Torie Jackson (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg reminded the Board of Governors on Tuesday of the work they do to provide educational opportunities to the area.

During her president’s report before the board, college President Torie Jackson talked about how many of their students see the opportunity of getting a college education at WVUP.

She talked about meeting an individual two years ago at the National Association of Community Colleges for Entrepreneurship (NAACE). The man, dressed in a fox suit, was there to engage with the participants. They would give him a word and he would come up with a poem that he wrote out on a typewriter and the participants would pay him. The purchaser receives crafty words from a fox – a poetry fox.

Jackson said she gave him the words, “community college.”

The poem he wrote was:

“First thing you notice is they walk differently.

Some hurriedly, some with purpose.

Some students at community colleges walk quickly because they just got off work and are racing to class.

And others walk briskly because they know they’re walking toward a future that they want to be here.”

Recently, the university asked its students to share some of their stories through the school’s texting platform.

The two words they gave students to use were “first generation.”

The students responded with stories about how they were the first in their families to go to college and how they have overcome a lot to be able to have a college education. Others want to do better and have more opportunities to be able to provide a better life for their families.

“I am First Gen,” one wrote. “I am proud to show that no matter where you come from, you can overcome. I’m proud of breaking generational curses.”

“Yes! I’m proud because I’m a 42-year-old momma who works full time and going to school the last three years,” another wrote. “I started during COVID and graduated last May with my associates and will graduate in Dec with my RBA.”

Many talked of their parents not having this opportunity, but still having worked hard to provide for their families. Others hoped to inspire others in their families to seek a college education.

“I’m the first person to attend college in my family,” one wrote. “Not just my immediate family but my family as a whole.

“I hated high school so much….when I was 16 my mother told me I could drop out if I wanted to. I never did and kept going and eventually graduated. I had my oldest daughter very young and had to raise my sister due to my mother being an addict. I’m 31 and am 1 semester away from graduating with my Bachelor’s degree. I’ve overcome a lot to be here. I’m immensely proud of myself. My 2 daughters will get to see me walk across that stage and know that anything is possible. You don’t have to let where you came from define you.”

Jackson reminded the board why they work so hard to have affordable higher education in this community.

“It’s important to reflect on our students and the life-changing opportunities we provide them,” she said. “Your role is essential in helping govern this institution as we meet the community needs and anticipate growth during a time of enrollment decline.

“This is the third year that you have given me the opportunity to join you in leading this institution. In that amount of time, we have taken risks and will soon be seeing the benefit of those endeavors. We have set a plan for strategic growth and have transformed some of our facilities.”

Jackson described the upcoming year as being “transformative.”

She encouraged everyone to reflect on the words “community college” and “first generation.”

“I can tell you that both sets of words make me WVU Parkersburg Proud because they mean that our students can achieve more,” Jackson said.