ISSUED: 15 May 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The Shepherd University Foundation announces the launch of its newly redesigned website, located at http://shepherduniversityfoundation.org. Designed by graphic designer and alumnus Adam Leviton of Frederick, Maryland, the site features an updated content management system, streamlined navigation, and the latest technology, including faster processing time, better security, and an optimized user interface for all screen sizes.
“The shelf life of a website is three to five years, so our original site had reached the point where it was no longer efficient or cost-effective to update and maintain,” explained Monica Lingenfelter, executive vice president of the Shepherd University Foundation. “With that in mind, we chose to redesign the site with a more functional and responsive design and interface, along with an updated content management system.”
Designed with donors and prospective donors in mind, the new website includes tools and resources for students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the university. The homepage design features the latest Foundation news and photos, upcoming events, and an overview of the various affinity groups sponsored by the organization. A section titled “Current Giving Priorities” highlights Shepherd’s newest and most pressing fundraising initiatives, while students and faculty may search the site’s named funds database to learn more about privately funded scholarship, program, and faculty excellence awards available through the Foundation.
The April 23 launch kicked off with a scavenger hunt that invited users to explore the new site looking for a hidden word. The first five people who found the word and emailed a screen shot of it to Foundation staff won a T-shirt from the Shepherd University Bookstore. Additionally, everyone who submitted an entry was entered into a grand prize drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Shepherd alumna Bonnie Maki of Washington Court House, Ohio, was the lucky grand prizewinner. Other winners included Shepherd faculty, staff, and fellow alumni from across the nation. Response to the new website has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I found the new design to be fast and easy to operate, with items of interest descriptive and accessible,” said Foundation board member and alumnus Dave Rickard, who provided feedback during a beta test of the site. Shepherd alumna Mary “Peachy” Staley agreed, saying, “It’s fabulous! It looks great and is very user-friendly.”
The Shepherd University Foundation is a nonprofit organization that advances the mission of Shepherd by overseeing funds established for support of the university and its students, faculty, and programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit http://shepherduniversityfoundation.org or call 304-876-5397.
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