Waynesburg University celebrated its 176th Charter Day on Tuesday, March 24. The procession of Charter Day saw some familiar and unique faces. 

This year’s events included the traditional Charter Day chicken lunch, prepared by Michelle Houston and the cafeteria workers of the Benedum Dining Hall. Once the lunch ended, the procession of Charter Day began.

First on the agenda was the choral introit by Waynesburg University’s Chapel Worship Team and Lamplighters Choir. Provost Dr. Melinda Walls welcomed everybody with the call to worship, followed by the invocation by Chaplain Anthony Jarrell. The scripture lesson was spoken by Olivia Toth, the Student Senate president; this year’s scripture being taken from Luke 12:47-48. 

President Douglas G. Lee was then called to the pulpit to announce the speaker to deliver the convocation address for this historic day; the speaker, Lanny Frattare.

Lanny Frattare, a former Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster, was a member of the Department of Communication faculty at Waynesburg University from 2009-2024. Frattare explained how proud he was to be asked to speak the convocation at Charter Day.

“I was extremely honored, I know how important Charter Day is to this university,” Frattare said. “The annual celebration, recommitment, rededication and everything that Waynesburg University means. The fact that President Lee thought I was deserving enough to have a place of honor, center stage, was extremely meaningful for me.”

Frattare mentioned his career at Waynesburg University and how honored it was to lead to the birth of so much student success.

“It was really difficult for me to step away from the Pittsburgh Pirates after 33 years,” Frattare said. “I must admit too, when I first started at Waynesburg in 2009, I was not certain I could do this but I am certain now that I made a difference in the lives of so many talented and caring college students.”

President Lee talked about how this Charter Day was different from others in the past.

“What I absolutely loved was this Charter Day truly was a sense of the great spirit of this institution,” President Lee said. “You really felt the faithfulness of the students and the service that was put together and our speaker, one of our own and a part of our community.”

President Lee mentioned how students should not only celebrate this historical day, but know how much it means to the university.

“I think that the reminder that on this day in 1850 that we were chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” President Lee said. “The actual charter was granted in 1850, so the reminder of that and the purpose, why are we here? Which is signified by our motto Fiat Lux, let there be light.”

Chaplain Jarrell was another prominent figure for the Charter Day procession. Jarrell gave a few words on how his impact at Charter Day was different when he was a student here at Waynesburg University. 

“As a student, I’m not sure I grasped the privilege and gratitude of celebrating what makes Waynesburg University unique,” Jarrell said. “I think I may have found the formality of Charter Day cute but a little silly. I remember as a student appreciating the opportunity to gather with friends and the faculty and staff. It felt good to be in a place where we were unified around a common mission.”

Jarrell celebrated his first Charter Day as Waynesburg University’s Chaplain. Jarrell gave his appreciation to how the campus of Waynesburg University celebrates this special day.

“As the Chaplain, I now have a greater perspective on what makes a day like this special,” Jarrell said. “The faculty and staff here truly pour their heart and soul into their work for the sake of the students. This university does create a space for students to be educated in their chosen fields, grow together with friends, and explore how God is calling them to serve and change the world.”

The yearly event also recognizes and awards the convocation address speaker, along with professors and faculty for their dedication and impressive efforts to Waynesburg University and its surrounding community.

The Timothy & Carolyn Thyreen Service Leadership Award, presented by President Lee, was awarded to Frattare for his many years of service to the campus of Waynesburg University and the community of Pittsburgh. 

The Lucas Hathaway Awards are presented to professors and staff for their efforts in student education and teaching. The Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty, Excellence in Introductory Subjects and Extended History of Teaching Excellence were all presented by Walls. 

Melissa Wood, certification officer and field placement coordinator, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty. Dr. Kelley Solomon, professor of education and chair of the Department of Education, received the Excellence in Introductory Subjects. Dr. Jennifer Roy, associate professor of business administration and chair for the Department of Business Administration, was honored with the Extended History of Teaching Excellence award, all according to a press release on W\waynesburg.edu.

The Faculty Emeritus Status, presented by President Lee on behalf of the Board of Trustees, were awarded to former faculty members who dedicated years of service to Waynesburg University.

Dr. Elizabeth Wang, professor of computer science, Dr. Lloyd Aultman-Moore, professor of philosophy and Dr. James Bush, professor of mathematics, were all awarded emeritus status in their respective departments. Wang was a professor for 20 years, Aultman-Moore for 29 years and Bush for 34 years. 

Waynesburg University will look to next year to enjoy the soon to be 177th official Charter Day. The celebration will be held on Thursday, March 25.