New students and families meet at WVU Tech in Beckley for packed registration event

On Saturday, June 18, more than 50 incoming students and their families gathered at WVU Tech in Beckley for new student registration.

Attendees met in WVU Tech’s Carter Hall for a general information session where they heard from Campus President Carolyn Long; Richard Carpinelli, Dean of Students; and Kelly Hudgins, director of WVU Tech’s Student Success Center.

Carpinelli kicked off the day by asking the crowd where they were from. Most reported visiting from Raleigh and Fayette counties.

“It’s an interesting dynamic for students at WVU Tech,” Carpinelli said. “We may be a small campus, but we represent more than 25 countries and 30 states. Not only will you be interacting with people from Beckley and the surrounding counties, you’ll be interacting with people from around the country and all over the world.”

The visitors explored WVU Tech’s plan for the campus, including academic programming, student support programs, dining and housing, on-campus healthcare services and campus safety.

“We’re going to parallel the high quality services we provide in Montgomery right here in Beckley,” said Carpinelli.

Long addressed the group as well, welcoming students to the University’s new campus and to the WVU Tech family.

“WVU Tech is about people and about how those people are a part of a family. Now, you’re going to become part of us,” she said. “We’re here to make sure you’re as successful as possible. It doesn’t matter what you’re studying. Our goal is for you to go out into the world and make it a better place. We will work with you as tirelessly as possible to make sure you meet that goal.”

Students split from the group after the general information session. Current WVU Tech student leaders led groups on a campus tour and introduced them to academic advisors who helped each student plan out their first year and register for courses.

Incoming first-year student Jimmie Richmond traveled to campus from Meadow Bridge, West Virginia. The son of a psychologist, Richmond is following in his father’s career path and plans to begin his psychology studies on the Beckley campus in the fall.

“I want to specialize in working with kids. I really enjoy that and I think I can make a difference in that field. Eventually, I’d like to move into child psychiatry,” he said.

Richmond said he was drawn to WVU Tech in Beckley because of the location and small school atmosphere.

“I was looking at WVU in Morgantown, but this was so much more convenient for where I live. I’m excited about being able to drive from home and have an easier transition into college,” he said.

Becky Conley, of Daniels, West Virginia, will start the pre-pharmacy program in Beckley in the upcoming semester. She said she has worked at Walgreens for the last five years and became enamored with the pharmacy profession.

“The job of the pharmacist is so important because you’re helping people. There’s a lot responsibility, but when you see these patients interacting with the pharmacists, you see that they’re treating them like family. I want to be a part of that,” she said.

While students toured campus, friends and family stayed behind for their own information session. They learned about campus programming and how they can play an active role in their students’ career at the University.

Beckley resident Tom Almond attended the event with his son, Josiah Chitwood, who starts at WVU Tech in Beckley this August. Almond said he left the family information session with a solid understanding of what the University had planned for the fall.

“I think it’s a great thing for our economy, for our community and, obviously, for the students. The dean and the faculty here have been great. They gave so much great information up front that we didn’t have a lot of questions,” he said.

Christie Adams brought her daughter Kimberly to campus from Fayetteville, West Virginia. She said she’s pleased with her Kimberly’s choice to attend WVU Tech.

“Out of all the schools she was getting letters from, this is the one she had her heart set on. I’m glad. It keeps her home with me and everything sounds like it’s going to be great here. The dean gave us his personal cell phone number and that’s very comforting,” she said. “I’m very excited for her.”

Students and families also visited information booths from a variety of WVU Tech departments and learned about the University’s new  Tech Adventures program.

Local media coverage of Saturday’s registration is available from  The Register-Herald and  WVNS.

View photos from the event on  Flickr.