WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Jan. 24, 2017 — Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) and leaders from eight universities and colleges in the Ohio Valley came together today to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to officially form the Ohio Valley Research Consortium. The Consortium first came together from Congressman McKinley’s efforts to diversify West Virginia’s economy through investment in research.  It will focus on drug addiction and opioid abuse, cyber-security, healthcare, and job creation for our veterans.

From left, seated are Vicki Riley (WVNCC), President Greiner (WLU), Paul Abraham (Ohio U Eastern) and Dr. Larry Grimes (Bethany College), standing are Dr. Paul Gasparro (Belmont College), Congressman McKinley, Mark Phillips (WJU) and David Skivat (Franciscan U).

“Today’s signing and the official establishment of the Ohio Valley Research Consortium is great news for our area. Encouraging research and attracting investment will not only strengthen the capabilities of each participating school, but by working together, we can find ways to tackle some of our most pressing issues from access to clean water and affordable healthcare, to strengthening our cybersecurity and preventing further substance abuse, ” said Congressman McKinley.

“We have created a unique opportunity to increase federal research dollars to the Ohio Valley and I look forward to working with each member of the Consortium to accomplish our goals,” McKinley said.

Leaders from the participating schools offered praise for the efforts of the full Consortium and for Congressman McKinley’s work in establishing this partnership.

“The Ohio Valley is so fortunate to have eight institutions of higher education that provide high quality education. As we look to the future, one of the key components of growth and success in the Ohio Valley will be through regional collaboration. The Ohio Valley Research Consortium is one example of working together to foster economic growth and community development,” said President Stephen Greiner.

In addition to President Greiner, faculty member Dr. Tammy McClain, Associate Professor of Psychology is serving on the research committee which will gather data and apply in February for the Smart & Connected Communities grant through the National Science Foundation.

Other college presidents or leaders serving on the Consortium include: Dr. Paul Abraham, Ohio University Eastern Campus dean; Dr. Jimmie Bruce, Eastern Gateway Community College president; Dr. Paul F. Gasparro, Belmont College president; Mark Phillips, Wheeling Jesuit University chief of staff; Dr. Vicki Riley, president of West Virginia Northern Community College; Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg, president of Bethany College and David Skivat, Franciscan University vice president of Finance and Adminstration.  

Background on the Ohio Valley Research Consortium

Congressman McKinley addresses the Consortium at the signing of the Jan. 23 Memorandum of Understanding, held at Wheeling Jesuit University. 

Congressman McKinley has brought together leaders from the eight participating schools to collaborate their efforts to attract more federal investment in research and to find ways to diversify the local economy. This group will focus on several key areas that include healthcare, energy, cyber-security, substance abuse, and others to create new opportunities and improve the lives of families in the region.

The group has been constantly working together over the past year and has met with officials from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute to explore the best ways to pursue federal investment in these institutions. The group will hold recurring meetings to continually advance its common interests.

Today’s signing represents the official establishment of the Ohio Valley Research Consortium.

Consortium Partners

West Virginia-Based Institutions

• Bethany College
• West Liberty University
• West Virginia Northern Community College
• Wheeling Jesuit University

Ohio-Based Institutions

• Belmont College
• Eastern Gateway Community College
• Franciscan University of Steubenville
• Ohio University Eastern (St. Clairsville Campus)

For more information on the Consortium and its recent action, click here to read the Wheeling Intelligencer’s coverage. 

The post WLU Joins Congressman McKinley’s Research Consortium appeared first on News & Media Relations.