“We are honored to support this historic moment in West Virginia history and join all West Virginians in marking our state’s 150^th Birthday Celebration,” said President Robin C. Capehart.

Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie and West Virginia Division of Culture and History Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith announced the schedule of events planned in Wheeling a few weeks ago at a press conference held at West Virginia Independence Hall, 1528 Market St.

West Liberty University is sponsoring the official VIP tent at Heritage Port, which includes an historic gathering of the West Virginia Legislature for a reenactment of the speeches and political drama at the birth of the state in the restored courtroom of West Virginia Independence Hall, formerly known as the Wheeling Custom House.

Nearly six years before President Lincoln signed the proclamation making West Virginia the 35th State in the Union, construction had begun on the Wheeling Custom House, headquarters for federal offices for the Western District of Virginia. Its completion, coinciding with the beginning of the Civil War, provided a facility for heated political discussions and constitutional conventions that led to eventual statehood for West Virginia in 1863. Here, issues dividing many Virginians – slavery being one of many – were debated, compromised and shaped into the skeleton of statehood.

Serving as the Restored Government of Virginia (aligned with the Union) from 1861-1863, it is appropriately known today as West Virginia Independence Hall.

Other highlights of the 150^th Celebration include a 5 p.m., June 19, Statehood Block Party at River City Restaurant, 14^th and Main streets, followed by a Waterfront Wednesday concert at the Heritage Port and a 7:30 p.m., premiere of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s, “WV: The Road to Statehood,” at Independence Hall. Thursday is filled with activities that end with a West Virginia Day Concert at Heritage Port, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and concluding with a special performance by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, featuring West Virginia natives and musical stars, Johnny Staats, Kathy Matea and Laundau Eugene Murphy, Jr., followed by fireworks.

West Liberty University predates the state of West Virginia by 26 years and is the state’s oldest institution of higher education. Established as West Liberty Academy in 1837, WLU was created in response to the need for higher educational opportunities west of the Appalachians as the country expanded.

Today, five colleges make up WLU: the College of Arts and Communication, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and the Gary E. West College of Business. Led by President Robin C. Capehart, West Liberty University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.

“Chris is a wonderful choice for chairman. He’s well-known as a jazz musician, is an excellent teacher and will be a great leader for the department,” said Dr. William Baronak, dean of the College of Arts and Communication, the academic home of the department.

Dr. Chris Barrick assumes his new duties this summer.

Dr. Barrick is an associate professor of music and teaches saxophone, clarinet, and jazz studies at WLU.

“I’m both honored and humbled to be taking over as chair,” Barrick said. “It’s an exciting time for our department right now. Professor Al de Jaager and the Concert Choir just returned from a successful tour of Spain, the Marching Hilltoppers will be unveiling a fresh look with new uniforms this Fall, our Wind Ensemble will be welcoming renowned composer Scott McAllister for our annual Honor Band this December, and Professors Michael Aulick and Meta Lasch are planning an exciting season for our flourishing theater program, beginning with a production of Connie Fletcher’s What Cops Know this October.”

Barrick joined WLU faculty in 2008. Prior to that, he was jazz ensemble director at Doane College in Crete, Neb. from 2007-2008 and a teaching assistant in Saxophone and Jazz Studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from 2005-2008.

Barrick also served as assistant director of bands at Cocke County High School in Newport, Tenn. from 2003-2005 and as teaching assistant for two years at the University of Tennessee School of Music.

Originally from New Jersey, Barrick earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2000 with a specialization in music performance, saxophone concentration and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree, also at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2001.

He earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Tennessee in 2003 and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Barrick completed WLU’s Executive Fellowship Program to prepare faculty for eventual roles in higher education administration in 2012-2013.  He performs locally at many venues and also in the jazz duo, “Pair O’Docs. His full performance list, along with recordings, can be found at his website: christopherbarrick.net.

The Division of Music at West Liberty University offers undergraduate degrees in music education, music performance and music technology. Among its many ensembles are University Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and the Hilltopper Marching Band.

As part of the Department of Music and Theatre, the well-established theater program currently offers a Bachelor of Science in Communication degree with theater specialty. It is also the home of the Hilltop Players, which produces four main stage productions a year.  For more information, please call 1-888-WESTLIB.

As president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Pianalto has both national and local leadership responsibilities. She participates in the formulation of U.S. monetary policy, and she oversees 950 employees in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh who conduct economic research, supervise financial institutions, and provide payment services to commercial banks and the U.S. government.

Pianalto joined the Bank in 1983 as an economist in the Research Department. She was appointed assistant vice president of public affairs in 1984, vice president and secretary to the board of directors in 1988, and first vice president and chief operating officer in 1993. She assumed her position as president in 2003.

Before joining the Bank, Pianalto was an economist at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and served on the staff of the Budget Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Pianalto is active in the Fourth Federal Reserve District’s civic community. She is vice chair of the board of University Hospitals and serves as a past chair and a life director of the board of United Way of Greater Cleveland. Pianalto also serves as an advisory trustee for The University of Akron. She serves on the boards of a number of other community organizations, including The Cleveland Foundation, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Team Northeast Ohio (Team NEO), and College Now Greater Cleveland.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from The University of Akron and a master’s in economics from The George Washington University. She is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and holds honorary degrees from The University of Akron, Baldwin-Wallace College, Cleveland State University John Carroll University, Kent State University, Notre Dame College, Ursuline College and The University of Toledo.

Founded in 2009, the BB&T Center for Economic Philosophy at West Liberty University seeks to engage faculty, students and the public in serious and sustained examination of the free market. In recent years BB&T’s charitable foundation awarded grants to dozens of colleges and universities to support teaching about capitalism.

For more information on this event or to RSVP for the buffet lunch ($15 cash or check only), payable at the door, please call 304-336-8301 or email jknierim@westliberty.edu.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to take part in the intensive summer study with other professionals and look forward to what I will learn and be able to share with WLU students,” Rehbein said.

She was one of 16 teachers selected from a large number of applicants from throughout the United States. Rehbein will attend one of the seven summer seminars for college and university teachers, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Rehbein will participate in the seminar, “Reassessing British Romanticism.” This five-week program will be held at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. and will be directed by Stephen C. Behrendt, George Homes Distinguished University Professor of English at the University of Nebraska.

Rehbein earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in English degree from Fairmont State in 2002, a Master’s of Arts in English degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005 and a Doctor of English degree from the University of Missouri in 2011. Her research specialties are in 18th century British literature, British women writers, postcolonial literature and theory and women’s and gender studies.

The NEH is a federal agency that each summer supports seminars and institutes that make it possible for teachers from a broad variety of institutions to work in collaboration with peers and to study with experts to improve their skills.

West Liberty University’s College of Liberal Arts is composed the Department of Humanities and the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which offer numerous major and minor programs of study. For more information, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.

“I look forward to serving on the consortium and working together with educators to create a statewide digital library for all West Virginia students, aligning it with grade levels and curricular areas. It is a much needed tool,” Wallace said.

According to Carla Williamson, state lead of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the Consortium is guided by the belief that the effective use of a balanced assessment system can improve teaching and learning. It is committed to providing educators resources, tools, and professional learning opportunities so that they can tailor instruction to student needs based on information from this balanced approach.

“The heart of the resources for formative practice is the digital library, an online, interactive clearinghouse for educators, as well as families and students that will be user-friendly, searchable and collaborative,” she said. As a member of the Consortium, Wallace and other members will “vet, identify and submit resources to the digital library.”

Wallace has served West Liberty University as a Fellow in the Institute for Innovation in Education for several years. The Institute for Innovation in Education’s mission is to advance education through innovation in teaching, learning, leadership and entrepreneurship and to develop new plans and programs to advance the academic mission of WLU and support the advancement of education in our region, our state and our nation.

Wallace holds advanced degrees from Ohio University, George Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Wallace has served in cabinet positions in Ohio, as a healthcare CEO and a senior school district administrator. He is a longtime member of the graduate faculty at Muskingum University, has taught at universities in four states, is a licensed school superintendent in three states and writes syndicated monthly newspaper columns on a variety of public policy issues.

For more information, please contact Wallace at 304-336-8634 or via email at twallace@westliberty.edu.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. congratulated each honoree as he presented them with their official plaques, honoring professionals younger than 40, that are doing great things in West Virginia.

Sen. Joe Manchin is shown congratulating Angela Zambito-Hill and Jason Koegler at the Culture Center.

“This year’s class of Generation Next embodies the essence of getting it done. Each honoree is dedicated to our state and to seeing it grow and prosper,” said Jim Ross, managing editor of The State Journal. “These are people who make West Virginia work, and each has a story the next generation can learn from.”

Koegler graduated from Wheeling Park High School and his first real job was with Oglebay Park. He went to James Madison University where he met the woman who would later become his wife, Sarah.

“We dated there and then she moved off to California,” Koegler said. “In 2001, I moved out to meet her. She was a teacher in Oakland.”

Koegler started working for the Boudin Bakery, the oldest company in San Francisico. The family-owned business made sourdough bread. While he was in California, Koegler finished his degree at Sonoma State University, right in the middle of wine country. Koegler and his wife, a Long Island native, lived there for nearly seven years, eventually having their first child.

When the second child was on the way, Koegler started to re-think California.

“When she became pregnant with our second son, it became pretty obvious that the cost of living and the distance from our family was too much for us,” Koegler said.

They made the journey when she was about eight months pregnant, Koegler said. She eventually got a job at Teach for America that allowed her to work at home. Koegler would get an opportunity at West Liberty University in Wheeling shortly after arriving back to his home state.

“It just worked out tremendously. I was very happy to get a job as a development officer for West Liberty in the fall of 2007,” Koegler said. “I bought a house and we had two boys. Over the last seven years, I worked my way up to vice president of advancement.”

Koegler works with many of the branches of the university that deal with externally communicating West Liberty’s message. He said he is proud to be able to help work toward improving his hometown. He also enjoys golfing, skiing, traveling, camping and exploring West Virginia in his spare time. His sons are Campbell, 7, and William, 5.

Zambito-Hill, 29, grew up in Wheeling. She earned bachelor’s degrees in both French and history from Wheeling Jesuit University in 2005. Then she moved away to Wilmington, N.C., for a few years, where she worked at an ad agency placing media for the pharmaceutical industry.

40 Under 40 Honorees

“Being 10 hours away from my family was kind of hard on me, so I moved back up to Wheeling,” she said.

She worked for a couple of years for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, coordinating the statewide development campaign for Catholic Charities West Virginia. About three years ago, she joined the staff at West Liberty University, where she now is development director. She’s in charge of annual fundraising, the capital campaign and major gifts.

“It’s so focused on cultivating and building relationships with all different kinds of people,” she said. “It’s interesting to talk with so many types of people, and I’m passionate about the mission.”

West Liberty can be a powerful part of the Wheeling region, she said.

“I like higher education,” she said. “I love being around the students as well as the alumni.

Zambito-Hill is on the board for the Museum of the Ohio River and is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Heath and Wellness Foundation Board. She also is a member of the Oglebay Institute Museum Committee. She is married to Chad Hill, a physician assistant who works in Wheeling Hospital’s Emergency Room.

40 Under 40 Sponsors include Orion Strategies, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP and West Virginia University at Parkersburg. To read more about this year’s honorees, please click here for State Journal coverage.

Alan Cline

“The West Liberty University chapter of Alpha Chi has been represented by our students at the national convention with much success over the past years. Alan Cline, Julia Saling and Leah Starkey have been outstanding in all facets of their education; these awards are truly deserved and reflect the passion of these students in their respective fields of study,” said Melinda Kreisberg, assistant provost and cosponsor of the Alpha Chi Academic Honorary on the Hilltop campus.

• Alan Cline, Wellsburg, W.Va., received the Edwin W. Gaston, Jr. Scholarship, worth $2,500. Cline submitted a paper on British Art Song, accompanied by a recording of him performing key works described in his paper.

“I was pleasantly surprised to receive the scholarship. It’s a great honor,” Cline said. Cline is a fifth year senior at WLU and the award money will go toward his tuition next fall.

Only 26 members of Alpha Chi received national fellowships and scholarships and 71 students applied for the one Cline received, according to Alpha Chi.

Cline plans to pursue an advanced degree in vocal performance after earning his undergraduate degree in music at WLU. He is a member of WLU’s Concert Choir and has played or sang in many ensembles, both instrumental and vocal, during his time on the Hilltop. He also plays the tuba and trombone.

From left, Julia Saling ’13 and Leah Starkey ’13.

• Julia Saling, Salineville, Ohio, received the Jeanette Wieser Prize in Exercise Science & Nutrition for her presentation, “Zinc Nutriture: A Novel Approach.” Saling will be entering Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio, in the fall and plans on becoming a physician with a focus on rural outreach.
• Leah Starkey, New Martinsville, W.Va., received the Kathryn Hoyle Bradley Prize in Health Sciences for her presentation, “The Role of Gustin in Zinc Perception and Nutriture: A Double-Blind Pilot Study.” Starkey will be entering the West Virginia University School of Medicine in the fall and plans on becoming a physician, with a specialty in pediatrics or oncology.

Saling and Starkey were among 26 presentation prizewinners, out of a field of more than 260 applicants.

Alpha Chi is a coeducational academic honor society. Since 1922 its purpose has been to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction.

Membership is limited to the top 10 percent of juniors, seniors, and graduate students at colleges and universities that have a chapter of Alpha Chi.

“Over the past six years, West Liberty University has made a significant commitment to the advancement of scholarly activity through the creation of the Research Corporation and by providing support for such programs as the Center for Entrepreneurship, Arts and Education, the S.U.R.E. program for student-based research in the College of Science, our student research competition in the College of Science and through an 833 percent increase in funding for scholarly activity conducted by our faculty,” said President Robin C. Capehart at a 10 a.m. press conference, held today at the Highlands Center.

From left, Jim Shaffer, Robin Capehart and Chris Hamilton discuss the newly established Institute for Energy and Commerce.

“We’re here to announce a new initiative, one that — again — responds to the rapidly changing economic world in which we live,” Capehart said. “The continuing influence of the coal industry and the rapid growth of the natural gas industry have created both questions and opportunities.”

“It’s our belief that West Liberty University, which is strategically located in the heart of both the coal and natural gas industries, is well-positioned to lead this regional and national discussion,” he said.

The new Institute will have a two-fold purpose, according to Capehart.

• Research on issues surrounding the role of the energy industry in the economic future of our state and our nation. Researchers will include WLU faculty as well as a panel of highly regarded researchers from colleges and universities around the nation and individuals associated with other research organizations.
• Work with the energy industry to determine the academic and professional programs that will be necessary to produce tomorrow’s leaders.

Capehart noted that Dr. Michael J. Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and a professor of economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University, has agreed to serve as a visiting scholar and a distinguished research fellow at the new Institute.

Capehart also announced that Chris Hamilton has agreed to serve as the chairman of the new Institute’s Industry Council.

“I’m pleased to join with President Capehart and his administration in this exciting and innovative endeavor. West Liberty University is a proven leader in academic excellence and community leadership and is strategically situated within the nation’s energy reserves and portfolio,” said Hamilton who is a Wheeling native.

Also the senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, Hamilton has spent nearly 40 years in the coal mining industry. He has been responsible for legislative, regulatory and technical matters affecting the industry and serves as co-chair of the West Virginia Coal Forum, a joint labor-management group designed to foster a dialogue between miners and coal operating personnel, and as co-chair of the Mountaintop Mining Coalition.

The former owner of a safety-training consulting firm, Hamilton served as training director for the West Virginia Department of Mines before joining the WVCA. He has worked as an underground miner and section foreman and possesses mine foreman certifications from West Virginia and Ohio.

Additional appointments include the West Virginia Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety, the West Virginia Board of Miner Training Education and Certification, the West Virginia Mine Safety and Technical Review Committee and the West Virginia Diesel Equipment Commission. He earned a master’s degree in business from West Virginia University.

Fostering Business Development by leveraging WLU’s intellectual, technological, and material resources, the WLU Research Corporation was founded to partner with people and businesses that want to develop ideas.

For more information, please visit www.westliberty.edu or call 1.866.WESTLIB.

“We are pleased with the growth in our Elbin Scholar program as we continue to strive to be a great University. Private funding from corporations like AT&T will allow us to offer further resources to attract quality students and we thank AT&T for their generosity,” said President Robin C. Capehart.

From left, Leah Cyrus, Zachary Dillard, Adam Kenney and Tyler McGary are shown in front of the Elbin Library.

• Cyrus is a rising junior from Columbiana, Ohio and majors in biology. Also an honors student, she is a member of the Biology Club. She plans to attend optometry school after she completes her undergraduate degree.

• Dillard is a rising junior from Craigsville, W.Va. and majors in biology (pre-med). He is an honors student and member of the Biology Club, Psychology Club and the Fight Club. After graduation he would like to explore the world.

• Kenney is a rising sophomore from Newport, Ohio and majors in biology (pre-pharmacy). An honors student, he is a member of the Biology Club and is active in church. After graduation he plans to attend pharmacy school and become a retail pharmacist close to his hometown.

• McGary is a rising junior from Flushing, Ohio and majors in finance. Also a student-athlete, he is on the Hilltopper baseball team and also finds time to be active in the Investment Club. After graduation he plans to pursue a master’s degree in finance and become a financial advisor.

Named in honor of Dr. Paul N. Elbin, president of West Liberty for 35 years, the Elbin Scholar designation is the highest scholar level at West Liberty. Despite the rigorous requirements, the Elbin program has grown significantly over the past 10 years, thus increasing the need for scholarship funding for this program.

In 2003, just five students were named Elbin Scholars. This year, WLU proudly claimed 74 Elbin Scholars.

West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public university steeped in a rich heritage as West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.

“Our annual Lary Loew Golf Scramble is a big part of our alumni tradition. Lary understood the importance of athletics to West Liberty and this event continues to honor his memory as it raises funds for athletic scholarships,” said Jason Koegler, vice president of Institutional Advancement.  “We encourage all golfers and Topper fans to get involved.”

From left, Alumni Director Shane Stack joins the sisters of the late Lary Loew, Sharon Saseen, Brenda Thomas and Carol Loew along with Annual Fund Director Stefanie Trouten to discuss the June 24 golf scramble.

Loew studied economics at WLU, graduating with honors in 1975. He was an award-winning professional for the Equitable Life Assurance Society (now AXA Financial) and was inducted into the its Hall of Fame. He also founded his own company, The Cornerstone Group, the only full-service employee benefits agency in West Virginia.

The long-time supporter of WLU athletics and accomplished golfer was added to the WLU Alumni Wall of Honor – the highest honor the alumni association can bestow on a graduate – in 2011.

An expert on healthcare reform who was active in the community, he also served on the boards of the West Liberty University Foundation, Northwood Health System, American Legion Post 1 and the West Virginia Golf Association.

All funds raised through this annual golf scramble support scholarships for the WLU Football program. The first $3,000 will benefit the Robert and Nancy Loew Scholarship Fund, set up by Lary to honor his parents.

Those signing up for the golf scramble will receive:

• 18 holes of golf with cart on the Arnold Palmer Course
• Lunch upon arrival
• On-course games and contests
• Refreshments on the course
• Dinner at the conclusion of the event
• Special gift for all participants

Teams can find out more about sponsorship or registration by contacting Director of Annual Giving Stefanie Trouten at strouten@westliberty.edu or 304-336-8888.

The Arnold Palmer Designed Course is the newest course at Oglebay Resort and features a par 71-championship layout with six par-three holes, seven par-four holes and five par-five holes. It ranges in distance from 6,800 yards from the championship tees up to 4,200 yards from the forward tees and is designed to accommodate golfers on all skill levels.

WLU is a member of the NCAA and the Mountain East Conference and offers a wide range of intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division II level, including men’s football, cross country, basketball, wrestling, track, tennis, baseball and golf; women’s softball, volleyball, cross country, basketball, track, tennis, golf and soccer.

WLU also is ranked as one of the most affordable liberal arts colleges in the country for both in state and out-of-state students, making a student’s return on investment an attractive amenity.

Led by President Robin C. Capehart, WLU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.