West Virginia Wesleyan College understands that spiritual growth; theological exploration, moral development, and the growing expression of one's religious faith are central components to fulfilling the purposes of liberal arts education.

Wesleyan attempts to implement these principles throughout its program. The Dean of the Chapel, along with a variety of student organizations, offers students, staff, and faculty an assortment of opportunities for religious study and practice.

"Unite the pair so long disjoined - knowledge and vital piety."

These words from Charles Wesley provide the basis for United Methodism's involvement in higher education.

John Wesley, Charles' older brother and the founder of Methodism, was the catalyst for uniting religious studies with the traditional liberal arts since John and Charles had grown up in an evironment that stressed both religious and traditional educational formation. Thus, from the beginning, the Wesleyan heritage has incorporated both the religious and the liberal arts aspects of education.