Wheeling University Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Food Benefits Program Paused And Wheeling University’s New President, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, a government program that can triple nutrition assistance benefits for shoppers at local farmers markets has been temporarily paused because of a lack of funding. The problem centers around the program’s popularity.

On this West Virginia Morning, a government program that can triple nutrition assistance benefits for shoppers at local farmers markets has been temporarily paused because of a lack of funding. Emily Rice reports that the problem centers around the program’s popularity.

Plus, Chris Schulz reports that Wheeling University has named a new president.

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Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

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Wheeling University Names New President

Dianna M. Vargo has been named the 14th president of Wheeling University.

Dianna M. Vargo has been named the 14th president of Wheeling University. Vargo was chosen by the Board of Trustees of the private Catholic university and Rev. Mark E. Brennan, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling.

Vargo has served as the university’s interim chief operations officer since February, after the suspension of the previous president, Ginny Favede. The university has never given a reason for Faveda’s departure.

Known as Wheeling Jesuit University until 2019, the institution has dealt with financial issues that saw the elimination of several majors, including theology, philosophy, history, engineering and literature in recent years. In 2021, the university was placed on probation by the Higher Learning Institution for not meeting accreditation criteria, which was lifted in 2023.

In a press release, Vargo says the position “is a very exciting and important opportunity, not just for me, but for our entire faculty and staff.”

“All of us here are firmly committed to advancing this great University and providing the best learning environment for our students. I’m very grateful to Bishop Brennan, Board Chair Mr. Hendrickson, and all our Trustees for their confidence in our team,” Vargo said.

Wheeling University President Suspended With Pay, No Reason Given

The Wheeling University Board of Trustees announced in an email Tuesday that President Ginny Favede was relieved of all duties, news outlets reported. The statement gave no reason for the suspension and a school spokesperson told The Intelligencer Wheeling News Register that further details about it would not immediately be released.

A private West Virginia university that has struggled financially said it has suspended its president with pay.

Favede became the school’s 13th president when she was named to the position in 2019 amid financial difficulties. In 2021, the school was put on probation after the Higher Learning Commission determined it “does not have sufficient fiscal resources to support is operation,” noting it relies heavily on subsidies from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The probation was lifted last year, but the organization said it would continue to monitor the school due to concerns about finances, staffing and enrollment.

The university said graduate education director Dianna Vargo was named interim chief operations officer and will work with the Board of Trustees to develop a plan to move forward without disruption.