SHEPHERDSTOWN – Shepherd University’s 15th president, Dr. Suzanne Shipley, announced late Monday evening that she has accepted the position at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, beginning July 2015.
Shipley has been working to make Shepherd University a public liberal arts institution since assuming office June 29, 2007.
Not only has she left a mark on Shepherd University, but she has left her footprints at four other universities throughout her journey: the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Northern Arizona University, University of Cincinnati and Arizona State University.
Shipley was born and raised in the Texas panhandle and received her bachelors and masters degrees from Texas Tech University.
Shipley said in an email sent to University staff that Midwestern State University provides an advantage of being closer to her family, including her 90-year-old mother, and her husband’s family. Shipley is married to Randy Wadsworth, a clinical pharmacist at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
In her eight years as the president of Shepherd University, Shipley has worked to make improvements to the university.
Shipley oversaw the completion of several projects on campus including the building of the wellness center and the new art building, the new stands on the baseball and softball fields, the laying of the artificial turf on the football field, and the building of the new underpass connecting campus.
Under the reign of Shipley, Shepherd University has academically excelled in areas of nursing, music, and business.
Since Shipley’s presidential inauguration she has been working closely with the mayor of Shepherdstown and members of the community to improve the relationship between Shepherd University and the Shepherdstown community.
Not only has she helped make plans for past endeavors at Shepherd University, but she has made plans for the future.
In June 2013, the Shepherd University Board of Governors approved of a new ten year master plan to make the University a walkable campus. The master plan includes trails through campus much like the trail behind the football stadium, and eating and relaxing areas like the picnic tables between Scarborough Library and Byrd Science Center.
Shipley said in her email that her decision is “bittersweet” and she will be working with Shepherd’s Board of Governors over the next few weeks to “establish a transition plan” that will be to “ensure that the great work to establish Shepherd as a strong public liberal arts institution continues.”
”I think it’s important to know that President Shipley is from Texas, she grew up there,” said Vice President of student affairs Dr. Thomas Segar during a Student Government Association meeting March 10. “Her 90-year-old mother who is suffering from Dementia lives there. She is a great boss and I am excited for her, but it is indeed bittersweet.”
Contributions by Nicholas McDill