The OrangeLine Online

The OrangeLine Online, Vol. 1 Issue 5
May 17, 2004
An electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of West Virginia Wesleyan College
www.wvwc.edu

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Two Faculty Members Retire

Two long-time Wesleyan professors, Dr. David A. Milburn and Mrs. Sandra E. Presar, brought their careers to a close with their retirement at the end of the 2004 spring semester. For nearly 40 years, Dr. Milburn and Mrs. Presar have been important members of the Wesleyan community, teaching in the music and communication departments respectively.

Dr. Milburn, a native of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, has served as professor of music, department chair, and director of bands. He received his bachelor of applied music in trombone and master of music theory degrees at West Virginia University. Dr. Milburn holds the doctor of musical arts degree in conducting from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. While on sabbatical at Wesleyan, he served as conductor of the Wind Symphony and lecturer in conducting on the faculty of Catholic University. He is a former student of Professor Richard Hilts, Dr. Reginald Fink, and most recently, Dr. John Marcellus, former principal trombone with the National Symphony Orchestra. While at Catholic University, he studied conducting with Professor Lloyd Geisler, former principal trumpet and associate conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Milburn’s tenure at Wesleyan was a remarkable 38 years. “When I first arrived, I never thought that I would be here this long. I was going to stay for a few years and move on,” remarked Milburn. Milburn’s final year at the College was one that was filled with many events. In the fall, he was recognized by the Alumni Council with the Extra Mile Award for his long service to the College. In addition to directing many of the College bands, he also organized a jazz ensemble alumni reunion in February and traveled to Eastern Europe in May with the current jazz ensemble.

Dr. Milburn is married to DeeAnna Milburn, who teaches music at Buckhannon Upshur Middle School and father of Dana and Debora. (Dr. Milburn was the subject of a Faculty Focus article in the January 2004 issue of OrangeLine Online).

Sandra Presar has served as an assistant professor in the Communication and Theatre Departments at Wesleyan for 37 years. Presar, a native of Carey, Ohio, is a 1962 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a bachelor of science degree in education. A year later, she earned a master of arts in theatre from BGSU. Joining the Wesleyan faculty in 1968 as a communication instructor, she taught part time until moving to full time in 1990. She served as Wesleyan’s Theatre costumer from 1967 and will continue in that position for another year or two.

While at Wesleyan, Presar taught many different communication courses and served as Basic Course Director. As costumer, she was responsible for acquiring and/or constructing as well as supervising student crews. She has designed and built numerous costumes for productions such as Midsummer Night's Dream, Peer Gynt, and most recently, Anything Goes. She also choreographed many musical productions from 1968-1991.

Presar was actively involved in diversity issues, serving on all Wesleyan's committees and task forces against racism as well as on the United Methodist's Annual Conference Race and Religion Commission for the last ten years.

She is a member of communication and theatre honoraries such as Pi Kappa Delta, Lambda Pi Eta, Theata Alpha Phi, and Alpha Psi Omega. Her memberships in The Eastern Communication Association and National Communication Association gave her opportunities for growth in the communication discipline and in teaching.

Presar shared, " I could not have wished for a more satisfying career. I've been so challenged and yet so comfortable working within the Communication and Theatre departments. The Wesleyan and Buckhannon communities are both such special places."

Sandra is married to Charles I. Presar, former director of WVWC Theatre and department chair. They have four children, Stephanie ’87, Craig ’89, Jennifer and Jeremy and five grandchildren.

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