All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Glenville State University earns another STaR Division Grant for education abroad

Glenville State University Professor of Forestry Dr. Rico Gazal (left) with students Corey Foster, Adem Hupp, and Ciera Heine at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in the summer of 2022. Gazal has recently received an Opportunity Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s (STaR) Division to facilitate a similar trip next summer. (Courtesy photo)

GLENVILLE, WV – Glenville State University has been awarded an Opportunity Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Division.

The grant will be used to further internationalization of Glenville State’s Natural Resource Management program and was proposed by Dr. Rico Gazal, Professor of Forestry and Department Chair for the Department of Land Resources.

Through the grant, the Department of Land Resources plans to enhance international learning experiences for students in the Natural Resource Management program by providing financial support for travel to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in summer 2023.

“As is the case across the Mountain State, many of our students have not traveled abroad or do not have the resources to study abroad. This grant will open opportunities for our students to participate in an international experience and will help us in our efforts to create a campus culture that is open to and interested in education abroad,” Gazal noted.

As part of the summer trip to the Philippines, Gazal and three students will take part in field exploration of ecotourism, geothermal energy generation, tree seedling propagation, forest ecology and wood products research, mangrove forest rehabilitation, and forest-lake ecosystem dynamics. As Gazal notes, those are all topics that are relevant to the natural resource management issues that are also faced in West Virginia. Glenville State students have gone on similar education abroad trips in the past, most recently in the summer of 2022.

During the visit, the group will also participate in a map course that can be incorporated into the International Student Exchange program between Glenville State, UPLB, and Southern Luzon State University in addition to arranging a workshop to develop course modules as a form of virtual exchange learning opportunity using the Collaboration Online International Learning (COIL) format.

Glenville State University has previously offered a select number of “COILed” courses that allow students to complete coursework with students from all over the world in places such as Malaysia, Philippines, Mexico, and Spain. COIL is an innovative technique that allows partner institutions to explore various subjects that usually have global implications.

“I selected the Philippines as GSU’s exchange partner country since the Philippines and the United States – specifically central West Virginia – share similar ecological and environmental issues that have global impacts such as invasive plants, logging or timber harvesting, ecotourism, wildlife, energy extraction, and mining, among others. My faculty partners in UPLB and I will focus our efforts in identifying the initial course in ecology or forestry for the COIL and selecting effective activities and assessment instruments that can be implemented as part of the virtual exchange,” Gazal said.

The Opportunity Grants Program aims for the improvement of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in West Virginia.

For more information about the programs within the Department of Land Resources at Glenville State University, contact the Department of Land Resources at LandResources@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6370.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Moon Flower opens first satellite store at Delmonte Market in Elkins

Moon Flower Hemp, a woman-owned craft cannabis shop, is opening its first satellite location inside Elkins’s Delmonte Market, offering exclusive products, infused drinks, educational support and special perks for early customers.

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s ‘The Lion King Kids’ set to roar at Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King Kids on June 20 and 21 at the Colonial Arts Center, showcasing young local talent in a family-friendly production directed by Ella McNeish.

Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board Agenda: June 26, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board has released the agenda for its upcoming June 26, 2025, meeting.

B-U’s Landon Marple earns All-State baseball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Landon Marple, who led his team in multiple offensive categories, was named to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Baseball Team as an Honorable Mention.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Kelly Povroznik earns certification in integrative and functional nutrition

Kelly Povroznik, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned certification as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, bringing advanced holistic nutrition expertise to her patients and community.

Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman says numerous community complaints led to vape shop raids

Community complaints about Upshur County vape shops selling to minors prompted a months-long investigation that led to multi-agency raids, seizure of $500,000 in illegal products, and an ongoing probe with arrests likely.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 19, 2025

Argo Books is launching a community co-op, the Upshur County Library has won a grant for new computer classes, Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, and Fish Hawk Acres has resumed ‘grab & go’ service but paused breakfast.

Weese family legacy burns bright as Brandon coaches Flame 304 to new growth

Brandon Weese is continuing his family’s Buckhannon-Upshur basketball legacy by coaching the Flame 304 girls travel team, which now features players from multiple counties and emphasizes both athletic and personal growth.

Upshur County pool splashes back from repairs, continues busy summer with activities, parties and night swims

After a multi-day closure for repairs, the Upshur County Pool is reopening with a packed summer schedule featuring lessons, parties, night swims, and new event packages, positioning it for one of its busiest seasons yet.