Shepherd University is a public university in Shepherdstown, West Virginia . It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission . In the fall of 2023, the university enrolled 3,274 students.
61-521: Shepherd University began when the county seat of Jefferson County, West Virginia , was moved from its temporary location in Shepherdstown back to Charles Town in July 1871. The people of Shepherdstown and vicinity decided to use the vacated courthouse for educational purposes. An article of incorporation for a school to be known as Shepherd College, designed to instruct students “in languages, arts and sciences,”
122-607: A "Center for the Study of the Civil War" at Shepherd University came as a result of 1990 discussions between officials from the university and Antietam National Battlefield. The role of the center was envisioned as a "keeper of the standards" for the National Park Service 's (NPS) "Civil War Soldiers System" (CWSS) database that was to be developed. The CWSS consists of several fields of basic data taken from index cards that are keyed to
183-543: A 7,500+ square foot weight and fitness area; and a dining venue operated by Shepherd's Dining Services. Potomac Place, a new 298-bed dormitory on the West Campus, opened in August 2017. Mary J. C. Hendrix was inaugurated as the university's sixteenth president of Shepherd University on April 8, 2016. The Ruth Scarborough Library collection contains varied materials, numbering 511,518 items. Printed and microtext materials compose
244-413: A female householder with no spouse present, 17.1% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.15. The median age in the county was 41 years with 22.1% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $ 86,711 and the poverty rate was 9.7%. As of the 2010 U.S. census , there were 53,498 people, 19,931 households, and 13,971 families residing in
305-649: A new county to be formed. It was named for Thomas Jefferson , author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States . Virginia previously had a Jefferson County, which is now part of Kentucky . Accordingly, in the State records of Virginia, there are listings for Jefferson County from 1780 to 1792 and Jefferson County from 1801 to 1863, neither of which are still in Virginia. The county's courthouse
366-527: A record in a federal investigation. He is alleged to have beaten Mark Daniel Haines, who later pleaded guilty to bank robbery, during his arrest on December 27, 2010. He is also alleged to have altered a use of force report while the incident was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation . Shirley and 14 other " John Doe " law enforcement officers were also the subject of a civil rights lawsuit filed by Haines. The lawsuit alleges that Shirley and
427-564: A soldier's service records kept at the National Archives . In August 1991, a Civil War Soldiers Database Planning Conference was held. Participants included Park Service personnel, Shepherd University staff and faculty, and noted Civil War scholars. The conference attendees concluded that Shepherd could enhance the NPS project by overseeing the academic integrity of database enhancements and assuring that proper data standards are maintained. It also
488-600: A variety of student-focused initiatives on Shepherd University’s campus. The student-run Shepherd University Civility Club hosts events for students to debate current topics in a civil space. “Listen. Learn. Engage.” Is a student programming initiative to assist students in developing the skills and confidence to participate in civil discussion. Additionally, the Stubblefield Institute hosts Community Engage Conversations, public forums focusing on local and West Virginia issues. Shepherd University athletic teams are known as
549-431: Is a non-partisan collaboration of political science scholars, students, and activists that hosts lectures, debates, and public forums at Shepherd University. The Stubblefield Institute’s mission is to “promote greater public awareness of how authentic and factual civil discourse across partisan divides leads to more productive debate and understanding.” Since opening its doors in 2019, the Stubblefield Institute leads
610-527: Is concentrating on entering data only from the soldiers' service records; they begin entering data from the pension files at a later date. A group of dedicated volunteers has been entering data for smaller projects, such as collecting information from the service records of West Virginia Civil War soldiers buried in our national cemeteries. Volunteers have completed Antietam, Gettysburg, and Andersonville national cemeteries. The center developed an interactive educational software program about West Virginia's role in
671-696: Is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km ) (1.0%) is water. It is the only West Virginia county where the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River can be found, as referenced in West Virginia's state song , " Take Me Home, Country Roads " by John Denver . The lowest point in the state of West Virginia is located on the Potomac River (just east of Harpers Ferry ) in Jefferson County, where it flows out of West Virginia and into Virginia . As of
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#1732855697810732-526: The 2020 census , the population was 57,701. Its county seat is Charles Town . The county was founded in 1801, and today is part of the Washington metropolitan area . Jefferson County was established on October 26, 1801 from Berkeley County because the citizens of southeastern Berkeley County felt they had to travel too far to the county seat of Martinsburg . Charles Washington , the founder of Charles Town and brother to George Washington, petitioned for
793-512: The 2020 census , there were 57,701 people and 21,162 households residing in the county. There were 23,762 housing units in Jefferson county. The racial makeup of the county was 81.2% White , 6% African American , 1.5% Asian , 0.2% Native American , 2.9% from other races , and 8.2% from two or more races . Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 7.2% of the population. Of the 50,841 households, 53.6% were married couples living together, 21.7% had
854-777: The Conrad Shindler House to the center. This house, erected around 1795, was owned by Moore's great-great-great-grandfather during the first half of the nineteenth century. During the Battle of Antietam in September 1862, the Shindler House, like most of the other buildings in Shepherdstown, received wounded Confederate soldiers. All operations of the Civil War Center relocated to the Shindler House in April 1996. In honor of Moore's father,
915-555: The Emancipation Proclamation (as Berkeley County and the 48 counties designated as West Virginia had been). Slaves in the county thus were legally free as of January 1, 1863. The Jefferson County Courthouse is the only courthouse in America to have held two treason trials: the trial of John Brown in 1859 and a trial arising from the Battle of Blair Mountain labor rebellion. Jefferson County had voted for secession in
976-582: The Harlon Hill Trophy , awarded to the player of the year in Division II . On December 3, 2022, quarterback Tyson Bagent broke the record for touchdown passes across all NCAA divisions with 159. On October 22, 2023, Tyson Bagent became the first Division II undrafted rookie since 1950 to start an NFL game (with the Chicago Bears). In 2023, outfield Brenton Doyle made his Major League Baseball debut with
1037-404: The "secession" of West Virginia, including Berkeley and Jefferson counties, from Virginia. In 2011, West Virginia state delegate Larry Kump sponsored legislation to allow Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties to rejoin Virginia by popular vote. In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships , with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in
1098-545: The 1870s. In the 1880s, Bolivar District was annexed by Harpers Ferry; Potomac and Shepherd were consolidated into Shepherdstown District, and Osburn was renamed "Kabletown". In October 1896, Jefferson County became the first county in the United States to begin Rural Free Delivery service in the towns of Halltown and Uvilla . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 212 square miles (550 km ), of which 210 square miles (540 km )
1159-575: The 20th century, the county trended strongly Democratic due to historical sympathies for Confederate Virginia. In contrast to its rock-ribbed Unionist and Republican Eastern Panhandle sister Morgan County , Jefferson did not vote Republican until Dwight D. Eisenhower won by 27 votes in 1956, and afterwards voted Republican only in the 1972 and 1984 landslides, and in 1988. Despite its strong support for Republican presidential candidates in recent years, local Democrats still have success in Jefferson County. Even as recently as 2018, Senator Joe Manchin won
1220-534: The Civil War and 19th Century America. The program requires students to complete specialized courses in addition to the courses already required of all history majors. Courses concentrate on various elements of 19th century history such as The American Civil War, 1850–1865; the Reconstruction Era; African American History; Soldiers and Society, 1861–65; and the Old South. Students also conduct primary research within
1281-520: The Civil War. Funded in part by a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council, the program (for CD-ROM) was issued free of charge to public secondary schools in West Virginia in 2009. The center hosts numerous Civil War-related programs throughout the year including Civil War Christmas, brown bag lunches, and various events in conjunction with regional National Parks and museums. In September 1995, actress Mary Tyler Moore donated
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#17328556978101342-681: The Colorado Rockies. Doyle won the National League Gold Glove Award for center fielders. 39°26′11″N 77°48′30″W / 39.43639°N 77.80833°W / 39.43639; -77.80833 Jefferson County, West Virginia Jefferson County is located in the Shenandoah Valley in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia . It is the easternmost county of the U.S. state of West Virginia . As of
1403-610: The Confederate Army when the vote was taken and they refused to accept the transfer upon their return. The Virginia General Assembly repealed the Act of Secession and in 1866 brought suit against West Virginia, asking the Supreme Court to declare the counties still part of Virginia. Congress, on March 10, 1866, passed a joint resolution recognizing the transfer. In 1871, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Virginia v. West Virginia , upholding
1464-596: The District of Columbia, Canada, and Europe have attended the Theater Festival's productions. The plays are professionally produced using Actors' Equity Association's LORT D contract; CATF operates under agreements from AEA, United Scenic Artists, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. The George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War is home to Shepherd University's academic concentrations related to
1525-755: The History Department at the University of North Florida. Dr. Broomall has published and edited several books and studies including Rethinking American Emancipation: Legacies of Slavery and the Quest for Black Freedom (Cambridge University Press, 2016) which he co-edited with William A. Link; as well as "This Debatable Land": The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal's Civil War (manuscript-length report submitted to National Park Service and Organization of American Historians). Dr. Broomall has published over twelve articles and chapters and written over seven book reviews. He has received
1586-629: The Major Grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council in the summer of 2016; been nominated by UNF for an Undergraduate Teaching Award in the fall of 2014; awarded a Faculty Development Research Grant by UNF in the summer 2013; won the Milbauer Prize for Best Dissertation in the Department of History from University of North Florida in 2013; and been the recipient of nine other fellowships, grants, scholarships and awards. Dr. Broomall currently serves on
1647-708: The NCAA Division II football national championship game, losing to Northwest Missouri State University 34–7. In 2016, the Rams lost in the D-II semi-finals to North Alabama 23–13. In 2019, the Rams reached the NCAA Division II playoffs and lost in the second round to Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 50–31. In 2021, Shepherd advanced to the Division II semi-finals for the third time since 2015, where they lost to Ferris State , 55–7. On December 17, 2021, Junior QB Tyson Bagent won
1708-1281: The Rams. The university is a member of the NCAA Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) since the 2019-2020 academic year. The Rams previously competed in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) from 2013–14 to 2018–19, and before that, the now-defunct West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) from 1924–25 to 2012–13. Shepherd fields 15 intercollegiate teams: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. The Ram marching band, cheerleading squad, and dance team promote spirit at university home games. Home football and lacrosse games are played in Ram Stadium . Home baseball games are played at Fairfax Field. In 2015, Shepherd advanced to
1769-705: The United States Army. He has a B.A. from York College of Pennsylvania, an M.A. in American history from Rutgers, and the Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Snell is a former assistant professor at the United States Military Academy , West Point, NY. He has written or edited several books on the Civil War, including From First to Last, The Life of Major General William B. Franklin (Fordham Univ. Press, 2002). In August 2015, Dr. James J. Broomall
1830-813: The advisory boards of the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association, the Save Historic Antietam Foundation, and Engaging the Civil War Series with the Southern Illinois University Press as well as serving as the Faculty Senate Representative for the Department of History at Shepherd University. The center hosts an annual seminar series – The Civil War and American Society Seminar Series – that began c. 1996. The center
1891-526: The authority of the board of trustees. On February 27, 1872, the Legislature of West Virginia passed the following act: “That a branch of the State Normal School be and it is hereby established at the building known as Shepherd College, in Shepherdstown, in Jefferson County.” Shepherd became a four-year college for the training of teachers on July 1, 1930, at which time the institution began granting
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1952-620: The bachelor of arts degree. Shepherd was authorized to implement liberal arts programs in 1943, and in 1950 the Bachelor of Science degree was added. Also in 1950 Shepherd was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and in 1951 it became a member of the Association of American Colleges. On April 7, 2004, Governor Bob Wise signed legislation allowing Shepherd College to change its name to Shepherd University. In
2013-533: The center was renamed The George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War. The ongoing research at The George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War involves the compilation of figures from the soldiers' compiled military service records which will lead to a more definitive number of veterans born in West Virginia. Within the next five years, data gleaned from the service records of soldiers serving in all of West Virginia's Union regiments and (Western) Virginia Confederate regiments will be compiled in
2074-463: The center's electronic database. Once completed, a simple query will be able to provide a very accurate total for both sides including data heretofore unavailable. The center maintains its own non-lending library with over 3,000 titles. The materials are cataloged in the Shepherd University library system. Every year the center offers a weekend-long seminar with a topic of interest related to
2135-470: The conference attendees agreed that the educational function of the center would be as important as the database itself. A scholarly question-and-answer period followed, which was broadcast on C-SPAN . In September 1993, Civil War historian Mark A. Snell, a retired Army officer and former assistant professor of history at West Point, was hired; he began his duties in November 1993, soon after his retirement from
2196-578: The constitutionality of the formation of the new state was brought before the Supreme Court of the United States in the following manner: Berkeley and Jefferson County, West Virginia, counties lying on the Potomac east of the mountains, in 1863, with the consent of the Reorganized Government of Virginia, had supposedly voted in favor of annexation to West Virginia. However, many voters were absent in
2257-589: The county in his successful reelection, despite the county being the home of his opponent, Patrick Morrisey. 39°19′N 77°52′W / 39.31°N 77.86°W / 39.31; -77.86 George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War The George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War , in Shepherdstown, West Virginia , is a Civil War research center at Shepherd University . The center hosts
2318-406: The county, and handles all 911 emergency and non emergency calls. In February 2007, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department Corporal Ronald Fletcher was shot and critically wounded during a stand-off at the residence of the girlfriend of a suspect, Dorsey Cox. Cox had been at his girlfriend's house retrieving personal items in violation of a court-ordered protective order. As Corporal Fletcher approached
2379-422: The county. The population density was 255.2 inhabitants per square mile (98.5/km ). There were 22,037 housing units at an average density of 105.1 per square mile (40.6/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% white, 6.6% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.8% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.7% of
2440-497: The directorship at the Civil War Center as well as the position of assistant professor in the Shepherd University History Department, Dr. Broomall served as a visiting assistant professor in the History Department at Virginia Tech from 2010 to 2011. In 2011, Dr. Broomall was hired as a visiting assistant professor at the University of North Florida, and from 2012 until 2015 he served as an assistant professor in
2501-443: The heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts . Jefferson County was initially divided into five townships, which became magisterial districts in 1872: Averill, Bolivar, Chapline, Grant, and Shepherd. In 1873, Averill District was renamed "Middleway", Chapline became "Potomac", and Grant District became "Charlestown". Two additional districts, Harpers Ferry and Osburn, were created during
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2562-420: The house, Cox fled inside and subsequently shot Corporal Fletcher four times, one of which struck the officer in the chest. The State Police's SWAT team entered the house. Cox was later found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. On June 5, 2012, Sheriff Robert Shirley was indicted on one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of destruction, falsification or alteration of
2623-492: The library has been a selective repository for federal government publications and regularly receives West Virginia state government publications. The library houses a special collection of printed materials relating to state and regional history. The library's computerized catalog provides Web access to materials in the Scarborough collection, and the library maintains a Web site. The Scarborough Library, originally built in 1965,
2684-510: The majority of the collection, including 164,206 printed books and bound periodicals as well as 200,474 in microfiche and microfilm. Other items in the collection include phonograph records, cassette tapes, DVDs, CDs, and video cassettes. The library currently subscribes to 521 periodicals and newspapers in paper, and it provides access to more than 12,000 periodicals in full-text. In addition, the library provides access to electronic databases and online indexing and abstracting services. Since 1971,
2745-449: The other officers used excessive force while arresting Haines. Shirley pled guilty to federal civil rights charges of and was sentenced to a year in prison. Jefferson County has been a Republican-leaning county in the 21st century, although Barack Obama carried it in the 2008 presidential election. The county is part of the Washington metropolitan area , making it less heavily Republican than most counties in West Virginia. For much of
2806-715: The past two decades, Shepherd has added 11 new buildings, including the $ 9 million Robert C. Byrd Science and Technology Center; the $ 18 million addition to the Scarborough Library, which also houses the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education; and the $ 10 million nursing classroom building. The $ 21.6 million Wellness Center opened on June 11, 2009, and includes a 25-yard, eight-lane pool; two basketball courts, and six basketball hoops; two racquetball courts; an indoor elevated 1/10-mile jogging track; two multi-purpose rooms with mirrored walls for group exercise classes;
2867-615: The political papers of West Virginia's Senator Robert C. Byrd , Congressman Harley O. Staggers Sr., and Congressman Harley O. Staggers Jr. , along with other related collections. The Contemporary American Theater Festival is an annual festival of new plays by American playwrights, most often premieres or second or third productions. CATF focuses on plays that deal with contemporary issues that boldly challenge and entertain audiences. Since 1991, CATF has produced 127 plays written by 90 playwrights, including 52 world premieres, 11 of which were commissioned. Adventurous audiences from 38 states,
2928-422: The population. In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were German , 17.3% were English , 12.1% were Irish , and 6.6% were American . Of the 19,931 households, 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
2989-466: The service records of soldiers serving in all of West Virginia's Union regiments and (Western) Virginia Confederate regiments was compiled in the center's electronic database. Once completed, a simple query will be able to provide a very accurate total for both sides including data heretofore unavailable to historians. The center is headed by Civil War historian James J. Broomall. The Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications
3050-478: The topic area and must intern at one of various historic sites in the region, such as Harpers Ferry National Historic Site. The ongoing research mission at the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War involves the compilation of figures from the soldiers' compiled military service records which will lead to a more definitive number of veterans. Ongoing research includes gleaning data from
3111-587: The university's Civil War and 19th-century America concentrated track of studies. Courses in the concentration cover the American Civil War, 1850–1865; the Reconstruction Era; African-American History ; Soldiers and Society, 1861–65; and the Old South . Students are expected to conduct primary research within the topic area, and to become an intern at one of various historic sites in the region, such as Harpers Ferry National Historical Park . The idea to create
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#17328556978103172-528: The vote taken on May 23, 1861. However, Jefferson County, along with Berkeley County, both counties lying on the Potomac River in the Shenandoah Valley , with the consent of the Reorganized Government of Virginia voted in favor of annexation to West Virginia in 1863. Virginia tried to nullify this after the American Civil War , but the counties remained part of West Virginia. The question of
3233-538: Was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 38.9 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 65,603 and the median income for a family was $ 77,185. Males had a median income of $ 54,959 versus $ 36,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 29,733. About 4.4% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement services in
3294-572: Was also present. The county was a frequent site of conflict during the Civil War , as Union and Confederate lines moved back and forth along the Shenandoah Valley. Some towns in the county changed hands between the Union and Confederacy over a dozen times, including Charles Town, and especially Harpers Ferry. Jefferson County is the only part of modern-day West Virginia not exempted from the effects of
3355-400: Was drawn up and signed by C. W. Andrews, Alexander R. Boteler , C. T. Butler, G. M. Beltzhoover, David Billmyer, Samuel Knott, and Henry Shepherd. This body of incorporators gave itself the power to elect instructors, pay salaries, and prescribe courses of study. Professor Joseph McMurran was appointed the first principal of the institution, which opened with 42 students in September 1871, under
3416-464: Was generally agreed that the NPS database would not be of much use to scholarly historians; Shepherd should include information from the soldiers' "Compiled Service Records" and "Pension Files" in the National Archives. It was debated whether data from the 1860 and later censuses should be included; the consensus was priority should be placed on the service records and pension files. Finally, most of
3477-627: Was named director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War. Dr. Broomall received his B.A. from the University of Delaware as a History and American History major in January 2001. He then earned his M.A. in History and Museum Studies at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro in May 2006. Dr. Broomall received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Florida in December 2011. Prior to assuming
3538-612: Was renovated in 2002–03. The library is a place of study and research for individuals and groups. The 46,000-square-foot (4,300 m) expansion, dedicated in 2002, includes multimedia classrooms, additional reading areas and seating, and the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education whose purpose is to promote an understanding of the United States Congress and the Constitution through public programing, teacher training. The Byrd Center houses an archive containing
3599-532: Was suggested that Shepherd could initiate its efforts by demonstrating how a database subset (to the NPS database), such as West Virginia's Union soldiers, might be enhanced by including data gleaned from census records, pension files, and other sources. A second conference was held at Shepherd in March 1993. A Scholars' Advisory Board had been named, and all board members were in attendance. Other conference attendees included NPS personnel, Shepherd staff and faculty, local and state educators, and interested citizens. It
3660-403: Was taken from the Charles Town jail a short distance to an open field and hanged. Among those attending the Brown execution was a contingent of 1500 cadets from Virginia Military Institute sent by the Governor of Virginia Henry A. Wise under the supervision of Major William Gilham and Major Thomas J. Jackson . In the ranks of a Richmond militia company stood John Wilkes Booth. Walt Whitman
3721-436: Was the site of the trial for the abolitionist John Brown after his October 1859 raid on the federal armory in Harpers Ferry . Some 90 U.S. Marines serving under then Army Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenants J.E.B. Stuart and Israel Greene put down the rebellion. Brown was sentenced to death for murder, treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, and conspiring with slaves to rebel. On December 2, 1859, John Brown
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