Shepherd University receives $30 million from Governor’s office

ISSUED: 10 December 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Shepherd University has received $30 million from Governor Jim Justice's office for investing in new and current facilities to support students.

The funding developed thanks to cooperation between Governor Jim Justice's office, the West Virginia Legislature, and the West Virginia Treasurer's Office.

Shepherd University President Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix said the University is beyond grateful for the support from the State.

"I am so appreciative of the work done by Governor Jim Justice, Senate President Craig Blair, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, and Treasurer Riley Moore, who worked with Shepherd University representatives to identify and secure this critical funding," Hendrix said. "We would also like to thank Delegates Eric Householder and Paul Espinosa, as well as Senators Patricia Rucker and Jason Barrett, for their support."

Hendrix said the grant will allow Shepherd to expedite long-term plans for transformative changes on campus.

"This money will support the modernization of key facilities on campus to meet the needs of our students and keep Shepherd University a vibrant school of choice for students in West Virginia and beyond."

Shepherd University Vice President for Finance and Administration, Dr. Scott Barton, said Shepherd will take a student-first approach.

"We will allocate the funding with our students in mind, with a new dining facility, residence hall renovations, and a multi-purpose building at the top of the list," Barton said. "This dining facility will expand our capacity for serving students and enhance our ability to bring programs and events for students and visitors to campus."

Barton said the dining facility housed within the multi-purpose building on West Campus also makes it more convenient for those living in Shepherd's residence halls.

"We will be able to upgrade the food service location options for students," Barton added. "The new multi-purpose building will place food service close to where students live rather than across campus."

Having a new dining facility creates an opportunity to renovate and repurpose the 50-year-old dining hall on East Campus.

The multi-purpose building will also include long-needed space for the athletics department, including offices, meeting rooms, training and treatment areas, and a state-of-the-art weight room.

Renovations will be made to Potomac Place, Dunlop, and Printz residence halls while the new facility is designed and constructed.
Other planned projects include:

• New maintenance facility - The aging structures behind Popodicon will be replaced with a new maintenance facility that will provide much-needed storage space for equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Athletic Fields - Shepherd will upgrade the intramural athletic fields with a new surface, fencing, and other infrastructure upgrades.

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