ISSUED: 14 August 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University has several activities planned to welcome new and returning students for the upcoming school year. Classes begin on August 25 and some students will arrive on campus the week before to begin activities like the annual Day of Service, as well as band rehearsal and football practice.
“The Shepherd University campus really comes alive this time of year as we hear the football team’s plays being called at Ram Stadium and the drums for the band practicing from atop the hill at the Frank Center. The students’ energy launches another academic year in true Shepherd style,” said President Suzanne Shipley. “This year’s new group of students will join a campus that emphasizes academic success, with faculty and staff ready to prepare students for successful lives and careers. We look forward to welcoming our returning students and getting to know our new Shepherd Rams.”
On Tuesday, August 19 more than 50 students will participate in the 15th annual Day of Service. The students as well as faculty and staff will work with 27 nonprofit agencies from Berkeley and Jefferson counties. The student volunteer effort includes activities like landscape work, painting, cleaning, preparing materials for public schools, and playground maintenance.
Some places in Jefferson County where Shepherd students will work include Jefferson Community Ministries and Meals on Wheels, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Ranson Elementary School, and the Shepherdstown Cement Mill. Berkeley County sites include Yankauer Nature Preserve, Horses With Hearts, the Berkeley County Humane Society, and the Berkeley Senior Services.
“One of the greatest things about this program is each student participating is coming from a different and unique background and we can all work together to accomplish something truly wonderful for the community,” said Rachel Crum, community services and service learning coordinator.
The season begins for several sports, like football and men’s and women’s soccer. Football practice begins Monday August 18 and there’s a women’s soccer match on August 23. The Ram Band also fires up its instruments for the new school year with band camp August 16-21. The band will present a preview performance in Ram Stadium Friday, August 22 at 8 a.m.
Orientation and registration are scheduled August 20-22 for students who are new, transferring or being readmitted. First-year students move into the residence halls Thursday, August 21 and Sunday, August 24 is move-in day for returning students.
The New Student Convocation, the formal beginning of a student’s entry into academia, will take place Friday, August 22 at 4 p.m. New students, faculty, and staff will gather in front of Scarborough Library at 3:45 p.m. The group will form a procession and walk to the Butcher Center, where speakers will include Dr. Christopher Ames, vice president for academic affairs, Logan Sigley, Student Government Association president, and Dr. Betty Ellzey, chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages.
Shepherd is also using social media to generate excitement about the new school year by sponsoring a five-day photo challenge August 25-29. Students, faculty, staff, and anyone visiting campus can take a photo fitting the theme for that day and enter it in a contest to win prizes from the Shepherd University Bookstore. Themes include the first day of school, selfie with the ram, favorite spot on campus, favorite place to study, and Shepherd colors. Winning photos will be posted on Shepherd’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr pages. Prizes will be awarded for the best photo each day and a grand prize for the best overall photo will be awarded at the end of the week.
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