News Type: Student

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The West Virginia Wesleyan College Departments of Theatre &  Dance and Department of Music present Maltby and Shire’s “Closer Than Ever,” Thursday,  Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and also Saturday, Feb. 14 at 2  p.m. in the Balcony Theatre at the Colonial Arts Center downtown Buckhannon. 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.  

A look into the private song vault of Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire (“Big;” “Starting Here,  Starting Now;” “Baby”), the review, Maltby and Shire’s “Closer Than Ever,” is filled to the brim with the brilliance for which these musical theatre giants are known. 

“Closer Than Ever” is a nonstop exploration of everyday struggles in the “modern world.” Topics  ranging from unrequited adoration to aging are tackled with resounding sincerity and precisely  placed hilarity. Each song is a unique story told by a new character, taking audiences, not only  into the songbook of Maltby and  Shire, but into the minds of the individuals facing these completely relatable challenges. 

Wesleyan’s cast includes: senior Musical Theatre/Communications double-major Ashton  Nardella ‘26, of Bridgeport; junior Creative Writing major Amelia Hughes ‘27, of  Bridgeport; sophomore Musical Theatre major Adrian Legg ‘28, of Charleston; freshman Musical  Theatre major DeAndre Jones ‘29, of Morgantown; and freshmen Vocal Performance majors  Kendall Marcum ‘29, of Hurricane and Alexis “Ness” Schauman ‘29, of Elkins. 

Junior Acting/Directing major Rhyan Sebring ‘27, of Caldwell, Ohio will be the Stage Manager,  with set and lighting design by Boyd Wolz, Director of Technical Theater, and costume design  by Jody Wolz. Associate Professor of Music Dr. R. Daniel Hughes provides musical direction,  working with Lauren Hull ‘22 (piano), Leo Dunmire ‘28 (drums), of Elkins, West Virginia, and Mason Atha (bass). Caleb Waybright serves as choreographer. The musical is directed by guest artist Katherine Smart  Hughes.

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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Digital Marketing class is proud to announce its semester-long partnership project with the Lewis County Economic Development Authority. The class was taught by Dr. Kim Conrad and featured 14 junior and senior students.  The project involved developing a digital marketing plan to communicate and engage with local and outside businesses as well as potential employees.

The Lewis County Economic Development Authority is committed to more than just the expansion of lands and businesses, it is about the quality of life for its employees and residents coming to Lewis County. By committing to sustainable growth, supporting local and potential businesses, and investing in community well-being, this matches the plan for growth and allowing potential and current employees/residents to thrive in their professional and personal lives. 

Dr. Kim Conrad, Associate Professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College, said, “Partnering with Ray Smith and the Lewis County EDA was an outstanding opportunity for students to learn and apply digital marketing skills throughout this project. The recommendations they made to Mr. Smith will push the organization to higher levels of awareness and engagement with multiple target audiences. I’m very proud of my students’ creativity and professionalism when developing and presenting their digital marketing plan.”

Carly Wolfgang ’25, said, “Being able to get real life experience in helping develop a digital marketing plan was beneficial for my future endeavors as a marketing major looking for a job in the marketing realm. Our class worked really hard to develop different strategies for different target audiences to get the Lewis County EDA more recognized as a top EDA in West Virginia!”

The digital marketing plan featured a breakdown of the Lewis County EDA, a competitor analysis, target audiences, and strategies that most effectively communicated with those target audiences. The overall recommendations included how to reach consumers across different social media channels, website content and design for the upcoming new website, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and content marketing. Students used their knowledge from previous classes to develop and present a step-by-step digital marketing plan that featured the strategies for different target audiences, how to implement the strategies, the benefits afforded the Lewis County EDA, and estimated costs. Students presented the plan to Mr. Smith and he was delighted with how it went and stated that he had received wonderful insights on how to engage different audiences and expand the Lewis County EDA’s digital presence.

ABOUT LEWIS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYLewis County was established by the Virginia General Assembly on December 18, 1816. “The Lewis County Economic Development Authority stands at the crossroads of opportunity and success, ready to support and welcome your business. Explore the unique prospects and resources available to help your business thrive in our vibrant community. Join us in making Lewis County a hub of innovation and growth.” Contact them at lceda@lewiscountywv.org or call them at 304-269-8200. 

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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia  – Passionate about serving the community through emergency medicine and promoting West Virginia, Kourtney Jones ‘28, a nursing student at West Virginia Wesleyan College, is the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals (WVAFF) Queen. 

As the 2025 West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen, Jones participated in the eight-day festival in Buckhannon, but also attended other events promoting the WVSF, making her selection as the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals a meaningful continuation of her service. Now, she will represent the WVAFF across the Mountain State, promoting West Virginia’s rich agricultural heritage and the importance of local fairs and festivals.

During the annual convention, which culminated in Jones receiving the crown on Jan. 10 in Charleston, Jones gave a promo about the festival and participated in interviews with the judges, during which she shared the impact the Strawberry Festival has on the area. 

“It is truly an honor to have been crowned the association queen,” Jones said. “This is a huge industry in our state and bringing this representation back to Buckhannon and the Strawberry Festival means so much. This is something I’ve worked towards for so long and has so much meaning to my family. I am so excited to represent our state and promote what our association is all about.”

The West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals supports and promotes fairs and festivals throughout the state, recognizing their role in preserving history, fostering tourism, and enhancing community pride. As Queen, Jones will attend fairs, festivals, and public events across the state throughout 2026. She will also reign over the 101st West Virginia State Fair Aug. 13-22. 

A native of Elkins, West Virginia, now residing in Buckhannon, Jones has held several titles en route to becoming the WVFFA Queen. Her passion for service aligns closely with her academic path as a nursing student at WVWC, where she is preparing for a career centered on compassion, advocacy, and community well-being. She is also a nationally registered EMT and serves three West Virginia counties. 

Jones added, “Being a student at Wesleyan has truly helped so much, even in pageants. Attending a smaller college has connected me closely with our amazing faculty, who have supported me at every step, not just with this huge accomplishment. Having a faculty that supports big accomplishments outside of our College says a lot about how welcoming and amazing Wesleyan is.”

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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  Reflecting on the past year as the West Virginia Wesleyan College Student Senate President Bray Boggs ‘27 called it one for the record books. 

“From the moment the gavel was passed to me in January, it has been such an incredible honor to serve as the President of the Student Senate,” Boggs said. “It is a responsibility that I have not taken lightly, and I want to thank the student body for entrusting me to represent your interests for the last two semesters.”

Those interests include allotting nearly $30,000 for events, fundraisers and strategic initiatives to improve student engagement and address needs in the region. One of those included donating funds to assist southern West Virginians following the devastating floods in Spring 2025. Most recently, the Student Senate launched a pediatric care package program for local hospitals with support from a $500 grant from the State of West Virginia. 

“The influence of this College extends far beyond the borders of campus as we have a long-standing tradition of servant leadership,” he said.

Back on campus, the Student Senate purchased new umbrellas to beautify outdoor gathering spaces, worked to expand grab-and-go hours, and attained additional AEDS to increase emergency preparedness. Internally, the Student Senate has strengthened the Senate’s relationship with the College administration and with direction from President James Moore prioritized student concerns.

One of Boggs’ core goals was to improve the Senate’s transparency and accountability. A social media and marketing chair, Student Senate office hours, and updated bylaws helped accomplish these goals.

“I am forever indebted to my unrivaled Senate members for their creativity and enthusiasm, which made my job a million times easier,” he said. “As the sun sets on my time as president, I find joy in reflecting upon the incredible experiences that will guide me forward. I feel blessed that I will always call this place my Home Among the Hills.”

Boggs will be attending the Wendelstedt Umpire School in Florida in January and February to pursue his dreams of becoming a collegiate or professional baseball umpire. 

He recently passed the gavel to Kent Niland ‘27, who will serve as Student Senate President beginning January 2026. 

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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Student Senate was recently named the winner of the Daniel Crockett Student Government Association Award by the WV Association of Student Personnel Administrators. 

The award, which is given annually to student government associations that demonstrate servant leadership and problem-solving, was presented to the Senate for their recently launched Pediatric Care Packages Program, which benefits local and surrounding hospitals. Along with a certificate, the award includes a $500 grant to purchase more of these care packages. 

Julia McCoy ‘26, of Ravenswood, West Virginia, the current Student Senate Vice President, explains the motivation and purpose behind this program. 

“I created this project after seeing a societal need through clinical sites and opportunities as a nursing student. The purpose of these packages is to provide comfort to children in the scary situations and atmosphere of the emergency department,” she said. 

The packages include coloring pages, stuffed animals, stickers, a personalized drawstring bag, and more. Currently, they have been delivered to three hospitals: St. Joseph’s Hospital of Buckhannon, Davis Medical Center in Elkins, and Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston. 

Student Senate President Bray Boggs ‘27, of Scott Depot, West Virginia, emphasizes the importance of philanthropy in addressing the many needs of the region. 

“Our job as student leaders is not only to represent the interests of our fellow students, but it also involves becoming attuned to the issues facing local communities,” he said. “Through this initiative, we sought to embrace the longstanding Wesleyan tradition of ‘doing all the good you can’ and hope that these efforts will set a precedent for future stewardship projects.” 

The Senate anticipates that the program will continue to expand and will look to collaborate with other schools to ensure young patients in all of West Virginia’s hospitals can be comforted by the care packages during stressful emergency room visits.

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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College has announced its President’s List and Provost’s List students for the Fall 2025 semester.

President’s List is composed of students who earned a 4.0 for the semester while completing at least 12 semester hours with no incomplete grades. The full list of students achieving President’s List honors can be found here.

Students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the semester, while completing at least 12 semester hours with no incomplete grades are eligible for the Provost’s List.  Those students achieving Provost’s List honors can be found here.

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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia—  West Virginia Wesleyan College will celebrate a milestone this week as the first students in its new Master of Arts in Counseling Program are set to graduate – a group of emerging counselors ready to help meet the state’s need for qualified mental health professionals.

The program, launched in 2024 through a partnership between West Virginia Wesleyan College, Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, and Community Care of West Virginia, was developed to expand access to high-quality training for future counselors. It offers both full- and part-time enrollment pathways designed for students balancing professional and personal roles.

The inaugural class will be recognized during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12, in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. All six students completed the full-time track and have achieved notable success, passing the Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam on their first attempt. Four students specialized in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and two chose Addiction Counseling.

Program leaders say the graduates represent more than academic achievement — they embody a commitment to service and healing across West Virginia communities.

“Our students have shown incredible dedication to our shared mission of servant leadership, and they enter the field at a time when our state urgently needs their skilled, compassionate care,” said Dr. Jen Randall Reyes, Program Director.

Provost Lynn M. Linder said, “When Wesleyan launched the Master’s in Counseling program, we did so with an understanding of the urgent need for mental health professionals across our state. Partnering with Community Care and Aetna Better Health has allowed us to turn that understanding into action. Our graduates are not only well-prepared clinicians—they are empathetic leaders ready to help strengthen the well-being of individuals and communities throughout West Virginia.”

Tommy Schoffler, who is a tenured, full professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at WVWC, saw the Master’s in Counseling degree as a complement to the somatic work he has undertaken. 

“While I don’t believe in teaching acting as therapy, some of the skills I’ve honed in actor training really parallel and even complement counseling techniques,” Schoffler said. “Being a second-career counselor means that I can draw upon my previous experiences to empathize with clients’ struggles. Connecting with that kind of presence and authenticity creates a powerful potential for change.”

Priority deadline for the next cohort of applications is March 1, 2026 with regular deadline March 15, 2026. Visit www.wvwc.edu/counseling-programs to learn more.


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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – A West Virginia Wesleyan College student made it into the top five of an undergraduate business competition for the Mountain State Innovators Summit. 

Maggie Jordan ‘29  is a freshman at West Virginia Wesleyan College and the founder of her social media marketing business, Full Bloom Marketing. Her business aims to help small businesses grow by leveraging social media marketing to advertise and find new customers.

Jordan was originally told about this competition by one of her clients and decided to pitch Full Bloom Marketing in the Christy Hayhurst Davis Undergraduate Student Pitch Competition. Jordan stated that just being a finalist in the competition has been immensely beneficial for her and her business. 

“I have been able to network with industry professionals, get personalized coaching, and find potential new customers through my fellow finalists,” she said.

Jordan is taking everything she will gain from this experience and putting it right back into making her business successful. Through the competition, she was able to gain structured feedback, connect with West Virginia business owners and gain more exposure for Full Bloom Marketing.

Learn more about Full Bloom Marketing here

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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The Beta Beta chapter of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society at West Virginia Wesleyan College recently inducted three new members into its honor society. 

Nora Carroll ‘27, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Mason Halfin ‘27, of Moatsville, West Virginia; and Haley Lane ‘26, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, qualified to join the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society on October 30, 2025.

To be eligible for membership, students must have completed 60 semester hours in undergraduate courses, have a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.0, have completed the equivalent of 12 semester hours in Communication courses, have a Grade Point Average of at least 3.25 in those courses, and be in the upper 35% of their graduating class.

Lambda Pi Eta is the Honor Society for the Communication Department at WVWC and fosters interest in the field of communication. According to its website, Lambda Pi Eta was founded by the students of the Department of Communication at the University of Arkansas and was then formally endorsed by the faculty member and founder, Dr. Stephen A. Smith in 1985.

 Faculty advisor for Lambda Pi Eta, Dr. Nancy Bressler, said, “Each year, we look forward to celebrating the wonderful students who qualify for the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society. Our students are what makes our Communication Department fantastic, and I cannot wait to see what accomplishments they achieve next.”  

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.