News Type: Campus

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – Laurel College of Technology, located in Morgantown, West Virginia, is excited to announce a new collaborative effort with West Virginia Wesleyan College, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, to allow graduates of Laurel’s 20-month Associate Degree of Nursing program to expand their education through an RN to Master of Science in Nursing opportunity. The agreement allows eligible Laurel graduates who pass the NCLEX and obtain the credentials to be a Registered Nurse through the West Virginia RN Board to  apply for enrollment in WVWC’s Master of Science in Nursing program. According to the agreement, WVWC will accept eight eligible students a year who after an individualized review for potential graduate admission meet the predetermined criteria.

Laurel’s Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) is a 71 credit program that spans over 5 semesters and is designed to prepare the graduate to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for registered nurses and to enter a career as a beginning practitioner of nursing.  In June of 2024, Laurel received initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Public information about accreditation is disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website. Laurel has designed the courses to provide the students with an awareness of the value and dignity of people, a view of the patient as an integrated, unique individual that requires nursing knowledge and skills. The program and simulation center is reflective of Laurel’s commitment to preparing exceptional, job-ready professionals in a way that addresses the ever-increasing need for qualified nurses.

“Our program, and the students in it, are held to rigorous expectations for the safety of future patients and the care our students will provide the community,” states Doug Decker, Ph. D., Executive Vice President of Laurel Institutes. “We’re excited to see this pathway open up for our graduates. This agreement creates an additional entry point for students who want to expand on their career and professional training and complete a master’s degree.”

West Virginia Wesleyan College offers graduate programs in nursing with various pathways and points of entrance. Currently, students can choose between Master of Science in Nursing programs with specializations in Nursing Leadership or the Family Nurse Practitioner. The school also offers Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwifery options in collaboration with Shenandoah University. For the past two years, the College has offered an RN to MSN program, which allows nurses with an associate degree in nursing to complete bridge course work and then directly enroll into the MSN program. 

Coursework for the graduate programs in the School of Nursing at West Virginia Wesleyan College is offered in a hybrid format including online, asynchronous, and limited on campus residency experiences.  

“Our College is dedicated to providing flexible and accessible continuing education opportunities for nurses at all career stages,” said Dr. Lynn M. Linder, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to cultivate a highly skilled health care workforce for West Virginia. We’re thrilled to offer programs that accommodate the demanding schedules of working nurses while advancing their professional development.”

ABOUT LAUREL INSTITUTES

Founded in 1985 by Christopher and Nancy Decker, Laurel Institutes are a private, post-secondary specialized associate degree-granting, Career and Technical Education (CTE) provider with four locations throughout Western Pennsylvania, North Central West Virginia, and Northern South Carolina. Laurel College of Technology located in Morgantown, WV is licensed by the WV Council for Community and Technical College Education, WV Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists, initially accredited with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, WV RN Board, and nationally accredited as ‘School of Distinction’ by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Laurel has over 750 current students and more than 5,000 alumni across approximately 20 different AST/B Degree and Diploma programs. These programs are focused on high demand occupational classifications such as skilled trades, health care, information technology, business, cosmetology and early childhood education. Learn more at laurel.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 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 – Two UMC missionaries from Zimbabwe who use their medical degrees and knowledge in their missionary work will be sharing their stories with West Virginia Wesleyan College students and the community on Monday, Sept. 16.

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life along with Rev. Dean Cole, West Virginia United Methodist Conference Secretary of Global Ministries are hosting Dr. Emmanuel and Florence Mefor of Zimbabwe for a Buckhannon visit. 

At 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, the Black Student Union and Center for Cultural & International Affairs will host the Mefors in the side dining room of the French See Dining Hall. Interested community members are welcome. Those wishing to have dinner can pay $12 at the door.

The Mefors are missionaries with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Assisted to Old Mutare Hospital, Florence Mefor uses her skills as a nurse mid-wife. She earned her nursing degree from the School of Nursing in Jos and spent 14 years nursing at the Evangel Hospital in Jos. 

Emmanuel Mefor is a medical doctor also assigned to Old Mutare Hospital. He earned his degree from the University of Maiduguri College of Medicine in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 

In addition to the public presentation, the Mefors will be meeting with several classes on Monday as well. 

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 has announced the addition of eight new faculty members to fill key roles in the College including a new associate provost who will help it reach its ultimate goal of providing the best experience and education for the students. Below are a few short biographies of some of the new faculty members and their accomplishments.

Dr. Christine Schimmel is the Associate Provost for the College and Practicum & Internship Coordinator for the new Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in education from Glenville State University, a Master’s in school counseling from West Virginia University, and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a cognate in school counseling from Marshall University. She has published more than five textbooks on training school and mental health counselors on topics focused on counseling children and adolescents and group counseling. Her work also includes more than 15 peer-reviewed publications on counseling-related topics. Schimmel is currently co-principal investigator on two large federal grants with SAMHSA and another with the U.S. Department of Education. She has spent over 25 years teaching and training counselors in West Virginia at Marshall University and West Virginia University. She is very excited to be joining the College and helping train clinicians at West Virginia Wesleyan College. 

Dr. Kimberly White is the Director of the School of Nursing, chairperson of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing  Program, and an associate professor. Kimberly has obtained several certifications from multiple schools which includes her ADN from Davis and Elkins, BSN from Alderson Broadus, MSN in Nursing Administration from Marshall University, and a Ph.D in nursing education from Capella University. She also completed research on Faculty Experiences with Integrating Emotional Intelligence into Nursing Curricula.

Sandra Oster is a new addition to the nursing faculty who has received her BSN and MSN from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She has been teaching Pediatrics and Mother/baby for 14 years, before which she was a NICU nurse.

Jessica Riffee– is an Assistant Professor in Health Science. Jessica received both her Bachelor of Science  and Master’s in Education degrees in exercise science from Fairmont State University and is currently working towards her dissertation defense to complete her Ph.D in Coaching and Teaching Studies at West Virginia University. Jessica has a number of published abstracts related to public health issues, physical activity, and exercise psychology. She takes advantage of every opportunity to gain experience in a range of higher roles and responsibilities, including mentoring, course development, curriculum design, accreditation activities, as well as service-based research.

John Biola, Micheal Lynch, Olabanji Olatinwo, and Robert Parker are also joining West Virginia Wesleyan College this semester.

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 is once again bringing the campus to downtown Buckhannon for WVWC Night at Festival Fridays in Jawbone Park on August 23 from 5-8:30 p.m.

A Friday night staple in the summer hosted by community organization Create Buckhannon, Festival Fridays offers live music, food and craft vendors and a farmers market. Attendees are invited to wear their orange and black, bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the evening.

For this edition of Festival Fridays, the WVWC Marching Band under the direction of Dr. Robert Palmer and the competitive dance team led by coach Lesa Dencklau will perform at 5:30 p.m. WVWC Athletic teams will introduce themselves.

Live music from One Lane Bridge, a musical group made up of WVWC alums and current students will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

West Virginia Wesleyan College alumni, be sure to stop by the WVWC Office of Alumni Affairs table at the event.

The College’s first Executive MBA cohort, on campus for a brief residency, will also have a presence at the event. Stop by and learn more about this flexible, online degree program geared towards working professionals.

There will be yard games including corn hole and spike ball.

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 – This week, West Virginia Wesleyan College will welcome over 360  new undergraduate students for Orientation Weekend.  Officials at the College project total enrollment to be up 5% over 2023 and 10% over 2022.  The new student cohort comes to WVWC from 28 states and 13 countries, with 40 West Virginia counties represented. 

John Waltz ’01, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, remarked, “I am thankful for the work of our talented enrollment professionals, coaches, and the campus community for helping connect this amazing new student class to the state’s premier education.  The challenges and delays created by the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) were met by unmatched Wesleyan personal attention and care, ensuring each family was assisted through a daunting process.   I couldn’t be prouder of our team.” 

Over half of all incoming freshmen hold a 3.5 GPA or above and more than 20% will receive a West Virginia Promise Scholarship.  The College has seen a 20% increase in enrollment of freshman West Virginia residents over 2023.

Wesleyan is also experiencing growth in its graduate programs, with a 40% increase in graduate students over 2023.   Recent launches of a Master of Art in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) have added to Wesleyan’s thriving graduate offerings in Nursing, Athletic Training, and Creative Writing.  

President of the College Dr. James Moore is excited about the trajectory of West Virginia Wesleyan.  

“This marks the second year that West Virginia Wesleyan College has experienced real enrollment growth,” he said. “I’m confident that this is due in large part to the fact that students and their families realize that this College is among the best in the nation. We train leaders, and I believe we’re the finest academic institution in our state and our region.”

Over 60% of the new student class plans to participate in athletics. Well over 50 freshmen are receiving creative and performing arts scholarships and 25 students will participate in the Community Service Scholars Program.  Popular major choices include Business, Pre-Nursing, Exercise Science, Criminal Justice, Biology, Psychology, Education, Health Science, Physics, and Music Education.  

To read more about 2024 Orientation activities, visit www.wvwc.edu/orientation.  

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 – August is National Will Month and the West Virginia Wesleyan College Office of Advancement offers a way for alumni and friends to support the College by leaving a lasting legacy. Read on for more.

Who was John W. Reger?

Rev. Dr.  John W. Reger was a Methodist Episcopal pastor in the 1800s who served churches in West Virginia and Maryland for over 40 years. He retired to Buckhannon and became involved in the community.  One of the significant projects he supported was the Seminary being built in Buckhannon-today known as West Virginia Wesleyan College.  It is said that he was on campus daily to observe and supervise the building of the first building.  He became one of Wesleyan’s first trustees and major benefactors.  Today we honor him thru the Reger Society.  

What is the Reger Society?

When Alumni or friends share their intention to leave a portion of their estate or make the college a beneficiary in their will, they become members of the Reger Society.  Members of the Reger Society leave a legacy and make a lasting impact on WVWC.  This community of individuals are recognized for being champion of the WVWC student experience.  We celebrate the Reger Society members during a special breakfast event held at Homecoming each year.  

Now is a great time to update or create your will.  Want to include Wesleyan in your will as part of your legacy?  It’s easy!  Reach out to Nettie Aiosa ’91, Director of the Reger Society,  aiosa.a@wvwc.edu or 304-473-8486.  

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill.

#HereYouCanLeaveALegacy

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is inviting local businesses to participate in the Bobcat Fair 2024 as part of Orientation Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 17.

A staple of the orientation experience, the event allows businesses to connect with first-year students and their parents.

Businesses will be located on the Campus Center plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Merchants are welcome to sell products or services that might appeal to students and their families. Again this year, students will be encouraged to visit all the tables to receive a stamp that enters them into a prize drawing.

To sign up for this year’s event, please contact 304-473-8416 or email Sarah Lawrence, Director of Foundation, Corporate and Government Relations, at lawrence.s@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 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 – The Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development (CCE) students invested 9,760 service hours in the Upshur County and surrounding community last academic year and look to continue supporting that effort in the fall.

The CCE seeks to support West Virginia Wesleyan College’s (WVWC) mission by providing opportunities for transformative learning and community engagement to promote positive social change. Staff members and students constantly communicate with their 37 community partners throughout Buckhannon to ensure a transformative and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

The main goal of the center is to support the needs of the community partners and the clients they serve.  Community partners play a large role in a student’s development by providing experiences that further develop their life and professional skills. Each student and partner receives a personalized experience that aligns with their past experiences and future endeavors.

Students spend 4-6 hours a week (75 hours a semester) at their community partner site and, in turn, will be given a $3,000 ($1,500 per semester; $12,000 over four years) scholarship to the College called the Wesleyan Service Scholars (WSS). Based on the hours completed by students and the current WV minimum wage rate of $8.75, the volunteer hours added $85,400 of value back into the community during the 2023-2024 academic year.

“Reflecting on this past year, I think about how we’ve challenged students to dig deeper and find unique ways to measure their impact,” Jessica Vincent ‘12, Director of Community Engagement at WVWC, said. “Of course, we have tremendous support for our events, but we’re pressing forward to make true change through meaningful experiences.” Vincent shares that this requires time, collaboration, and a willingness to go into the trenches alongside their community partners and the people they serve.

The CCE department also advises a peer council on campus. This group of students applies leadership skills gained through the program to organize service events around campus and raise awareness of local, national, and international societal issues. Wesleyan Engaging Leaders through Education Awareness & Development (WE LEAD) comprises six groups: Animal Welfare, High Tunnel, Human Rights, Youth Security, Invisible Illness, and Poverty Reduction. These groups are responsible for hosting events or attending conferences that discuss their topics and the challenges within these social issue teams.

“The most encouraging part of my role in the CCE is seeing students share their passions with others while actively putting them in uncomfortable situations to expand their knowledge and skills,” Vincent said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an event like Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods that has been around for years or a new idea scribbled on a napkin; our students are creative about how they serve our community’s needs.”

Each team directly works with a community partner to support and raise awareness for their needs. The Poverty Reduction team directly works with the Upshur Parish House to supply and make a community dinner every semester. Last year, the Youth Security team put on a School Supply Drive for the Upshur County Board of Education.

The CCE looks to the upcoming fall semester with hope for an easy transition as it welcomes 24 new first-year students into its program. One component taught in the CCE is Kouzes and Posner’s leadership theory, which states that “leadership is everyone’s business.  It knows no ethnic or cultural borders, no racial or religious backgrounds, no differences between young and old.”  This incoming group of students highlighted below spans from just down the street to across the world in Ghana.  Some have achieved their Eagle Scout status or served in the Army Junior Reserves.  Cohort members have dedicated their time to service through the National Honors Society, the Red Cross, and Young Life.  One student has served the state as the WV Student Council President and a member of the WV Prevention Research Center’s Youth Advisory Board.  Two students have been a central voice of spirit as mascots in their school.  That talent is endless in this group, and Buckhannon is ready to tap into their potential: Blaise Adams, Charleston, West Virginia; Grant Bare, Summersville, West Virginia; Georgia Bosley, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Josiah Bradsher, Charleston, West Virginia; Jazmyn Brown, Martinsburg, West Virginia; Lauren Cline, Mineral Wells, West Virginia; Cliodhna Collins,  Falls Church, Virginia; Brianna Dalton, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Hailey Daniels,  Clarksburg, West Virginia; Zachary Daniels,  Webster Springs, West Virginia; Hailey Deaver, Parkville, Maryland; Tobias Fleece, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Macon Fleming, Martinsburg, West Virginia; Ronald Greer, Ripley, West Virginia; Angel Harris, of Burlington, West Virginia; Matthew Hatfield, Oceana, West Virginia;  Marley Heath  Berkeley Springs, West Virginia; Destiney Hockensmith, Moorefield, West Virginia; Savannah Hose, Moorefield, West Virginia;  Joseph Kittle, Belington, West Virginia; Ethan McCrum, Parsons, West Virginia; Erik Nkansah, Ghana; Olivia Raber, Parkersburg, West Virginia; and Ian Wyckoff, Weston, West Virginia.

“We’ve been preparing, and I can’t wait to see how this momentum progresses in the coming year,” Vincent said.

The application for the Wesleyan Service Scholarship becomes available to high school seniors on Sept. 1, 2024, for the ensuing year.

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 and Valley Health Care, Inc. have partnered to provide critical access to continuing education for Valley Health Care medical professionals to meet the health care needs of North Central West Virginia. 

Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lynn M. Linder said, “This strategic partnership between West Virginia Wesleyan College and Valley Health Care embodies our institutional mission to share educational resources with our local and regional communities, while preparing students to think critically, communicate effectively, and act responsibly. By providing accessible continuing education opportunities for Valley Health employees and their families, we’re not only investing in their professional development, but also fulfilling the college’s vision to prepare the next generation of leaders to meet the needs of West Virginia and Appalachia. Our diverse range of graduate programs, from nursing to mental health counseling and business administration, offers Valley Health employees multiple pathways to advance their careers and enhance their ability to serve our communities.  This collaboration exemplifies West Virginia Wesleyan College’s commitment to fostering local talent and creating a more robust, well-educated health care workforce for West Virginia.”

West Virginia Wesleyan College will provide Valley Health Care employees who successfully matriculate into the FNP or DNP programs with a 10 percent tuition partner discount, but there are other opportunities as well for employees to pursue higher education degrees. In addition to the nursing graduate programs, WVWC recently launched an Executive MBA program; this is a robust online program with short weekend residency requirements for networking and collaboration. Other scholarships will be available to employees and their dependents for undergraduate tuition to one of WVWC’s nearly 60 majors.

Dr. Amanda Jones, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC ’23 is Valley Health Care’s Chief Medical Officer. 

“Valley Health Care Inc.’s partnership with West Virginia Wesleyan College marks a significant step forward in educational development and professional growth opportunities for employees and their families,” Jones said. “This collaboration embodies the spirit of Lyndon B. Johnson’s words, transforming education from a mere necessity to a valuable opportunity. By making higher education more accessible, Valley Health Care Inc. not only invests in the personal advancement of its staff but also contributes to the broader goal of enhancing the health care sector in West Virginia. The initiative is poised to create a ripple effect, potentially increasing the number of qualified health care professionals in the region and improving the overall quality of health care services. It’s a commendable effort that underscores the importance of continuous learning and the power of community partnerships in fostering educational and professional enrichment.”

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.

ABOUT VALLEY HEALTH CARE, INC. 

Valley Health Care, Inc. is a federally qualified health center that provides medical and behavioral health care to patients with insurance, Medicare, and/or Medicaid, and for those without health insurance or who are underinsured through the clinic’s Care Connect Program. With health centers and full-service pharmacies in Mill Creek and Elkins, along with 11 school-based health centers, Valley Health Care has been committed to making a difference in the communities they serve by providing reliable, compassionate health care at affordable prices since 1989.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –A West Virginia Wesleyan College art professor will receive the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator  Award from the Mountaineer Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Jon Benjamin, associate professor in the Art and Design Department, teaches graphic design, photography, film and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design from the Rochester Institute of Technology and Bachelor of Science from State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

Over the last three years, Benjamin has also served as a merit badge counselor during WVWC’s Merit Badge College, managing a wide array of ages and skill levels while helping the students achieve their merit badge.

Outside the College, Benjamin and his wife, Abigail, own ARGO Books on Main Street in Buckhannon that is more than a bookstore offering workshops and camps for youth. Benjamin sees the needs of our community, especially those that impact our youth, and provides outlets for students to be confident and explore the world through a small bookstore on Main Street.

The award will be formally presented in November during a ceremony. Started in 2016, the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award recognizes the valuable contributions the education community makes in the lives of young people.

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.