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PARKERSBURG -- The West Virginia University at Parkersburg president received a positive evaluation from the school's Board of Governors.
Torie Jackson was selected for the position in May 2023 and officially took over on July 1, 2023 after spending almost a year as the interim president following the departure of her predecessor Chris Gilmer.
She is an alumna of the institution, graduating in 1997. She has served as chief operating officer, executive vice president for institutional advancement, president and CEO of the WVU Parkersburg Foundation and associate professor of communication before becoming president.
A summary released by Board of Governors Chairman Joe Oliverio said Jackson "continues to impress the Board of Governors with her work ethic, energy, leadership skills, personality and commitment to our community.
"She is passionate about West Virginia University at Parkersburg and its students, faculty and staff, as well as working collaboratively with the Board of Governors for the betterment of all," the summary said. "Her accomplishments in this first year are many but the most significant ones are leading the faculty and staff through the reaffirmation process from the Higher Learning Commission for accreditation, securing a $10 million gift to assist with an expansion project for our college and her leadership and vision to make the Innovation and Technology Center become a reality."
Last summer, the Ross Foundation gave $10 million to the WVU Parkersburg Foundation to buy the former Ohio Valley University, where the WVU Parkersburg Technology Center is planned to be established. The property was purchased for $4.6 million and the rest of the money is being used for renovations at the former Stotts Administration building.
The building has had new boilers installed at a cost of $370,000. Officials are looking at roof work, electrical work and more.
In their summary, the Board of Governors presented Jackson with two goals for the upcoming 2024-25 school year: the development and utilization of the Innovation and Technology Center and maintaining or increasing student retention.
They also want her to continue to update the College Answer Book and review existing board policies to align with state and federal practices.
"We look forward to many more years working with Dr. Torie Jackson and watching her continue to grow into the exemplary president we all know she can and will become," the board said in its summary.
Jackson was pleased with the outcome of the evaluation and is looking forward to the future.
"It's an honor and joy to help lead the campus that was my beginning," she said. "The mission of this college is to provide life-changing educational opportunities, and I am living proof of that mission in action."
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com