News Archive

WVU Tech Celebrates the Class of 2012

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:19:00 EST

West Virginia University Institute of Technology celebrated the Class of 2012 during the 113th Commencement on the Montgomery campus on Saturday, May 5, 2012. The ceremony recognized 178 graduates.

Dr. Leonard C. Nelson, former Tech president and professor emeritus, provided the Commencement Address. Among his many accomplishments, he is the namesake of the WVU Tech College of Engineering and Sciences. During his address, Nelson explained, “Your degree from Tech presents you with great opportunities and responsibilities. Success is about seizing them!”

The University’s Academic Awards Committee presented the Leadership Citations, which were established by Nelson in 1978. The awards are given to one student from each College who has demonstrated academic excellence and extensive campus and community involvement. This year’s recipients were Rebecca Minnick from the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences and Deanna “Susie” Whitely from the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences.

WVU Tech Campus Executive Officer Carolyn Long told the Class of 2012, “I’d like to share a dream I have for each of you. I hope that you will all be lifelong learners. You may be leaving the halls of WVU Tech, but your quest for knowledge should not end today.”

WVU Tech Revitalization Committee to hold meetings

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:37:21 EST

The West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) Revitalization Committee will hold two Subcommittee meetings and a full Committee meeting in the coming weeks. The meetings are part of the on-going effort to provide guidance and support in strengthening the institution’s mission by creating new opportunities to “recruit, retain, and rebuild,” a major focus of Carolyn Long, WVU Tech’s Campus Executive Officer (CEO). The Revitalization Committee was formed in early 2012 to review and implement the WVU Tech Revitalization Study mandated by Senate Bill 486 (2011). The subsequent report, which was presented to the Legislature in October 2011, provided a series of recommendations to improve the Montgomery campus.

The Facilities Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, May 2 at 2:00 PM and the Academics Subcommittee will meet on Thursday, May 3 at 1:00 PM. Both Subcommittees will meet on campus in the Vining Library’s Reserve Room located on the Mezzanine Level. The purpose of the Subcommittee meetings is to outline focal areas, review data and background information, and discuss possible recommendations for presentation to the full Committee. Subcommittee agendas are available at www.wvhepc.org/wvutech.

As a follow-up to the Subcommittee meetings, the full Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 15 beginning at 1:30 PM on campus in the Tech Center Ballroom. During the meeting, Committee members will receive a campus update from CEO Long and interim reports from the respective Subcommittee chairs.

The Subcommittee meetings and the full Committee meeting are open to the campus community and the general public. Individuals planning to attend the meetings should contact Ashley Schumaker by e-mailing rsvp@hepc.wvnet.edu or calling 304-558-0699 in order to ensure adequate seating.

Final Candidates Named for the Dean of the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

The WVU Tech Dean of the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences Search Committee has invited four candidates to campus for interviews. The final candidates include: Dr. Steven D. Leftwich, Dr. Zeljko “Z” Torbica, Dr. Christopher W. Pong, and Dr. Seshadri Mohan.

The visitation schedules for each candidate are being finalized, but will include interviews with the Campus CEO, associate provost, executive staff, faculty, staff and students. Each of the candidate’s schedules will be distributed to the campus community prior to their visit.

The search committee is being chaired by Dr. Stephen Goodman and includes the following members of the WVU Tech community: Dr. Moayyad AlNasra, Barbara Boyd, Dr. Stephen Brown, Dr. Lisa Ferrara, Dr. Ranjith Munasinghe, Dr. Larry Nottingham, Dr. Ernest Nester, Dr. Govindappa Puttaiah, Dr. Mark Wilson and Jared Higginbotham.

About the Final Candidates:
Steven D. Leftwich earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Virginia in 1980. He is currently the civil engineering department chair at WVU Tech in Montgomery, W.Va.

Zeljko “Z” Torbica earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1997. He is currently the program director and associate clinical professor of construction management at Drexel University.

Christopher W. Pong received his Ph.D. in civil/structural engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is currently the director of the School of Engineering at San Francisco State University.

Seshadri Mohan earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering in 1979 from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Mohan is currently the chair of the systems engineering department at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Ark.

Dr. Leonard C. Nelson to Address Class of 2012 Graduates

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:17:45 EST

West Virginia University Institute of Technology is proud to announce that former president and professor emeritus Dr. Leonard C. Nelson will be the 2012 Commencement Speaker at the May 5 ceremony. Nelson was the University’s longest-standing president, serving the institution for 25 years. Among his many accomplishments, he is the namesake of the WVU Tech College of Engineering and Sciences.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Nelson back for Commencement. We look forward to having him join us as we celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments,” said WVU Tech CEO Carolyn Long.

Nelson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University in 1943. He later received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University.

He was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society and Sigma Xi Science Honor Society. He was a registered professional engineer in the State of West Virginia and a member of the American Society for Engineering Education. In 1975, he was inducted into the “Who’s Who in the United States” Honorary Society of America.

An active member of his community, Nelson served on the Board of Directors of the Laird Foundation, Inc.; Montgomery General Hospital; Montgomery Chamber of Commerce; Charleston Federal Savings and Loan Association, and was a member and vice-chairman of the West Virginia Capitol Building Commission.

He and his wife, Dr. Rita Wicks-Nelson, professor emerita of psychology, reside in Charleston, W.Va.

WVU Tech receives $20,000 donation from CONSOL Energy

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:38:00 EST

The Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering & Sciences at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) recently received a $20,000 donation from CONSOL Energy. The gift will be used to support student projects and research.

“We hope this donation will enrich Tech’s academic programs and assist students in the communities we serve,” explained Angela Lichvar, CONSOL Energy College Recruiting Specialist.

CONSOL Energy also provides internship opportunities for several WVU Tech students. This summer, six WVU Tech engineering and engineering technology majors will be interning with the company.

WVU Tech’s Campus Executive Officer Carolyn Long said, “These types of partnerships are so important to our students and faculty. We greatly value the relationship we’ve developed with CONSOL Energy and look forward to continuing to serve our communities together.”

With over 9,000 employees, CONSOL Energy is the leading diversified energy producer in the Appalachian basin. Named one of America’s most admired companies by Fortune magazine, CONSOL Energy produces both natural gas and high-BTU coal. Together, natural gas and coal fuel two-thirds of the nation’s power.

Documentary examines life in coal camps of southern West Virginia

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:24:00 EST

By Shawn Patterson, WV Public Broadcasting

A new one-hour documentary from West Virginia Public Broadcasting offers an intimate view of mining communities in Wyoming and Raleigh counties. Winding Gulf: Stories from West Virginia’s Coalfields explores how the coal industry shaped these communities and how the residents of those communities responded to the positive and negative impacts of mining.

The program also shares how some coal camp towns are working to re-invent themselves as tourism destinations now that the mines are no longer producing.

Watch Winding Gulf: Stories from West Virginia’s Coalfields on Sunday, March 4 at 8 p.m. on West Virginia PBS and West Virginia PBS.HD. The documentary will also air on Sunday March 25 at 10 p.m. on West Virginia PBS and WV PBS.HD and on Tuesday, March 27 at 8 p.m. on West Virginia PBS.2, where available.

During the program, producers Jessica Lilly and Russ Barbour interview several local experts including Ken Sullivan of the West Virginia Humanities Council, Paul Rakes of West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Mack Gillenwater of Marshall University, and many individuals who lived in the camps and worked in the mines. Much of the archival footage is actually home movies taken by local families in the 1930s and 1940s. This footage shows what life was like in the camp and the working conditions of the miners.

“I wanted to showcase the amazing ability of southern West Virginians to adapt and overcome,” says Lilly. “The rich history of the Winding Gulf deserves to be documented and I suspect today’s struggles are in many ways similar to those of yesterday.”

Adds Barbour, “One thing I’ve learned over the course of this production is that it takes more than growing up in coal country to fully appreciate coal mining and the culture surrounding it.”

Tech students honored at ACECWV Scholarship Banquet

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:49:00 EST

At the American Council of Engineering Companies of West Virginia 2012 Engineers’ Week Scholarship Banquet held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Charleston Town Center Marriott, three WVU Tech students received scholarships.

Bryant Gorrell, a senior mechanical engineering major from Ripley, West Virginia and Caitlyn Motes, a sophomore civil engineering major from Logan, West Virginia each received an ACECWV Scholarship. Randal Blankenship, a senior civil engineering major from St. Albans, West Virginia received the WVSPE Scholarship. Motes also received the ASCE Charleston Branch Annual Scholarship.

“It’s wonderful to see our students recognized for their hard work and dedication. Congratulations Bryant, Caitlyn and Randal!” exclaimed Dr. Paul Steranka, dean of the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences.

Tech participates in WVU & WVU Extension Day at the Legislature

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:02:00 EST

On Tuesday, February 21, WVU Tech joined more than 50 WVU and WVU Extension programs for the WVU & WVU Extension Day at the Legislature. The annual event provides statewide visibility for participants.

Tech’s representatives included Dr. Hasan El-Rifai, assistant professor of chemistry; Dr. Evelyn Klocke, nursing department chair; Dr. Greg Lieving, assistant professor of psychology, along with admissions and administrative staff.

As Lieving explained, “It was a pleasure to meet and interact with youth throughout the state of West Virginia on behalf of Tech. Our Tech representatives gave these young students memorable experiences, and ensured that many people will continue to talk about the great people and programs at our institution.”

Tech’s interactive exhibits proved to be an exciting attraction for the more than 700 4-Hers, Master Gardeners, Community Educational Outreach Service members, and Extension volunteers from across the state. Participants had an opportunity to learn more about Tech’s nursing program, psychology rat lab and renewable energy projects.

“Renewable energy is among the hottest topics on the face of the earth today. We want to change students’ knowledge and attitudes toward renewable energy to create a generation that is well founded in the basic science behind renewable energy, especially with regard to the chemistry behind these processes,” said El-Rifai.

More images from WVU & WVU Extension Day are available on Flickr.

WVU Tech Revitalization Committee launches online survey and announces initial meeting

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:14:00 EST

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission), in conjunction with West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) and on behalf of the WVU Tech Revitalization Committee (Committee), today launched an online survey to solicit feedback regarding ideas and strategies to assist WVU Tech in meeting the needs of today’s students and providing a highly skilled workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The survey is available at www.hepc.wvnet.edu/wvutechsurvey. A link to the survey is also located on the main home pages of the Commission (www.hepc.wvnet.edu) and WVU Tech (www.wvutech.edu).

The online survey can be completed anonymously; however, individuals are encouraged to provide their name and e-mail address. Such information will only be utilized if Committee members, Commission, or institution staff have follow-up questions regarding any of the information provided by the respondent.

The feedback obtained from the online survey will be reviewed by the Committee as they work to examine WVU Tech’s operations and develop a strategy to revitalize the institution. An overview of the results of the survey will be provided as part of an upcoming on-campus meeting. This on-campus meeting, which will serve as the Committee’s initial meeting, will be held on Thursday, March 15 beginning at 1:30 PM in the Tech Center Ballroom. Members of the campus community, the media, and the general public are encouraged to attend and actively participate in this meeting, which will include an opportunity for open discussion.

Dr. Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor said, “On behalf of the Commission, I am pleased to report that progress at WVU Tech has continued since the recent appointment of Carolyn Long as Campus Executive Officer and the formation of the Committee. Several energy upgrades have been installed or will be installed with funding from the West Virginia Division of Energy through the use of stimulus funding.” Long added, “With approximately $465,000 in federal funding, new HVAC controls were installed in Vining Library in December 2011, while new boilers will be installed in the Engineering Lab and the Tech Center next month. These investments will result in savings for the institution and marked improvements to campus facilities. We’ve also announced the addition of men’s and women’s collegiate swimming to begin next fall. This will not only enhance campus and student life, but also support our critical recruitment initiatives. On behalf of the institution, I am pleased with the continued support of our campus as we collectively work to build a new and exciting future.”

WVU Tech to host the Central and Southern West Virginia Regional Science and Engineering and Creative Arts Competition

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:41:00 EST

WVU Tech will host the annual Central and Southern West Virginia Regional Science and Engineering and Creative Arts Competition on Saturday, March 17.

The competition is open to all students in grades 9-12 in Southern West Virginia, including Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming counties. The competition includes six divisions: Investigatory Projects, Display Projects, Art Exhibits, Submitted Paper, Symposium and Olympiad Events.

Prizes are awarded for the top projects in each division. The winner of the division receives a trophy and ribbons are awarded for second and third place, and honorable mention. At the end of the fair, two team championship awards are presented to the school that earns the most points during the competition: one for biology and one for the physical sciences.

According to Dr. Deborah Beutler, fair director and associate professor of biology at WVU Tech, “Students who participate in the fair have fun, learn about science and the scientific method, and possibly win a ribbon or trophy.”

For more details on participating in this year’s fair, please visit: sciencefair.wvutech.edu or contact Beutler at deborah.beutler@mail.wvu.edu.