendar of Events SPRING 2011
• Coldwater Creek Lecture Series • Gambit Publication • Partnerships Project ~ Children’s Author Visit • Book Give Away (50th anniversary logos in books going to public schools)
MAY
• Plaza dedication • May 6 ~ Student Awards Banquet • May 7 ~ Children’s Champions Mad Hatter Tea in Multi-Purpose room • May 14 ~ Commencement ~ Honorary Degrees in observance of 50th Anniversary
Alumni Announcements Check out WVU at Parkersburg’s New Ways to Engage Alumni! Join the WVU Parkersburg Alumni Group on LinkedIn Become a Fan on Facebook!
Faculty Projects: Environmental Psychology Each May, two very special faculty members take a group of students on a life changing journey throughout the state of West Virginia. Denise and Phil McClung spend a week at the beginning of the summer with a group of students and travel the state to not only discuss, but also view environmental issues in West Virginia. Psychology 410 or Applied Environmental Psychology is a course in which students travel to different locations and view how the environment affects people and how people affect the environment. Students get a chance to see and study such hot topic environmental issues as mountain top removal, hydropower, and wind farms right here in their own backyard. Professor and Social Science and Languages Division Chair Denise McClung feels very strongly about the trip and the way students view the environment around them. “When you go to see your state, you take ownership of it.” During the trip, students will visit many state parks and study how humans affect these different areas, but many more activities are included in the trip. Students will participate not only in environmental activities, but also in team building and leadership exercises as well. The trip is designed to raise environmental awareness, as well as instill self confidence in students. Students’ personalities are tested as they do everything together. They sleep in tents, cook together, clean together; everything they do, they do as a group on the
trip. While this may be trying for some, seemed like something that I would really many, such as Jerry Rowley, form bonds enjoy so I signed up, was accepted, and really enjoyed myself. It was very self-satthat last forever. Jerry went on the trip in 2010 for the isfying. I thought that the experience was last credits that he required for his degree. great and would do it again in a heartbeat.” He is now an instructor at the college where The class is set up as a 12-week sumhe teaches electricity and instrumentation mer course. Students go on the trip and, technology. Jerry bonded with a young upon returning, have projects to complete student on the way up to the top of Sen- that are beneficial to the campus and comeca Rocks. He said that about half-way up, munity that deal with environmental isthey paired and encouraged each other the sues. rest of the way. They were the second people to the top. “I had about thirty years seniority on most of the people when I went up there. It was very rewarding.” Jerry felt that the whole experience was amazing. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more aware of my environment and what we are doing to it. It has been a growing awareness over the past 10 or 15 years.” He Jerry Rowley at Cranberry Glades - Jerry poses for a photo at one of the continued, “It many stops on the environmental psychology trip around West Virginia.
Student & Alumni Activities: Career Services
WVU Parkersburg offers a very helpful service that may not be widely known among students and alumni. The career services office can provide both current students and alumni with the necessary skills to improve chances at obtaining a position in today’s fast-paced workforce. The career services office is located in room 1407 and offers many tools for students and alumni to utilize. Many items are also available through the career services website that can be found on the student services section of the main website. There students and alumni can search for local jobs, take career aptitude assessments, and even create resumes and e-portfolios. Sandy Swisher, director of career service, feels that e-portfolios are becoming increasingly necessary for those in today’s job market. For some areas of the site, a login in is required. Those interested may contact Sandy and she can acquire them a login. Once login information is acquired, it will always be available for use.
Another valuable asset that the website offers are its webinars. These webinars are offered in two series, one in the fall and one in the spring. Currently, all of the fall webinars are available on the career services site. The spring series began on Wednesday, March 23, and will continue every Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. through May 18. Those interested in participating in the webinars live may attend on those days in room 2212 on the main campus. Presenters are top career authors and experts from around the nation. Topics for webinars range form career exploration and interviewing to networking and social media. Career Services officials also coordinate a career fair twice a year to be held at the college. These fairs are open to students and alumni. The fair for this spring will be held on April 13 from 10:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose room. Many local businesses will be present including area banks, military services, the April 2011 ~ Page 2
Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the State Police, as well as many others. For more information on the career fair or career services for students and alumni, contact Sandy Swisher at 304-424-8340. She is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.
Our Fall Fundraiser Online Auction Now seeking donations of items of value to be auctioned during a fall online auction. Help us reach our goal of 50 items in celebration of 50 years of being your community’s college! All Proceeds benefit the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation
Donor Profile: Eldon Miller
The Eldon Miller endowment fund was created in March of 2000 to assist WVU at Parkersburg students. Preference is given to those who are first in their families to attend college.
Eldon Miller became the fourth president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg (formerly Parkersburg Community College) in April of 1982. During the time Dr. Miller was president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, the institution changed its name and become a regional campus of WVU, received accreditation to offer baccalaureate degrees, increased the number of its full-time students by more than 20 percent, and developed a unique higher education center concept to make educational opportunities more accessible to area residents. In addition to his role as President, he also was appointed in 1999 to serve as a Regional Vice-President for West Virginia University. Dr. Miller was past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Community Colleges of Appalachia, was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Community College Association, and was the Past President of the Council of North Central Two-Year Colleges. He was a member of the Advisory Council to the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative, Advisory Council to the WV Rural Development Council, Advisory Council on West Virginia Grants, and
was a member of the Commission on Workforce and Community Development of the American Association of Community Colleges. Locally, he was a member of the Advisory Council to the Sheltered Workshop of Wood County and Parkersburg Rotary Club and previously served as a member of the Parkersburg Division Advisory Board for Huntington Banks. He also served as past chairman of the Mid-Ohio Valley Symphony Society Board of Directors, past chairman of the Mid-Ohio Valley United Fund Campaign, and past chairman of the Greater Parkersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. A native of Gettysburg, Ohio, Dr. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Manchester College and a master’s degree in zoology from Miami University. He earned specialist and doctoral degrees in educational administration from New Mexico State University. Dr. Miller retired as Campus President of WVU Parkersburg and Regional Vice President for West Virginia University in June, 2000. He and his wife Mary Lou currently reside in Florida.
Scholarship Recipient Profile: Susie Gunnels Susie Gunnels moved to the United States from Manitoba, Canada, in March of 2001. Susie and her soon to be husband were dating online for two years previously and they were married in April 2001. She joked “That was when online dating was still scary.” But it worked out for Susie and her husband Steve, who have been together for 10 years and have four children. With three boys and a little girl, Susie and Steve are very busy, but she found the determination and drive to go back to school. After moving from Manitoba, they lived in Kansas City, Missouri. While there, She attended Maple Woods Community College and completed all of her prerequisites for a nursing degree. She was the first in her family to attend college and the first to earn a degree. About two years ago, Steve, who worked in the computer industry, lost his job. Financially burdened, the Gunnels moved to Parkersburg to live with his sister. Susie’s dream was to get her nursing degree. She always enjoyed helping others and thought that nursing was a perfect fit. “I always had a love of helping people, serving people, and I guess that making people better was the way to go.” Even with financial concerns, Susie was determined to acquire her degree and applied to the Nursing program at WVU Parkersburg. She was accepted and began seeking aid through grants and scholarships.
Among others, Susie received the Eldon Miller Scholarship. The funding that she received made it possible for her to graduate as a Registered Nurse in December 2010. Through her determination, she felt that it was exceptionally necessary for her to complete her degree, not only for her, but for her children. She let them know what perseverance can gain an individual. “It proves to be a good example for my kids, there’s no point in having dreams if you’re not going to go through with it.” Susie now works in Charleston, WV, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. She works in the Telemetry Unit where she does most of her work with post-op heart surgery and stroke patients. Though still living in Parkersburg now, Susie is planning on moving her family to the Charleston area once her kids finish the school year. Susie says that the drive is not bad, but when she works shifts back to back, the hospital offers them discount rates on area lodging. If she works late one night and early the next morning, Susie can stay at a hotel in Charleston for $20 a night “which with gas prices, is more affordable than driving.” While Susie really enjoys Telemetry, she would also one day like to work in ICU or the ER. “What appeals to me about the ER and ICU is the intensity of the working environment. From my experience, it’s fairly fast paced and keeps you on your toes.” Susie does have her doubts about rushing into one of these positions before she is April 2011 ~ Page 3
ready. She wants to acquire the necessary experience first. “I know that I definitely need experience so that I can start to think like a nurse when I need to. This includes quick thinking with vast knowledge of the any of the situations at hand. I’m still a newborn nurse and I know that I just don’t have the skills to succeed in those departments right now.”
Cut Line
April 2011
Volume 2 Issue 4
WVU at Parkersburg Foundation 300 Campus Drive Parkersburg, WV 26104
Calendar of Events: May May 5 ~ 2:00 p.m. ~ Commencement in Multi-Purpose room May 7 ~ 2:00 p.m. ~ Children’s Champions Mad Hatter Tea in Multi-Purpose room
Save the Date May 7, 2011 - Mad Hatters Tea Aug. 5 & 6, 2011 - Legacy Weekend Sept. 16 & 17, 2011 - Alumni Weekend Sept. 17, 2011 - Founders Day Gala
Campus Projects: Theatre Renovation The WVU at Parkersburg theatre will soon receive a face lift. The theatre, which has basically been the same since it was built in the 1970s, will be renovated by the beginning of the Fall 2011 semester. It is one of the few areas of the main campus that has never been renovated. A 90 percent review of the design will occur on April 12 and bids will be issued to the contractors on April 22. Construction should begin on May 20th and be complete by August 5. In such a short amount of time, the theatre will undergo many changes. While the theatre will have the same seating capacity, many other aspects will be changing. Dave White, director of facilities does intend to gain more fund-
ing to use in the future to reupholster the theater seating to better match the new decor. The flooring will be updated from the carpet that it currently has to a type of flooring made from completely recycled material that has a 40-year life. The stage will receive new hardwood flooring as well. A new acoustic ceiling will be constructed. This will allow for the maximization of house lighting with a minimization of reflection on the audience. The outer walls, which are currently bare brick, will be built out and receive a new acoustic finish. This will allow for new recess running lights underneath. Also, with the walls being built out, elegant sconces will grace the walls where once ba-
Theatre Renovation - Renderings of the theatre before and after the renovation. April 2011 ~ Page 4
sic lights jutted out. Speakers that once sat out will also be built back into the wall. Looking at the theatre room from the hall where the bulletin board is located a “ticket booth” will be installed. The bulletin board will be taken down and two flat screen monitors will replace it. One of these screens will have the regular announcements that scroll on the other monitors with general information. The second monitor will have upcoming plays and events. Out from the wall in front of the theatre, there will be a counter to sell tickets from when necessary. It will have the same finish as the inside of the theatre and a granite counter top. This will create an inviting entrance to the beautiful, newly-renovated theatre.