News Type: Campus

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia — West Virginia Wesleyan College is set to welcome over 390 new students for fall semester 2025 across all programs, continuing an overall enrollment increase of 10% since 2022.

Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing John Waltz ‘01 said, “We are so excited to welcome freshmen and transfer students for orientation activities this weekend.  I am proud of the work of our admissions and financial aid teams, coaches, faculty, and staff for these enrollment successes in a challenging climate.

“It is also heartening to welcome new students to our diverse array of graduate programs and to our new LPN to BSN pathway program, truly illustrating the many doors to a Wesleyan education.”

The College’s new LPN to BSN program, announced over the summer, welcomes its first full cohort. The hybrid online program includes clinical days at WVWC in the first semester and at the Battlers Knob campus in Philippi for subsequent semesters. 

Graduate enrollment has increased by 37% over 2024 and 117% since 2023. The Master’s in Counseling Program, launched in 2024, continues to grow with a new addictions certificate added this fall. An online EMBA program tailored to working professionals was also recently added to the existing MBA, nursing, creative writing and athletic training graduate programs. 

The new first-time and transfer full-time students represent both geographic diversity and academic achievement. Forty-four percent hail from West Virginia, representing 38 of the state’s 55 counties. Another 46% are from out of state, representing 25 states, while 10% are international students from 25 different countries. The incoming class average GPA is 3.45 with 20% reporting a 4.0.

The 10 most popular majors among the incoming class include business administration, pre-nursing, exercise science, psychology, biology, sports business, computer science, criminal justice, physics/engineering and education.

Undergraduate students will participate in orientation activities on Saturday, Aug. 16, including meetings with faculty and staff, lunch with President James Moore, the Bobcat Street Fair where families interact with local businesses and community members, and activities for both parents and students to prepare them for transition to college.  

Classes for the Fall 2025 semester will begin on August 18 and campus will welcome alumni and families back for Homecoming Weekend Sept. 26-29.

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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 – The West Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees recently voted to extend the contract of President Dr. James Moore through June 30, 2032, a move that affirms the institution’s confidence in his leadership and vision for the College’s future.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce our unanimous decision to extend Dr. Moore’s contract through June 30, 2032,” said Kevin Spear, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “This renewal reflects our deep confidence in Dr. Moore’s ability to continue to elevate our College, strengthen its academic programs, and further its ongoing mission of excellence in serving the needs of our region.”

Moore came to West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2006, serving as Director of Jazz Ensembles and Professor of Music. He then was appointed to Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty for five years. The board appointed Moore as interim president of West Virginia Wesleyan in 2022, making it official in 2023.

Since stepping into the presidency, Moore has continually underscored the role West Virginia Wesleyan College has to play in Appalachia by working to solve problems such as the demand for more clinical mental health counselors and health care professionals. 

Moore played a pivotal role in securing transformative partnerships and investments including the $1.2 million collaborative gift from Aetna Better Health of West Virginia and Community Care of West Virginia to launch the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

WVWC recently announced the establishment of a new LPN to RN pathway program utilizing the Battlers Knob campus in
Philippi. Students will start the mostly online program with in-person clinicals at WVWC their first semester and then transition to the Battler’s Knob campus for the remainder of the program. 

A partnership with Mon Health System/Vandalia Health guarantees scholarships and employment for WVWC nursing graduates. There has also been the expansion of local and regional collaborations with Upshur County Schools, Valley Health, Behavioral Health Associates, City of Buckhannon/Colonial Arts Center, and Notre Dame High School.

Total enrollment has grown by 10% since 2022, marking two consecutive years of increased enrollment and a projected continuation of that growth into Fall 2025. The most significant increase has come at the graduate level. Graduate program enrollment has increased by 40 percent since 2023 with the introduction of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, new addiction and recovery certificate, and executive (online) MBA programs. 

This fall, WVWC will welcome its first Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity students to campus.

Campus and facility enhancements have also flourished during Moore’s tenure. Thanks to generous donations from alumni, new multi-purpose stadium lighting at the Cebe Ross Field has been installed allowing the return of nighttime games and events at the stadium. Seating upgrades at Rockefeller Gymnasium will be complete in the 2025-2026 academic year. 

Renovations at McCuskey Hall and upgrades to the French A. See Dining Center, including new seating and flooring (set for Fall 2025 completion) were also made. The tennis complex received new enhancement including a striking Wesleyan-themed resurfacing and a new scoreboard. WVWC’s iconic Wesley Chapel steeple received a much-needed refresh. 

Moore oversaw a reimagining of the Office of Advancement, resulting in the highest Wesleyan Fund total in 20 years – with all donor gifts directly benefiting students. With Moore’s leadership, there has been the reestablishment of alumni trust and engagement, achieving 50% growth in the College’s alumni participation rate.  Due to Moore’s vision, the Office of Advancement also recently spearheaded the creation of the Wesleyan Athletics Endowment, ensuring long-term support for WVWC athletic programs. 

Moore said, “I am humbled and honored that the Board of Trustees has affirmed their confidence in the great work we’re doing at WVWC. Since 2006, this place has been my home and my passion, and I am excited to continue to be a member of this community for the next seven years.”

With this renewed leadership, West Virginia Wesleyan College remains committed to providing a transformative educational experience that supports its students, faculty, and the broader Appalachian region.

 

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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 – The West Virginia Wesleyan College community is mourning the sudden loss of Dr. George Albert “Bert” Popson Jr., Department of Physics and Engineering chair and long-time professor for nearly 36 years. Popson passed away July 14, 2025. 

Popson, originally from Kittanning, Pennsylvania, earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1972 and a master’s from IUP in 1986. He completed his Ph.D. in physics from Clemson University in 1989 and began teaching at West Virginia Wesleyan College Sept. 1, 1989. After teaching at the secondary level and a career in the private sector, Popson found his true passion at the collegiate level. 

Popson mentored thousands of students in the classroom and through summer research projects who went on to pursue graduate degrees and careers with NASA and major companies across the globe.

Provost Dr. Lynn M. Linder, said, “Dr. Bert Popson’s legacy goes far beyond the classroom or lab. For more than 35 years, he poured his heart into West Virginia Wesleyan College — mentoring students, supporting his peers, recruiting tirelessly for the Department of Physics and Engineering, and doing it all with a smile and sincere care for those around him. His presence will be profoundly missed, but the goodness he brought to our College community will never be forgotten.”

Professor of Physics and Engineering Dr. Joseph Wiest, who is retiring after 52 years, added, “All of us in the Department of Physics and Engineering at West Virginia Wesleyan College are grieving over the sudden and unexpected loss of Bert Popson. I was the department chair of the Department of Physics and Engineering at West Virginia Wesleyan College when we had the privilege of hiring Bert over 35 years ago.”

Wiest recalled Popson had recently graduated with his Ph.D. in solid state physics from Clemson University and set up undergraduate lecture and laboratory classes on that topic as well as teaching electronics and introductory physics classes.

“He was a great teacher who was deeply appreciated by all of his students and his co-workers in all of these years. He had a fine mind, always carried a smile on his face, and was always available to help a fellow teacher or student who had a need of any kind,” Wiest said. “Out of the classroom, he loved to take his bicycle out into the countryside on a beautiful day and to ride for miles at a time. He was a member of the state and national branches of the American Association of Physics Teachers and presented talks to those groups of college teachers.”

Popson was awarded the Distinguished Service Award at the Appalachian Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 2007.  He served as president of the organization in 1999 and made numerous presentations on improving physics teaching at AAPT meetings. 

“Bert will be sorely missed by all of us at Wesleyan in the sciences and in all of the other teaching areas, and by all of the students who took his classes over all of these years,” Wiest said. “He represented the best in teaching to all of his students and to all of his fellow teachers at the College.  He was unfailingly kind and approachable, and always found time for those in need.”

Popson’s classes at WVWC grew to include engineering thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, materials lab and advanced engineering lab. During his time at WVWC, Popson also served as advisor for the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honorary Society. His research interests included cryogenics, superconductors, wind tunnels, X-ray crystallography, heat pumps, strength of materials and magnetic resonance.

Associate Professor Dr. Tracey DeLaney, said, “Bert was instrumental to the growth and strength of the Department of Physics and Engineering, having negotiated the articulations agreement with our partner universities for our dual degree engineering program.  But far more than that, he was a dear friend and colleague.  When I was going through treatment for breast cancer, Bert constantly checked in on me and gave me rides and was a rock whom I could lean on for anything.”

A memorial service will be held at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Wesley Chapel on Aug. 9, 2025 at 1 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Dr. Popson can be made to the WVWC Department of Physics and Engineering via postal mail to the WVWC Office of Advancement, 59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201 or online at https://www.wvwc.edu/give/  

An obituary can be 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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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’s new director of technical theatre found his passion in set design and has worked in theatre, small movie projects and television.

Boyd Wolz holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre set design from Boston University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University and an Associates Degree in Fine Arts from Casper College.

Following graduate school, Woltz worked in New York City as an assistant designer for several Broadway, off-Broadway, and also regional productions.  He also brings experience working in higher education at Utah Tech University, Susquehanna University, University of Louisiana-Monroe, University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Brigham Young University-Idaho.

“My quest has been to meet new people and be challenged by new ideas as I have sought to develop my artistic ability,” Wolz said.” Even though my degree is in scenic design, I have experience in every aspect of theatrical design and have also directed a few productions. I have also been able to teach a variety of theatre courses, and have developed curriculum for design, history, and technical theatre.” 

Wolz is the co-author of two books about the culture of business and relationships, “Winning the Culture Game” and “Crabs in a Bucket.” 

Originally from Wyoming, Wolz will make North Central West Virginia his new home.

“I am excited to work with West Virginia Wesleyan College, the students, and the community of Buckhannon,” he said. 

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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  –  Creating another avenue for working professionals to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Nursing has launched a new LPN to BSN Pathway that will see students earn their degree through hybrid online courses and weekend clinical rotations.

The program recently received final approval from the West Virginia Board of Nursing and is ready to begin accepting its first cohort of up to 24 students, which would begin in August 2025.

Director of the WVWC School of Nursing Dr. Kimberly White, Phd, MSN, RN, said, “WVWC School of Nursing is excited to bring this pathway to BSN nursing to our local community.  This is a vital step toward strengthening our local health care system. It provides licensed practical nurses (LPNs) with a flexible and accessible pathway to advance their education and become registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This not only helps address the growing nursing shortage but also improves the quality of care patients receive by equipping nurses with enhanced clinical skills and leadership training.

“The hybrid format, which combines online coursework with in-person clinical experiences, makes it easier for working professionals to continue their education without sacrificing their current employment. By investing in the development of local talent, the program also supports economic growth and ensures that health care providers better reflect and understand the unique needs of the community they serve.”

Students will begin the program at WVWC, taking classes online but having one weekend a month on campus for testing, skills, and simulation labs. They will then move to Battlers Knob in Phillipi for their one-weekend per month on campus and will have one to two weekends of clinical rotations per month depending on the number of clinical courses they are enrolled in. The flexibility of the program provides for completion in two years if full-time or three years if part-time.

For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu/nursing. 

 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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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 –  Nursing runs in the family, and now West Virginia Wesleyan College degrees do, too.

During Commencement Weekend, visiting assistant professor Valerie Jordan M’25 pinned her son Noah Jordan ’25 in the Nursing Convocation and presented him with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing diploma the next day. She also participated in both ceremonies as a graduate with her MSN in Nursing Leadership.

Valerie began teaching at WVWC in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and more than 20 years of experience in psychiatric mental health, but decided to pursue graduate studies.

“I started taking one class at a time, one or two a semester, working towards my Master’s in Nursing Leadership, and I’m hopefully getting my doctorate next year in leadership,” she said. “To continue working here at Wesleyan, which I love, I wanted to further my education, and I like learning.”

For Noah, choosing nursing follows a family tradition.

“My great-grandma was a nurse, my grandma was a nurse, and my mom was a nurse, and she was my biggest inspiration,” he said. “She loves helping people, which made me want to be like her. She is always kindhearted and loves caring for people. I hope I can be half the nurse she is one day.”

At WVWC, Noah found the School of Nursing Program nurturing and encouraging.

“It’s very family-oriented here,” he said. “They care for all their students, and they are willing to work with you if you are having life troubles or need time on any assignments. They care for your success and want you to succeed in the program. They want you to succeed and do well.”

Regarding school, Noah had family support at Middleton Hall and home through his mom.

“I leaned on her the most probably — she has been my biggest support system throughout everything,” he said. “She has helped me study. She has given me tips on how to be successful.”

Nursing Convocation and Commencement were extra special with the two graduates.

Valerie added, “I was just so proud of him and his accomplishments, and I was so honored that they let me give him a diploma. Our administration and faculty are wonderful to work with. That day was bittersweet -we got to see our family and share it.”

Noah will be working on the cardiac stepdown unit at Ruby Memorial Hospital, but like his mom, is also planning to pursue graduate education. He will apply to WVWC for his psychiatric nursing practitioner degree in partnership with Shenandoah University.

Having struggled with mental health issues, Noah said it is something close to his heart as he looked at careers in nursing.

“I feel like we need more people here for those who are mentally ill and unable to take care of themselves,” he said

Valerie has transformed her career from working in psychiatric nursing to teaching the next generation of nurses.

“My mom was a nurse and an educator, and I had taught 14 years in CNA program classes,” she said.

Coming to WVWC has expanded those opportunities as she is left with her major project to finish her doctorate.

“I love the students,” she said. “We have an excellent group of students who come through Wesleyan. They try very hard and are very respectful. Two who graduated were in my first freshman class.”

WVWC offers flexible degrees and stepping stones to further nursing education, including launching a new LPN to BSN pathway and several master’s and doctoral programs.

“The FNP program is probably one of the most popular,” she said. “We have had a 100 percent pass rate for the last several years.”

With the early assurance program, students can begin taking graduate classes going into their senior year, allowing them to complete some courses while earning their BSN.

Valerie said, “Wesleyan is a great place – the whole campus. All of it is very family-oriented, like Noah said. Everybody is there to help each other. You can always reach out. Our students work well together, peer to peer and student to faculty.”

Recently, students took care of a paraplegic patient who was so appreciative that his hygiene needs were met.

“Two students wrote in their reflection that they would never forget that experience,” she said. “I will never forget that experience.”

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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  – Big things come in small packages, and at 4 feet tall, Megan Lively packed a lot of kindness into her years before passing away in 2019.

Megan’s story and her adventures at West Virginia Wesleyan College and through Upshur County Special Olympics are the subject of a book written by her mother, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Alisa Mauk Lively.

Writing “It’s the Small Things that Count” is something Lively wanted to do to help with closure and tell Megan’s story to a larger audience.

“No matter what obstacles you face medically in life or developmentally, you can always make a difference,” she said. “I wanted other young children to understand they can impact anyone, no matter how small the gesture.”

Megan was born with ring chromosome 18 – a condition that affected her physical development but never her joy, strength, or generosity.

Through the book, Lively also wants children to understand people who are differently abled and to embrace and include them.

The book is published through Silent Books Publishing, owned by WVWC alum Angel King Wilson ‘13 and illustrated by Ade Chintya.

Lively said Chintya captured Megan right off the bat from her life on campus and with Special Olympics to her dream of being a princess.

Readers will recognize Megan, the scenes around WVWC, and some special people like the late Tobi Carter ‘19, who Megan considered one of her best friends.

“Without a doubt, former students will recall the chipper and feisty princess who was always on campus,” Lively said. “She was immersed in WVWC from 1987-2019.”

Megan spent much time on campus at events, making crafts and using the counter to keep track of the number of students entering the dining hall for events.

“She loved helping with the housing lottery,” she said. “She just loved being here. She loved Aladdin. She made bracelets for many of the staff. Everybody had crafts.”

The title came from Megan.

“I wanted it to reflect something about being kind or small gestures,” she said. “Not only is it small as in small gestures, but it is small because she was 4 feet tall.”

Proceeds from the book’s sale go to Upshur County Special Olympics, where Megan competed for many years, and Lively serves as executive director.

The Foundation for Better Schools purchased five signed copies for each elementary School for grades one through five.

Lively has been able to read the book to some classes already and said holding the finished book for the first time was a great feeling.

“It was undeniably satisfying, and it just makes me feel like she is still here,” Lively said.

Purchase the book here. It is also available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Books A Million.

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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 – Receiving several awards including Outstanding Senior, West Virginia Wesleyan College graduate Katie Morgan ’25 excelled in academics and service.  

At the Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony, Morgan also received the Wesleyan Values Award, the Practicing Restorative Justice Award, the Outstanding Senior in Psychology Award, and the Brad Long Peace Fund Award. On Commencement Day, Morgan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. 

She did all this while navigating the campus, her studies, and service as a blind person.

Morgan is from Monongah, West Virginia, a community outside Fairmont about an hour’s drive from WVWC.

“I chose Wesleyan because I knew it was a small school and a small campus, which would mean it was easy for me to navigate as a totally blind person,” she said. “It was emphasized at Wesleyan that you would get one-on-one attention from your professors and they would be able to help you.”

Going away to college wasn’t without concerns for Morgan.

“I had heard stories from other blind people who went to colleges, about how they weren’t accommodated or that professors wouldn’t give them what they needed,” she said. “I am also a first-generation student. Neither of my parents graduated from college. Would I even be able to do the work? Compounding that, as a blind person, I definitely had a lot of concerns about how well I would be able to do in that environment.” 

WVWC has The Learning Center – something Morgan used throughout her time at WVWC, including its testing lab.

“For my first year, I would meet once a week with my advisor at The Learning Center, Linda Selan,” Morgan said. “We would check in on how I was handling the coursework, if I needed any accommodations. She was really good about checking in with me and making sure I had everything I needed. Everyone there was always kind and willing to hear my questions, always willing to help in whatever way I needed.” 

“They also provided people to walk to my classes with me in the beginning, so I would know where they were located and I could later find them independently,” she said.

“Every professor I ever had was very understanding and accommodating,” she said. “If I needed a test in an electronic format or if I needed to do an assignment in a different format, or email a paper instead of printing it, they would work with me.”

Morgan also became involved on campus, giving back to the community that welcomed her.

“The first organization I joined was Intervarsity Christian Fellowship,” she said. “Joining that organization really gave me the ability to lead Bible studies and welcome new students, giving them a safe space to come.

“I joined WE LEAD my junior year because they offered areas of service I could focus on,” she said. “My first semester with them I was on the youth security team focusing on children. Senior year, I switched to being involved with the human rights team. We provided educational materials on violations of human rights and spreading awareness about where human rights are lacking.”

“As a senior, I interned with the Center for Restorative Justice. I facilitated community-based conversations on the Wesleyan campus about different topics, providing people a safe space for people to have discussions. I also volunteered at Resilience Collaborative in Clarksburg with people who are unhoused, helping to cook and serve meals, having conversations, and learning more about their struggles.” 

Morgan is taking a gap year to gain work experience before entering West Virginia University’s Master of Science in Counseling with a goal to become a certified therapist. She feels her studies and experiences at WVWC will make these next steps possible. 

“Academically, I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “I had really awesome professors who took the time to teach and engage with students. The opportunities for leadership, particularly with WE LEAD and the Center for Restorative Justice, really feel like it has prepped me to be a therapist. It taught me to provide a positive space for other people and how to engage with other people and their life experiences, and what we can do to help. For any work team I am going to be part of in the future, the CCE provided really good opportunities for leadership and being in a team setting.” 

As she looks back on her experiences at WVWC, Morgan remembers the beginning of her first year.

“It was very overwhelming and also very positive,” she said. “I really got there and didn’t know if I would be able to succeed. I knew all throughout high school that I wanted to be a therapist. I had this career goal and didn’t really know what it would take or how I would get there.”

The answer proved to be one day at a time, according to Morgan.

“I thought every day something would happen and it would be too challenging, but one day at a time, I made it. I was surrounded by kindness. I definitely would not have made it without the support of those people and making those connections to people I knew would be willing to help me.”

Her advice to others?

“Don’t be afraid to do it,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of the challenge. You gain so many skills, experiences, and so much knowledge you can apply to any part of your life. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Try to find a community that you fit into. Having a sense of community is really helpful with the isolation.”

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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 is welcoming back two accomplished music alumni to lead its marching and jazz programs. Eliza Taylor ‘19 will be Director of Athletic Bands, and Adam Loudin ‘07 will be Assistant Professor of Music/Director of Jazz Ensembles.

The hires come as the College has continued to put a strong emphasis on the arts. Including the incoming Class of 2029, WVWC has welcomed over 150 creative arts to campus in the last three classes. Later this month, WVWC will welcome high school students to the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts for the second summer in a row and will also host in 2026. The College has hosted GSA for two of the last three cycles. 

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Music Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and a Master of Music in flute performance with graduate certificates in instrumental conducting and music administration from The Ohio University School of Music. She is a member of Women Band Directors International, National Association for Music Education, West Virginia Music Educators Association, West Virginia Bandmasters, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and Pi Kappa Lambda honor society for music.

A formidable director and conductor, Taylor has directed bands at the middle school and high school level in North Central West Virginia. Her ensembles have most frequently achieved Superior “I” ratings and have also premiered works at West Virginia ratings festivals. As a conductor, she is known for her expressive gestures and stylistic clarity. Eliza studied wind band conducting at Ohio University under Dr. William Talley. 

“I have a firm belief that a school’s marching band is the public face of the College as well as an ambassador for the entire community. I am honored to be returning to my Alma Mater to support their efforts and to grow a program that means so much to me.” 

Taylor is primarily a flutist, but is also an accomplished conductor, singer, pianist, and trombonist. Well-versed in classical, jazz, and Latin styles, she has performed and collaborated with a variety of individuals and ensembles. 

As a WVWC student, Taylor was a member during the inaugural years of the Bobcat Marching Band, Concert Band, WVWC Big Band, choral ensembles and jazz combos. She was also the lead vocalist and flutist for the Afro-Cuban Ensemble and the assistant director of the Flute Ensemble during her time as a student. She received the Outstanding Music Department Senior Award and the Academic and Leadership Achievement Award, graduating magna cum laude. Eliza also has experience as a church musician and chorister. 

Taylor has studied flute with Dr. Keith Hanlon, Linda Wolfersheim, and Alison Brown Sincoff. She and her husband, Seth Blake ‘17, a fellow music educator, call Elkins home. 

Loudin is a dedicated music educator, conductor and performer with over 15 years of experience inspiring young musicians in West Virginia and beyond. He earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from WVWC and a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he studied trumpet with Joey Tartell and served as a graduate assistant to renowned jazz educator David Baker.

 Under his leadership at Robert L. Bland Middle School in Weston, both band and choir ensembles were repeatedly recognized as WVMEA State Middle School Honor Ensembles. His commitment to excellence in music education earned him the title of Teacher of the Year twice during his 15-year tenure in Lewis County. In 2016, Adam was honored with the West Virginia Wesleyan College Young Alumni Achievement Award.

Loudin said, “I am beyond thrilled to be joining the music faculty at WVWC.  The school, its professors, and its tradition of valuing the arts were integral to my development as a young jazz musician, and I consider the opportunity to become a part of the WVWC campus community as a professor a true honor and privilege.”

 In addition to his work in public education, Loudin served as artistic director of the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus of West Virginia in 2015. He also contributed to higher education as an adjunct professor at WVWC for over a decade, where he taught secondary music education methods, brass methods, and applied lessons. A sought-after clinician, Adam has conducted honor choirs and bands throughout the state.

 As a performer, Loudin has remained active in both jazz and classical music. He has played jazz extensively throughout West Virginia and surrounding states and spent more than 10 years as a member of the West Virginia Brass Quintet.

 In 2024, Loudin was honored nationally by School Band and Orchestra Plus (SBO+) magazine as one of the “50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference,” highlighting his significant contributions to music education. 

Loudin and his wife, Katie ‘07,—a fellow WVWC graduate, former Director of Community Engagement for WVWC, and current Director of Strategic Development for the WV Community Development Hub—live in Buckhannon with their two sons, Thomas and Elliot, who share their parents’ love for music.

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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 –  The West Virginia Wesleyan College Class of 2025 honored a faculty member who teaches some of the most difficult classes while fostering an environment where students can succeed.

Dr. Kelly Terhune ’03, MBA ‘05, Director and Assistant Professor for the Thomas Albinson School of Business, received the Distinguished Faculty Award from Senior Class President Zoë Casto during WVWC’s 134th Commencement.
“Thirty-five years ago, the WVWC Class of 1990 established an award to recognize a member of Wesleyan’s faculty for the quality of their contributions to the College and its students,” Casto said. “While she teaches some of the hardest classes, she takes the time to help students understand the concepts and creates an atmosphere to succeed.”

Terhune just completed her 18th year at WVWC. She earned her undergrade degree in mathematics and health promotion/fitness management and her MBA from WVWC before later pursuing a Masters in Economics from WVU in 2012.

“I have always taught Statistics for Business and Economics, but have also taught all but two economics courses through my 18 years here,” she said. “It is hard for me to identify my favorite classes to teach, but I can say  I like to teach mathy things and microeconomic things, but at the end of the day I really just love teaching.”

“I am humbled and honored to be chosen by the senior class to receive this award, although I am shocked that I won.   I teach classes that challenge most students, but I try to be very available to them so they can ask questions.  At the end of the day, I am glad they recognize this and I hope they know how much I truly appreciate the recognition!”

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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.