West Virginia University at Parkersburg AlumniThe Importance of Building an Alumni Association

In Search of ... AlumniIf you, or anyone that you may know, is an alumnus of WVU Parkersburg,

We would like to hear from you!

We are working to improve our communications of college progress, upcoming events and foundation opportunities. Whether you have taken one

class, or are a graduate, our goal is to build better communications.

Email or call us with your contact information 304.424.8340 or foundation@wvup.edu

‘Hawk’s Nest Social SectionWe want to know what’s

happening in you life!Special occasions, births,

birthdays, weddings, new jobs or awards.

We want to acknowledge your accomplishments and share them with your fellow

Riverhawks in our new ‘Hawk’s Nest Social Section.

Email foundation@wvup.edu with your listing today!

From the evolution of the original facility on Emerson Avenue in the 1960s, to our current facility located three miles from I-77-Staunton Avenue, the West Virginia University at Parkersburg campus has grown in appearance and student population. By 2010, WVU at Parkersburg had grown to be one of the largest public colleges in West Virginia with over 4,500 students. We are the only state community college to offer baccalaureate degrees. There is a need to reconnect with all students, from our early beginnings to recent graduates. The WVU at Parkersburg Foundation has begun the endless task of reconnecting with as many of those past individuals as possible. Where are they now and how have their lives changed? We have defined alumni as any person who has taken a single class, earned a degree certificate, or graduated a two- or four-year program with diploma. This college has touched the lives of thousands of individuals and we want to reconnect. The power of building our Alumni Association is to share the advancements and the phenomenal growth the college continues to experience. Currently, construction is progressing rapidly on the new Applied Technology Center, a $3.6 million project, and we will break ground within the next few weeks for our new $1.6 million Child Development Center. Our four-year degree programs are growing. Our agricultural program is moving ahead of

schedule, and we are working to secure land near the college campus for production of actual crops. In addition, with the new Downtown Parkersburg Campus, we will be offering a culinary program working jointly with our agricultural program and incorporating a business incubator. We are enthusiastic, ready and willing to begin the process to grow a strong network of support for sustainability of WVU at Parkersburg. We need you! WVU at Parkersburg wants to build the bridge between the college and alumni. The networking opportunities are endless even for career networking. Once we have established a base of contacts, we will conduct events and watch things begin to happen. Email your acquaintance(s), and give them the Alumni website, www.wvup.edu/alumni, for our online newsletters covering events, past alumni, how to get involved with sponsorships or volunteer to help in our Alumni search, or find us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/wvupalumni! Another option is to email the Foundation at foundation@wvup.edu. Quoting President Marie Foster Gnage, Ph.D., “WVU at Parkersburg is the community’s college.” Step up and offer your support for our alumni construction project: Join us!

Regards,

www.facebook.com/wvupalumniwww.wvup.edu/alumni

Construction Begins on New Child Development Center

Thanks for your Support! WVU Parkersburg Supports From Within

Did You Know?

You can donate to the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation online at

www.wvup.edu/foundation

It’s Easy, Just click

to begin your support of

WVU Parkersburg!

Tim Beardsley Patsy Bee

Dennis Bell Pam Braden Dina Braniff

Cheryl Brumfield Mary Beth Busch Pamela Clevenger

Ed Crisp Shirley Davis Linda Dotson Kerry Dunn

Lisa Flowers-Clements Cynthia Gissy Cynthia Kelley Martha Leeson

Debbie Lockhart Denise McClung

Phil McClung Janice McCue

Patricia Mollohan

Donations through payroll deductions are one way that West Virginia University at Parkersburg employees can support the college. In 2011, over 40 faculty and staff members made use of payroll deductions donating a total of over $8,000. The Foundation is very grateful to all who contributed and hopes for even more support in 2012!

Violet Mossor Catherine Mutz Rodney Parker

Rebecca Phillips Christine Post

Debra Richards Rhonda Tracy

Louis Roy Leslie Sims

Jon Skidmore Carol St. Peter Drema Starkey

Vicky Stilgenbauer Joyce Stover Mikhail Styrt

Anthony Underwood David White Jeff Wilbur

Michele Wilson Beth Wood Tom Yencha

We can now accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover!

A 300-day contract for the Child De-velopment Center construction began the beginning of February. The new center will provide care for more than 50 children and will be run by a staff of more than 12 em-ployees and students. The site of the building on the west end of campus will be raised three feet from its

current elevation. Soil samples were taken to determine

the type of soil to

do the filling. Depending on weather conditions, con-struction should begin by the end of March. The 5,000 sq. ft. center will consist of three children’s classrooms, one adult classroom for those majoring in education, a recep-tion/office area, a warming kitchen and a large, glass-windowed piazza for children’s activities. The center also offers state of the art safety features such as a Bogen emergency

notification system, a fire alarm system and sprinkler system. With completion of the center expected in September, it will open its doors to children this Fall. Naming opportunities are available for

the center. Please contact the Foundation at 304.424.8340

for more information.

The New Child Development Center - Far left and above: View of Center from Nicolette road.Left: Arial View of Center.