New Classroom Space A Gamechanger For Wheeling U. Departments
Trending
New and expanded campus spaces have made a big difference for Wheeling University's departments of physical therapy, athletic training and exercise science.
The departments took over what had been empty, unused space at Donahue Hall and professors said the move is a boon for faculty and students, giving them a place to call home. It also has allowed them to expand further into Kirby Hall, restarting the free care clinic that will spread the departments' call to service to other corners of the Wheeling community.
The departments had been stationed in the nearby McDonough Center, sharing space with the many athletic programs the university features. But the time had come to find a place of their own, said Melissa Bozovich, faculty member in the athletic training and exercise science departments.
That place was in Donahue Hall in classrooms that had gone unused for a while. The departments spent the summer moving everything from McDonough to Donahue.
"At first we were a little nervous," Bozovich said. "You get comfortable with your space and you use that space to the best of your ability. But the students are really excited about having their own space."
Athletic training and exercise science have new classrooms and labs on Donahue's first floor, while the department of physical therapy's home is on Donahue's second floor. It's not just the expanded classroom space, Bozovich said. There is now space for student lounges and study areas so, if students in the department don't want to study in their rooms or at the library, there is a place for them in Donahue.
And most of the department's students are athletes, Bozovich added, so Donahue allows for a clean break between their athletic areas and their academic areas.
"It was convenient for them to be in McDonough," she said, "but they are excited to have that separation."
Alison Kreger, program director at WU's department of physical therapy, said her students feel the same way. As much as those PT students are in the classrooms, she said it's nice to have that dedicated space.
"They don't have to fight for space," she said, "and they have a space where they can spread out and be there all day."
The new spot for the free care clinic at Kirby Hall is another gamechanger, the professors said, especially for people whose insurance coverage has capped out or don't have insurance at all. This is a space for those people to receive physical therapy when they might not otherwise have the opportunity.
"We can continue to see patients and help make a difference," Kreger said. "And it's really good for the students, because it's a learning opportunity for them to apply what they're doing in the classroom."
Students in those departments haven't completely abandoned the McDonough Center. A health fair was held there Wednesday, where representatives from several healthcare organizations including WVU Medicine were on hand. Faculty member Kathy Britt said it was good for those groups to visit and for WU students in those fields to demonstrate their education.
"Some organizations had heard about this (fair) from others and contacted me about wanting to come, which is great," she said. "And the students can put what they've learned, the skills they've learned, into action and show them off to the community."