Students Gain Career Experience in SHIP Inaugural Session Augusta Awarded State’s Highest Folklife Honor

Students Gain Career Experience in SHIP Inaugural Session

The inaugural group of Summer Highlands Internship Program (SHIP) participants gained hands-on experience in Randolph County businesses. A partnership between Davis & Elkins College and the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber (ERCC), SHIP pairs local businesses with D&E students and Randolph County residents who attend other colleges. The project is fueled by a $25,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. The paid internship program focuses on the overall goal of enticing college students to start their professional careers in Randolph County after graduation. “We very much appreciate the partnerships with local businesses who provided internships for our first year of SHIP,” said ERCC Executive Director and D&E First Lady Lisa Wood. “We hope to grow the program in the future and increase the impact in the Randolph County community.” Students and their internship hosts were: Susan Riggleman, an education major at Geneva College, Elkins Christian Academy; Hailee Whitehair, a nursing major at D&E, Elkins Christian Academy; Jiwh Santos, a sport management and hospitality and tourism management major at D&E, Elkins Main Street and Elkins-Randolph County Chamber; Amanda Cummins, a criminology major at D&E, Randolph County Probation Office; Kristen Nestor, a criminology major at D&E, Randolph County Probation Office; Greyson Howell, an exercise science major at D&E, Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center; Jack Harlen-Robertson, a management major at D&E, Randolph County Housing Authority; and John Fregonara, a sport and exercise psychology major at West Virginia University, Anytime Fitness. “Having young people work with our local employers really adds to what we inspire to do to create a vibrant community in Randolph County,” said D&E Director of Career Services Chris Jones. “This gave the students an opportunity to learn not only about the businesses where they worked, but about the community.” Students agreed that the work experience helped guide their decisions for future study and career plans, while working with clients and colleagues enhanced their people skills. “I really wanted to take on this internship to see if this would be the career I want for the rest of my life,” said Howell, who hopes to continue his studies toward becoming a physical therapist. “Now I know this is what I want to do.” Cummins, a senior, said she enjoyed learning about how the probation office operates and attending court sessions to learn more about the legal community. In addition to the time they put in at the businesses, students met weekly for leadership training and also discussed ideas for a community service project based on the perspective they gained. Students who would like to apply for the SHIP 2022 program may email Jones at jonesc3@dewv.edu or call 304-637-1220.

Members of the inaugural Summer Highlands Internship Program (SHIP) are, from left, Jack Harlen-Robertson, Hailee Whitehair, Susan Riggleman, Kristen Nestor, Amanda Cummins, John Fregonara, Greyson Howell and Jiwh Santos.

Augusta Awarded State’s Highest Folklife Honor

The Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College received West Virginia’s highest folklife honor, the Vandalia Award, at a special Vandalia Gathering concert. Presented by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, the award recognizes the organization’s achievements in digitizing the Augusta Archives and making it publicly accessible on the website AugustaArtsandCulture.org. The state also recognized Augusta for creating an online learning platform to keep master artists and learners safely connected during the worst days of the pandemic. “We are extremely honored to have received this award,” said Seth Young, Augusta’s executive director. “It has reaffirmed our commitment to nurture and promote the traditional cultures that are so integral to our community. Now, as we pivot back into classic in-person programming, we will use the lessons we learned during the pandemic to make this content more accessible than ever before.” To date, Augusta has digitized over 700 tapes and many photos from its extensive archive featuring significant historical, cultural and musical recordings. Now, for the first time, the public is welcome to listen to performances, field recordings and stories from the comforts of home. The Vandalia Award is presented each year during the annual Vandalia Gathering. Recipients of the award embody the spirit of the state’s folk heritage and are recognized for their lifetime contribution to West Virginia and its traditional culture.

Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Randall Reid-Smith, right, presents the Vandalia Award to members of the Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College, from left, Technical Director Eric Armstrong, Artistic Director Emily Miller and Executive Director Seth Young. Photo by Steve Brightwell