Welcome Message from Bob Skinner '75

Do you have a story to share about your Wesleyan experience?  During the past few months we have changed the Wesleyan Memory section in the Orange Line to encourage you to share your favorite stories about your Wesleyan experience.  This month, we thought it would be fitting to ask you to reflect on the dreaded week named “finals.”

During my sophomore year, I was cramming for an economics final.  It was a clear winter night and I noticed walking from the library to McCuskey a “red glow” in the sky.  It looked like an entire city was on fire.  My friend, Deryl Larsen, now a United Methodist minister, and I decided to investigate this interesting sight. Deryl had a Volkswagen bug and after I placed my books in the back seat, we traveled down Route 20 and Route 4 past Adrian and Rock Cave to Braxton County.  We were on a mission to seek out the “red glow.” We drove up and down winding narrow roads late into the morning and we could not find the “red glow.”  We finally gave up and drove back to Buckhannon, arriving just before dawn.  With a 7:45 a.m. exam, I quickly took a shower, completed the exam and promptly lowered my final grade from “B” to “C.”  This result certainly was not well received at home.  Later, we did learn the “red glow” was a gas well fire on a ridge in Braxton County.

I know that you have entertaining stories to share and hope you will become more active with each month’s Orange Line.  Next month you will also receive the Fall/Winter Sundial.  We have strived to write more stories in the magazine about the accomplishments of our alumni.  We hope you will enjoy stories about Eric Chandler, the Elkins family, Susan Gray, Phil Schoolcraft, Layla D’Emilia Shepherd, and others.  We also hope you will enjoy learning about new construction projects as well as the latest campus news. 

We are always looking for interesting stories about the accomplishments of our students and alumni.  If you are interested in being featured in a story or know of one of our “famous” alumni, please email skinner_b@wvwc.edu.  I hope you enjoy this month’s Orange Line, and remember we want to hear from you!  We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cordially,

Bob Skinner ‘75
Director of Marketing and Communication