“Carmina Burana” composed by Carl Orff, is a scenic cantata in 28 movements that was composed beginning in 1934 and premiered in 1937. Widely performed by symphony orchestras and choruses, the music is regularly heard in motion pictures and television commercial advertisements. The “Carmina Burana” is one the most famous pieces of music composed in Nazi Germany. The work mixes highly rhythmic and percussive passages with tuneful sections. Some portions are purely instrumental, others are for solo voice with accompaniment, and others are for the full ensemble of massed chorus and orchestra.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Please visit the website at www.theclaycenter.org/events to purchase tickets online.

Chris Coons '95 Named Admission Director

Christopher R. Coons '95 is the new director of admission at Wesleyan. Coons returns to his alma mater with over 11 years of experience in higher education admission work. [read more]

Student Article:
Ryan Thorn Enters Real World Politics

West Virginia Wesleyan student Ryan Thorn is one of those college students who does it all. This semester alone, the senior from New Martinsville, WV, serves in numerous leadership capacities from president of Wesleyan’s Young Democrat Club to serving as senior class secretary. [read more]

Wesleyan’s “Grandma” Touches the Lives of Students and Alumni

It is a typical day in the French A. See Dining Center at West Virginia Wesleyan College.  As students display their ID card to enter the dining center, they are greeted by a warm familiar face; one belonging to JoAnn Michael, a.k.a, “Grandma.”  Perhaps no one is more loved by students than this special woman who has devoted herself to making each student feel at home.

“I don’t know how it started,” says Michael.  “A student just started calling me Grandma and the name has stuck throughout the years.”

Michael, a native of Mt. Vernon, OH, began her connection with Wesleyan when she married her late husband, Joe, a 1949 Wesleyan graduate.  The family returned to Buckhannon in 1964 when her husband was named head football coach at Buckhannon-Upshur High School.  In 1969, they relocated to Virginia before returning to Buckhannon to retire ten years later. 

She worked at the College in a number of capacities during the 1980s and after her husband’s death, she was employed by Aladdin Food Service.  Soon, the mother of five and grandmother of eight earned the name “Grandma.”  Her kind, upbeat, easy-going personality naturally attracts students to her.  “Each day I hear about their successes and their failures and try to offer support and encouragement,” says Michael.

During her tenure at Wesleyan, Grandma JoAnn has been involved in many campus activities from judging the “Mr. Wesleyan” contest, Spring Sing competitions, to attending theatre productions, music concerts, and most every athletic event.  Her special love of sports has allowed her to travel to many exciting places.  Among her favorite trips were those with Wesleyan’s 1980’s NAIA Championship soccer teams.  “We went to LaCruz, Mexico and to Texas,” adds Michael.  “I really enjoy athletics and the soccer players and I developed friendships that continue today.”  She receives wedding and birth announcements as well as Christmas and birthday cards from those same soccer players.

Current student-athletes appreciate her support.  “She is an inspiration,” says Rachel Martin, a senior volleyball player from West Finley, PA. “Grandma’s presence on the sideline always helps us play better.”

In 2001, Michael was selected for membership into the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni.   This honor indicates the campus-wide respect and love felt for Grandma JoAnn.

“I always dreamed of having a big family,” adds Michael.  “My relationship with the Wesleyan campus community has made that dream a reality.”  As the students leave the dining center, most all will pause, smile, and say “Bye Grandma,” or “Love you Grandma,” as they return to the routine of their daily lives.  When they graduate and return to campus as alumni, they will seek out this special person who best represents the life-long connections of Wesleyan’s campus community.

Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library Update
Submitted by Paula McGrew '78 - Assistant Professor of Library Science and Reference Librarian

Wondering about the effects of the bird (or any other kind of) flu?  Would you like to know more about health, fitness, nutrition or first aid?  The Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library Website has links to great resources for your health and well-being.  Click on this link http://www.wvwc.edu/lib/health-internet.htm to get started.  You will find very reputable sites such as the Centers for Disease Control, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, the American Heart Association and others.  One of my personal favorites is the interactive Healthy Body Calculator  http://www.dietician.com/ibw/ibw.html.

Spring Weekend to Include Buckhannon "Spring Fling"

Students, alumni, and parents attending Spring Weekend will notice more community activities planned thanks to the local Chamber of Commerce. "Spring Fling" is being coordinated by the Buckhannon Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the College, Stockert Youth Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Chase Bank, Main Street Inn/88 Restaurant and Lounge, and Mutual of Omaha.  All of the activities will be held on April 7 and 8.

Spring Fling activities will showcase the unique and diverse experiences the Buckhannon area has to offer including art, performing arts, cultural history, food, music, and recreation.  Activities will be held at the Stockert Youth Center, Main Street Inn, and along Buckhannon’s Main Street.

“We believe this is a great way to tie activities at the College with those that are available in our community", says Keith Buchanan ’70, president of the Chamber of Commerce.  “We are planning to have a number of artists including painters, quilters, potters, and glass designers along with musicians.” 

A special feature planned is a unique “Historical Walking Tour” courtesy of the Upshur County Historical Society.  The tour will begin at the Courthouse and wind its way around Main Street.  There will be a display of rare historical pictures and items at the Main Street Inn at the end of the tour.

Activities will begin on Friday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m.  The Buckhannon-Upshur High School Jazz Band will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m.  On Saturday, April 8, the day’s activities will begin at 9 a.m. with a “Buckhannon Biking Experience,” featuring local biking enthusiasts who compete at the collegiate and professional level. 

In addition to Spring Fling activities and the annual Spring Sing competition on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Wesley Chapel and the West Virginia Dance Company will perform on Friday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Atkinson Auditorim.  The Company’s repertoire includes works that are influenced by West Virginia’s deep cultural heritage.

Other scheduled activities for Saturday include a women’s lacrosse match at 11:00 a.m., a men’s tennis match against Concord at 1 p.m., and a baseball doubleheader against Bluefield State at Ellis Field that also begins at 1 p.m. 

Wesleyan Offering Special Mine Accident Research Course

Wesleyan added a one hour, second quarter course to the curriculum to conduct research on coal mine safety and accidents. The class was created in response to a request from Governor Joe Manchin III’s appointed team assigned to investigate the Sago mine disaster. "Coal Mining Accident Research: Content Analysis” is being directed by Kathleen Long, professor of communication and Robert Rupp, professor of history. [read more]