Turning Heartache into Hope

Wesley Quinn Eckman was born on November 30, 2005.  The son of West Virginia Wesleyan graduates Drew ‘97 and Jamie Metz Eckman ’00, his birth appeared to be the perfect ending to the couple’s early trials and tribulations.  However, the joy of beginning a family soon turned to a period of heartache.

Wesley, who was born weighing seven pounds and 19 inches long with a head ringed with blonde fuzz, was named for the College where the couple met.  Since Drew was also a big Notre Dame Football and quarterback Brady Quinn fan, the Eckmans chose Quinn as the middle name.

The birth of any baby is always described as a “miracle.”  Wesley’s birth could be described as a “major miracle.”  Early in their marriage, Jamie was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  Doctors believed that as a result of her chemotherapy, she would be unable to conceive children.

When she discovered that she was pregnant in 2005, the couple was overjoyed.  “We probably took twenty pregnancy tests,” said Jamie.  After a perfect pregnancy, Wesley was described as the “miracle baby.” 

Shortly after his birth, however, storm clouds were gathering.  “He had eating problems from the start, his eyes were different—you could see more white than blue,” said Jamie. 

The concerned mother, a professional nurse, approached doctors early on about Wesley’s “physical issues.”  “He had severe reflux issues, poor head control, and clinched fists at all times,” said Jamie.

One week after that four-month check-up, Wesley’s symptoms worsened.  He developed a fever and ulcers began appearing in his mouth.  Shortly after Easter, he began having seizures.  He was sent by ambulance to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he stayed for 27 days.  Doctors suspected an infectious disease and began treating him with anti-viral medicine.  Another doctor suspected a genetic disorder and ordered over 30 genetic tests.  “However the tests came back negative and doctors could not determine the cause of Wesley’s problems.

Two weeks after being discharged from the hospital, the seizures returned and the Eckmans decided to take Wesley to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  Their next stop was the Children’s Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  Now seven months old, Wesley only weighed 11 pounds.  He stayed at the medical center for eight days and Jamie never left his side.  “I just knew I was not going to have Wesley long,” noted Jamie.

The night before the baby was to be discharged; the couple was visited by a geneticist, Dr. Clesson Turner.  He carefully examined the baby and after reviewing a blood test, Dr. Turner diagnosed Wesley with Menkes Syndrome, a disease that is characterized by a defect in how victims metabolize copper.  One of the more noticeable symptoms of the disease is for hair to be coarse and twisted.  Doctors describe the disease as an inherited defect of copper metabolism. 

In addition to sparse and coarse hair, other disease symptoms include growth failure and deterioration of the nervous system, weak muscle tone, sagging facial features, neurological deterioration, and developmental delay.  The incidence of Menkes Syndrome is estimated to be 1 in 100,000 individuals.  Menkes is generally a genetic disease that only affects boys and in one third of the cases, there is not a genetic component and the disease develops spontaneously.  This was true in Wesley’s case as Jamie was tested and found not to be a carrier.

The Eckmans were advised to go home with hospice.  The family tried copper injections, but they were so painful, they decided to discontinue the treatment.  Wesley died on November 15, 2006, just two weeks before his first birthday.

After Wesley’s death, the family created the Menkes Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to promote awareness of the disease.  The foundation has been in existence over eight months, raising $12,000 to date.  “We have used the funds to develop and purchase a full-page color advertisement in an upcoming “Pediatrics Journal” to inform and educate doctors of this terrible disease,” said Jamie. 

Drew, a graphic designer for Smartronix in California, MD, uses his graphic skills to develop the awareness pieces, while Jamie uses her nursing background to determine how to educate others about the disease. 

“Menkes Syndrome is so rare that it is hard to find corporate sponsors,” added Jamie.  “We hope that with time, companies will see that we are not just grieving parents wanting to honor their only child, but that we want to use this tragedy to make a difference in those lives of other children who may be inflicted with this dreadful disease.”

Ironically, this September, Jamie’s twin sister, Amie ‘00 and her husband welcomed their first child on September 21 in Orange City, FL, a baby boy named Brycen Wesley Dalton.  “He is a perfect healthy baby and such a joy to all our family,” said Jamie.

To learn more or to make a contribution to the Menkes Foundation, go to http://themenkesfoundation.org. 

Wesleyan Watercolors Artist Celebrates Virginia’s 400th Year

West Virginia Wesleyan alumnus Erik Hottenstein ‘71 and his wife Caroline have a deep appreciation for historical artifacts and Virginia history.  The duo has combined this interest with their artistic talents to present an exhibition of watercolors in recognition of Virginia’s 400th year at Green Spring Gardens Historic House in Alexandria, VA. 

 “Jamestown and Olde Virginia” showcases illustrations and observations depicting historic views, reconstructed scenes, historic homes, aspects of daily colonial life, natural history, native Virginia plants and artifacts from the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.  The exhibit will run from October 31 through December 28.

Hottenstein credits Wesleyan professors such as Dr. Joe Mow, Sam Ross, and others to inquire and research the subjects for his art illustrations.  “They were wonderful mentors,” said the Virginia artist.

The Hottensteins’ artwork is sold on consignment through outlet stores in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.  The exhibit at Green House Gardens celebrates life in Virginia in the 1600’s.  For exhibit times, contact 703-941-7987.

Class Notes: November 2007

E-mail your class notes to alumni@wvwc.edu

1943  LOIS SCHOOLCRAFT VICE, Catonsville, MD, is doing well and would love to hear from alumni that remember her. She has lived in one of John Erikson’s Retirement Homes for thirteen years and really loves it.

1951  SIDNEY CHALLENGER, Trumbull, CT, and his wife, MARY ELLEN LAWSON CHALLENGER ’51, celebrated 55 years of wedded bliss on April 21, 2007. There was a large gathering of family and friends in attendance.

1952  HARRY P. LIGHT, Wheeling, WV, and his wife, Donna, have a third generation student on the Wesleyan’s campus. Their grandson, Reed Martin Light, a sophomore this year, is the son of RANDALL LIGHT ’79 and CAROLYN MARTIN LIGHT ’79.

1961  JAMES HANSON, Woodstock, NY, has retired from the State University of New York where he held the position of social worker. * JOHN HANSON, The Villages, FL, has retired from the area of risk management at the University of Pittsburgh.

1962  THOMAS W. HIGGINS, Nazareth, PA, and his wife, Janice, announce the birth of their eighth grandchild. Their fifth grandson was born to Heather and Thomas Higgins II, Kechikan, AK. * NANCY JANE CHESHIRE, Bridgeport, WV, received the 2007 Paul E. Edwards Outstanding Teacher Award at Pierpont Community and Technical College, a division of Fairmont State University.

1965  DANIELLE GRANT CLINE, West Lafayette, IN, retired in 2006 after 33 years of teaching at the elementary school level. * LINDA S. MORAN, Dunbar, WV, retired from WV Division of Rehabilitation Services in June 2007. She was a rehabilitation counselor at the WV Rehabilitation Center for almost 40 years. Linda is now working part time on a contract at WVRC. She would love to her from Wesleyan friends.

1967  BRIAN H. MANNING, Covertry, RI, and his wife, DIANE E. MANNING ’68, enjoyed an Alaskan cruise. While in Fairbanks they visited John Thornton, son of BETSY PARKER THORNTON ’69.

1974  CHARLES E. ELKINS II, Winfield, WV, and his wife, Debbie, currently have three daughters enrolled at Wesleyan. Megan and Lindsay will graduate in ’08 and Emma in ’11.

1980  TERRI MURCHLAND CLEVENGER, Weston, WV, had alumni present at her son’s wedding. Cody was married August 11, 2007. KRISTI LOWTHER GANNON ’99, ELYSE JOHNSON VITCHERS ’79 and MINDY MURRAY HALL ’99 were all in attendance.

1981  KAREN LANNIN DULANY, Sykesville, MD, finished her master’s degree in library and information science with a K-12 school library media certification in May 2006. She is employed as a media specialist for Carroll County Public Schools. * SCOTT D. MILLER, Dover, DE, after serving a president of two small colleges for 16 years, was recently named president of Bethany College. After graduating from Wesleyan, Scott earned his master’s degree from the University of Dayton, a degree in education from Vanderbilt University, and in 1991 earned his doctorate from the Union Institute and University.

1988  DAVID WARREN, Mechanicsburg, PA, was recently named senior vice president and chief development officer at WITF in Harrisburg, PA.

1992  ANDREW R. COLLINS, Bethany Beach, DE, opened a practice in Podiatric Medicine at Lewes, Delaware in December 2003. Andrew attended medical school at Temple University and previously practiced medicine in Philadelphia, PA. *KIMBERLY BLAKE, Brooklyn Park, MN, and her husband, Kenneth, announce the birth of their twin boys. Cass Robert and Dude Thomas were born July 5, 2005. They have one big brother and two big sisters. * KAREN WILMOTH, Elkins, WV, served as team leader for the Rotary Group Study Exchange Team. In this position, she traveled to England and Wales in April and May 2007. * MICHELLE SUWYN GARDINER, Chestersfield, VA, and her husband, Chris, announce the birth of their son, Willem Alden “Wylie.” He was born June 12, 2007 and joins big sisters Maddie, six and Sophie, two. Michelle currently owns her own business, Art Solutions LLC, which provides therapeutic art experiences for people in crisis.

1993  JESSE KETTERMAN JR. , Frostburg, MD, completed his Ph. D. in educational leadership in the fall of 2006. He has two sons, Jesse, four and Andrew, one.

1996  CARISSA SANDERS BURGESS, Knoxville, TN, was promoted to district manager for the American General Financial Services, Inc. after serving the company for 11 years. She will manage eight offices.

1997  AMANDA NICHOLS, Sistersville, WV, and her husband, GARY A. NICHOLS ’97, announce the birth of their third child, Colby Dane, born August 20, 2007. He is proudly welcomed by his big sister Sadie, four, and his big brother Mason, two.

1999  ANDREW JONES, Gaithersburg, MD, and his wife, Maggie, welcome their first child, Oscar Dylan Jones, born August 11, 2007.

2001  G. MATTHEW MELKONIAN, Contoocook, NH, graduated in May 2007 from Johnson and Wales University in Denver, CO. Mat received a degree in professional sports and events management. He spent the summer touring with NBC Sports.

2002  AMANDA TABRE ROUPE, Glen Easton, WV, was united in marriage to Vincent Patrello on August 18, 2007 at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV. In attendance were bridesmaid MEGAN NOBEL’02 and her son as ring bearer, Brody Nobel. Amanda and Vincent are both employed at American Electric Power- Mitchell Plant. * KELLEY SMITH HUNEYCUTT, Vienna, WV, and her husband Theodore Huneycutt III announce the birth of their first child, Aubrey Nicole who was born September 14, 2007.

2003  SHANNA MARIE HAMMAKER, Hamilton, NJ, is a special education teacher at the Montgomery Upper Middle School, a Blue Ribbon School. Shanna is engaged to ADAM D. ALTIERI ’05.

2004  WESLEY M. JARRELL II, Charleston, WV, graduated in May 2007 from Washington & Lee University School of Law. He was admitted to the West Virginia Bar in October 2007 and is practicing with James F. Humphreys & Associates in Charleston. *AMANDA PETERSON, Naples, FL, and her husband, ADAM PETERSON ’03 MBA’05, celebrated their daughter, Abigail’s first birthday on September 28, 2007 with her grandfather, JEFFREY BROWN ’73. * Nicole Mutafis Moravy and Craig Moravy '04, both of Frederick, MD, were married in Clarksburg, WV on July 14, 2007.   Alumni in the wedding party were Katharine Ballentine '04, Raymond LaMora '04, MBA '05, Andrea Amos (current student), William Heisler, and Jonathan Haveron.  Other alumni in attendance were Dawn Sizemore '04, Elizabeth Maxin '04, Kara Rawlings '05, Amanda Gross '04, Matt DeMotto, and Ashley Lawson, visiting instructor of English at Wesleyan.  Nicole is a 10th grade English teacher at Linganore High School in Frederick, MD and Craig is an operations manager for FoodLion, LLC. *

2006  AMY SHERWOOD, Buckhannon, WV, and her husband, SETH HOFFMAN ’05, have purchased their first home in Buckhannon. Seth originally from Pennsylvania, and Amy originally from Maryland, have made Buckhannon their home over the past seven years. Seth is currently the president of Level 3 Solutions, LLC, a full service IT and web development company. Amy is the manager for a Tobacco Prevention & Education Program at Mt. CAP Inc. of West Virginia.

2007