WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Jan. 10, 2022 — West Liberty University employees gathered recently for an informative update, followed by breakfast as the Spring Semester began.
The Jan. 5 gathering brought faculty, staff and administration together in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Center (ASRC) to hear from key campus leaders including WLU President W. Franklin Evans who began the program.
Offering everyone wishes for a Happy New Year, Evans began by referring to a message that he read on a billboard in Detroit recently that said that “the best time for new beginnings is now.”
Evans offered an update on the search for a provost, thanking Dr. Bonnie Suderman for her service over the past five months, and welcoming Interim Provost Dr. Cathy Monteroso to her role as chief academic officer, explaining the search for a permanent provost will begin again soon.
He next mentioned his outlook on diversity in response to inquiries he has received on this topic, stating that he respects all differences, not just when it comes to hiring.
“I’m committed to being inclusive. Recognizing the worth and value that individuals bring to the table. Ultimately, it’s about achieving positive results and outcomes, and I strongly believe that diversity is one method for achieving such results,” he said.
He then congratulated Dr. Steve Criniti for his recent honor of being selected as the Professor of the Year for the entire state of West Virginia a few weeks ago.
Evans mentioned that Dean Dr. Ann Saurbier, who leads the College of Business, is now WLU’s HLC Liaison and will lead the effort to complete our review that will be due in the spring. Saurbier will reach out to many on campus to complete this work.
Dean of the College of Liberal and Creative Arts, Dr. Cecilia Conchar Farr, recently led the mission statement taskforce and this resulted in a draft that was presented and accepted by the Board of Governors in its December meeting.
Evans then thanked Dean of the Honors College Dr. Shannon Halicki and Dean of the College of Sciences Dr. Karen Kettler for their work in submitting a proposal for hosting the Governor’s Honors Academy this summer and we await the result of their work.
Evans thanked Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Vincent Mumford and Dr. Ann Saurbier for their work in forging a new partnership with Pittsburgh Technical College that will be formalized soon and allow a fast-track program for PTC’s students to earn an MBA at WLU.
Recently Gov. Jim Justice announced that funds will be used to strengthen nursing programs across the state, and WLU will share in the $48 million dollars of the CARES Act Fund that will be used for this effort.
Evans also explained that the new West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission outcomes-based funding model is still being worked on and Chancellor Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker says she’s going to share the model with the Legislature soon. WLU Chief Financial Officer Lori Hudson joins Evans in working on this project.
Faculty Senate Chairperson Dr. Sean Ryan next gave a brief update on faculty matters concluding that faculty must continue to strive to educate, inspire and develop our students.
Staff Council Chairperson Tasha Taylor then spoke on Staff Council. Taylor informed staff that the president had approved several new initiatives.
- First Fridays are now Topper Fridays and employees may dress-down in appropriate jeans and Topper logo wear.
- New fundraiser taking place as the council sells raffle tickets for a $650 meat package and freezer. Drawing is on March 1 and money raised goes to the staff scholarship.
- Terrific Topper, a new recognition program will thank employees for going above and beyond in performing work. Visit the Staff Council webpage for the nomination form.
Chief Human Resources Officer Diana Harto’s update began with a moment of silence for staff member Alan Ramsey, who had served for 32 years in the Elbin Library and passed away recently. Harto also announced the names of new employees hired since fall:
- Traci Closser, Accounts Payable Manager
- Kayla Waialae, Graduate Studies Administrative Assistant
- Michelle (Missy) Thornton, Student Services Administrative Assistant
- Karen Gerardi, Student Services Administrative Assistant
- Cassandra Famoso, Admissions Counselor
- Gregory McGhee, Assistant Football Coach
- Howard Haglock, Campus Police Officer
- Michael Smith, Controller Business Office
- Dawn Leonard Antal, Counselor for Student Services
- Della Doyle, Custodial Worker
- Allie Young, Custodial Worker
- Phillip Carl, Director of the Highlands Center
- Kara Conners, External Affairs Coordinator
- Lisa Cucarese, Student Records Assistant
- Peggy Howell, Student Support Services Coordinator
- Richard Gardner-Trades Specialist
- Dr. Douglas McCall, Visiting Instructor of Music
Two new employees begin employment on Jan. 18:
- Logan Watson, Athletic Operations Specialist
- George “Andy” Blum, College of Liberal and Creative Arts Administrative Assistant
Harto shared the names of those promoted as well:
- Michelle Heath, Custodial Supervisor
- Maureen Golick, Director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness
- Rebecca Meacham, Director of the Behavioral Health Clinic
- Tasha Taylor, Executive Assistant to the Provost
Harto ended by sharing the names of two interim appointments, that of Dr. Catherine Monteroso as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost and Dr. Nicole Ennis as Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Performance.
Vice President of Student Life and Enrollment Services next spoke briefly and mentioned several positive statistics, one being that spring applications are up 47 percent. Positive notes for fall as well, 20 percent increase in applications for fall. He encouraged us to keep pushing and convince students that WLU is the place to be.
Cook went on to update briefly on the continuing pandemic and reminded everyone that the COVID-19 mask mandate continues. WLU is testing all students for the virus during during the first week of class, Jan. 10 – 13.
Dr. Cecilia Conchar-Farr next explained the update to WLU’s mission statement’s and how it came about saying that President Evans charged her with chairing the taskforce that created the revised and updated statement based on a cross-section of people who were asked to be on this taskforce and collaborated on the statement.
Conchar-Farr said she’s now in the process of seeking feedback on this new statement and encourages everyone to send comments to her email account.
Faculty Excellence Awards for 2021 were next announced by Interim Provost Dr. Cathy Monteroso. The two professors earning this honor include:
- Melinda Kreisberg, Professor of Biology, Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award
- Stephanie Bradley, Associate Professor of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Faculty Excellence in Service Award
Closing the program was a video prepared by the WLU’s Office of Marketing and Brand Management that celebrated and thanked Dr. Steve Criniti for his excellence in teaching and bringing the third Professor of the Year Award to the University. Click here to view it.