News Type: Campus

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s esports program under the direction of head coach Ethan Hayes is working with middle and high school programs to foster the growth of esports across the Mountain State.

Hayes was hired as the head coach of West Virginia Wesleyan College’s esports program in time for the start of year two in August 2020. The program was celebrated as being the first varsity esports program in the state of West Virginia as well as the first program in the nation to offer a varsity scholarship for the game of Fortnite.

Reflecting on four years of growth with the College’s program, Hayes said, “I am proud to look where we have grown. From the initial class of 11 students to a roster of 30-plus scholarship and walk-on athletes, Wesleyan continues to be an institution proud to offer opportunities for West Virginia students with a passion for gaming to leverage their abilities to provide themselves with a brighter future through a degree.

“One thing that was brought to my attention when I began working at Wesleyan was the College’s desire to not just be a place where students could come for esports, but act as an organization that could extend a helping hand to anyone who may be interested in fostering esports for students within their counties and towns,” Hayes said.

“This has culminated in the combined efforts of a team of teachers who have formed an organization dubbed the West Virginia Scholastic Esports League or WVSEL for short. This cohort of high school and middle school staff came together to solve some of the accessibility issues we as a state were facing in the esports world,” Hayes continued.

“As of last semester, the WVSEL has successfully launched their first free to play esports league for students, providing an alternative for any school that may find national leagues too expensive or schools that were looking for more familiar opponents than faceless schools at the national level,” Hayes said.

“These coaches serve as a shining example of the efforts Wesleyan is proud to help champion and as such we wanted to thank some of these coaches so that they may know that their hard work and efforts have not gone unnoticed by the college and by our communities.”

Thank you to Chase Jarrell, Ravenswood High School; William Cottrell, Wirt County High School; Emily Eskew, Elkview Middle School; Robert May, Cabell County Career Tech; Martin Nicolay, George Washington High School; Anita Lambert, Braxton County Middle School; Abbigale Wells, Brooke High School; Scott Vogelsong, Greenbriar East High School; Judy Pitzer, Tucker County High School; Jeremy Hubbard, Hedgesville High School; Jordan O’Dell, John Adams Middle School; Brody Potter, Saint Albans High School; Will Totten, Spring Valley High School; Corey Mease, Spring Mills High School; Tim Wine, Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center; Gerad Hunter, Ripley High School; Oscar Lopez, Doddridge County Middle School; Chris McGrew, Mid-Ohio Valley Technical Institute; Missy Taylor, St. Mary’s High School; Janelle Gamoe, West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind; Thomas Akers, Robert L. Bland Middle School; Brigette Barlow, Monongalia County School District; Deon Jones, Martinsburg High School; Karen Dawson and Trevor Hutchinson, Spring Mills Middle School.

“These coaches were the original faculty from schools who decided to take up the cause of providing more opportunity for their students to have access to esports and the scholarship and lifestyle opportunities it could provide,” Hayes said. “Without their hard work, this state would not be seeing the growth at the rate that it does and Wesleyan is deeply honored to be trusted to assist and advise the growth of the league alongside them.

“As we look forward to esports in the state, Wesleyan looks to continue our efforts of supporting schools and the WVSEL. We are excited to continue to provide a home for West Virginia students interested in esports after graduation as well as assisting the schools as they grow and create new opportunities for competition through the leagues they oversee.”

Those interested in bringing esports to their West Virginia school or in sponsoring these programs should contact Hayes at hayes.e@wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  Alumni are invited back to their Home Among the Hills for a weekend of celebration and reunion at West Virginia Wesleyan College Thursday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 13.

The WVWC Department of Theatre and Dance will perform “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, come along for the hilarious and touching antics of six mid-pubescents vying for first place in the bee. Tickets are $10 at the door ($8 for seniors and $5 with a WVWC ID). 

The bonfire and pep rally, a reinstated tradition in its second year, will take place at 8 p.m. at the end of Camden Avenue. Show your school spirit and cheer on our fall sports teams. There will be music, snacks and limited giveaways for the first 50 people. 

Registration for all Homecoming activities begins on Friday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Rockefeller Center. While there, be sure to tour the Wesleyan Past to Present Exhibit.

The annual Johnny K. Myers Golf Tournament tees off at 9 a.m. at Bel Meadow Golf Club to benefit the golf team. Registration is required by logging on to wvwc.edu/homecoming

The Class of 1974 will have their 50th reunion social from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Others are invited to an alumni and student lunch at noon in the faculty parking lot adjacent to the Annie Merner Pfeiffer library. Tickets available at the link above or at the registration booth in Rockefeller. 

Founder’s Day Convocation with the announcement of some special alumni award winners will be held at 3 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. Join the classes of 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004 for an all classes reunion at the Event Center at Brushy Fork beginning at 7 p.m. 

A new event happening on Saturday, Oct. 12 is the WVWC Paw Parade in the Chapel Oval. Bring your favorite furry friend for the parade and blessing of the pets with Dean of the Chapel Jonathan Acord. Register at the link above. 

Young Alumni including those from the Classes of 2009, 2014 and 2019 are invited for a reunion at Jimbo’s Bar and Grill at 11:30 a.m.

At 1 p.m. WVWC will host Fairmont State for football. Come early to honor the men’s soccer National Championship teams of 1984, 1989 and 1994. 

On Sunday, Rev. Monty Brown ‘74 will speak at the Chapel Service beginning at 10 a.m. Stay on campus for the men’s soccer game vs. Point Park University at 1 p.m.

For a full list of events and registration information, visit www.wvwc.edu/homecoming

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 Associate Professor of Gender Studies  Dr. Jessica Scott ‘04 has published a new book, “Home Is Where Your Politics Are: Queer Activism In The U.S. South and South Africa.” 

A book launch will be held at Argo Books on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. in collaboration with West Virginia Wesleyan College Faculty lecture series. The event will begin with a discussion between Dr. Jessica Scott and Faculty Lecture Series coordinator Dr. Tamara Denmark Bailey. Scott will be reading selections from “Home Is Where Your Politics Are” and taking questions from the audience. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available at the closing of the event.

“Home Is Where Your Politics Are” examines “the spatial politics of sexuality” through the experiences of advocates working to guarantee the dignity of queer and transgender people in their own context. Dr. Scott explains in their interview that many believe the narrative it is easier to live in a city such as New York or San Francisco rather than in states like West Virginia or Alabama. 

Scott states, “There is a similar narrative on the African continent- the suggestion there is that it is better to go to South Africa than to stay in Kenya or Nigeria as a queer or transgender person. The reality of hate crimes and xenophobia in American and South African cities is not taken into account in these narratives.” 

Scott earned their Ph.D. at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Cape Town is where their research began when Scott asked the question, “What is the effect of some places being characterized as hostile to queer and transgender lives?” Scott found the answers to these questions in interviews with organizers who were fighting for the rights and dignity of queer and transgender people in the U.S. South and South Africa. 

During  Scott’s time at West Virginia Wesleyan College, their teaching has been both informed by and informative for their work. Scott states that when the narrative of rural places being awful for queer and transgender individuals to live in is confronted in the classroom, reactions vary. From this, they conclude that while rural areas can feel isolating and politically challenging for queer and transgender people, cities are not panaceas for homophobia or transphobia. The more this narrative is embedded in our society, the fewer resources are available in these areas to fight homophobia and transphobia. 

Scott states, “I want readers to take away both the commitment to the dignity of queer and transgender lives that organizers embrace every day and the sense that this work is extremely underfunded. I also want readers to be able to recognize the complex ways that race, gender, and class intersect with queerness and gender identity in every context and to think about who and how they are in relation to those intersections. The organizers who show up in the book have done that difficult work and are excellent examples to emulate in thinking through our own places in the world. I, too, have tried to think through those questions about myself in order to provide a model that readers might follow in reflecting on their own place in the world – globally and locally.

“Most of all, though, I want readers to take away from the book a tenderness toward the spaces that I write about and a love and admiration for the people who live there that has nothing to do with pity.”

Scott has recently completed a year-long series of interviews with unhoused, newly housed, and housing-insecure individuals living in Clarksburg, West Virginia WV through her work as a co-director for the Center for Restorative Justice. In the future, they plan to write a book about vulnerabilities in the lives of people experiencing housing insecurity.

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.

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.