West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s former Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Alice Harris addresses the college’s Board of Governors on Tuesday after the announcement of her retirement. Harris is stepping down as the chief financial officer for the university and is accepting a teaching position at the college. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — West Virginia University at Parkersburg is seeing more enrollment, especially with new students to the school, and a long-time university official is changing focus, the college’s Board of Governors were told Tuesday.

WVUP President Torie Jackson highlighted increased enrollment numbers as the Fall 2024 semester has gotten underway recently.

“We graduated 369 students in the spring, but still have an increase of 410 new students for Fall 2024,” Jackson said. “Our greatest growth, though, was in continuing students with a 14% growth in that group – which goes along with our increased enrollment from last year.”

Total enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester is 2,606 compared to 2,430 this time last year. The full-time equivalents are 1,790.33 this year compared to 1,679.53 last year.

“Our enrollment is a number for which we are quite proud,” Jackson said.

The new appointees for West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors were sworn in on Tuesday. They include David Bowles, Jared Decker, Scott Seese and student representative Isabella Hileman. Pictured is the whole group of the WVUParkersburg Board of Governors for the 2024-25 school year. Front row, from left, Hileman, Cody Irick, Board Chair Joe Oliverio, Andrew Walker and Savannah Morgan; back row from left, Stephanie McCoy, Vasanth Ananth, Bowles, Decker, Blaine Hess and Seese. (Photo Provided)

The board swore in four new members, including David Bowles, Jared Decker, Scott Seese and student representative Isabella Hileman.

Jackson took time to honor outgoing board members Donna Smith, JP Hushion and Jason Landers who were “a vital part of our campus for the last eight years who also helped us achieve more student success.” The three will be formally recognized at the May commencement.

Jackson also commended long time Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Alice Harris who recently retired and has taken a teaching position at the university, having done it for the last three years.

“Alice Harris has served WVU Parkersburg for many years – always to the best of her abilities and always putting the institution’s interests first and foremost,” Jackson said. “Let’s be real, when she started a decade ago, she put constraints on college spending … in a good way.”

Jackson recounted a story at an early meeting where Harris was in the college theater and did a presentation with a witch’s hat on to bring humor to the fact that she was reminding everyone to spend wisely and to save for the future.

“Our financial stability shows a campus that followed her advice and is ready for future growth,” Jackson said.

Changes in her life have prompted Harris to move up her retirement plans. She recently accepted an offer to become a full-time Associate Professor of Accounting at WVUP, which began the new semester on Aug. 12. As a result, she resigned as the Chief Financial Officer, a position she held for the past 10 years.

“She says that teaching makes her heart happy,” Jackson said. “She explains that teaching represents a positive way for her to share her considerable experience and knowledge with our students.”

Jackson provided a quote from Harris.

“During that time I have given my all to help ensure that the college’s financial and administrative processes are based on best accounting practices,” Harris’ quote said. “I am proud of the work I’ve done in support of the college and its students.

“More importantly, I am proud of my co-workers in business services, information technology services, Ricky’s CafÈ, Riverhawk Books and Supplies, and the financial aid office who are among the finest individuals I have had the honor to work with during my 43-year career. The college is in outstanding fiscal condition and its control systems are second to none due to the efforts of every single person who works in WVUP’s business services. My professional goal has always been to leave a place better than I found it. I believe with all my heart, I have fulfilled that goal at WVU Parkersburg.”

Harris was able to speak to the board directly and offer her own thanks and thoughts about her time at the university.

Jackson said they are delighted to have Harris in the classroom.

“Most importantly, we are delighted that she remains a part of our team,” Jackson said.

Jeannine Hetrick-Ratliffe and Brad Wilson will be stepping into the roles Harris previously covered.

Hetrick-Ratliffe will oversee Financial Aid, the Riverhawk Books and Supplies store, Ricky’s Cafe, and the university’s Information Technology department. She continues to supervise the Business Office staff. Wilson had already agreed to serve in the role of Institutional Research, in addition to Chief Financial Officer.

Jackson talked about the support systems in place at the university.

“I believe that at WVU Parkersburg we know that we have an opportunity to spend our time investing in education and in our community and in making this a better place to live, learn and work,” she said. “I also believe we have the support system to allow us to be successful.”