News Type: Faculty

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan’s School of Nursing formally welcomed 23 sophomores into the nursing program recently with a White Coat Ceremony, which was held in Wesley Chapel on the West Virginia Wesleyan College campus. 

White Coat Ceremonies have been conducted since 1993 within the medical profession, but are relatively new to nursing.  Ten years ago, in 2014, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing formed a new partnership with The Arnold P. Gold Foundation to introduce this rite of passage to nursing schools in recognition of the need for all members of the healthcare team to commit to providing compassionate care.

Dr. Kimberly White, Director of the WVWC School of Nursing said, “It is a great honor to present our nursing students with their white coats, a symbol of their responsibilities as health care providers as they affirm their commitment to providing humanistic, patient-centered care as they begin caring for those in clinical settings. In addition, we also perform the Blessing of the Hands ritual that serves as a powerful reminder of the sacred trust placed in the hands of nurses.”

Graci Ketterman ’27, of Buckhannon, said, “I was very excited to receive my white coat, it meant to me that I was starting my journey to becoming a nurse.”

Regarding future plans she stated, “A goal of mine would be to continue my education after nursing school into obtaining my master’s degree in nursing.”

Also receiving their white coats during the ceremony were Riley Amos, of Glenville, West Virginia; Laci Armes, of Dublin, Virginia; Gracey Arnold, of Rockmart, Georgia; Corey Baugh, of Coral Springs, Florida; Kailey Garofalo, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Ana Haught, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; Elexus Heckert, of Jane Lew, West Virginia; Aiden Holbert, of Charleston, West Virginia; Patricia Kelley, of Philippi, West Virginia; Marisa Lauffer, of Mount Airy, Maryland; Harley Linger, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Isabel McCloy, of Simpson, West Virginia; Mallory McGinnis, of Scott Depot, Wirginia; Sydney McKinney, of Dublin, Ohio; Benjamin Meyer, of Morgantown, West Virginia; Dalaynie Myers, of Albright, West Virignia; Lindsay Neel, of Craigsville, West Virginia; Chloe Saltis, of Flemington, West Virginia; Emily Stewart, of Richmond, Ohio; Malayla Tompkins, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Francine Ugsang, of Lost Creek, West Virginia; Addison Walker, of Gerrardstown, West Virginia .

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia  –  A West Virginia Wesleyan College English professor has penned a new book looking at postwar American literature.

Dr. Ashley Lawson, associate professor of English, focuses her research on 20^th-century American literature and women’s creativity.

In the newly published title, “On Edge: Gender and Genre in the Work of Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith and Leigh Bracket,” Lawson argues that biases against genre fiction have unfairly disadvantaged the legacies of these authors who deftly navigated a male-dominated postwar publishing world without comprising their values.

A Faculty Lecture Series and book signing by Lawson will be held at Argo Books on Main Street on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The book is also available through ohiostatepress.org.

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 Wesleyan College honored a mathematics professor who exemplifies the qualities of professional competence, dedication to growth of students and commitment to the highest academic standards at the recent Founders Day Convocation.

Dr. Lynn M. Linder, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, said Dr. Jesse Oldroyd, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science since 2016, is known for his ability to make complex subjects accessible and engaging.

“Students consistently praise Dr. Oldroyd for his straightforward teaching style and unwavering support,” Linder continued. “Dr. Oldroyd maintains an open-door policy, welcoming students into his office for help, fostering a nurturing environment where questions are encouraged and challenges are met with patience.”

Oldroyd earned his PhD and Master of Science in mathematics from the University of Idaho, specializing in harmonic analysis. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Oldroyd currently serves as Chair of the Faculty Senate.

Linder added, “What truly sets this professor apart is their unique blend of humor and dedication. With a talent for delivering deadpan jokes, they keep their classes lively and engaging, making even the toughest material enjoyable. As their Department Chair noted: this professor can crack a joke with a totally straight face so you really have to pay attention to catch the punch line.”

Oldroyd said, “I feel a responsibility to be worthy of this recognition. I am deeply honored to receive this award, and I have been extremely moved by the kindness of my colleagues and students in the days since.”

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 welcomed six new trustees to the Board of Trustees during Friday’s Founders Day Convocation bringing  years of  experience across diverse fields including education, health care and law.

Sam Fox ’86 earned his J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 1980 and is a health care layer at Flaherty Sensabaugh and Bonasso PLLC in Charleston, specializing in medical malpractice, defense, risk management and health care licensing. He has served as chair of the West Virginia State Bar’s Law and Medicine Committee and teaches business law and sports law at the University of Charleston.

Stephen Ranjan ’01 earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from WVWC and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business. He is the Global Head of Digital Health for Roche Pharma personalized healthcare where he and his team are leading, co-creating and implementing the next generation of digital health concepts across the Roche Pharma functions and the Roche Group. With more than 20-plus years of experience in the pharmaceutical, medical device and health IT industry, Ranjan has extensive experience driving open innovation and establishing novel collaborations with customers and technology players such as Amazon, Verily and other digital health startups.

Danette Ifert Johnson ’90 is provost of Kalamazoo College in Michigan where she oversees academic vision, faculty development, curriculum and student access to experiential learning. Johnson also serves as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. Johnson earned her B.A. in speech communication and history from WVWC, a master’s in educational psychology from WVU and a master’s and doctorate in communication studies from Northwestern University.

The Rev. Debra Wallace-Padgett began her new role as Bishop of the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in September. She also continues as Bishop of the Holston Conference. Wallace-Padgett holds degrees from Berea College, Scarritt College, Lexington Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary. She was first elected a Bishop of the UMC at the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

Dr. Jesse Oldroyd serves as chair of the faculty senate at WVWC. He is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2010 and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Idaho, specializing in applied harmonic analysis. He has been a member of the faculty at WVWC since 2016.

Brenda Friend ’07 earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (Multicategorical Special Education and Specific Learning Disabilities K-5, 6-A) and went on to teach at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and write project-based learning, assessments and content standards for the West Virginia Department of Education. She has been the assistant controller at WVWC since March 2012 and is a professional income tax preparer and enrolled agent. Friend is staff council chair.

The six new trustees join Brian Brouillette ’82, Michael Bush ’10, Jason Fiegel ‘00, Jamion Wolford ’08, Bill Fahrner ’96 and MBA ’02; David Young ’87; Martha Ognibene ’79, Arria Foster-Hines ’95, Alan Letton, Rev. Dr. Ellis Conley ’73, Justin Raber ’08, Craig Welsh ’93, Kevin Spear ’16, Angel Riley ’99, Rev. Amy Shanholtzer ‘87, Curtis Wilkerson ’99, and Sadie Nichols ’25, as president of the Student Senate.

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 – As part of the Homecoming celebration weekend, the West Virginia Wesleyan College Departments of Theatre & Dance and Department of Music present “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. and also Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to curtain and are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors, students or anyone with a WVWC ID. 

Winner of the 2005 Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has charmed audiences across the country, featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the county spelling championship while candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives and hoping never to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. The musical runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission, and is appropriate for “PG” audiences.

Wesleyan’s cast includes senior musical theater majors Ben Long ‘25, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, as Chip Tolentino and Sydney Stewart ‘25,  of Barboursville, West Virginia, as Olive Ostrovsky, sophomore English major Amelia Hughes ‘27, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, as Rona Lisa Perretti, junior musical theater/communications double-major Julius Pretlow ‘26, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, as Leaf Coneybear, sophomore acting/directing major Eli Dickey ‘27 of Chloe, West Virginia, as Douglas Panch, sophomore music major Theo Chevalier ‘27 of Philo, Ohio as Carl Dad, senior acting/directing major Ellery Brown ‘24, of Bay City, Michigan as Dan Dad, and freshmen musical theater majors Mallory Szerkoman ‘28, of Charleston, West Virginia, as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, John Spellman ‘28, of Morgantown, West Virginia, as William Barfee, Adrian Legg ‘28, of Charleston, West Virginia, as Mitch Mahoney, and freshman pre-drama therapy major Payton Hill ‘28, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, as Marcy Park.

The production’s stage manager is sophomore arts administration major Christina Green ‘27, of Huntington, West Virginia. Additional crew includes costume designs by sophomore psychology major Kostadena Matina Hartley ‘27, of Las Vegas, Nevada, properties design by senior psychology major Cam McGriff ‘25, of Wilmington, Delaware, sound design by sophomore acting/directing major Rhyan Sebring ‘27, of Caldwell, Ohio, secondary education/math major Anthony Hartley ‘26 of Buckhannon, West Virginia, with lighting design by senior technical theater major Jay Coping-Smith ‘25, and scenic design by David Hartley, Director of Technical Theater. Musical direction is provided by Associate Professor of Music, Dr. R. Daniel Hughes while Adjunct Instructor and Dance Team Coach Lesa Dencklau serves as choreographer. The musical is directed by Professor of Theatre Arts Thomas Schoffler. 

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is presented by arrangement with and licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). If you have questions, please contact schoffler_t@wvwc.edu.

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

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’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 – 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.

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 – For over 20 years, West Virginia Wesleyan College students have participated in summer research at WVWC, WVU, Marshall University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and now, the University of Puerto Rico, as part of the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence summer internship programs.

“Students have participated in a wide range of projects with many going on to graduate programs in the biomedical fields,” Professor of Biology Dr. Luke Huggins said. “These opportunities have been an important part of the biomedical training in the Department of Chemistry and Biology and Environmental Science at WVWC.”

This summer, WVWC took its largest group of student researchers to the symposium  with 19 students, four faculty and one alumnus. The 22^nd annual WV_INBRE Summer Research Symposium was held at West Virginia University on July 30.

Omar Sadak ’25 experienced a different culture while investigating the antibacterial activity of unsaturated fatty acids on Acinetobacter Baummannii.

“I spent my first week in Puerto Rico touring all the research sites and facilities in San Juan and found that Puerto Rico is a great contributor to scientific research in all fields and is home to many fascinating discoveries,” he said. “I learned that firsthand while I was working with Dr. Sanabria and essentially found a possible new antibiotic for pneumonia. Throughout my summer, I got to experience just how rich in culture Puerto Rico is – whether it’s the amazing food or the fascinating infrastructure you find in Old San Juan and all around the island.”

Sadie Nichols ’25, explored endoplasmic reticulum oxidase 1 alpha (ERO1A), a glycoprotein responsible for oxidative protein folding and its role in non-small cell lung cancer.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and accounts for more deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined, “she said. “With the staggering high number of lives lost each year due to this horrific disease, I chose this project as it revealed promising preliminary patient data, suggesting that this research in Morgantown, West Virginia, could potentially play a significant role in helping patients suffering with lung cancer.”

Nichols said, “Not only did I gain an immense amount of knowledge on ERO1A, lung cancer, and my project, but I was also able to learn a multitude of lab techniques and writing skills. I was able to become a better critical thinker and presenter. Even animal handling and care, time management and people skills all became prominent qualities I was able to improve on with my time in the WV-INBRE program. I can confidently say that I entered the program as a modest undergraduate student preparing for my senior year and emerged fully prepared for any graduate school and demanding career.”

Sadek also emphasized his time in the program saying that he learned how he needed to perform at the highest level.

Other students presenting at the symposium were: Megan Brozik, Caitlynn Sherman, Nicholas Evans, Gabriel Paxton, Elijah Hanning, Annalise Gentilozzi, Madison Looker, Conner Hollen, Caleb Mazon, Raveena Navalglund, Kyan Gillespie, Bree Moll, Srikiran Nandigama, Sadie Nicholas, Autumn Russell, Isaac Yoneda, Abigail Patterson and Jack Monk. Hayden Hess ’23, a graduate student now at West Liberty University also presented.

Huggins and WVWC faculty Dr. Bruce Anthony, Dr. Charlie Chen and Dr. Melanie Sal also attended the symposium.

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.