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Greetings, friends! This page has been developed to assist faculty in extending the learning experiences of students by including some of Shepherd’s rich campus programs in your coursework and syllabi. Faculty, coaches, and staff can have a profound impact on the student experience — expanding the likelihood that students will step outside of what is familiar and engage in deep, experiential learning. Often these transformational experiences only happen because you suggest them. The encouragement of a faculty or staff member to attend events outside the classroom is often the crucial nudge that makes the difference and can lead to new learning, perspectives, and/or retain a student who may feel disconnected.ÌýÌýÌý

The list of events below was compiled by members of the Programmers Group, representatives from diverse units across campus who collaborate to plan, schedule, and market campus events. Working together, this group has established best practices in event planning to try to prevent overlap of major events and to encourage cross-marketing events. Below you will find a listing of planned events for Spring 2025 that could make wonderful additions to syllabi as experiential learning opportunities. Note: More events will be added to this website as contracts are confirmed and departments finalize schedules.

IS YOUR DEPARTMENT PLANNING A CAMPUS WIDE EVENT?ÌýÌýÌý

If your department is planning any major events (teach ins, conferences, lectures) that are open to the campus community, please reach out to Rachael Meads at rmeads@shepherd.edu, chair of the Programmers Group, to prevent date conflicts BEFORE finalizing plans and help make sure your event is loaded onto our master calendar of events.ÌýÌýÌý

SPRING 2025 EVENTS

Updated: 1/13/2025

WEEKLYÌý

Yoga for All
Wednesdays, starting January 15th from 5 pm – 6 pm in the Multipurpose Room within The Wellness CenterÌý |Ìý A weekly all-levels yoga class focusing on uniting movement and breath for connecting with our bodies, reducing stress and increasing wellbeing. Sponsored by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøCounseling Services. Contact wbaracka@shepherd.edu for more information.Ìý
Learning Outcomes: Wellness, health, and stress management.Ìý

MONTHLY COHORT PROGRAM

The Stubblefield Institute Community Leadership and Civil Advocacy Certificate

JANUARY

Spring Involvement Fair
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 11 am – 1 pm in the Student Center Storer BallroomÌý |Ìý Join Student Government Association an Involvement Fair where students will have an opportunity to connect with Shepherd’s clubs and organizations.Ìý Learning Outcomes: Student Engagement, connection to campus/belonging, student retention.ÌýÌýÌý

FEBRUARY

Professional Connections Day
Wednesday, Feb. 5 |Ìý 10 am – 5 pm in Student CenterÌý |Ìý Professional Connections Day is a one-day, conference-style networking and personal/professional development event for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøstudents to hear from alumni about their professional journeys and expertise. There are six session time blocks throughout the day, with two topics available during each block. New this year, at midday we will host a business etiquette luncheon, and then cap off the day with a keynote speech and closing reception. Students must pre-register for the topic sessions and luncheon, but the keynote speech will be open to the whole campus community. Full detailed scheduled to be posted on RamPulse with registration available to students after the first of the year. Hosted by Alumni Affairs and Career Services. Contact Katie Swayne (kswayne@shepherd.edu) or Matt Hoffman (mhoffman@shpeherd.edu) with questions.Ìý

39th Annual Student Leadership Conference
Saturday, Feb. 8 | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm in Student CenterÌý |Ìý Sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and Leadership and the Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications, this event is Shepherd’s oldest continuous leadership tradition. Free to all students, the Conference (themed “Sculpt Your Future”)Ìý will focus on improving student leadership and communication, navigating conflict, and improving professional skills.Ìý Our goal is to provide new strategies and insights that will help participants to develop their own leadership potential and capacity to work collaboratively with others to build stronger teams, create positive social change, and become empowered citizens.

The conference will open with a presentation from General Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong (former president of Mississippi State University and a distinguished veteran who retired from the Air Force after attaining the rare rank of four-star general and serving as commander of the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe), a presentation from professional trainer Daniel Caron on civility and navigating conflict, and breakout workshops that students may sign up for in advance.ÌýContact Rachael Meads (rmeads@shepherd.edu) Ìýwith questions.Ìý

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversity Alumni Association 3rd Annual Legacy Gala
Friday, Feb. 28, 6:30 pm – 8:30pm in the Shepherdstown War Memorial BuildingÌý |Ìý Celebrate your time at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversity and help support the future at the Third Annual Legacy Gala. Join your fellow alumni for an evening of music and fun while we raise money for the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøAlumni Association Endowed Scholarship. Enjoy fine cuisine and beverages provided by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversity Hospitality – Aramark Catering, while listening to enchanting melodies provided by Beauty and The B Flats, at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversity student jazz ensemble. Exciting raffles, games, and activities will be available throughout the evening. Raffles and games are additional fundraising activities that will be CASH ONLY. Your ticket covers entry, refreshments, and entertainment for the evening. Invitations will go out prior to winter break. Hosted by the SUAA. Contact Katie Swayne (kswayne@shpeherd.edu) with questions.Ìý

$60 – Individual Ticket
$90 – Couple Ticket

Online Registration Link

MARCH

Alternative Spring Break Trip
Sunday, Mar. 9 – Saturday, Mar. 15 in Southern AppalachiaÌý |Ìý After participating in the Alternative Spring Break Program, students who are successful will be able to 1) advocate for social change through service; 2) apply leadership skills to analyze the impacts of poverty, specifically in Appalachia; 3) conceptualize the importance of active citizenship through serving communities different than the students own community; and 4) develop both passive and active leadership skills that can be applied to academic, social, and personal life situations. For more information on this initiative, contact Melanie Ford at mford@shepherd.edu. Students should submit their application by 2/7/2025 to be considered. There are limited spots.
Learning Outcomes: Community engagement, advocacy of self and others

Community Leadership & Civil Advocacy Certificate Open House
Wednesday, Mar. 19,Ìý 4 pm – 5 pm in the Student Center – Rumsey RoomÌý |ÌýÌýThe Stubblefield Institute’s Community Leadership & Civil Advocacy Certificate program is open to students of all majors who wish to develop their advocacy skills and explore civic engagement. This 50+ hour certificate will use a combination of classroom learning enhanced with after session tasks that move the student from identifying an advocacy project to pitching their policy/procedure idea to a decision maker at a local, state or national level. Certificate participants will be mentored through the certificate that begins in September and concludes in April. The cohorts will not meet in December. For more information, contact Elaine Bobo at ebobo@shepherd.edu.Ìý Elaine Bobo and participants of the Community Leadership and Civil Advocacy (CLCA) Certificate Program will share information about the structure of next year’s program, and how to participate.ÌýÌý
Learning Outcomes: Community engagement, collaboration with local and statewide students, advocacy of self and others, research and presentation skills.Ìý

APRIL

Stubblefield Civility Club’s Civility Ball
Friday, Apr. 4, 6 pm – 9:30 pm (times subject to change) in the Storer BallroomÌý |ÌýÌýThe annual Civility Ball is hosted by the Stubblefield Institute’s Civility Club and includes the annual Civility Awards.ÌýÌýContactÌý Civility Club President Carter Combs for more information (CCOMBS03@rams.shepherd.edu or Faculty Advisor Matt Kushin (mkushin@shepherd.edu).
Learning Outcomes: Civic engagement, communication, diversity, cultural competencyÌý

Relay For Life of Jefferson County
Saturday, Apr. 12, Noon to Midnight in the Wellness Center Parking lotÌý |Ìý Relay for Life of Jefferson County hosts an annual American Cancer Society event to support the fundraising and awareness efforts of our community. All are invited to spend the day walking laps, playing carnival games, and supporting the special people in your life who are fighting cancer. Entertainment, activities, and food trucks available throughout the event. There are plenty of opportunities for volunteering. Contact Melanie Ford, mford@shepherd.edu, for more information.ÌýStudent groups, departments, and the community are encouraged to create a Relay Team to help raise funds and fight cancer. For more information, visit .Ìý

eXTENDED / SEMESTER LONG EVENTS

Unify America College Bowl
Feb. 25, 26, 27 and Mar. 4, 5, 6, 12; Student schedules a 1-hour online sessionÌý |ÌýÌýThrough Unify America, students can engage in respectful dialogue across political, geographic, racial, and ideological differences while discussing a wide array of topics and issues! Students will have an opportunity to civilly share their perspectives and experiences as you and your partner are guided through establishing common ground despite personal and political differences.ÌýThis unique program matches students from across the country to participate in an on-line political conversation with another student. Contact Elaine Bobo, ebobo@shepherd.edu, with the Stubblefield Institute’s Listen.Learn.Engage. Students find the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversity current sign-up link on RamPulse.
Learning outcomes: Political awareness, communication, diversity, problem-solvingÌý

Year of Civility
Spring Semester 2025 at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversityÌý |ÌýÌýThe Year of Civility is a collaboration between ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversity and the Stubblefield Institute. It focuses on civil discussion and action, bringing together diverse ideas, and addressing complex issues.ÌýOne of the things we love about ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøUniversity is the here on campus and in the surrounding community.Ìý During the 2024-25 school year, we invite everyone to celebrate civility, to deepen their awareness of civil discourse, and to practice their civility and civil discourse skills.ÌýTogether, we can address polarizing issues, support one another as productive members of the community, and choose to speak up and take appropriate actions.ÌýFind updated information including a schedule of events at /the-year-of-civility/
Learning Outcomes: Civic engagement, political awareness, communication, diversity, cultural competency, critical thinking, problem-solving, service.ÌýÌýÌý

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EVENTS BY DEPARTMENTÌý

Please remember that listings of additional social and recreational events may also be found on !

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