The Southeast Ohio District Director for Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance, Kelli Johnson (right), reads a proclamation from Vance as Washington State College of Ohio Board of Trustees President Tyler Wilcox (l.eft) and WSCO President Dr. Vicky Wood (center) listen during a press conference on Monday to unveil the school’s during a press conference on Monday to unveil the school’s new logo
Washington State College of Ohio unveiled the new logo they have adopted due to the school’s name change during a press conference on Monday.
During the press conference, WSCO President Dr. Vicky Wood showed off the school’s new logo. According to Wood, the new logo was a result of the school changing its name from Washington State Community College to Washington State College of Ohio.
She said the name change was prompted by the school adding a bachelors of science in nursing degree, which signaled a change in the mission of the school. Wood thanked her team who helped with getting the nursing degree added and with changing the name of the school.
The new logo keeps most of the old logo.
“As we looked at our logo we also decided that we really appreciate the logo that we have because it is the tree of growth,” said Wood.
She said that on the foundation of the main building on campus it says “Open access to all who seek knowledge” and that is core to WSCO’s mission of providing access to affordable education, so they kept the tree of growth in the new logo.
According to Wood, this is the fourth time the school has changed its name and each time they have done so they have expanded the programs they offer. Wood pointed out the new programs and partnerships the school had added or plans to add in the future.
She said within the next year the school will launch associate degree programs in Occupational Therapy Assistant program and Physical Therapist Assistant.
It started a partnership with Marietta Memorial Hospital where students in the bachelors of science in nursing program can work for the hospital and get free tuition, books, fees and receive a $6,000 stipend. it started a cadet program where students in the Peace Officer Basic Academy and criminal justice associate’s degree program can work at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office; and it launched InCERT Yourself, a program where high school students learn in WSCO’s labs and prepare for industry certifications.
Wood said WSCO will look to add additional baccalaureate programs if there is workforce demand and the programs are not offered at other institutions in the region.
WCSO Board of Trustees President Tyler Wilcox also spoke at the press conference.
Wilcox said about the event “is a celebration of the faculty, Dr. Wood, her staff and for our community in the Mid-Ohio Valley and our surrounding communities.”
Wilcox said the programs the school has added show the progress the school is making and “this progress and this new (nursing) program represent the development of a bright future for the students in our market.”
Wilcox thanked Wood and her team for all the work they have done for the school.
Kelli Johnson, the Southeast Ohio District Director for Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance also attended the press conference. She congratulated the school on adding the bachelors of science in nursing program to the school.
“This is a great achievement in higher education,” Johnson said.
Johnson read a proclamation from Vance. In the proclamation Vance said that he was honored to recognize WSCO for the unveiling of its new logo and the launch of the bachelors degree in nursing.
“I am inspired by the dedication and collaboration that went into making this endeavor a reality,” Vance said in the proclamation.
According to WSCO Communications Support Specialist Missy Richman the school is still working on rolling out new signage, banners and flags with the new name, but they have already changed the landing page of their website.
Michelle Dillon can be reached at mdillon@newsandsentinel.com.
