January 2026
What’s New At WU? Happy New Year! The purpose of this newsletter is to keep faculty and staff informed of upcoming campus events and cross-campus news; it is produced by The Administrative Staff Development Committee.
Prayer Requests Would you like to submit a future prayer request or celebration that will be listed in the upcoming newsletter? Then, complete this form.
Upcoming Campus Events
Residence Halls Open, Noon.........................Jan. 11 Classes Begin..........................................................Jan. 12 Resident Mentor Interest Meeting..........Jan. 14 Last day to drop/add classes....................... Jan. 16 Admission Information Session ................Jan. 17 MLK Day, University Closed..........................Jan. 19 MLK Convocation, RC, 1pm....................................Jan. 20
Spring Service Fair, Gym................................Jan. 22 MLK Day of Service, 8am...............................Jan. 24 Money Matter Series Begins, Noon........Jan. 26
Check out the last page for upcoming Yellow Jacket Sport Events!
Division Updates Resident Mentor of the Month for November!
Name: Michael McCready Year in School: Senior Major: Public and Applied History, Master of Arts in Teaching On-Campus Activities/Sports Involvement: Baseball, History Club President What does being a Resident Mentor mean to you? Being an RM is more than just a title. Being an RM is an opportunity to help shape those around me while ensuring the school remains a safe, positive atmosphere. As a Resident Mentor, I am able to have different types of interactions with many people, and this is rewarding for me. When I speak with my peers, I hope to help them become stronger, more confident individuals.
Name: Madison Bidniuk Year in School: Sophomore Major: Bio-Medical Pre-Med On campus activities/sports involvement: SAB President, Bonner Scholar, Air Force ROTC, Cross country & Track member What does being a Resident Mentor mean to you? Being a Resident Mentor means creating a supportive, welcoming community where students feel valued and understood. It’s about being someone residents can rely on whether they need guidance, encouragement, or simply a listening ear. To me, the role blends leadership with service, allowing me to model compassion, responsibility, and respect.
Division Updates Waynesburg University Holiday Listing 2026-2027 Offices are closed: Friday, July 3, 2026 - Independence Day Monday, September 7, 2026 – Labor Day Wednesday, November 25, 2026 – Thanksgiving Holiday Thursday, November 26, 2026 – Thanksgiving Holiday Friday, November 27, 2026 - Thanksgiving Holiday Wednesday, December 23, 2026 – Christmas Holiday Thursday, December 24, 2026 - Christmas Holiday Friday, December 25, 2026 – Christmas Holiday Monday, December 28, 2026 – Christmas Holiday Tuesday, December 29, 2026 – Christmas Holiday Wednesday, December 30, 2026 – Christmas Holiday Thursday, December 31, 2026 - New Year’s Holiday Friday, January 1, 2027 – New Year’s Holiday Monday, January 18, 2027 – Martin Luther King Day Friday, March 26, 2027 – Good Friday Monday, May 31, 2027 – Memorial Day
Division Updates Applications are available for Summer Camps, Events, and Programs Are you planning to host a Summer Camp or Event this year? Attached, please find the Camp and Events Procedures document. Please take a few minutes to review the information as it is a bit more detailed pertaining to costs. NOTE: There are changes in the use of food services pertaining to a minimum number and options for you, please work with Michelle Houston directly. I would also advise that when possible, work with other departments and/or athletic programs to schedule at the same times, this would help you reach the numbers needed for food service. The Summer Camps & Events application is now available at the following link: Summer Camps and Events Application. Please submit application requests by February 27th. If you have any questions, please let me know. You will need your budget information ready to complete the application. I’ve attached the Camp Budget Template for your use. All camps/events need to apply. **NEW camps/programs are WELCOME!** If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Thank you! Pat Bristor Associate Dean of Students
Division Updates The Pathways Center ·Spring Mentors Needed: Full-time faculty/staff are encouraged to volunteer as guides for struggling students through the academic mentoring program - reach out to Jaime Emerson for more information; need is great! ·Spring Tutors Needed: As you enter final grades and identify some star students, make sure to send your recommendations to Jaime Emerson, so we have a strong tutoring line up at the start of next term! ·Tutoring and Writing Center: Peer Tutoring and Writing Center appointments will be available for students starting on Tuesday, January 20. ·Professional Showcase Series: Each week on Wednesdays, the Pathways Center will host an employer in Stover Campus Center. This series kicks off January 28 (featuring Community Bank) and continues until April 15. ·Career Development Events: Future Professionals Day (including mock interviews!) is set for Thursday, February 19. March Madness resume review results will be released each Friday in March in a bracket-style competition; resumes will be accepted from students until Friday, February 27. Faculty can opt in full classes to participate in either of these programs by emailing Sarah Bell. ·Determined to read more in 2026? Come and check out a new book from Eberly Library. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know! Some recent arrivals, non-fiction: The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations by Daniel Yergin (2020) The Old Testament as Literature: Foundations for Christian Interpretation by Tremper Longman III (2024) One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (2025) Seeing the Supernatural: Investigating Angels, Demons, Mystical Dreams, NearDeath Encounters, and Other Mysteries of the Unseen World by Lee Strobel (2025) Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson (2021) Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy by Jamie Raskin (2022) Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O’Neil (2017) Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America by Christian Smith (2025) Fiction: James by Percival Everett (2024) Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (2025) The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024)
Division Updates Center for Service Leadership The Center for Service Leadership is currently seeking proposals for local, domestic, and international service trips. For international travel, please keep in mind that the country you wish to travel to and serve in must be a level 1 or 2. Locations with a level 3 or 4 travel advisory will not be considered. You can visit these two sites to check the current status of your proposed destination: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/ https://travelmaps.state.gov/TSGMap/ Our office will coordinate all logistics (sign-ups, budget and payments, transportation, medical protocols, and more), and we would appreciate your leadership. If you have a service trip in mind that you would like to propose, please complete and submit a Service Trip Proposal by COB Friday. Trip proposals will be reviewed, and leaders will be notified by mid-February. You may also be interested in serving as a trip leader, but do not have a trip in mind, please submit a Trip Leader Interest Form. Contact the Center for Service Leadership at X23460 for more information.
New Year Financial Aid Resolutions! Eligible employees who want to apply for tuition remission benefits for the Spring 2026 Semester are reminded to complete the form on the University’s “N Drive” in the Informational Documents Folder. The 2026-27 FAFSA is available now at www.studentaid.gov. All students are reminded to complete the form ASAP. If a student is having financial issues or questions, encourage them to call or stop by the Financial Aid Office. Don’t let money be the reason for a student to leave WU!
Click Here to Register https://waynesburguniversity.forms-db.com/view.php?id=1353684 -
Jacket Sports Beat
Women’s Wrestling Jan. 16- Home vs. Hiram
Men’s Basketball Jan. 7- @ Chatham Jan. 10- @ Allegheny Jan. 14 - Home vs. W&J Jan. 17 - @Geneva Jan. 21 - Home vs. Bethany Jan. 24 - home vs. Westminster Jan. 28 - @ Franciscan Jan. 31 - Home vs. Thiel
Men’s Wrestling: Jan. 3- @W&J Jan. 9 - @Wheeling Jan. 15 - @Bethany Jan. 23 - @ Penn State Behrend Jan. 24 - @ Jamestown Community College Jan. 29 - @ SVC
Women’s Basketball Jan. 3- @ Pitt-Greensburg Jan. 7- @ Chatham Jan. 10- @ Allegheny Jan. 14 - Home vs. W&J Jan. 17 - @ Geneva Jan. 21 - Home vs. Bethany Jan. 24 - Home vs. Westminster Jan. 28 - @ Franciscan Jan. 31 - Home vs. Thiel