January 2012 Volume 3 Issue 1

What’s InsidePage 2 ~ Phil McClung Named Teacher of the Year Page 3 ~ Donor and Scholarship Recipient Profile

Page 4 ~ Riverhawks Girls Basketball Team

WV Tax credits still available through March 15th! Minimum donation $500. Hurry, they will not last!

Meet the new Executive Director: Geni Astorg The West Virginia University at Park-ersburg Foundation named Geni Astorg as

its new executive director. Astorg will also be the director of development for WVU Parkersburg. Astorg began Dec. 19 and is excited to be in the position. “I look for-ward to cultivating many new relationships with people in the communities we serve and continuing to build the relationships with those who are currently involved with the Foundation.” Astorg is a graduate of Parkersburg High School and an alumnae of WVU Parkersburg. She attended class at the col-lege for two years before taking a manage-ment position at JCPenney. She worked there for a year before she was promoted to a Pittsburgh location. After a 22 year career with the com-pany, Astorg returned to the Parkersburg area in the early ‘90s. She enrolled at Ohio Valley University where she obtained a bachelor of science in organizational man-agement. She later went on to receive her mas-ter’s degree in strategic leadership from Mountain State University Beckley. She took classes in Parkersburg one night a week for two years through a program de-signed for working adults.

Astorg is the owner of Arthur Agency, a consulting firm and is previous owner/ publisher of A Women’s View publication. In 2007, she was awarded “Women in Business Champion” from the West Vir-ginia Small Business Administration for the business. Very involved in the past with the Parkersburg Art Center, Astorg served on its board of directors for 13 years as well as serving as their board chairperson. Her main focus with the PAC was revitalization and sustainability. Most recently, Astorg has worked as a real estate agent for Real Living in Parkers-burg, W.Va. She became licensed in 2007 and put her considerable marketing and communications skills to work. Just as she looks forward to putting her experience to work for the Foundation. Astorg has a son who recently returned from Afghanistan where he served in the U.S. Marine Reserves. She also has a daughter and two granddaughters living in Parkersburg. She and her husband, Bob, reside in Vienna. In her spare time, she likes to golf and really enjoys just being a grandma.

January 2012 ~ Page 2

Phil McClung Honored as Teacher of the Year

Please help the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation Go Green. To sign up for our e-newsletter, email your name and email address to Foundation@wvup.edu

Phil McClung with Senator Jay Rockefeller - Phil got to meet the senator at a D.C. reception for those receiving the award.

Dr. Phil McClung was named the 2011 professor of the year by the Carnegie Foun-dation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Sup-port of Education. Chosen from a group of more than 250 candidates in 27 states, McClung credits his success to his stu-dents. “It is a reflection of the outstanding students that I have had over the years.” McClung is a professor of psychology at West Virginia University Parkersburg. He began his career at the college in 1976 as full-time director of student services. In addition to his full time position, McClung was an adjunct faculty member. He be-came a full-time professor at WVU Park-ersburg in 1990. At that time, he also became an ad-junct faculty member at Wheeling Jesuit University, and for the next 14 years taught part time for not only Wheeling Jesuit, but three other colleges as well. These includ-ed West Virginia University and Marshall University’s graduate schools. An alumnus of WVU Parkersburg, McClung received his associate of arts in Psychology from the college. He then went on to West Virginia University where he received his bachelors, masters and doc-torate degrees, all in psychology, and a cer-

tificate of advanced study in counseling. On campus McClung is involved with more than just instruction. He is advisor to the Riverhawks women’s volleyball team, coach of the table tennis team and he is working to develop a men’s volleyball team that will begin their first season in the

spring. He has presented at various national and international workshops and confer-ences. A self proclaimed people person, his love for learning about people and teaching is evident by more than just the receipt of this award, but by his students

Geni Astorg Executive Director

geni.astorg@wvup.edu304.424.8341

Molly Floding Office Administrator

Katie Florence Communications Assistant

WVU at Parkersburg Foundation

304.424.8340www.wvup.edu/foundation

Foundation Wish List• 2 Regulation Size Paddle Tennis Ping Pong Tables

• Athletics Scoreboard

Men’s Basketball Women’s BasketballWomen’s Volleyball

Sponsors Wanted!

Benefiting Athletic teams include:

Contact the Foundation @ 304.424.8340 to find out how to become a Riverhawks Sponsor today!

Men’s SoccerGolfTable Tennis

January 2012 ~ Page 3

Scholarship Recipient: Trisha Westbrook

Mary “Mickey” Welch Scholarship Mickey Welch is a strong supporter of West Virginia University Parkersburg. In 2009, the Mary M. “Mickey” Welch scholarship became fully endowed. This scholarship is offered to students showing financial need who are young or parents of young children. In the past, Mickey was the owner/manager of several small businesses. In the oil and gas business since 1971, she also operated her husbands amusement company following his death, as well as a commercial office equipment business. An avid philanthropist, Mickey has worked with and supported many local organizations including, the Parkersburg Art Center, SW Resources and the Park-ersburg Community foundation to name just a few. She founded the Montessori School at the YWCA and supported it un-

til its close. Living in Parkersburg her whole life, Mickey has a strong belief in support-ing the community. She believes that if citizens support the community, they will see the benefits. She has supported WVU Parkersburg and watched the college grow and achieve many accomplishments over the years. Mickey holds great admiration for people who are trying to better themselves. She hopes that her scholarship through the WVU Parkersburg Foundation will help those that are working to do so. Mickey lives in Parkersburg where she enjoys spending time caring for her flowers. She also enjoys the company of her Brussels Giffon Trivia. Trivia, with Mickey for three years now, makes a won-derful companion.

Trisha Westbrook is the 2011 recipient of the Mary “Mickey” Welch scholarship. Trisha is in her third year at West Virginia University Parkersburg and is very grate-ful for receiving the scholarship. In December, Trisha completed her bachelor of arts in business administration specializing in financial management. A mother of two, she also works part time as a work-study in the dean’s office. She re-ally enjoys this position and the opportuni-ty it offers her to assist WVU Parkersburg Students. A graduate of St. Marys High School, Trisha started out at Marietta College be-fore transferring to WVU Parkersburg. Her original major was physical therapy. She took a few of the courses towards the degree and decided she preferred her back-up plan. She enrolled at WVU Parkers-burg and began working on her business finance degree. “I have always been a kind

of numbers person.” Trisha would like to work in the bank-ing industry but would also love to acquire a position working at the college where she can continue to help students. “I like working with, and helping the students.” Trisha really enjoyed the educational experience that she received at WVU Parkersburg. She likes that the college is affordable and she appreciates the ex-perience that the instructors bring to the classroom. “I like that I’ve had several instructors that have real-world jobs, and that teaching is what they do because they love it. You can learn more from them that way.” Recently, Trisha and her husband bought their first home in St. Marys where she has lived most of her life. In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading, when she can find time and spending time with her children, Lily and Bradley.

Foundation Makes Move to Main Campus Much is changing for the West Vir-ginia University at Parkersburg Founda-tion. One such change is the location of the Foundation office. From its former loca-tion in the Workforce and Community Edu-cation building, the Foundation moved to room 1107-09 on the main campus. This is a more central location for the Foundation to better serve students, faculty and staff. The office is part of the new institution-al advancement office area that includes

not only the Foundation, but marketing and communications and graphic design. The 800-square-foot area is completely renovated. The renovation included new heating and air conditioning, a life safety system to include sprinklers and a Bogen emergency notification system. New floor-ing was installed, made of 100 percent recycled material and offering a 40-year lifespan. Other aesthetics were added as well,

such as new paint, visually pleasing, en-ergy efficient lighting and woodwork. The Foundation and marketing office staff also received all new furniture and filing cabi-nets. When visiting campus, be sure to stop in and see us in office 1107-09 across from the business office. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and provide you with information on how to help the foundation grow.

January 2012 ~ Page 4

January 2012Volume 3 Issue 1

Calendar of Events: Open to the PublicMartin Luther King Jr. Celebration Co-sponsored with Dupont~ January 19 @ 6:30 p.m. ~

College Activities Center ~ Free of charge

Harlem Rockets Comedy Basketball ~ March 31 @ 6:00 p.m. ~ PHS Field House ~ Tickets $8 in advance ~ $10 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased on campus in office 2220 or online at www.wvupcjo.org

Theatrical Performance: She Loves Me ~ March 2 & 3 @ 8:00 p.m. & March 4 @ 2:00 p.m. ~ College Theatre

Distinguished Performance Series: *Imani Winds ~ February 23 @ 7:00 p.m. ~ College Activities Center

*Ballet Folklorico ‘Quetzell de veracrus’ ~ April 19 @ 7:00 p.m. ~ College Activities CenterTickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door, or in advance from the college business office.

For more information please call 304.424.8223.

300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104

Women’s Basketball Team Begins its First Season 2011 marks the first year for the River-hawks women’s basketball team. The team began practicing at the beginning of October and practices three days a week at the college. The team is currently 3-3 and is doing really well for its first year. As with other teams, they have faced the challenge of get-ting the word out about forming a new team, but they have seven dedicated players. All of the team members played together previously for Parkersburg South. They all had not played basketball in a year and are excited to be at it again. Sophomore Jessica Moore feels that the team is doing well con-sidering. “We started off kind of rough, but I don’t think that we are doing too shabby,” she said. Coach Taylor Phillips really enjoys working with the team. Almost all of the girls on the team are employed in addition to being full-time students which creates time conflicts on occasion, but the girls really try hard to make it to both practice and games.

Phil McClung approached Phillips about the coaching job when the team was forming and even with minor bumps in the road she really appreciates the opportunity. “It’s tough at times with so few players, but we are doing alright and they really seem to enjoy it, and that is why I’m here.” The availability of team sports at West Virginia University at Parkersburg cre-ates a new facet to campus life for stu-dents. Sophomore Kristiana Hunt is a working student on the basketball team. She enjoys the expe-rience that involve-ment with the team has given her. “It has gotten me more involved at school and has added ex-

citement to the college experience. I like the social aspect and I love my team!” Said Kris-tiana. After the holiday break, they have five more games. During the off season Phillips hopes to work on gaining more interest in the team and possibly working on some fundrais-ing.

*Advance purchase student rates available