Mountain State University Newsroom

MSU donates ultrasound machines

Mountain State University is donating four ultrasound machines through a Massachusetts-based charitable foundation to benefit people in Third World countries.

The donation of four Philips HDI 3000 Ultrasound machines is being coordinated through MSU's Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program and the university's Purchasing Department. The refurbished machines cost $23,600 each when purchased in January 2006. They are being replaced at MSU with reconditioned GE Logiq 5 Colorflow Ultrasound consoles.

"Rather than see these machines get buried in a landfill, we found an organization that can use the ultrasounds to assist doctors and health care workers wherever they might be needed," said Director of Purchasing Scott Mangum. "It's just our way of trying to give back."

Robert Lilly, director of the DMS program, said recycling is well worth the effort. "We strive to be good stewards of all our available resources," Lilly said. "It's part of our organizational culture. We can save money by purchasing reconditioned machines that still provide state-of-the-art learning opportunities for our students, and then pass that equipment along over time to others."

A team from the American Medical Resources Foundation of Brockton, Mass., will be in Beckley to pick up the machines today.

"Your generosity will support our mission of providing functional medical equipment, medical supplies, technical assessments and biomedical technician training to hospitals, clinics and health care in general in developing countries," wrote Victor Solo, AMRF president and CEO, in a recent letter to Mangum. "We are grateful for your contribution; thank you for making a difference."

Solo said an AMRF-supported project in Mexico that requested mammography units is the most likely destination for the MSU-donated machines. Other potential destinations include Guatemala and Somalia.

Ultrasound machines have a variety of uses. In addition to obstetrics and gynecological studies, they can be used to perform noninvasive cardiac, echo and vascular testing. The AMRF is a nonprofit organization that spends 99 cents of every donated dollar on humanitarian programs.

MSU theatre faculty member cast in national tour

Mountain State University theatre performance faculty member Pamela Chabora has been cast in a national tour of "Fiddler on the Roof."

Cast by Troika Entertainment as Yente, the matchmaker, Chabora holds one of the four principal roles in the production.

"Fiddler on the Roof" is set in Anatevka, Russia, in 1905. The story focuses on Tevye, a humble milkman, and his daughters. Village tradition dictates that marriages be arranged through Yente, but tradition is challenged when Tevye's daughters fall in love and intend to marry men other than those Yente has chosen for them.

Chabora serves as a performer and master teacher with a focus in performance training at Theatre West Virginia and MSU. In addition, she has maintained a parallel career in professional theatre as an actress, singer, director and choreographer with theatrical credits range from Juliet in "Star-Crossed Lovers" to Miss Julie from Strindberg's "Miss Julie." Chabora is currently in her fourth season with TWV, playing the roles of Sarah McCoy in "Hatfields and McCoys," Delia Morgan in "Honey in the Rock," Mayor Matilda in "All Shook Up," and other roles in the premiere of "Rocket Boys." Her most treasured performance venture has been her portrayal of Emily Dickinson in the one-woman show "The Belle of Amherst," which has toured nationally for the past six years and has just finished a year-long tour with TWV. Chabora also recently worked and trained with Cirque du Soleil as a human personage (cirque clown) in Las Vegas.

"Fiddler on the Roof" will run from October 21 through the spring of 2012.  The first performance will take place in Anchorage, Alaska. Visit www.fiddlerontour.com for more information.

To learn more about MSU's theatre program, call 866-367-6781.

Beaver County professionals gain leadership insight

More than 100 Beaver County professionals gained new insight into steering their organizations in today's often turbulent business climate during Friday's second annual Leadership Ignite workshop, hosted by Mountain State University and the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce at the Club at Shadow Lakes.

Dr. Timothy Glaid, lead leadership faculty member, MSU Center Township, said additional workshops are scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20; from 8 to 9 a.m. Nov. 16; from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 24, 2012; and from 3 to 4 p.m. Feb. 24, 2014. Each of those workshops will take place on the MSU campus at the Community College of Beaver County. Workshop times are staggered to try to accommodate the varied schedules of potential participants.

Leadership Ignite is a practical workshop that provides hands-on opportunities for applying leadership training. The 2011 theme "Leading Self with Character" was designed to help participants become more effective leaders by identifying their own personal source of energy and the motivation behind their choices.

On Friday, attendees had the option of tailoring the event to meet their professional needs by selecting three sessions to build their workshop agenda. Sessions included:
• Sense of Purpose – presented by Dr. Daniel Matsook, superintendent, Central Valley Schools; 
• Emotional Intelligence – presented by Rickard Briggs, president and CEO, National Asset Management;
• Health and Well-Being – presented by Norm Mitry, CEO, Heritage Valley Health Systems;
• Lifelong Learning – presented by Iris McGee, director of recruiting and training, Mountain State University;
• Resilience and Courage – presented by Brig. Gen. Roy E. Uptegraff, Pennsylvania Air National Guard; and,
• Integrity and Authenticity – presented by Jonathan Pettis, executive director, Franklin Center of Beaver County.

Bill Flanagan, executive vice president for corporate relations, Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Affiliates, concluded the event delivering the keynote address on "Leading Self with Character." Flanagan also hosts "Our Region's Business" on WPXI-TV, WJAC-TV, WTOV-TV and the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel, a program the Conference produces in partnership with WPXI-TV.

KDKA news radio, Pittsburgh Business Times, the Community College of Beaver County, Michael Baker, Heritage Valley Health System, Jack Manning and Beaver County Commissioners Tony Amadio, chairman, and Joe Spanik sponsored Friday's event.

Leadership seminar series continues at MSU Mooresville

"Leading in a Climate of Change" is the focus of Mountain State University's upcoming leadership seminar Sept. 28 on the university's Mooresville campus.

The event will be led by Susan Rucker, D.H.A., lead leadership faculty member for MSU Mooresville. The seminar takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Catalina Bay, 517 Alcove Road, Lake Norman.

"Leaders are most effective when they create cultures and open environments that thrive on and enable constant change," said Rucker.

Rucker has extensive experience in adult education, hospital and business administration, strategic planning, community outreach and international outreach. During her 35-year career, she has served as a senior hospital administrator, owner of a mid-sized health care consulting firm, executive director of a nonprofit community organization, and university faculty member. Prior to joining the faculty of Mountain State University, Rucker was interim director of the Master of Health Administration program at the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

MSU's five-part leadership seminar series will conclude Nov. 30 with, "Leading Across Boundaries and Building Coalitions."

The series is free, but the university requests that attendees register online at www.mountainstate.edu/leadership-seminar.

For more information on the series or MSU's leadership programs, call 704.664.3343 ext. 2011.

MSU celebrates Constitution Day with Free Speech Forum

Mountain State University will celebrate Constitution Day 2011 with an open forum on "The Social Media and Freedom of Speech" on Monday, September 19, from 1 to 2:15 p.m. in Carter Hall Auditorium.

The event is open to the MSU academic community, and the public is invited to participate as well.

This year's theme, "The Social Media and Freedom of Speech" explores the proper exercise of freedom of speech in social media such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter, and where, if at all, might there need to be any limits.

The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Vincent W. Beach, Ph.D., will moderate the discussion.

Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 brave men on September 17, 1787, by recognizing all who are born in the U.S. or who by naturalization have become citizens. The law establishing the holiday was created in 2004, spearheaded by the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-WV.

Because September 17 falls on a Saturday this year, MSU has chosen to observe the federal holiday on September 19.

MSU named “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs

Mountain State University has again earned a "Military Friendly School" designation by G.I. Jobs, the magazine announced Monday.

MSU's military program offers nearly 300 courses which can be taken from virtually anywhere in the world, providing service personnel with the opportunity to earn college credit and even complete degrees without setting foot in a traditional classroom. Active duty military, reservists and National Guard members are eligible for discounted tuition rates and financial aid.

"We're very proud to be able to offer this variety of educational opportunities to both active duty personnel and veterans," said Iris McGee, director of recruiting and training at Mountain State University. "We're equally pleased that MSU has earned this distinction for several years running."

G.I. Jobs is the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The 2012 Military Friendly Schools list, released Monday, honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America's military service members and veterans as students.

The colleges, universities and trade schools on this year's list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience.  These schools are making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans' clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served. The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools ® was compiled through extensive research and a data driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide.

A detailed list of Military Friendly Schools ® will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October. A newly redesigned website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans with their school decisions. 

MSU expands offerings to focus on growing fields

Mountain State University's School of Business and Technology is now offering new degree concentrations in forensic accounting and fraud examination, online and at the Beckley campus.

Though forensic accounting and fraud examination are different fields, the practices are related.  A forensic accountant works to detect fraud, while a fraud examiner is consulted if fraud is suspected.

MSU's new offerings teach students to identify "red flags" of fraud, comply with current regulations and develop and implement effective preventative measures. The concentration in forensic accounting and fraud examination is an option for those pursuing the Bachelor of Science in accounting. The fraud examination concentration is available for students in the Bachelor of Science in business administration program or the Associate of Science in accounting program. Students pursuing these concentrations are also eligible to work toward the Certified Fraud Examiner credential.

Both forensic accounting and fraud examination are in demand as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2010–2011) estimates a 10-year job growth rate of 22 percent for accountants and auditors within the United States—double the national average for all occupations.

Much of the demand stems from ongoing issues of employee theft, white-collar crime, management fraud and embezzlement. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners reported in 2010 that between January 2008 and December 2009, organizations around the world lost an estimated five percent of revenue due to fraud.

Fraud is also an issue on a local level.

"Twenty years ago my division was primarily involved in inspecting claims made on house fires and auto fires," said Goldie Rhodes, special investigations unit team manager for State Farm Insurance, West Virginia. "Today, a large portion of my unit's claims are related to billing fraud in the medical industry."

Rhodes estimates that in the past eight years more than 800 fraudulent medical billing claims were filed nationally.

"Most effective investigations will now hinge on data, but few companies have people to do in-depth data analysis," Rhodes said. "Degree concentrations like MSU's forensic accounting and fraud examination will prepare students with the skills organizations need."

To learn more about the forensic accounting and fraud examination degree concentrations at MSU, call 866-367-6781.

Wessels joins Mountain State University

Longtime Charleston media and public relations executive Andrew R. Wessels has been appointed director of public relations for Mountain State University.

"Andy's diverse background in public relations and media relations, as well as corporate communications and marketing, will help Mountain State University share its many successes, both within West Virginia and surrounding our other campus locations," said Susan Backofen, vice president of marketing and business development.

Wessels is responsible for developing, coordinating and monitoring MSU's public relations and media relations, including social media and events. 

"I'm excited about this unique opportunity to help Mountain State University tell its story," Wessels said. "MSU has a proud tradition of serving traditional and nontraditional students alike, helping to instill a lifelong commitment to learning."

Wessels formerly was director of business development for the West Virginia Primary Care Association, and director of corporate affairs for BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. and its state agency predecessor, the West Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. He also previously served as senior public affairs specialist for Charleston Area Medical Center and as assistant city editor for The Charleston Gazette.

A Massachusetts native, Wessels holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Bethany College.

Second annual Leadership Ignite workshop scheduled for Beaver County

Mountain State University and the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce are hosting the second annual Leadership Ignite workshop, Friday, September 16 at the Club at Shadow Lakes.

Leadership Ignite is a practical workshop that provides hands-on opportunities for applying leadership training. The 2011 theme "Leading Self with Character" will help participants become more effective leaders by identifying their own personal source of energy and the motivation behind their choices.

Attendees will have the option of tailoring the event to meet their professional needs by selecting three sessions to build their workshop agenda. Sessions include: sense of purpose, emotional intelligence, health and well-being, resilience and courage, lifelong learning and integrity and authenticity.

Bill Flanagan, executive vice president for corporate relations, Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Affiliates, will wrap up the event delivering the keynote address on "Leading Self with Character." Flanagan supervises investor relations activities for the conference and affiliates, including fundraising, membership services and educational programming. He also hosts "Our Region's Business" on WPXI-TV, WJAC-TV, WTOV-TV and the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel, a program the Conference produces in partnership with WPXI-TV.

Workshop presenters include: Rickard Briggs, president and CEO, National Asset Management; Dr. Timothy Glaid, lead leadership faculty member, MSU Center Township; Dr. Daniel Matsook, superintendent, Central Valley Schools; Iris McGee, director of recruiting and training, Mountain State University; Norm Mitry, CEO, Heritage Valley Health Systems; Jonathan Pettis, executive director, Franklin Center of Beaver County; and Brig. Gen. Roy E. Uptegraff, Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

KDKA, Pittsburgh Business Times, the Community College of Beaver County, Michael Baker, Heritage Valley Health System, Jack Manning and Beaver County Commissioners Tony Amadio, chairman, and Joe Spanik are sponsoring the event.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., and breakfast will be served.

For more information or to register for the workshop, visit http://www.mountainstate.edu/leadership-ignite.