Latest news with #Boggess
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Concord University celebrates graduates and the renaming of the Department of Business
ATHENS, WV (WVNS) — The 150th Spring Commencement ceremony at Concord University celebrated graduates, as well as two special designations for Concord University President Dr. Kendra Boggess. BSU receives funding to develop online, job-embedded education degree According to a press release from Concord University, at the 150th Spring Commencement ceremony at Concord University, two special designations occurred to acknowledge President Boggess' final ceremony as the president of Concord University and her involvement through the years. The designations included renaming the business department to 'The Dr. Kendra S. Boggess Department of Business' to honor Dr. Boggess, as well as a University Foundation fund in her name. The press release stated that Dr. Boggess will designate the fund, and that the renaming of the Department of Business was done with the support and approval of the Concord University Administration and the Board of Governors. Those who want to contribute to the fund can do so here. WVSOM graduates awarded an estimated $87,400 at ceremony acknowledging achievements According to the Concord University (CU) press release, the 347 people who met graduation requirements include 126 candidates for a master's degree and 221 candidates for undergraduate degrees. The press release stated that the graduates represent 22 states, 11 countries, five of the graduates were CU employees, and four were military veterans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Concord University celebrates successful fundraising campaign, improving the school's future
ATHENS, WV (WVNS) – Concord University is celebrating a successful fundraising campaign. Over the past 2 years, Concord has been working to fulfill its CU Ascend Capital Campaign. Concord President Dr. Kendra Boggess explained the purpose of this goal was to support things around campus, like academics, buildings, and scholarships. Mercer County school officials showcase newest elementary school set to open in August She told 59News they have been able to raise more than what they originally had hoped for – making $15 million. This money will be very helpful for students and the future of Concord. 'Our scholarships are really critical in making our affordability something that everyone can get on board with. We are the school that has the lowest debt ratio for students, and we want to keep it that way. We want to raise more money. So this is a place that they can afford to come and be successful,' said Dr. Boggess. Dr. Boggess said these dollars are essential for helping them keep things around campus up-to-date. A lot of equipment has to be turned over regularly, so there has to be money for them to replace that equipment. After completing this campaign, Dr. Boggess told 59News that Concord will be taking a break before they dive into a new campaign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Concord University announces 13th President
ATHENS, WV (WVNS) — Concord University announced the University's next president. According to a press release, Dr. Bethany Meighen was chosen to be Concord University's 13th president by the Concord University Board of Governors. Concord University Esports ends fifth year with a record-breaking season The press release stated that the board voted on April 15, 2025 at a meeting, and that Dr. Meighen accepted the position. Dr. Meighen was the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina System, and was the chief student affairs officer as well as an important liaison between the UNC System Office and its 17 constituent institutions. Dr. Meighen's strong background in higher education administration and her experience shaping policies related to admissions and student support services position her to strengthen and cultivate the strategically sound foundation President Kendra Boggess has built over her tenure. The Board of Governors is grateful for the work the Presidential Search Committee has done over several months leading up to this decision, and we look forward to what the future brings. Dave Barnette | Board Chairman According to Concord University, Dr. Meighen received her bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Charleston, and her Ed.D. from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Leadership roles that she held in the past include being the Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations, and Dean of Student Life, all at the University of Charleston. During her prior leadership roles, Dr. Meighen helped watch over a variety of student organizations, as well as the student code of conduct and Office of Student Life budget, and alumni, parent, and student engagement. Dr. Meighen moved to North Carolina with her family, and she was the Director for Student Development and Advisor to the UNC System Association of Student Governments as well as being the vice president for academic and student affairs. Concord University joins 'Concord Cousins' for the Concord250 Patriots' Day in Massachusetts Concord University is making a meaningful difference in the lives of its students, the surrounding communities, and beyond—a mission I'm eager to use all my energy and experience to support and advance. I look forward to working collaboratively with the faculty, staff, students, and the entire campus community to build on the university's strong foundation and help shape its future in the years to come. Dr. Meighen Dr. Meighen is a collaborative, data-driven decision maker dedicated to making higher education more accessible and enhancing the student experience at Concord. I look forward to working with her and supporting her as Concord University's 13th president. President Boggess The press release stated that President Boggess will stay at Concord University for one month as a presidential consultant to help with the change when Dr. Meighen starts on July 1, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah school board won't sign anti-DEI resolution, letter pushing to end U.S. Education Department
Utah State Board of Education discuss an anti-DEI resolution on April 3, 2025 (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) A Utah State Board of Education resolution banning diversity, equity and inclusion from public schools failed with a 4-10 vote on Thursday. Much of the discussion around the resolution centered on whether to delay a vote on the controversial proposal made by board member Christina Boggess. There were questions about specific examples of Utah schools not complying with a 2024 law restricting DEI efforts in all public institutions, and also whether a rule, and not a resolution, would be a more appropriate path to eliminate DEI programs. LeAnn Wood, a board member who supported postponing the discussion indefinitely, said she worried about the hundreds of calls and emails she received from constituents in her district about the resolution. That much angst, she said, indicates something is not right. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'I don't think a resolution is the answer. If we need to define what compliance looks like, then we need to do that,' she said. 'We need to do our job. We do not need a political statement of what we think should be happening.' Boggess, however, pushed back against an indefinite postponement. 'I think we're giving the proverbial middle finger to the Legislature,' Boggess said. 'I think we're giving the proverbial middle finger to our federal agencies who have spoken very boldly on these issues and have asked us to address them.' Utah State Board of Education to consider resolution tying DEI programs to communist goals The draft, which had been controversial among Utahns for tying DEI programs to communist goals, was updated to eliminate references to communism and to make distinctions for special education programs, among other provisions. But, ultimately, like all of the proposed actions to postpone the discussion, the resolution failed. A couple of members from Latinos in Action, a nonprofit that offers a year-long elective course aimed to bridging opportunity and graduation gaps for Latino students, spoke against the resolution during the meeting's public comment section. Christian Hernandez, a social studies teacher, highlighted how immigrants have vastly contributed to innovation in the country and why programs like Latinos in Action are necessary to provide leadership tools and academic support for students who may feel overlooked. 'The notion that programs like (Latinos in Action) are Soviet style is divisive and misleading,' Hernandez said. 'Programs like this embody the very spirit of America, and how we can become leaders promoting progress and opportunity.' Under Utah's anti-DEI law, affinity and cultural groups in public institutions are still permitted as long as they don't exclude anyone based on their race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion or gender identity. However, according to Hernandez, the program would have to be eliminated if the resolution passed. However, Boggess pointed to an addition to the draft made by Utah's congressional delegation, she said: 'Without a firm directive to comply with the Executive Order, the State of Utah stands to lose Federal Funding for education,' the newest version of the resolution states. And, she said the resolution had to be considered seriously, since she's personally aware of over 100 complaints of DEI violations in Utah schools made in a U.S. Department of Education online portal. Board members also raised other concerns about the resolution. 'This appears to be a rule dressed as a resolution,' said member Joseph Kerry, questioning whether approving it would go against the board's policies. It would actually violate two of their policies, a member of the board's legal counsel said — backing a resolution that mandates something to happen as if it were a rule, and the board's policy on policies, which dictates that all board policies are binding. The majority of the board also voted against signing a letter of intent addressed to President Donald Trump, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and the Utah congressional delegation to allow the state to manage federal dollars for education purposes. 'I think there's nothing wrong with us saying, 'if you're going this direction, we've got the qualifications to do this,'' member Jennie Earl said. 'I think this also lets the legislature know we can do this.' But, that proposal also failed despite some attempts to make it shorter and 'less disparaging' to federally-managed programs, according to board member Carol Lear. But, still, after the Utah Legislature rejected to fund some items the board deemed important for Utah students, many of the members said they don't trust the state to protect some programs that are managed at the federal level. Lear cited programs like Utah Fits All, the school voucher program that the state's largest teacher union is challenging in court for its constitutionality, and a 2025 bill that — before it was vetoed — would have rerouted property tax revenue for schools into the state general fund. She also fears for programs like the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which provides students experiencing homelessness with equal access to public education. 'That's not going to be a popular use of funds for either the state or for individual LEAs, so I am one very grateful person that those children are served directly by federal regulations,' Lear said. Other members, like Boggess, said that while they believe government is best when it is closer to the people, they still were skeptical about the move, especially because it would imply that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would take over Department of Education tasks 'It presents this conundrum wherein we advocate for the abolition of an agency which only redirects to an agency that is not an expert in education,' Boggess said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Students, staff, and faculty celebrate 153rd anniversary of Concord University
ATHENS, WV (WVNS) – Concord University celebrated its 153rd anniversary of the day it was founded. Students, staff, and faculty took time to look back and honor the sacrifices that were made for Concord to make it this far. Presidential Excellence Awards were also passed out as a thank you to people around campus who work hard to better Concord. The 2025 edition of the Founder's Day celebration was a little different. This was their final Founder's Day under the tutelage of President Dr. Kendra Boggess. Beckley Police Department announces the retirement of K9 Ora 'It is a bittersweet time for me. I am looking forward to moving on, but I am also very attached to the people in the place,' said Dr. Boggess. Elliot Hicks was the guest speaker for Founder's Day. Hicks was part of the board who decided to name Dr. Boggess the president of Concord. 'What I like about Concord is its adaptability and that people are looking for things that are a little bit different from college education than they were before. I mean, for some people, I know that they thought of college as a bit of a country club where wealthier kids get to go away and simply enjoy themselves. People are demanding more accountability from colleges. They are demanding more efficiency from colleges,' said Hicks. Dr. Boggess said this Founder's Day was a great reminder for the importance and necessity for higher education. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
