Parent-to-Parent Letter old draft

Dear Future Mountaineer Parent, 

   If you are considering West Virginia University, I would like to welcome you to the family.  Because, if you are considering it, you will fall in love. I was in your position just 3 years ago. I can hardly believe that my daughter is now about to begin her senior year and will be graduating from the School of Public Health in May. From my position now, I can say that choosing West Virginia was the absolute best decision that my daughter could have made. I remember that my daughter started applying to colleges right after we lost my mother to cancer. Being born and raised in West Virginia, my mother loved her home state dearly.  So as a nod to her, my daughter decided to apply, and we subsequently decided to plan a fun visit thinking this would have made my mom so happy. My daughter had been planning to attend another university since her freshman year.  Firstly, we were stunned by the beauty of Morgantown. We were impressed by the tour and people that we met.  I remember thinking that they had the perfect people in the role of welcoming prospective families.  We fell in love; but, still thought it was a bit too far from home. On a whim, we decided to stop by the School of Public Health to take a picture.  As we arrived, we met Lauren Devine.  She was so kind.  She gave us a tour and answered so many questions. As we were leaving, she offered to have a student reach out to my daughter if she wanted a student’s perspective.  It was just 15 minutes later that my daughter made her first friend when the ambassador reached out.  My daughter with the confidence of youth made her decision on the drive home.   

     While my daughter was excited and began collecting West Virginia gear, I was conflicted.  I could not deny that I was impressed with the program.  Having my master’s in public health made me evaluate each public health program carefully.  WVU’s program really impressed me.  Research was not just a word used on marketing materials.  You could see the work being done by students as early as their freshman year. I loved the public health work being done in West Virginia Appalachia. But I was conflicted because the university was too far from home.   In reality, it is only four hours away.  Like a lot of parents, I worried. I worried about big things and small. I am only slightly embarrassed about the amount of time I spent deciding the brand and size of my daughter’s mattress topper. The university offered a wonderful Facebook page for parents. Through experienced parents we learned a lot about the university.  The common thread was absolute love for the Mountaineer community.  I remember thinking that many parents seemed to embrace the University as their own rather than their child’s. Looking back, I smile as I realize that I do indeed count this university as my own.  When my alma mater played West Virginia in the opening football game, I was found sitting on the West Virginia side sporting my gold and blue.    

     My daughter always wanted to attend a large university.  She wanted school spirit, she wanted to attend sporting events, and enjoy all the perks of a large school.  She has taken advantage of many opportunities offered by WVU and now holds a leadership position in her sorority. In the School of Public Health, she has all the benefits of a small school while attending a large university. The School of Public Health has fostered a family environment.  Professors genuinely care for the students. This was demonstrated during the pandemic.  Professors could not have been more accommodating. I got a glimpse into my daughter’s class as she attended zoom classes at home.  I observed that the classes were not the traditional long lectures. Students are heavily involved in the class sessions and assignments were often project-based rather than tests.    

     The biggest reason that I think you should make West Virginia University home is the education and growth they will achieve.  My daughter has had many opportunities. She became a Dean’s Ambassador to share her love for the university.  She had the opportunity to become a teaching assistant her sophomore year and this year which gives her teaching practicum credits.  I have seen my daughter mature and gain confidence.  My daughter has participated in too many events to name here.  She is prepared to begin her next journey as a physician assistant student.   

      As for me, the worry that I wouldn’t be a part of my daughter’s college journey-- well, that just didn’t happen. I enjoy attending games and events. I, too, have met the goal of getting my selfie with West Virginia University president, Gordon Gee. I love to visit Morgantown. You see those special people that I thought were hand-picked to welcome parents, they are the norm in West Virginia.  

So, as you begin your journey, let me be the first to say Welcome and Let’s Go, Mountaineers! 

Best Wishes,  

Jamie Garity from Waldorf, MD  

P.S. Want to see what Kelli, another Mountaineer parent, had to say? Read her letter here.