Shepherd University

A Jefferson County grand jury this week indicted a Shepherd University employee on multiple charges of fraudulent use of the college's purchase cards in a case involving nearly $86,000 from October 2010 to August 2012, according to court records. Elizabeth A. “Libby” Shanton, 48, of 328 N. Centre St. in Martinsburg, W.Va., was indicted on 53 counts of fraudulent or unauthorized use of a purchasing card and one count of fraudulent schemes. According to a memorandum to Shepherd employees this week from university President Suzanne Shipley, school officials became aware “of the appearance of improper expenditures by an employee,” and contacted the state auditor's office.

Forty-eight Washington County residents have been named to the dean's list at Shepherd University. Hagerstown residents include Amanda Lucia Ales, Nathan James Arch, Chad Allen Bikle, Kara Kimberly Burgan, Sarah Elizabeth Burgan, Andrew Lawerence Cowman, Kristian Dingle DelaCruz, George Joseph Ferenz, Alex Matthew Grove, Heather Marie Hilliard, Michelle Gail Merritt, Caryn Elise Michael, Sara Marie Sandeen, James Arthur Sutch Jr., Sheridan McKenzie...

Underpass bid awarded C. William Hetzer Inc. of Hagerstown has been awarded the bid for the W.Va. 480 pedestrian underpass project at Shepherd University, the university said in a news release. The W.Va. 480 underpass project is being undertaken by Shepherd University this spring and summer in an effort to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow on W.Va. 480/Duke Street. The project features an underpass connecting East Campus and West Campus which will eliminate pedestrian crossings on W.Va.

 Ron Rash, Shepherd University's recent Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence, selected the winners of the West Virginia Fiction Competition. Jim Koenig of Harpers Ferry received the $500 first prize for his story, "Carry Me to the River. " Paul Kessler, a Shepherd University student in Dr. Carrie Messinger's Creative Writing program, was selected by Rash for the second-place prize for his story, "The Water Beneath. " The third-place prize was shared by Michelle Yost, a Fairmont University student, and Jeremiah Shelor of Morgantown, W.Va., for their stories "The Transformation of Acteon" and "The Tragedy of Woodrow Monroe.

Taylor Bellela of Smithsburg has received a scholarship from Delcan. Belella will enter her second year at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. She is pursuing a degree in education. Bellela maintains a 2.9 grade-point average in the honors program, plays on the varsity volleyball team and is active in her church's youth group. She loves working with children, watching them grow and learn, and after her first experience as a tutor last year she said she is even more passionate about a career in teaching.

Shepherd University's nursing education program enrolls 30 to 40 nursing students every semester. Starting this year, academically, socially and economically disadvantaged students might be able to finish the difficult four-year nursing degree programs because of a $1 million federal grant. Shepherd's nursing education center in Erma Ora Byrd Hall opened in 2007 at a cost of $10 million. It has the capacity for 60 students each semester, but only between 30 and 40 students enroll, said Sharon K. Mailey, director of Shepherd's nursing education department.

Members of the “exceptional, respectful, laid back, quiet and cautious” Musselman High School Class of 2013 received their diplomas Thursday night during Musselman's 64th commencement at Shepherd University's Butcher Center. The adjectives describing the graduates came from Musselman Principal Holly M. Kleppner, who told the seniors that their kind of character “will take you far in life. You will be successful and you will be leaders by example. I'm certain that you will make an impact in whatever you do.” In all, 379 seniors, the school's largest graduation class to date, received diplomas.

History is for old fogeys, right? Well, then, what are all these young people doing volunteering at the Washington County Historical Society? And, why are high and middle school students engaged with in-depth historical research projects? Interns and volunteers find hidden surprises and projects In the last two years, WCHS has had some amazing work from young people deeply interested in aspects of history. Janina Wiles came on board about two years ago to develop job skills for a career in history.

Monday, May 20, 2013 PREP BASEBALL WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Dylan Bryan pitched a three-hitter with five strikeouts to lead Waynesboro to a 4-1 win over Governor Mifflin (14-8) in the first round of the PIAA District 3 Class AAAA playoffs on Monday. Brandon Yurek had two hits - including a two-run single in the fourth inning and an RBI single in the sixth - for the Indians (17-3). Cole Warrenfeltz scored two runs and Seth Hoffman had an RBI single in the second. Waynesboro will meet Dallastown in the next round on Thursday.

The CASA River Century Charity Bike Ride is Saturday, starting and finishing at the Butcher Center at Shepherd University. Cycling routes of 25, 50 and 100 miles are available, with the 50- and 100-mile routes touring the most scenic parts of Berkeley and Jefferson counties. All registration and route information can be found at www.casarivercentury.org; online registration will remain open until noon Wednesday. Registration for the 100-mile ride must be done in advance, but registrants for the 50- and 25-mile routes will be accepted Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Shepherd University's Wellness Center and Saturday beginning at 5:30 a.m. at the Butcher Center.

Nathan James Arch of Hagerstown  was among 16 Shepherd University students named McMurran Scholars, the university's highest academic honor. An academic convocation was held April 19 to honor the new McMurran inductees. McMurran Scholars must complete a minimum of 92 semester hours, maintain at least a 3.8 grade-point average, complete two consecutive semesters of study at Shepherd and be nominated by at least three faculty members. Nominees must then be approved by the faculty at large.

1. Food, music and prizes Bonanza Extravaganza will be Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at Hagerstown Speedway, 15112 National Pike, west of Hagerstown.  Food, prizes and entertainment. 2 p.m. Friday, parking gates open, event opens at 5 p.m.; 8 a.m. Saturday, May 11, parking gates open, event opens at 10 a.m. Gates, beer sales and vendors close at 11 p.m. each evening. Proceeds benefit The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1605. Cost is $100, which is eligible for Saturday drawings; allowed guests for $20 each; not eligible for drawing.

Family and friends of Jose Luis Moreno, all from Massachusetts, took up nearly a whole row in the bleachers at Shepherd University's Butcher Center on Saturday as Moreno marched across the stage to receive his master's degree at the college's 140th commencement. “There are nine of us here,” said Sarah McAtee of Kearneysville, W.Va. She met Moreno when they were classmates at Framingham (Mass.) State University. “His parents are here, his brother, sister, brother-in-law, two nieces and his aunt.

Shepherd University to open center in Martinsburg SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Shepherd University has received approval from its regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, to open an additional location in Martinsburg, W.Va., according to a news release from the school. The Martinsburg Center is anticipated to open June 16. “With the formal approval of the Higher Learning Commission, Shepherd will provide working adults convenient opportunities to obtain bachelor's and master's degrees at its new center at 261 Aikens Center in Martinsburg,” Shepherd President Suzanne Shipley said in the news release.

Name of business: H.U.G. (Helping Us Graduate) Services Owners: Kristi Edwards and Morgan Davis Address: Charles Town, W.Va. Opening date: January 2013 Products and services: We offer home cleaning, yard work, house-sitting, baby-sitting, pet-sitting, personal chef services, wait staff and elder care Target market: Anyone who needs a service we offer How did you get into your business, and what motivated...

The wall in front of Shepherd University's McMurran Hall Sunday was again graced with the unwanted flotsam of daily living in open defiance of an edict earlier this month by the McMurran Hall Board of Trustees and university officials that evicted the community Really Really Free Market. Two maverick downtown businesswomen, Lillian Potter-Saum, owner of The Local Source at 133 1/2 W. German St., and Maria Allen, owner of Maria's Taqueria at 111 W. German St., said they reopened the market on their own to protest the closing and to show support for the volunteers who established it five years ago. Robbie Glenn, a 24-year-old Shepherd student, organized the market with three friends as a community service and greeting place where residents could drop off or pick up unwanted household and other goods.