News Type: Faculty

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – A new collaboration between West Virginia Wesleyan College and Stone Tower Brews will bring West Virginia-roasted coffee drinks to campus beginning Fall Semester 2025.

Taking over the former Sunny Bucks location on the first floor of the Benedum Campus Center, Stone Tower Brews will operate a smaller-scale version of its Main Street Buckhannon shop. Launching the first “Stone Tower Coffee” campus location will focus primarily on coffee offerings, showcasing the company’s best West Virginia-roasted beans. 

Vice President of Student Affairs Alison Whitehair said, “This new collaboration between WVWC and a downtown Buckhannon business is something students have been asking for.  A coffee shop on campus isn’t just about serving coffee—it’s about creating a space where students can connect, recharge, and find inspiration.”

Sadie Nichols ‘25 added, “I can’t even begin to describe the anticipation, elation, and pure excitement I finally get to share with the Wesleyan community. As Student Senate President for the past two years, I had the unique privilege and opportunity to be part of a hopeful idea that has now become an exhilarating reality. I have been eagerly waiting for the day we get to walk across campus with a fresh cup of coffee in hand and ask, “Where have you BEAN all my life?” Well, my friends, that day has officially arrived!”

Stone Tower Brews currently has locations in Buckhannon, Bridgeport, Morgantown, and its original Fairmont store—known as The Joe. All coffee is roasted at Stone Tower Coffee Roasters in Fairmont.

James Kane, president and CEO of Stone Tower, said, “In 2018, we opened our doors on Main Street and have enjoyed being a part of the Buckhannon community ever since. Over the years, we’ve welcomed countless students, providing a space where friendships can grow and connections can flourish. This new partnership with West Virginia Wesleyan College is an extension of our commitment to community—a place where students, faculty, and locals can come together over great coffee and meaningful conversations. We look forward to continuing to serve and grow with the Wesleyan and Buckhannon communities.”

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is proud to launch a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, designed to provide students with a robust foundation of knowledge that will empower them to add value to any organization or pursue post-graduate education.

The new major will be available starting in the Fall 2025 semester and aims to bridge some of the gaps between the most commonly leveraged enterprise software for critical cybersecurity and business functions to help allow students to transition to the workforce as seamlessly as possible.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of West Virginia Wesleyan College’s new cybersecurity major, a program designed to empower our graduates to make immediate contributions in one of today’s most critical and dynamic fields,” said Dr. Lynn M. Linder, Provost of West Virginia Wesleyan College. “What sets this program apart is its intentional focus on bridging the gap between academic theory and professional expectations. Through hands-on applications, experiential learning opportunities, and internships, our students will gain the practical skills and real-world experience they need to seamlessly transition into the workforce and succeed in the field of cybersecurity.”

Daniel Anderson has been hired as Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Anderson has worked in Information Technology and Cybersecurity for 25 years. He brings experience in networking and cybersecurity domains including data tokenization, post-quantum readiness, network firewalls, PKI, cryptography, and system architecture.   In his most recent position as a cybersecurity engineering manager for Huntington Bank, Anderson designed a weekly class for engineers to study for the CISSP exam internally. Anderson earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cyber security and information assurance from WGU. 

Anderson said, “I’m honored to be a small part in bringing Cybersecurity curriculum and career development to the students of West Virginia Wesleyan College.  Through strong fundamentals and industry-focused majors, we begin to help bridge the gap between entry-level and mid-career cybersecurity professionals that the industry so desperately needs.”

The introduction of the Cybersecurity major reflects WVWC’s commitment to providing cutting-edge education that meets the evolving needs of the workforce. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity-related jobs are projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, highlighting the need for well-trained professionals in the field. WVWC’s program is designed to address this demand.

The Cybersecurity major will complement WVWC’s existing computer science program, while introducing students to artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Prospective students interested in learning more about the new cybersecurity major can visit www.wvwc.edu or contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Space Club will travel to Norway in November for a sounding rocket launch that will send their projects into orbit.

On Thursday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m., members of the Space Club will be telling the campus community more about these projects as part of a special Faculty-Student Lecture Series in the side dining hall.

The Space Club will head to Andoya, Norway this fall where they will learn more about pre-launch and post-launch processes with a sounding rocket launch. Two projects they have been developing under advisor Dr. Tracey Delaney, a Spectrometer and a Langmuir Probe, will be launched into the ionosphere to study the properties of Aurora Borealis.
Making the trip are Dakota Carpenter ’28, Sonya Carper ’28, Jacob Dawson ‘25, Sneha Sundareneedi ‘27, Ezekiel Hall ‘27, Josiah Bradsher ‘28,  and mathematics professor Dr. Jesse Oldroyd. 

Thursday’s presentation will begin with an intro by department chair Dr. Bert Popson and the opportunity to hear from three students making the trip. 

Dawson, a business administration major with a minor in political science from Martinsburg, West Virginia, is the project manager for the Space Club’s trip to Norway. 

“I have experience in Project Management, and love learning how space works, so I joined Space Club
here at WVWC,” Dawson said.
Dawson will give an overview of the trip planned for November 2025.
“We are so excited to make this prestigious trip to learn and experience traveling to a foreign country. Being able to do this program through NASA has been a wonderful experience and our team of students are so grateful for the opportunity.”

Thompson, of Philippi, West Virginia, is a first-generation college student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in physics.
“I was introduced to Wesleyan as one of the West Virginia Metro News Scholar Finalists and received the Presidential Scholarship.
“I had the honor of participating in the Summer Research Program where I studied Ionized Elemental Isotopes,” he said. I would later present my research at the APS Eastern Great Lakes Section representing the Appalachian AAPT at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. After Wesleyan, I plan to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering at West Virginia University.”

Thompson will present about Ionizing Elemental Isotopes.
“This experiment was to research the process of introducing different elements into a vacuum and ionizing isotopes to determine their elements using Mass Spectrometry. This idea was used to measure Argon, Nitrogen, Tri-gas mixture, Carbon Dioxide, Propane, and an Unidentified gas. I would build on this project to ionize isotopes using the Photoelectric effect and wavelengths to break their molecular bonds.

Carper is a physics/engineering major and part of the executive boards for Space Club and Sigma Pi Sigma, physics National Honor Society. She is a WV NASA SGC student ambassador and a Space Ambassador.
“I will be speaking about my journey with NASA, and the Langmuir Probe and the Spectrometer that we are building and going to Norway to launch into the ionosphere (LEO) in the northern hemisphere,” she said.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College has announced a new partnership with the West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association to offer a Certificate in Addiction Counseling program.

This initiative, housed within WVWC’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program, will provide essential training for professionals addressing substance use disorders in West Virginia and the Appalachian region.

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at WVWC is the first graduate counseling training program in the state to offer a specialization in Addiction Counseling as part of the 60-credit degree. Students can enroll in the CAC as part of the CMHC master’s program or as a fully online, 12-credit certificate program if they already hold a healthcare-related master’s degree. The CAC can be completed in as little as one semester, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver quality addiction counseling services to communities hardest hit by substance use disorders.

Dr. Jen Randall Reyes, Director of the School of Counseling and Psychology at WVWC, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.

“The School of Counseling and Psychology at West Virginia Wesleyan College is honored to partner with the West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association (WVBHPA) to bring our Certificate in Addiction Counseling (CAC) to their membership. We support WVBHPA’s mission to create and sustain healthy and secure communities by training exceptional counselors at Wesleyan through our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling,” Dr. Reyes said.

WVWC Provost Dr. Lynn M. Linder emphasized the significance of this collaboration. 

“We are thrilled to launch this innovative Certificate in Addiction Counseling program, a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for skilled addiction counselors in our state. This program embodies West Virginia Wesleyan College’s commitment to creating meaningful impact and fostering positive change in West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region, providing flexible pathways for professionals to gain expertise in tackling substance use challenges,” Dr. Linder said.

Through this partnership, the WVBHPA’s nearly 40 member organizations will have access to WVWC’s high-quality addiction counseling training, furthering their mission to strengthen behavioral healthcare services across the state. By expanding educational opportunities for professionals in the field, WVWC and WVBHPA are taking a vital step toward combating substance use disorders and supporting community health initiatives.

For more information about the Certificate in Addiction Counseling program, visit www.wvwc.edu/counseling-programs/#cac. 

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 www.wvwc.edu

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.