Saturday May 9^th, 2026 10:00 am

Rockefeller Center, West Virginia Wesleyan College

Link to livestream for events, including Baccalaureate and Commencement:  https://www.wvwc.edu/livestream-events/

Commencement Activities Graduates Only

Thursday, April 9th

Grad Fair, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm in Social Hall

 Monday, April 27th

All graduates meeting, 4:30 pm in Wesley Chapel

 Wednesday, May 6th

Grad Fest, 5:00 pm at the 88 Pavilion

 Thursday, May 7th

Last Chance Big Bingo, 8:00 pm in the French A. See Dining Center

Commencement Activities and Ceremonies Held on Friday, May 8th

School of Nursing Convocation, ALL INVITED, 1:00 pm Wesley Chapel

School of Nursing Reception, ALL INVITED, 2:00 pm Middleton Hall

School of Education Reception, Graduates/Guests, 3:00 pm Greek Alumni Room

Celebration of Achievement, Graduates/Guests, 4:00 pm PAC Auditorium

Counseling Convocation, Graduates/Guests, 5:30 pm Greek Alumni Room

Dinner for All Graduates and Guests, 5:00-6:30 pm, French A. See Dining Hall, $18 paid in advance Children 10 and under $10

Baccalaureate Ceremony, Wesley Chapel, 7:00 pm

Senior Send-Off, French A. See Dining Hall, 8:15 pm

Commencement Activities and Ceremonies Held on Saturday, May 9th

Post-Commencement Buffet, 12:30, French A. See Dining Hall, $25 paid in advance Children 10 and under $15 *Tickets Required*

SUGGESTED DIRECTIONS TO WVWC 

By car from I-79 Exit 99: 

• Exit #99 onto US 33 East to Buckhannon (12 miles from I-79 to Buckhannon). • Exit US 33 East at Main Street Exit (exit on right). 
• Turn right off of exit and drive ½ mile entering downtown Buckhannon
•  Follow Main Street to College Avenue
• Take left onto College Avenue and Proceed to the stop sign 
• Turn right at stop sign crossing the tracks onto Railroad Avenue 
• Turn right at the end onto Camden Avenue and follow signage for parking
• *Handicap* Turn onto College Ave from Main Street, Make immediate right into Cebe Ross Dr. and continue straight, Make right turn at end for parking
• Requires placard or pre-registration
• Alternate Route from the East 
• Exit US 33 at Route 20. 
• Turn left onto Route 20 South 
• Turn left onto Main Street entering downtown Buckhannon 
•  Follow Main Street to College Avenue
• Take left onto College Avenue and Proceed to the stop sign 
• Turn right at stop sign crossing the tracks onto Railroad Avenue 
• Turn right at the end onto Camden Avenue and follow signage for parking
• *Handicap* Turn onto College Ave from Main Street, Make immediate right into Cebe Ross Dr. and continue straight, Make right turn at end for parking  
• Requires placard or pre-registration

Link to handicapped accessible parking map

Upshur County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Virtual Campus Tour

Graduate Data Form 

Senior Class Gift Form 

Rev. Dr. Matthew Paugh

Jazz Pianist, Bob Thompson

Bob Thompson, jazz pianist, has had an extensive career spanning decades. He is a  performer, composer, arranger, and teacher, and has appeared on stages across the  country, including prestigious venues like the Blue Note in New York, Blues Alley in  Washington D.C., and the Newport Jazz Festival in Saratoga, New York. His musical  journey extends beyond the United States, as he has performed in Europe, Africa, and  South America.

In December 2022, Bob Thompson made a significant appearance at the Kennedy  Center for the Performing Arts, his solo piano performance as part of the “A Jazz Piano  Christmas” event, was later broadcast on NPR. He has also appeared as a guest on  Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, another National Public Radio program.

Since 1991, Bob Thompson has been a regular pianist and featured artist on West  Virginia’s NPR syndicated radio show, “Mountain Stage.” For the past 33 years,  he has also been co-producer and host of “Joy to the World,” a holiday jazz show that features Bob’s band and a special guest vocalist each year. The show is widely broadcast on public radio stations across the nation.

Beyond his performing career, Bob Thompson has dedicated his life to teaching. Over  the past 50 years, he has developed a unique method of introducing individuals to the  fundamentals of jazz and popular music. Many of his former students have gone on to achieve successful careers in the music industry. Bob Thompson’s passion lies in  empowering people to develop their individual musical abilities, and he achieves this  through private instruction, workshops, clinics at universities, and teaching at events  such as the Augusta Heritage Festival.

Bob Thompson, born in Jamaica, New York, came to West Virginia to pursue a degree in  instrumental music at West Virginia State University, with trumpet as his major  instrument. While in college he began playing jazz piano. After winning awards at the  Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, and subsequent State Department tours abroad, he  decided to pursue a career in jazz.

Bob Thompson’s recordings on Capitol’s Intima label and Ichiban International garnered  significant acclaim on the national jazz charts, with some albums reaching the top ten.  Renowned musicians who have collaborated with Bob Thompson include John Blake,  Kevin Eubanks, Omar Hakim, Larry Coryell, Gerald Veasley, Chris Dave, Jean-Paul  Bourelly, Dwayne Dolphin, and Rodney Holmes.

Bob Thompson’s “Live” on “Mountain Stage” and  “Smile,” performed with the Bob  Thompson Unit, are released on his own label, Colortones.com. The latest recording by

The Bob Thompson Band, titled “Look Beyond the Rain,” is available on Blue Canoe  Records.

In October 2015, Bob Thompson was honored with induction into the West Virginia  Music Hall of Fame.