BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan alumnus Rev. Jake Steele ’05 will serve as guest preacher for the annual Homecoming Chapel Service on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. in Wesley Chapel. The public is invited to attend.

Rev. Steele is Senior Pastor of Forrest Burdette United Methodist Church in Hurricane, West Virginia, where he has served for the past year. An elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church, his ministry emphasizes the role of the church as a place where people can build relationships, grow in faith, and learn to serve and lead in their communities.

A 2005 graduate of Wesleyan, Rev. Steele returns to his alma mater to share in worship with alumni, students, and friends. The Homecoming Chapel Service is a longstanding tradition that unites members of the College community for fellowship and celebration during Homecoming weekend.

Vice President for Religious and Spiritual Life and Dean of the Chapel Rev. Jonathan Acord invited Steele as this year’s guest in recognition of his connection to Wesleyan and his leadership in the United Methodist Church.

Music will be provided by Aubree Bozic ’28, a music education major from Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Christiana Mande ’28, a business administration major, from Lilburn, Georgia.

 For more information about Homecoming 2026 and a full schedule of events, 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 135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2026 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026  Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan second 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 counseling; 22 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.