As new graduates prepare for Commencement, WVU BOG reviews successful semester
Meeting just a few hours before graduation, the West Virginia University Board of Governors spent time Friday (Dec. 18) looking back at the just-concluded semester.
The Board also gave final approval to two amended policies concerning sexual misconduct and harassment and approved changing the names of several buildings on the WVU Beckley campus.
Provost Joyce McConnell highlighted several academic achievements and actions during the semester:
- The awarding of a Research & Development 100 award, “the Oscar of Innovation,” to Dr. Richard Turton and Dr. Debangsu Bhattacharyya for work on developing a virtual reality-based software that provides the energy industry with an unprecedented high-tech look inside the operation of power plants.
- Senior biochemistry and Spanish dual major Clara Beth Novotny’s success as as a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
- The announcement that Greg Dunaway, an award-winning educator and sociologist at Mississippi State University, would become the new dean of Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, the largest at the University.
- The naming of Powsiri Klinkhachorn, a professor in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, as West Virginia’s Professor of the Year Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He is the 19th WVU professor – the second in engineering – to receive the award.
The changes in the two policies incorporate recent amendments to federal regulations and guidance related to the handling of certain complaints of sexual and domestic misconduct. It also brings them in line with each other.
In other action, the board:
- Approved candidates for honorary degrees. The recipients will be announced at a later date.
- Approved creation of a bachelor of science degree in global supply chain management in the College of Business and Economics to address the shortage of professionals with the knowledge to meet the challenges of this business emphasis.
- Approved creation of a master of arts of musicology in the College of Creative Arts. The program replaces the current master of music in music history and more closely follows current terminology.
- Renamed several buildings on the WVU Beckley Campus: Wiseman will become the Life Science Building; Odell, Innovation Building; Health Sciences Center, Classroom Building; Van Dyke, Athletics; and Shroyer Hall, Physical Sciences Building. Remaining unchanged are: University Hall, Van Meter, Hogan Hall, Carter Hall, Bookstore/Culinary, Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center, Benedum, Welcome Center and Forensics. Several houses along South Kanawha Street were named: 400 S. Kanawha will be Admissions; 408, Presidents House, 501, Marketing; 503, Student Services; 601 Erickson Alumni; 603, Rahall; and 720, Hall of Fame.
-WVU-
jb/12/18/15
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