News Type: Alumni

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is launching a new online Master’s in Business Administration to meet the unique needs of working professionals who require a flexible, affordable program to advance their careers or excel in their current roles.  

The Executive MBA Program in the Thomas A. Albinson School of Business will offer flexibility, practical relevance, experienced faculty, peer learning, a global perspective, leadership development and networking opportunities. Throughout the program, students will engage in case studies, simulations and projects that directly apply to their professional roles, ensuring immediate applicability of learning.

West Virginia Wesleyan College President Dr. James Moore said, “I’m really excited about the launch of this program and would like to thank Dr. Kim Conrad for her leadership. We’ve heard loud and clear from our industry partners that there is a real need for an executive MBA program that focuses on training the next generation of business leaders to advance North Central West Virginia and beyond. I believe this program will do that and more.”

The EMBA program will cost $500 per credit hour with students needing 36 hours of credit to graduate.  Designed to be flexible with working professionals who balance work study and personal commitments, the program can be completed in as little as 12 months or extended to 18 or 24 months. 

There are two residency requirements – an Orientation and Networking Residency for 2 ½ days prior to the start of the first semester and a 2 ½ day capstone residency to finish out the program. During the residencies, students will network with industry leaders, alumni and professionals in the business world.

More information can be found at www.wvwc.edu/emba.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College will host the second JazzFest April 13-15 featuring three concerts which are free and open to the public in the  Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts.

On Saturday, the Wesleyan Alumni Big Band will perform at 7 p.m. in the PAC. On Sunday,  April 14 at 3 p.m., the Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble will perform at 3 p.m. and feature Kenny Rittenhouse ’88. The finale concert on Monday, April 15 at 6 p.m. will showcase visiting high school students under the direction of Rittenhouse.

“Having the opportunity to showcase jazz at this level is very special for us,” Director of Athletic Bands Robert Palmer said. “Jazz has been an integral part of the arts at Wesleyan for a very long time, so having a weekend solely for it will be meaningful for everyone involved.”

Rittenhouse, a highly esteemed music educator, served as the adjunct Jazz Trumpet Professor for 13 years at George Mason University, where he passionately shared his knowledge and expertise. Currently, he is an adjunct trumpet professor at Morgan State University, teaching classical trumpet and bringing over 30 years of experience, including his distinguished tenure in The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own) to the classroom.

His commitment to education is further reflected in his role as the music director for the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Youth Orchestra, where he nurtures young Jazz musicians and enhances their musical journey. Kenny earned his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1988. He later obtained a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Maryland in 2006. Additionally, he undertook graduate studies in trumpet and jazz at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Barbara Butler, Bill Dobbins, and Rayburn Wright, and at Duquesne University, studying under Roger Sherman from the Pittsburgh Symphony. These educational experiences enhanced his expertise in both classical and jazz music, shaping his successful career as a music educator, performer, and director.”

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 21 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Center for Professional Development will host a Career and Graduate School Fair on Thursday, March 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library.

The fair is designed to help WVWC students build professional connections and pursue next career steps.

Dr. Justin Bowers, director of career services and experiential learning said, “The Center for Professional Development is excited to once again host several businesses and graduate schools here on campus to support our students in pursuing their next vocational steps. We have over 20 organizations joining us for this event, and we still have room for those who might like to participate.” 

Graduate schools and/or employers interested in setting up at the fair should fill out the form found here. 

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

West Virginia Wesleyan College will celebrate its annual spring day of giving on February 29. The 2024 WVWC Day of Giving focuses on athletic facility improvements. More specifically, funds raised will support upper-level bleacher replacement in the Rockefeller Physical Education Center gymnasium.

Because the gymnasium is a community space utilized for camps, festivals, ceremonies, and other similar programs, the greater Buckhannon-Upshur region is invited to make a gift on February 29 by visiting give.wvwc.edu to give online or by sending a contribution to WVWC Office of Advancement, 59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV, 26201. Gifts of $21, $210 or even $2,100 are encouraged in honor of the 21 varsity Bobcat sports teams. All gifts are tax-deductible.

The current bleachers have served WVWC well and are original to the building, which opened in 1974. Up-to-date facilities and an atmosphere of pride foster growth among the Wesleyan community and beyond.  Replacing the bleachers allows the College to offer functional, modern space for student athletes, varsity athletic teams, intramurals, campus events, community functions, and more.

WVWC Day also celebrates all Bobcat student athletes and athletic teams by using the hashtag #PrideBeginsAtHome, a phrase coined by new Director of Athletics Dr. Rae Emrick ’95. Accepting the invitation to participate in WVWC Day by making a gift will help to transform campus and confirm that pride does, indeed, begin at home.

Questions regarding WVWC Day may be directed to 304-473-8600 or makeagift@wvwc.edu

West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College and St. Joseph’s Hospital are excited to announce the return of their annual fundraising Gala. After several years of hiatus, the lavish Gala will return in March of 2024.

This year’s Gala will be “An Evening of Mardi Gras Magic” held on Friday, March 22, 2024 in the “French Quarter” at the beautiful Stonewall Resort. Come experience an evening of magic with a cool jazz reception beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a New Orleans Style parade to a scrumptious feast at 7 p.m. Don’t miss out on live music provided by the incomparable sound of the Boilermaker Jazz Band along with live and silent auctions and other exciting activities. Dress is black tie optional, Mardi Gras attire is welcome.

Table and individual sponsorships are now available including the “Big Easy Benefactor” with two tables of 10 and promotion; the “French Quarter Supporter” with one table of 10 and promotion; the “Cajun Contributor” with one table of 10; and individual tickets with the “Party Gras Patron.”  Select Signature Event Sponsorships are also available by calling 304-473-8485.

Reserve online at www.wvwc.edu/gala2024 or by calling 304-473-8485.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing, and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Department of Biology and Chemistry acquired a new EVOS Imaging System microscope thanks to the generosity of an alum and the Star Instrumentation Grants Program.

The EVOS Imaging System is a fully integrated digital inverted microscope for four-color fluorescence, transmitted light and color applications. The Celeste Image Analysis System allows for real-time imaging and 3-D reconstruction of fluorescently stained cells and tissues.

The late Robert H. Sammis ‘56, a long-time benefactor of the science programs at the college, provided $25,000 in funding and the rest came from the grant.

The new microscope arrived at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year and was put to use almost immediately.

Dr. Luke Huggins’ research looks at plant natural products as novel cancer treatments.His students in molecular cell biology performed two-color fluorescence staining of HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells to examine the effects of reishi mushroom extract of matrix metalloproteinase-2 production.

“This microscope allows us to do publication-quality, multi-color fluorescence and three-dimensional imaging,” he said. “We couldn’t do the three-dimensional imaging and the color is much better. This is bringing us up to state-of-the-art. We have replaced a good microscope that was 20 years old with a really modern research microscope.”

Dr. Bruce Anthony’s lab examines the effects of drug abuse on the central nervous system. With the new microscope, research students are able to examine the changes in both a 2-D and 3-D structure and to determine neuroplastic dynamics during drug recovery. Over the summer, students used the system to look at the effects of ethanol on neuronal stem cells.

Other classes will also benefit from the microscope.

Between 50 and 75 students will be trained to use the new microscope each year. The focus on experimental design, analysis and written communication in these courses is essential to the development of the critical thinking skills needed by biomedical graduates and the microscope provides another tool. Another five to 15 research students will have the opportunity to use the system as part of the West Virginia Wesleyan Summer Undergraduate research or through the Maier Foundation.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing, and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will be held Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. in Wesley Chapel ushering in the holiday season for West Virginia Wesleyan College and local community.

Dr. R. Daniel Hughes, Chair of the WVWC Department of Music, said, “The program this year features music by many English composers including William Walton, Herbert Howells, Samuel Wesley, Charles Wood, John Gardner, Judith Weir, Bob Chilcott and Errollyn Wallen. It will also feature carols for all to sing, including favorite arrangements by David Willcocks accompanied by brass quintet, organ and timpani.”

Dean of the Chapel Rev. Jonathan Acord, said, “The purpose of Festival of Lessons and Carols is to invite the Wesleyan community to experience the story of Christ’s revelation to the world through reflection and song.”

Members of the West Virginia Wesleyan College campus community will be invited to share this story during the program.

West Virginia Wesleyan’s Concert Chorale and Concentus Vocum, conducted by Hughes, will be joined by several alumni and by singers in fourth through eighth grades from Buckhannon Academy Elementary School, Flemington Elementary School, West Taylor Elementary School and Shady Spring Middle School, thanks to their teachers and West Virginia Wesleyan alumni Braden Hoffman ’20, Amanda Bise ‘10, M.Ed. ’16 and Megan Gray ‘14.

Immediately following the service, the congregation will recess outside for the lighting of the Christmas tree.

The Festival of Lessons and Carols and tree lighting ceremony are free and open to the public.

Aladdin Food Service will serve a holiday feast including herb crusted roast beef with a mushroom demi-glaze, chicken marsala, stuffed pork loin with peppercorn sauce, cranberry meatballs, caesar salad, spinach salad with dried cranberries, and feta, gratin potatoes, penne pasta with vegetable ragu, fresh green beans, wilted kale with apples
deviled eggs, fresh fruit platter and holiday dessert display.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing, and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –   Eight individuals who continually find ways to serve their campus, community and beyond were officially sworn in as West Virginia Wesleyan College Trustees during Founders Day 2023.

Arria Hines ‘95, born and raised in rural West Virginia, is an accomplished and energetic business leader and entrepreneur. In 2009, Hines founded Allegheny Science & Technology, a woman-owned West Virginia-based energy services company. From two employees, to nearly 240, AST is a leader in alternative energy technologies and renewable energies. Hines is a member of WVU’s Visiting Committee, TechConnect Board of Directors, West Virginia Governor’s STEM Council, Upshur County Development Authority Board and an advocate for the West Virginia Public Speaker’s Bureau. She is an executive member of the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Board.

Rev. Martha Ognibene ‘79, is senior pastor of Wesley UMC in Morgantown. Ognibene is an elder in The United Methodist Church and has served churches in Parkersburg, Huntington, Colliers and Short Gap as well as superintendent of the Northern District. Ognibene also earned degrees from Virginia Tech and the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Angel (Williamson) Riley ’99 earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from WVWC and obtained a Master of Public Administration in Government Management from Southeastern University. She is senior manager, political affairs, for the North America subsidiary of the leading medical technology corporation Royal Philips. In 2005, she co-founded the Black Alumni Network, an unofficial alumni networking group for WVWC. She also previously served on the Alumni Council from 2009-2015 and headed a capital campaign to renovate the BSU House and chaired the Alumni Council’s silent auction. A four-time Amazon Bestselling author, podcast host, global speaker and certified life coach, Riley continually demonstrates Wesleyan’s objective for alumni to be leaders throughout their lives.

Curtis Wilkerson ’99 majored in history and political science at WVWC and went on to found Orion Strategies, a firm providing strategic communication, public relations and state and federal government affairs. Offices can now be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington, D.C., as well as West Virginia. He is married to Kristi Wilkerson ’99, who recently accepted the position of Vice President of Advancement at WVWC.

Michael Bush ’10 is an attorney and entrepreneur in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, owning and operating various real estate companies, including 1st Management Group, LLC and Real Property Solutions, LLC.  Mike graduated with Honors from WVWC in 2010 and from West Virginia University College of Law in 2013 as a member of Order of the Coif.  He is active with the Berkeley County Planning Commission and Gerrardstown Presbyterian Church. Mike and his wife, Liz, have the honor of raising a rambunctious toddler, Abby. Since graduating from Wesleyan, Mike and a core group of Bobcat friends gather every year for a Thanksgiving cabin weekend – and their spouses and children have quickly become part of the Wesleyan family.

David Young ’87 is the founder and chief consultant of Young & Associates, a specialized consultancy based in London that focuses on developing global product positioning and branding for pharmaceuticals and other medical products. David holds an MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (now a unit of Arizona State University), a BS degree in marketing and biology from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and a certificate in Japanese studies from Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. He is a guest lecturer at the Karachi School of Business (with ties to Cambridge University). He is in the process of being certified as a board director from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). David has been an advisor to the Board of Trustees of Hackney Empire Theatre in London, where he helped shape their equity story to support fundraising efforts. He is a long-standing member and former chairman of the senior advisory board to the Dean of Thunderbird, where he also acts as counsel to the school on marketing and branding related issues. David is part of the original founding team for the ‘Thunderbird SHARE Fellowship’, a prestigious alumni-driven scholarship/mentorship programme for exceptional students from developing countries wishing to attend Thunderbird.  David speaks German, is a certified Master SCUBA Diver, an Emergency SCUBA Medic, enjoys skiing and riding horses, and in his spare time volunteers as a surgical assistant for medical mission work in remote locations around the world.

Joanna McQuaid Webb ’07 is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She graduated from Wesleyan with a BS in Chemistry in 2007. She obtained her PhD in organometallic chemistry in 2012 from the University of Virginia, synthesizing novel transition metal complexes for catalytic small molecule transformations related to the energy sector. She began teaching at Wesleyan in 2012 and received the Exemplary Teaching Award in 2018. Joanna currently serves as a Career Consultant for the American Chemical Society and as Chair of Faculty Senate.  She also owns and operates Three Little Buds in Buckhannon.

Bill Pastorius earned both of his degrees from West Virginia University – he completed his Bachelor of Science in Education (Secondary English specialization) in 1996 and Master of Arts in Reading in 2003. He taught English at Frankfort High School for five years before moving to Johnson City while his wife did research at East Tennessee State University.  After the birth of his daughter in 2009, Bill moved back home to WV and began working as a reading clinician at Wesleyan’s Learning Center in May of 2010.  He has been the Coordinator of Lindamood-Bell®* Methods program since August 2011.  Bill was elected to Staff Council in 2020, served as Vice Chair in 2022-2023, and currently serves as Chair.

Sadie Nichols ’25, current president of the Student Senate, is an ex-officio member of the board of trustees, along with Webb and Pastorious.

The trustees recently elected new officers: Kevin Spear ’76 as chair, Dr. Ellis Conley ’73 as secretary, Bill Fahrner ’96, MBA ’02 as chair of finance and David A. Young ‘87 as chair of governance and trusteeship.  Other trustees returning are John Allevato ’76, Brian Brouillette ’82; Jason Fiegel ‘00; Dr. Alan Letton; Justin Raber ’08; Rev. Dr. Vance Ross ’79; Rev. Amy Shanholtzer ’87; Dr. Joanne Soliday ’69, Hon. ’16; Craig Welsh ’93; and Jamion Wolford ’08.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –   The West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Theatre & Dance presents “Proof” by David Auburn, Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to curtain and are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors, students or anyone with a WVWC ID.

Winner of the 2001 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Proof” is the story of an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, her calculating older sister, their genius father, and an unexpected suitor, all pieces of the puzzle in the search for evidence about the origins of a mysterious mathematical proof. This poignant drama unfolds on the back porch of an older suburban Chicago home, near a university where the father taught. David Auburn’s characters are brilliant and instantly recognizable as those members of our own families.

The cast includes junior musical theater majors Sydney Stewart of Barboursville, West Virginia as Claire and Ben Long of Buckhannon, West Virginia as Hal, as well as Buckhannon resident Alan Stephens as Robert. As part of the requirements for their senior capstone, senior acting and directing major Ellery Brown of Bay City, Michigan is featured as Catherine. Crew for the show includes costume designs by freshman psychology major Kostadena Matina Hartley of Buckhannon, West Virginia, properties design by freshman education major Tina Green of Huntington, West Virginia, house and box office management by senior psychology major Colby Wamsley of Clarksburg, West Virginia, sound design by senior biochemistry major Owen Hess of Bridgeport, West Virginia and stage management by criminal justice and technical theater double-major Jay Coping-Smith of Charleston, West Virginia, graphic designs by Associate Professor Jon Benjamin, with scenic and lighting designs by David Hartley, new Director of Technical Theater. The play is directed by Associate Professor and Department Chair, Thomas Schoffler.

This play runs just under two hours with a 10-minute intermission and contains adult language, physical intimacy and frank depictions of mental illness. If you have questions, please contact schoffler_t@wvwc.edu

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is once again ranked in the top 10 for Best Value in the South in U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Colleges and is one of the Best Regional Colleges by The Princeton Review.

Under the U.S. News and World Report’s rankings, the College was ranked eighth for Best Value amongst Regional Colleges in the South, and 24th overall in the same category.  West Virginia Wesleyan is also listed as one of the Top Performers on Social Mobility which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants. 

 Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing John Waltz ‘01 said, “Growth in our new student and overall enrollment numbers this fall shows that students and families value a Wesleyan education and the unique campus experience and true personal attention our residential setting offers.  We have seen tremendous growth this year in West Virginia Promise Scholars, Creative and Performing Artists, Community Service Scholars, and Student Athletes—along with our largest freshman international population in over 20 years.”

In determining Best Value Schools, U.S. News & World Report considered academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid. 

More than 95 percent of WVWC students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships. WVWC awards academic scholarships up to $18,000 per year, which can be combined with co-curricular scholarships (athletics, creative arts, community service), the West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship, and all outside scholarships obtained by incoming students.

 The U.S. News & World Report rankings follow the College’s listing in the ‘Best in the Southeast’ section of The Princeton Review’s “2024 Best Colleges: Region by Region” publication in August.

 WVWC was also ranked number one in Safest College Campuses in West Virginia, according to the 2024 NICHE Best College Rankings.

West Virginia Wesleyan College will host Fall Open Houses Oct. 21 and Nov. 11, giving prospective students the opportunity to explore all the College has to offer. For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.