Barney Named Interim Assistant Vice President for Research and Public Service

As West Virginia State University continues to expand its research portfolio, Vice President Orlando F. McMeans has named Dr. Robert J. Barney interim assistant vice president for Research and Public Service. Barney will also continue to serve as associate dean and associate director of the University’s Agricultural and Environmental Research Station, a position he has…

Pat Schuman Joins MedMatrix Solutions as Credentialing Specialist

MedMatrix Solutions, a medical practice management firm headquartered in Beckley, announced the appointment of Pat Schuman as Credentialing Specialist. “Pat’s extensive experience will be a tremendous asset to MedMatrix Solutions clients,” said Patty Bowling, director. Prior to joining MedMatrix Solutions, Schuman was responsible for independently performing the credentialing and re-credentialing of approximately 180 medical staff…

Who Needs the Gold Watch? Some Businesses Get Creative with Their Retirement Gifting

Move over bronze plaques and other cliché awards …. Some businesses are choosing a unique memento to show their appreciation for founders, partners, retiring CEOs and other significant company players — portrait paintings. WWA Portrait Painters (the acronym stands for ‘Wild Wonderful Appalachian’) is the first and only portrait agency in WV. Their artists range…

Chemistry Faculty Member Secures Grant to Involve Students in Petroleum Research

A Marshall University professor has secured a three-year, $65,000 grant to do petroleum research with the assistance of undergraduate students. The funding, which was awarded by the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund through a competitive process, will begin in 2013. According to Dr. Laura McCunn, assistant chemistry professor, she and seven undergraduate students will use…

WVSU Dean Appointed to Group Reviewing Public School System Standards

Dr. Robert L. Harrison Jr., dean of the College of Professional Studies at West Virginia State University (WVSU), has been appointed to the West Virginia Office of Performance Audits Accountability/Accreditation Stakeholder Group. He is one of only two representatives of the state’s higher education institutions appointed to the group. The other comes from West Virginia…

SBA West Virginia District Office Welcomes New Team Members

The U.S. Small Business Administration is pleased to announce the appointment of two new team members to the West Virginia District Office. Larry Batten and Nikki Bowmar recently accepted positions as Economic Development Specialists and will focus on enhancing the awareness of SBA programs and services in West Virginia. Bowmar will also serve as Public…