PSC Op-Ed with Dr. Jerry Wallace | WVU Potomac State College | Keyser Campus

| Saturday, March 15, 2025

Saturday, March 15, 2025

PSC Spring of Expansion

Similarly to the spring season, WVU Potomac State College is blossoming as we expand our offerings and opportunities for students. Most recently we announced two major initiatives on campus:

Metro tuition expansion
Addition of men’s and women’s track and field, both indoor and outdoor teams.

While we gear up for graduation in a couple of months, we are also preparing for an impactful fall 2025. WVU Potomac State College is positioned to make strides to increase student success and expand our ability to remove student barriers.

Wednesday, February 12

Day 1 at the Capitol: PSC leaders traveled to Charleston to participate in Mineral County Days at the Legislature. I was happy to support the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce efforts to bring a collective voice and share our vision with legislators. Mineral County citizens can be proud of the community members, local elected officials, and leaders who represented their needs with legislators.

a photograph of Jerry Wallace, Troy Ravenscroft, and Michele Blatt smiling at the camera in a room with a usa flag and monitor screens

(l-r): Dr. Wallace (first from left), WV State Superintendent Michele Blatt, (second from left), and Superintendent of Mineral County Schools Troy Ravenscroft (right)

a photograph of Kevin Clark, Kent Leonhardt, Jerry Wallace, Megan Webb, and Janele Williams smiling at the camera in front of a decorative fabric

(L-r) Kevin Clark (Executive Director Mineral Co. Development Authority, Lora Walker (General Counsel WV Dept. of Agriculture), Kent Leonhardt (WV Agriculture Commissioner) with PSC President Jerry Wallace, Megan Webb (PSC Director of Development), and Janelle Williams (WVU Strategic HR Partner) met during Mineral County Days at the Legislature in Charleston, WV.

Thursday, February 13

Day 2 at the Capitol: I connected with my great counterpart President T. Ramon Stuart of WVU Tech to sign an articulation agreement. West Virginia Department of Corrections Commissioner Will Marshall joined us as the agreement allows the WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Training Academy graduates to earn a PSC Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.

a photograph of Jerry Wallace, Stuart, and Marshall signing an agreement in charleston, west virginia

Dr. Wallace (third from right), Dr. Stuart (second from left) and Commissioner Marshall (third from left) sign the agreement in Charleston.

Sunday, February 16

Two big wins! I caught the Catamount men’s and women’s basketball games against Montgomery College (MD). The Lady Catamounts won 68-66 with clutch free throws, while the men’s team upset #12 Montgomery College by double digits.

a photograph of John Stone watching the lady catamount basketball team playing a basketball game

PSC Professor Stone watches as the Lady Catamounts win the game.

Monday, February 17

Happy 124th Birthday, PSC! Thank you to everyone who came to the PSC 124th Birthday Celebrations we hosted on campus and at North Branch Brewing Co. Nearly 60 people made it out to the evening celebration to congratulate Potomac State College on 124 years of service. To highlight 124 years of existence, our challenge to the community will be to cultivate 124 gifts for PSC through the WVU Day of Giving fundraising campaign on Wednesday, March 26!

a photograph of Dinah Courrier, Cindy Pyles, PAWS, and Jerry Wallace smiling at the camera and standing in front of a WVU PSC backdrop with balloons and decorations around

(l-r): Dinah Courrier, Cindy Pyles, PAWS, and Dr. Jerry Wallace

a photograph of April Shaprio and PAWS smiling at the camera in front of a wvu psc backdrop, alongside decorative balloons

(l-r): Karen McRobie ((BSN Program Assistant) April Shapiro (Chairperson School of Nursing), PAWS, and Anna Kephart (LPN to BSN Program Assistant)

Quote of the Week – PSC Mission Statement: “As an integrated division of West Virginia University, Potomac State College provides a broad range of high-quality associate degree programs as well as baccalaureate degree programs at a reasonable cost with an historic focus on teaching and learning and a commitment to providing access to a better life for all West Virginians.”

a photograph of three plaques with the potomac state college mission statement on each. They are made of a white-gray material with a wood-grain texture

PSC Mission Statement

Discover PSC Day on Campus: It was a cold, but wonderful day to welcome future Catamounts to campus. I had the pleasure of chatting with families as they arrived and delivering the Welcome to kick off the opening program. Thank you to everyone who participated in Discover PSC Day! We hope to see you all on campus this fall!

Dr. Wallace and student Alanna McDuffie greet attendees during Discover PSC Day at Church-McKee.

Tuesday, February 18

I am immensely proud of the PSC administration and HR Strategic Partner Janelle Williams for reimagining the PSC New Employee Orientation. I was happy to attend the new orientation as both a facilitator and new employee. Ensuring new employees are connected to resources, support, and a welcoming environment is especially important to our culture.

a photograph of new employees sitting around a large table. There is a screen on the far wall with a computer screen on it.

PSC new employee orientation

Wednesday, February 19

It was a great day to experience Wild & Wonderful West Virginia on the WVU Potomac State College campus! I joined students from our agriculture and forestry programs to learn how to tap maple trees for sap. My drilling skills were grade “A”, and I even recorded a few shots from my meta glasses for proof. Dean Douthitt did an excellent job as well, even in the cold.

When the group was done, there was enough syrup collected to make approximately eight gallons of maple syrup. I am excited to see where the relaunch of tapping the maple trees is headed along with the opportunities this will provide to PSC students and the local economy.

a photograph of Jerry Wallace and Phil Douthitt standing in a wooded area with potomac state college students. The yare smiling at the camera and are dressed for cold weather

(l-r) Students Jeremy Swiger, President Jerry Wallace, Alexa VanMeter, Dean Phil Douthitt, Hartley Vangilder, Cierra Laffey, and Stephen Collette

a photograph of Phil Douthitt standing next to a tree alongside two potomac state college students. They are smiling at the camera

(l-r): Dean Phil Douthitt and Dr. Wallace tap maple trees along with PSC students Hartley VanGilder and Alexa VanMeter.

Friday, February 21

I kicked off the “PSC President Catamount Chat Tour” at Martinsburg High School, then finished the afternoon in Inwood, WV, where I visited Musselman High School. The tours focus on juniors and seniors, providing an opportunity for an engaging and informal interaction with me. The PSC Office of Enrollment Services, under the direction of Christine Hess, along with the PSC admissions counselors, strongly support the tours and outreach to perspective students. The Musselman High School student café food was great!

a photograph of Jerry Wallace sitting in front of a class area, next to a television screen. A person is sitting at a table raising their hand as if to ask a question

Dr. Wallace interacts with students during the tour.

Monday, February 24

Quote of the Week: “Always Think Pawsitive!” ~Ace–the Prez Pup 🐾🐾

Ace wants to remind everyone that your attitude is a choice!

a photograph of Jerry Wallace smiling at the camera while sitting in a chair with Ace, his dog, sits on his lap and looks at the camera. Jerry holds a sign reading "ALWAYS THINK PAWSITIVE"

Dr. Wallace and Ace–the Prez Pup

Wednesday, February 26

Congratulations to the Potomac State College men’s basketball team on their dominating win of 118-74, over Community College of Beaver County. It was great to see employees, retirees, and alumni show support for the last home game of the season!

a photograph of the sideline and the court during a mens basketball game

Friday, February 28

Ace and I shared his book “Ace–the Mighty Conquers Knight School” at Keyser Primary School for Read Across America Week. Catamount Pride was on display as Potomac State College staff and students volunteered to read books to children throughout the week. Ace is always ready to meet new students and share his three rules:

Rule #1: Reading is fun.
Rule #2: Try your best, never give up!
Rule #3: Always be kind.

a photograph of Jerry Wallace holding an open book and speaking into a handheld microphone as he reads to kids. Next to him is his dog Ace

WVU Potomac State College President Jerry Wallace and Ace–the Prez Pup

a photograph of Jerry Wallace in a large room, holding an open book and a handheld microphone. In the foreground are many children sitting on the floor and facing Jerry

Students at Keyser Primary School were excited to see Ace in-person, as WVU Potomac State College President Jerry Wallace read Ace the Mighty Goes to Knight School during the annual Read Across America Week.

Monday, March 3

Country Roads Coffee Company Pop-up at PSC: Thank you, Country Roads Coffee Company, for coming to campus and providing amazing drinks in the Mary F. Shipper Library. The student involvement, resident life, and library staff worked collaboratively to bring Country Roads Coffee Company to PSC. Their efforts go above and beyond to create an appealing learning atmosphere for students.

a photograph of Jerry Wallace and Jessica Bryson next to a standing surface with a computer monitor on it and some foliage

Dr. Wallace and Jessica Bryson, owner, Country Roads Coffee Company

Tuesday, March 4

Quote of the Week – Tricia Shultz: “We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough.” ~Helen Keller

Thank you, Director of Information Technology Tricia Shultz, for sharing this great quote. Also, my new WVU Potomac State College decal looks great in the background!

a photograph of Tricia Schultz sitting down and smiling at the camera while holding a signboard with a quote of the day

Tricia Shultz with the PSC Quote of the Week. (Sorry, Helen, we ran out of the letter L!”)

Wednesday, March 5

Faculty and staff represented Potomac State College during WVU Day at the Legislature, in Charleston, WV. They created and staffed four display tables. They networked with students and legislators from around the state. It is always a pleasure connecting with President Gee and our colleagues from the WVU system.

a photograph of many people standing for a photograph in a government building. The floor is red with yellow accents

a photograph of Charlotte Kwofie, Nicholas Gardner, Jerry Wallace, Gordon Gee, Kara Hotchkiss, and Micah Pears standing for a photograph in a large open room with columns

(l-r): PSC employees Charlotte Kwofie, Nicholas Gardner, PSC President Jerry Wallace, WVU President Gordon Gee, Kara Hotchkiss, and Micah Pears.

Thursday, March 6

I am excited to announce the expansion of our metro tuition rate to include all residents of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia! This expansion saves an estimated $5,000 per academic year for residents from those states. Learn more about WVU Potomac State College online. Schedule a visit today!

an icon displaying a simple map of the four states west virginia, virginia, maryland, and pennsylvania. The latter three are filled in with the color yellow to indicate their status

PSC Metro Expansion Rate for MD, PA, and VA

Friday, March 7

To show our appreciation, PSC administrators baked and purchased goodies to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day! The goodies were just a small “thank you” for supporting our PSC students and mission.

a photograph of employees sitting around a large table, with large windows on the background wall showing mountains outside. The floor is a brown wooden floor

PSC employees enjoying Employee Appreciation Day

Tuesday, March 11

WVU Day of Giving is Wednesday, March 26: In honor of the upcoming WVU Day of Giving, Allyson and I donated a highchair to Queens Point Coffee for their customers. We frequently eat at Queens Point Coffee. Our daughter, Kennedy, loves a great highchair, so we decided to add another one for customers who also have small children.

a photograph of Jerry Wallace and Brian Wilson holding a diagram of a high-chair and smiling at the camera

President Jerry Wallace presents Brian Wilson, Owner of Queens Point Coffee, with a new “Kennedy-approved” highchair.

Attending a Game for the First Time: The Catamounts won both games in softball against Community College of Baltimore County–Catonsville. Kennedy and Ace–the Prez Pup were excited to attend their first game. I was happy to join PSC Athletic Director Amanda Larkin to share college updates during livestreaming of the games. The Lady Catamounts had a great start to what could be another banner season!

a photograph of a softball field from far away. Players are standing on the infield. There are two dug-outs. In the background are mountains and bare trees.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tue, Mar 25: PSC Retiree Breakfast

Calling all PSC Retirees! You are formally invited to the Inaugural PSC Retiree Breakfast. The breakfast will be held on Tuesday, March 25, from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., at the Davis Conference Center. Spring is finally here, and we hope you will join us on campus to hear about college updates and to fellowship with former colleagues. Please RSVP to Krista Campbell at krista.campbell1@mail.wvu.edu or 304-788-6812.

Wed, Mar 26: PSC Day of Giving

Become a WVU Day of Giving Ambassador! Join the Catamount family in making an impact! As an ambassador, you will receive exclusive tools to share your WVU PSC pride and encourage others to give.

Sign up using your email address,
Get access to social media graphics and posts, and
Share your personalized link to inspire donations from friends and family.

Be one of the top five ambassadors with the most gifts and win a prize! Find out more about becoming a Day of Giving Ambassador and then sign up online. Keep up with all the activities on the WVU Day of Giving Facebook page at #WVUDayofGiving.

Let's go... Catamounts!