Pierpont will serve students ages 16-64 without a high school diploma or GED , focusing on displaced coal workers who need a secondary credential to access jobs in new industries . The school will target specific regions of West Virginia , including Barbour , Braxton , Doddridge , Calhoun and Gilmer counties .
WVU Tech ’ s Upward Bound Program Receives Five-Year Grant
The Upward Bound program at West Virginia University Institute of Technology ( WVU Tech ) has been awarded a fiveyear grant for nearly $ 2 million to continue helping high school students in Southern West Virginia . The federally funded TRIO program , which has been housed at WVU Tech for more than 50 years , works with high school students throughout the year to help them prepare for college and explore career opportunities .
The grant award will provide the program with $ 1,951,345 during its half-decade life cycle , with an annual funding amount of $ 390,269 . The funds will allow the program to serve 90 students from Fayette County schools .
“ It ’ s all about awareness ,” says Jennifer Bunner , director of the program at WVU Tech . “ Many young people won ’ t consider some careers for themselves because they think college is out of reach , and this program shows them how to change that line of thinking .”
Historic Glen Ferris Inn Purchased by WV Army National Guardsmen
This summer , H . B . Gilliam , brigadier general with the West Virginia National Guard , and Tom Willis , a major , purchased the historic Glen Ferris Inn and its restaurant in Glen Ferris , WV .
The new owners have plans to update the inn beginning with the rooms , as well as expand waterfront seating overlooking the waterfalls . During the transition , all aspects of the property will be operational , and the restaurant and hotel will remain open .
“ We view the Glen Ferris Inn as one of the great jewels in the history of West Virginia ,” says Willis . “ We certainly aim to polish it and take it to the next level for all of West Virginia to enjoy and be proud of .”
Local Businesses Provide Teachers with STEMersion Experience
Over the next several years , West Virginia is projected to have 25,000 jobs in science , technology , engineering and math ( STEM ) related fields . West Virginia schools must meet this need by improving STEM education . Recently , 40 middle and high school students received an authentic STEM professional development experience called STEMersion that provided a relevant understanding of the numerous professions that require STEM skills .
“ The Education Alliance was pleased to offer the STEMersion professional development for West Virginia teachers ,” says Dr . Amelia Courts , president and chief executive officer of The Education Alliance . “ Research shows the more hands-on the opportunities are , the more teachers learn . The STEMersion project did just that by connecting STEM-centered businesses with educators who are eager to make real-word applications . We look forward to seeing the innovative ways teachers enhance their instruction to develop STEM-skilled students .”
THANK YOU
to ZMM Architects & Engineers and the following members of the Contractors Association of West Virginia for their support of “ Country Roads ” presented by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra :
BBL Carlton Brewer & Company of West Virginia LOC Investment Advisers Pickering Associates Triton Construction Inc .
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