WVUP inaugurates Jackson; college event Friday brings over 200 community members
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PARKERSBURG -- West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a place created to educate the community and there is so much to be done, its president said at her official inauguration this past Friday evening.
Torie Jackson was inaugurated Friday evening as WVU Parkersburg's 13th president during an event at the school attended by around 250 people from throughout the community.
Jackson talked about how she was one of the first members of her family to go to college and her upbringing taught her to have confidence. She spoke about her time at the college as a student, an instructor and a leader and the role the college continually has in the community.
"I have been listening to this college for years," she said. "I know its unique value, and I understand what it was, what it is and what it can become."
Students will always be the center of everything done at the college in making sure they have the opportunity to find a meaningful path to success in the Mid-Ohio Valley, she said.
"We encourage them to become valuable members of our community," Jackson said. "The vision for WVUP focuses on education.
"This vision is rooted in our community college opportunities to be nimble and flexible as we adapt to workforce needs and to realize the gift WVUP has of being a hybrid institution that also offers bachelor degrees."
She was presented with the president's medallion and mace.
A video was played detailing Jackson's rise to the presidency with interviews from former teachers, former co-workers from the Parkersburg News and Sentinel as well as people she has worked with throughout her career at the college, including former students, members of the WVUP Board of Governors, her family and others.
Board of Governors Chairman Joe Oliverio, said the Board of Governors had a front row seat to watch Jackson grow from a student at the university to instructor to vice president to interim president, as well as hold many other titles
"Her energy, passion, credentials and experience is what made her stand out high above the other candidates and applicants for this position and her commitment to WVU Parkersburg is unquestionable," he said.
Steve Hardman, former Board of Governors chairman, said in the video he was excited about how WVUP will grow under Jackson's leadership and what the future will hold.
"She loves this school, she loves the students, she loves the faculty members and she loves her staff,'' he said. ''Sometimes you get the right person in the right job at the right time, and Torie is that for WVUP."
Jackson was selected for the position back in May and officially took over on July 1 after spending almost a year as the interim president. She is an alumna of the institution, originally graduating in 1997.
She has served as chief operating officer, executive vice president for institutional advancement, president and CEO of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation, and as an associate professor of communication.
She spoke about having graduated from WVUP and understanding that what they do there can enhance the direction people's lives can take. Jackson thanked all of the people at the university and throughout the community who supported and continue to support her.
"Together we embrace a vision,'' she said. "Together, you will make sure I am never alone in my pursuits.
"I am absolute privileged to lead the college that helped build me and, as always, I am WVU Parkersburg proud."
Contact Brett Dunlap at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com