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Minnesota University Receives $82 Million Donation for First-Generation and Low-Income Student Programs

Minnesota University Receives $82 Million Donation for First-Generation and Low-Income Student Programs

The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota has announced an $82 million donation from the Ciresi Walburn Foundation and the Michael V. and Ann C. Ciresi Foundation. This gift is the largest in the private Catholic university’s 141-year history and is part of a larger $1 billion fundraising campaign. The funds will be used to establish a Center for First-Generation Students and a Center for Leadership. Additionally, the donation will perpetually fund the existing Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows Program, which supports low-income students. The fellowship program, initially created in 2022 for Black male students, now accepts students of any race and gender, aligning with changes implemented by many colleges and universities under pressure from anti-DEI lawmakers. The primary criteria for Ciresi fellows are demonstrated financial need and a commitment to service and social justice, rather than a specific GPA or field of study. Fellows can receive up to $17,500 in scholarship money per year, totaling $70,000 ...

Senator Capito to Host Academy Days for West Virginia Students

Senator Capito to Host Academy Days for West Virginia Students

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has announced she will host four 'Academy Days' in September for West Virginia students. These events are designed to inform students about opportunities at U.S. service academies, including the Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Military/West Point, and Naval Academies, as well as available Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships. Senator Capito emphasized that these events will provide students, parents, and educators with a better understanding of the benefits and requirements of attending a service academy or securing an ROTC scholarship. Representatives from various service academy admissions offices and local ROTC scholarship programs will be present to answer questions. Additionally, members of Senator Capito’s staff will offer information regarding her academy nomination application process. A representative from the Department of Defense’s Medical Examination Review Board will also be in attendance at one of the events. An appointment ...

Springfield News-Leader

Missouri State University dedicates new arts complex, honors impact

Missouri State University dedicates new arts complex, honors impact

Made possible by the largest one-time donation in Missouri State University's history, the new Performing Arts Complex will open in spring 2027.

How Nick Saban helped Ryan Leaf rebuild his life after prison and addiction

How Nick Saban helped Ryan Leaf rebuild his life after prison and addiction

Ryan Leaf's comeback story took an unexpected turn when Nick Saban reached out with an opportunity that changed everything.

Peak fall foliage delayed in Appalachians due to El Niño

Peak fall foliage delayed in Appalachians due to El Niño

The 2026 Fall Foliage Outlook from the Farmers’ Almanac predicts vibrant fall colors in the central Appalachians, including parts of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, western Virginia, and North Carolina's higher elevations. Peak color is expected between October 12–28 in the central Appalachians and October 18–November 2 in the southern Appalachians. However, this year’s El Niño is influencing weather patterns, with lingering summer heat and warmer nights potentially delaying the start of the foliage season in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. While much of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast is expected to see good fall color, areas in the Upper Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and parts of the South may experience less vibrant foliage due to heat, drought, or inconsistent moisture. (Source time: 2026-09-15T14:23:00+00:00)

Wheeling City Council Approves Data Center MOU Amidst Citizen Opposition

Wheeling City Council Approves Data Center MOU Amidst Citizen Opposition

Wheeling City Council has voted to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Silicon Foundry Energy LLC regarding a proposed data center in Warwood. The decision was made despite significant opposition from numerous citizens who voiced concerns during the council meeting. The MOU aims to keep regulatory control of the data center local by stipulating that Silicon Foundry Energy LLC will operate below a 90-megawatt capacity, thereby avoiding state-level regulation under W.Va. House Bill 2014. This agreement also allows the city to establish a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District in the area where the data center is planned. Under the MOU, Silicon Foundry Energy LLC would compensate the city for any lost tax revenue if its operations were to exceed the 90-megawatt threshold. Council members, including Mayor Denny Magruder, stated that the MOU is a step towards maintaining local control and addressing community concerns through future ordinances, while Councilman Tony Assaro voted against it, alignin...

Quincy University President Details Impact of Donor Funding on Campus Improvements and Student Aid

Quincy University President Details Impact of Donor Funding on Campus Improvements and Student Aid

Quincy University President Brian McGee has provided details on how donor funding is being utilized, emphasizing its critical role in the university's operations and growth. According to McGee, donations from alumni, family members of graduates, private foundations, and federal grants are essential, as the university cannot sustain itself solely on tuition and fees. The funds have been allocated to various areas, including significant campus renovations such as the exterior painting of Friars Hall, the tallest building on campus, and the installation of new air conditioning and a chapel inside the same building. Additionally, donor money has facilitated the acquisition of new engineering equipment valued at over $200,000 and the expansion of academic programs, including new graduate health science and engineering programs, with a clinical doctoral program in physical therapy also in preparation. McGee highlighted that nearly 100% of Quincy University students receive financial aid, often substantial, which...

No. 13 Texas Tech opens Big 12 title defense vs. No. 22 Houston, and league goes international again

No. 13 Texas Tech opens Big 12 title defense vs. No. 22 Houston, and league goes international again

The Big 12 Conference has some exciting matchups this week

James Madison University Celebrates Grand Reopening of Reimagined Carrier Library

James Madison University Celebrates Grand Reopening of Reimagined Carrier Library

James Madison University (JMU) recently celebrated the grand reopening of its Carrier Library after a three-year renovation and expansion project. The event, held on September 10, saw over 450 donors, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members gather to mark the occasion. The reimagined library now spans nearly 200,000 square feet, incorporating updated technology and new and redesigned spaces for learning, research, and collaboration. President James Schmidt and Dean Bethany Nowviskie highlighted the library's role as the 'heartbeat' of the university. Donors, whose generosity made the transformation possible, were present to see the impact of their contributions firsthand. The project included the addition of a modern Jones Wing, expanding the library by over 56,000 square feet, and the preservation of the historic McCormack Entrance. The library aims to provide a diverse range of spaces to support contemporary student and scholar needs.

David Eccles School of Business Launches $37 Million Fundraising Campaign with Emma Eccles Jones Foundation Challenge Grant

David Eccles School of Business Launches $37 Million Fundraising Campaign with Emma Eccles Jones Foundation Challenge Grant

David Eccles School of Business Launches $37 Million Fundraising Campaign with Emma Eccles Jones Foundation Challenge Grant

Huntington Police Investigate Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Jefferson Avenue

Huntington Police Investigate Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Jefferson Avenue

A man identified as Trevor Cyrus, 27, of Huntington, was pronounced dead following a motorcycle crash that occurred early Monday morning in Huntington, West Virginia. According to a news release from the Huntington Police Department, Cyrus appeared to have crashed into a parked vehicle around 2 a.m. in the 1600 block of Jefferson Avenue. Cabell County dispatchers received the call at 1:58 a.m. The circumstances leading up to the crash are currently unclear, and the Huntington Police Department is actively investigating the incident. Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance, asking anyone who witnessed the crash or possesses surveillance video from the area to contact them at 304-942-7953 or provide an anonymous tip at 304-696-4444.

West Virginia Lawmakers Seek Compromise on Raylee's Law to Protect Children in Homeschool Transitions

West Virginia Lawmakers Seek Compromise on Raylee's Law to Protect Children in Homeschool Transitions

West Virginia lawmakers are working to find a compromise on a draft bill, known as Raylee's Law, aimed at protecting students who are withdrawn from public schools, particularly those with a history of child welfare concerns. The proposed legislation, discussed during September legislative interim meetings, seeks to prevent situations where children are pulled from school while under child welfare reviews. The bill would require school officials to notify a principal of any student transfer or withdrawal by the next business day. If a child has been the subject of a substantiated abuse or neglect report within the previous 12 months, the principal would be mandated to notify Child Protective Services (CPS). Additionally, chronic absenteeism would trigger a notification to CPS upon student withdrawal. Once notified, CPS would be required to treat these notifications as allegations of 'imminent danger,' necessitating a face-to-face interview with the child or family within 72 hours. This draft is the latest ...