About 2,000 students, parents, Wesleyan faculty and other guests participated in Commencement.

The Commencement speaker was William S. Norman, a 1960 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and a member of the Board of Trustees. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Travel Industry Association of America. Norman has been president since he assumed the position on January 1, 1995. He has been a veteran of the travel industry since 1979.

He began his career in 1961 as a mathematics teacher in Norfolk, Va. In 1962, he was commissioned as an U. S. Navy officer, serving 11 years on active duty and 15 years as a Navy Reservist. While on active duty, he taught at the U. S. Naval Academy, served as a White House Social Aide, and was Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. He holds the U. S. Navy rank of Captain (Retired) and earned numerous military decorations including the prestigious Legion of Merit.

Following his stint in the Navy, he worked six years with Cummins Engine Company Inc., advancing to the key position of Vice President – East Division, where he was responsible for the sales and services of corporate products in the eastern United States.

In 1979, he joined the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, AMTRAK as Vice President of Marketing and in 1986, he became the company’s Executive Vice President.

In a speech titled “Lighting of a Fire,” Norman spoke of the importance seeking a profession that graduates can be proud of. Norman quoted George Burns as saying, “I honestly believe that it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.”

With graduation behind them, Wesleyan students will now step into a world full of possibilities with unlimited potential.

Several will enter the work force, with many recent graduates already finding jobs in the teaching and nursing, and health care fields. Many more will elect to continue their education at graduate schools across the country such as West Virginia University, Marshall University, the University of South Florida, Western Michigan, and the University of Hawaii.

The previous night, Baccalaureate was held in Wesley Chapel with featured speaker Dr. Jerome King Del Pino. Dr. Del Pino is the general secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. He was elected to that position in the fall of 2001.

Dr. Del Pino began his pastoral service in 1968 as student pastor of Union United Methodist Church in Boston, Massachusetts. He served as Minister of Youth, Co-Pastor, Pastor in charge, and Senior Pastor as churches in the local area, and was Superintendent of the Central Massachusetts District.

He served also as an elder director of General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and on the General Board of Discipleship. He is also an elder in the New England Conference where he served as Superintendent of the Metropolitan Boston/South District.

His sermon was entitled “Getting the Best Out of the Worst.”

“I believe that this was a highly successful Commencement weekend,” remarked President William R. Haden. “A very large senior class celebrated the conclusion of their studies at Wesleyan, listened to wonderful music, and heard inspiring Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers.”

“To the graduates, I offer my best wishes and express my confidence that they are well prepared to begin the next phases of their life's journeys. I encourage them to stay in touch with alma mater and to be supportive of the College in the coming years. West Virginia Wesleyan is worthy and deserving of their affection.”