Professors
Dr. Joseph Wiest is founder and consultant of the program. Dr. Wiest is professor and former chairman of the Department of Physics and Engineering at Wesleyan. He has taught physics and mathematics to gifted children from third grade to high school. His wife, Dr. Jeanie Wiest, is a pediatrician. They are the parents of two gifted sons.
Nathan Sams is the new director of the program. He teaches mathematics at Wesleyan. He was raised in Parkersburg, WV, and holds a master’s degree in mathematics from West Virginia University.
Dr. Kwame Boateng, former director of gifted program, is associate professor of Political Science and International Relations at Wesleyan, and a U.S. Institute of Peace Scholar at Wesleyan.
Dr. Trevor Stevens is Assistant Professor of Physics at Wesleyan with an interest in particle physics and cosmology. An avid reader of classical literature and science fiction, he became interested in science as a boy through watching Star Trek and Dr. Who on television.
Dr. Eric Waggoner is Associate Professor of American Literature and Cultural Studies at WVWC. His academic publications have appeared in several journals and book collections. In addition to his academic writing, for several years Dr. Waggoner has written film and music journalism for a variety of publications. He is currently a contributing writer for Magnet magazine and Blurt Online.
