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Historic Firsts: Shepherdstown’s First Annual Pride Parade 

Shepherdstown, West Virginia – On Sunday, June 1st, hundreds of people, both Shepherd University Students and local community members, lined Shepherdstown’s German Street as they prepared to kick off the 2025 Pride season with the first annual Shepherdstown Pride Parade.  

The parade, founded and largely organized by Joan Moossey, followed the theme of “Historic Firsts”, with the parade celebrating local queer icons such as Silas Starry, the first openly gay mayor of Shepherdstown, and Stephen Skinner, the first openly gay person elected to the West Virginia state legislature. 

“We need to show our strength as a community,” says Shepherd University student, Katherine Aronhalt, “We’re so strong here. There are so many people that showed up, that are supporting each other, that are complimenting each other’s outfits, and there’s so much community and love here,”  

The parade, which ran through German Street, started at 6:00 pm and ended approximately. 20 minutes later. Though it was a short parade, it was a beautiful one. The celebration was opened by Grand Marshall Rosemary Ketchum, the first openly transgender person elected official in West Virginia. Ketchum was followed by a group of people holding a banner that read “1st Annual Shepherdstown Gay Pride Parade.”  

Participants included local businesses, including Alma Bea, Bee City, and The Back Alley Garden Tour & Tea, and local churches, such as the Shepherdstown Presbyterian and St. Peter’s Lutheran Parish. The parade ended with the crowd joining in on the route and eventually dispersing at the intersection between German Street and Princess Street.  

There was no hide nor hair of a homophobic protester in sight. The parade was a pure expression of love and celebration of identity.  

“I think it’s important now, especially with everything that’s going on in the world, to go out, and support, and be a part of that community,” said Solace Gildowan, Shepherd University student and active member of the campus Gender Sexuality Alliance. 

For many Shepherd students, this was their first Pride parade. “This is my first time being truly at a pride parade… I feel like I get to be a part of something great, something that’s hopefully going to continue for a long time,” says Brenna Nowlan, another Shepherd University student.  

Reporter Carter Combs

Categories
Picket Spring 2025

April 14, 2025

Transcription:

In a March SGA meeting, members of the Student Government Association outlined blueprints and concept designs for the proposed dining hall/multipurpose facility that will be built on Shepherd University’s West Campus. 

The building will house meeting rooms, locker rooms, training and treatment rooms, offices, and a state-of-the-art weight room that will accommodate the athletic department. Along with this, the building will feature a new dining hall to offer more dining options to students living on campus. 

According to Hans Fogel, Executive Director of University Communications, moving forward with the construction of the new dining hall/ multipurpose building aligns with Shepherd’s “strategic plan” to give students on west campus more dining options and to meet the needs of student athletes. 

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Shepherd University’s School of Music will offer summer camps again this year. The camps include a one-level string orchestra camp and a two-level jazz camp that will run concurrently from June 23 to June 27. A junior string camp is open to intermediate-level string musicians in grades 3-12 for the current academic year and to intermediate adult musicians. All students should have basic note-reading skills. The cost is $150.  

Junior and senior jazz camps are also available, with students in grades 6-8 during the 2024-2025 academic year invited to junior camp and students currently in grades 9-12 invited to the senior level camp. Both levels include jazz band rehearsals, individual and group coaching, combo/improvisation classes, theory classes, and faculty performances. Senior camp also includes master classes. Both camps conclude with concerts on June 27 and cost $310. All three camps culminate with concerts on June 27. To learn more or to register, visit www.shepherd.edu/musiccamp. 

Shepherd Performs on 89.7 WSHC

The Bonnie & Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications at Shepherd University announced the 2025 Campus Civility Award winners. 

Shepherd University students in the Stubblefield Institute Civility Club selected one student, one staff member, and one faculty member to recognize for their dedication to civility on the Shepherd University campus. This year’s student awardee is Joshua Molina; the staff awardee is Rachael Meads, director of Student Activities; and the faculty awardee is Dr. Craig Cline, associate professor of Social Work. These individuals engage in constructive interactions, show respect despite disagreement, and inspire others to be civil. 

Important Events:  

Sans Merci, Volume 49, release party will be on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. in the Marinoff Theatre.

The American Conservation Film Festival will be showing Planet Walker, a 31-minute film on conservation. The film will be followed by a discussion led by faculty member Pippa McCullough on the power of listening.   

Shepherd Panhellenic and Fraternity Council are hosting a Car Wash at Domino’s Pizza on Thursday, April 17, from 11a-3p. All proceeds will go to Relay for Life.  

The 77th Annual Student Recognition Day will be held on Tuesday, April 22, at 4:30 in the Frank Center.  

Midnight Breakfast will be held on Sunday, April 27, from 10 pm to midnight.  

Categories
Picket Spring 2025

April 7, 2025

Transcription

A Student Government Association meeting took place on March 25. SGA applications ended on April 4. Shepherd Students had the chance to vote on Rampulse. Nobody applied for the Junior and Sophomore Class President position or the Student Life Council position. Those spots will be appointed by the President and Vice President. The applications for the SGA Executive Board will remain open until April 7. 

As fellow reporter Courtney Blank writes, “In April, the Rude Mechanicals are performing four plays. One is Hrothsvita’s The Conversation of Thaïs. The other three were written by Shepherd students from Dr. Carrie Messenger’s Creative Writing: Drama Class. Rachel Carroll wrote Earth Boys are Easy. Caitlin Carson wrote The Galathea Effect. Hannah Tinsman wrote Blood and Garlic. There will be performances on April 4 and 5, as well as April 9 through the 12 at 7:30 pm. There will be a performance on April 6 and April 14 at 3:00 pm.” 

A recent string of hot dog-themed vandalism has taken place in parking lots across campus. Users have been posting to location-based, anonymous site, YikYak, photos of their cars, hotdogs skewered on antennas. One user even posted where The Mystery Meat Marauder had taken a bite out of the sausage before placing it on the user’s car. Rain or shine, parking lot to parking lot, hot dogs continue to appear on people’s personal vehicles. Contact the Shepherd Picket Newspaper with tips. 

Author Denise Giardina will be talking about her novel, “Saints and Villains,” on Tuesday, April 8 from 7 to 8:30 pm in the Robert Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Auditorium. 

Hannah Williams-McNamee, director of Student Support and Transfer Pathways, announced on April 2 that the next selection for the Shepherd University Common Reading Program is Black Bear Creek: Stories by Shepherd English alumnus Dr. Joshua Cross. Cross is the first Shepherd graduate whose book will serve as a common reading selection at the University.  

Set in the fictionalized town of Black Bear Creek in West Virginia’s Coal River Valley, the book explores a community that has been ravaged by the declining mining industry. The characters in Cross’ debut story collection struggle to survive against poverty and environmental degradation; ultimately, they find ways to have hope and resistance.   

Important Events: 

  • Graphic Design Portfolio Exhibit will be this Thursday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 at the CCA, room G-03.
Categories
Picket Spring 2025

March 31, 2025

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/wshc-shepherd2/episodes/March-31–2025-e30telf

Shepherd University’s English program, in partnership with the University’s National Writing Project (NWP) site, will highlight the work of English alumna Lilli Sutton during an April 1 event.  

Sutton, who graduated from Shepherd in 2019, is now a contemporary adult fiction writer based in Colorado. She published her debut novel, “Running Out of Air,” in November 2024 through HarperCollins Publishers.  

“Running Out of Air” tells the story of two sister mountain climbing in the Himalayas as they encounter the costs and risks of pursuing their dreams. Sutton will read from the book on Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education. 

The Shepherd University accounting program received a new Accounting Faculty Excellence Award from CohnReznick LLP, a leading advisory, assurance, and tax firm. Huge congratulations to Dr. Cindy Vance and Dr. Vahid Biglari!  Support the Shepherd University Accounting Club here!

Important Events

  • Wicked will be screening at the Shepherdstown Opera House on Thursday, April 3. The Opera House is located on 131 West German Street. Admission is free for the first 50 Shepherd Students. Non-Students can get in for $13. 
  • The Bookstore is reopening in the Student Center on Monday, April 7. In the meantime, scantrons and Greenbooks will be available in Ram’s Den at the information center. 
  • Scheduling for the Fall 2025 semester starts on April 7th.  
  • On Saturday, April 12, the Relay For Life event will be taking place in the Wellness Center Parking lot. Parking will be available in H-Lot for participants. 
  • Friday, April 4, the Stubblefield Institute will host their annual Civility Ball in the Storer Ballroom from 7p-9p 

Categories
Picket Spring 2025

March 24, 2025

Transcript:

From March 9th to the 19th Alternative Spring Break happened. This annual initiative lets Shepherd students engage in a week-long service program during spring break. This year, the group partnered with the Appalachia Service Project, an organization dedicated to home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia.

Students traveled to Jonesville, Virginia, where they worked to improve the living conditions; tackling critical home repair projects, including installing new flooring, plumbing, insulation, and underpinning the home to provide a safer and more stable living environment. 

Shepherd University invites the community to participate in this year’s Relay for Life on April 12 at noon. The University and Jefferson County are again partnering to host the event through the American Cancer Society (ACS). ACS provides resources to cancer patients and their families. Come enjoy, engaging with Shepherd students and community members who will be hosting fund-raisers and fun activities around the Relay track. 

Funds raised through Relay for Life events help provide money for critical cancer research. Participants will also experience local food trucks, engage in fundraising, and experience educational activities. Members of the community will be walking laps in honor, memory, and support of our friends and family who have or have had cancer. 

Important Events: 
     

On Monday, March 24, Pizza and Politics will be happening in the Cumberland Room in the Student Center from 4 to 5 pm. 

Greek Week will take place this week, starting March 24. This is open to all campus co-curriculars and organizations as well as Greek Life.  

The Stubblefield Institute Civility Club will be hosting their annual Civility Prom on April 4th at 6pm in the Storer Ballroom.  

Don’t forget to meet with your advisors this week! Registration week is from Monday, April 7th to Friday, April 11th. 

Categories
Picket Spring 2025

March 10, 2025

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KQMYUbVL7FZHe5yQwJUn5?si=b527de2d537d4491

Transcript:

On Feb 27, the Shepherd University Student Government Association and student volunteers worked on taking out furniture in the Little House to begin the process of removing lead paint from its walls. 

“Hopefully the Little House will be open again later this Spring. We’re aiming for April,” said SGA Communications Director Joanna Schoonover. 

The team of both students and staff worked on removing the furniture, assessing it for future use, and making sure the interior of the house was clean. The furniture of the Little House is being stored in the basement of Eric’s accounting firm, CMI2, previously the old HR Building. 

A number of SGA officer positions have been open for application since Feb. 28. All the following positions are open: SGA President, SGA Vice President, Senior Class President, Junior Class President, Sophomore Class President, Transfer Senator, Resident Senator, Commuter Senator, SLC Representative. 

“Serving on the SGA is a great way to represent your fellow students and advocate for their needs and concerns, build leadership skills, and become more involved on campus,” stated the email sent by Student Affairs. 

The deadline for most applications is March 18. However, Communications Director, Campus Relations Officer, Treasurer and Parliamentarian positions will remain open until April 7. 

Shepherd’s annual Day of Giving will take place on March 19. Organizations that wish to participate should make a custodial account soon through the Shepherd Foundation. If a group is not sure if they have a custodial account, they should contact the Director of Donor Engagement and Strategic Initiatives Meg Patterson. Organizations that wish to make a video to promote their group should do so before March 19 to get it approved by the Shepherd Foundation. 

Check out our website for a new piece from Elizabeth Walsh on the coffee companies of Shepherdstown. She ranked the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop, Little Brick Coffee, Lost Dog, MJ’s, and Bistro 112.  

Our very own reporter, Luna Barr, sat down with renowned local business owner, Garth of LostDogCoffee. Check our website to see the article and listen to the full interview.  

This past weekend, at the Butcher Center, the Shepherd Men’s Basketball Team hosted the PSAC playoffs. The basketball teams played a great season and enjoyed this opportunity to open their court to the rest of the conference. 

Important Dates 

Shepherd University’s spring break is this week, March 10th through March 14th.  

The Blessings Closet will host a Prom Dress Giveaway on March 22, 2025.   

Categories
Picket

Picket Pics for March 3, 2025

Transcription:

In the latest Student Government Association (SGA) meeting given to us by our reporter Courtney Blank- The EPTA bus service for students has been a topic of debate in recent times. Shepherd administration has been considering getting rid of EPTA buses. Students have been filling out forms to speak their mind on the EPTA bus service online. The buses, Ram Express and Ram Force One, are ideal modes of transportation for many students on campus. 

Reporter Luna Barr has let us know about some big Changes that are set to happen on Shepherd’s Campus, with project completion set for June 1, 2026. Shepherd was awarded a grant of $30 million to be used for big projects. Reporter Luna Barr writes “Roughly $23 million of grant money will be used for a new joint dining/athletics facility. The building’s dimensions will be 52,000 square feet by 13,000 square feet including a 7,900 square foot weight room.  

$2 million dollars of the grant money will be put towards residence hall improvements. The remaining $3.5 million will be allocated for field improvements. The BOG meeting also stated In and Out of state tuition is proposed to be raised by 3%. Also, West Virginia House Bill 4654 passed, making Shepherd’s Scarborough Library relocate any sexually explicit material to a separate place. 

Our next story is given to us by reporter Elayna Sylvester. As you may have noticed, the bookstore location has been temporarily moved. Relocated to the Potomac Place Classroom, as Elayna highlighted,” [With] Midterms week occurring at the same time, students have expressed concerns.” Taking matters into her own hands to hear from fellow students through on the street interviews. To find out what they said and more, check out the picket’s Instagram @supicketgram where there’s a link tree to our other socials as well. The hours of operation at the bookstore temporary location are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3pm.  

Speaking of the bookstore, Attention all first year and seniors don’t forget to fill out the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE for short) to get entered into a drawing for 1 out of 20 Shepherd University bookstore gift cards. Fill out the survey by Friday, March 21, for a chance to win.  

A riveting review given by one of The Picket’s talented writers, Fiona Everline, spotlights The Safety Zone. Put on by Shepherd’s Contemporary Theater Studies program on February 20-23rd with a gameshow style and “commercial breaks,” The Safety Zone delved into as Fiona writes,” skits about fears and scenarios.”  Thank you to all the students for amazing performances, helping create a safe space of transparency, and helping put on the show.

One student in particular was under the spotlight as the gameshow host, Avery Copenhaver, also known as Cope, online. Avery is a third-year student here at Shepherd. One of two fellow students covered by Elizabeth Walsh starting their stardom and following their dreams as musicians while pursuing their diplomas. 

As well as being a theatre student, Avery also has a thriving music career. He has a single titled In Person out, which is available on all streaming platforms. You can follow him on Spotify, Apple Music, and on TikTok at AV.Cope. 

Another student artist is Matt Slavinsky who is a performer and DJ. Matt has almost 15,000 monthly listeners, and his hit “Barstruck” with nearly 400,000 hits on Spotify.  

Important Dates 

  • 1. Holi (Hol-ie) Festival of Lights- held on the Robert Byrd Science Lawn across from the Student Center at 3pm, this Monday, March 3rd. 
  • 2.A memorial event for the deeply missed and beloved Grace Ortega will be happening this Tuesday on March 4th. The memorial will be held in the Phase 2 gallery from 5-6pm. Followed by a Gathering of Remembrance held in the Marinoff Theater.   
  • The kickoff for Day of Giving started February 14th, and will end on March 19th the campaign is aiming to raise $200,000