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Even as they begin clearing snow from parking lots and sidewalks, school officials are preparing for the next weather event: extreme cold. The No.1 priority of the facilities management team at ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University during a storm is flexibility, said Eric Berkheimer, associate vice president of facilities and capital management. To prepare, the facilities management team tries to run the heat higher in older, less insulated buildings to keep the pipes warm. Berkheimer’s team also does regular walk-throughs and makes sure emergency generators on campus are operational.

Music is becoming more accessible for middle school students in Sussex County, thanks to a new arts education initiative from the Freeman Foundation. Seventh graders at Mariner Middle School are learning to play the ukulele through the program, which provides classrooms with a full set of instruments and teaching tools at no cost. The initiative is supported by Dr. Louise Anderson of ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University, who recently taught a series of lessons at the school. Anderson said watching students grasp new skills was “magic."

Twenty law enforcement officers from Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Talbot, Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties graduated in the 95th entrance-level class of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, operated by Wor-Wic Community College. Graduates included Coale Lenox of the ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University Police Department (front right).

The Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship at ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University, in partnership with the City of ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp and D3, a local full-service digital marketing agency, recently announced the launch of the Downtown ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp Brand Boost Grant Program. The initiative is designed to help small businesses strengthen their brand identity, improve visibility, and enhance their marketing presence. One selected downtown business will receive a comprehensive branding and marketing support package valued at more than $4,000.

¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University has announced Dr. Jessica Clark as interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. Clark has served as acting vice president of academic affairs since July 2025. She was appointed assistant provost for faculty success in 2021, becoming associate provost in 2024. She joined the University in 2014 as an assistant professor of biological sciences, with a background and research interest in neuroendocrinology.

Since the Blood Bank of Delmarva reopened its doors in ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp last summer, community members have been filling up appointment slots. In December, the blood bank expanded its efforts to ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University. Students took a seat, rolled up their sleeve and donated blood, helping bring the banks’ inventory up, to be distributed to hospitals across the peninsula. Freshman Caitlyn Bussaid knows the impact that donating blood can have on a person. “I just think it’s a really simple way to help people in need,” she said.

Zero-based budgeting is a strategy that involves assigning each dollar of income to a specific monthly expense, so income minus expenses always equals zero. “Zero-based budgeting is especially effective for people who want their money to have a clear purpose,” said Dr. David Emerson, ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University associate professor of accounting. “It works well for anyone entering a transition — graduating, starting a career, combining finances after marriage, buying a home, or recovering from financial setbacks — because it forces you to see exactly what you can afford and what needs to change"

Some 60 students recently vied for top honors during ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp University’s Mid-Atlantic Sales and Marketing Institute’s (MASMI’s) 13th biannual sales championship competition. The event included two contests, one for overall sales and one for elevator pitches. Emma Wivell received $1,000 for her first-place finish in the overall sales competition plus $100 for best resume. Luke Curran topped competitors in the elevator pitch session, taking home a $300 prize.