ISSUED: 9 June 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Gat Caperton was recognized during the June 5 meeting of the Shepherd University Board of Governors for his three years of service as the board chair.
President Suzanne Shipley noted that Shepherd University and the board have benefited from Caperton’s business and marketing acumen. “As board chair, Gat’s signature accomplishment was Shepherd’s master plan, for which he provided insight and guidance,” she said. We appreciate his exceptional leadership skills as well as his enthusiasm for and advocacy on behalf of Shepherd.”
Caperton, who is the owner of Gat Creek, a handmade furniture company located in Berkeley Springs, has served on Shepherd’s Board of Governors for eight years.
Mark Rudolph was elected as the incoming board chair, with Marcia Brand to serve as vice chair and John Younis to serve as secretary. Audit committee members named include board members Holly McCall and John Beatty, with Younis serving as chair. Chad Robinson was sworn in as the newest member of the board.
A 1.5 percent pay increase was approved for employees and a $1,000 supplement to full professors to help equalize the salary compression experienced by longtime senior faculty. The funding for the raises is coming from budget reductions combined with a salary appropriation from the state.
The board approved new programs including two emphasis areas (business and social issues) for the Regents bachelor of arts degree, a nutrition minor, and a legal studies concentration in political science.
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