News Type: Student

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is preparing for commencement exercises to be held on the Wesley Chapel oval this year. 

Commencement will be held Saturday, May 10 beginning at 10 a.m. this year recognizing nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate students. A livestream link is available at https://www.wvwc.edu/livestream-events/

A number of activities have been planned leading up to commencement this week. Grad Fest will kick off at 5 p.m. at the 88 Pavilion on Wednesday, May 7.

On Thursday, May 8, graduates get a final opportunity to win big at the Last Chance Big Bingo at 8 p.m. in the French A. See Dining Center. Prizes will be themed around items that will be needed for graduates to establish their new homes and careers. 

On Friday, May 9, Alderson Broaddus University transfer students will be recognized in the morning with a special reception at 11 a.m. in the Greek Alumni Room.

Nursing Convocation is slated for 1 p.m. in Wesley Chapel with a reception to follow in the French A. See Dining Hall Side Dining Rooms at 2 p.m.

The School of Education Reception will take place at 3 p.m. in the Greek Alumni Room.

Several organizations are participating in a Celebration of Achievement and Cording Ceremony at 4 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. 

The Baccalaureate Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. 

Following the ceremony, President James Moore invites graduates and their families to a Senior Send-Off at the 88 Pavilion beginning at 8:15 p.m.

For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu/commencement-2025/

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 – The West Virginia Wesleyan College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) conducted its 61st annual induction on March 27, 2024, in the Meditation Chapel.  The circle inducted four graduate students, four seniors, four juniors, 10 sophomores, two staff members, and two faculty.

The Wesleyan Circle of ODK was established in 1963 and has inducted over 1,100 students, faculty and staff.  Student eligibility is based on the top 35 percent of each class in scholarship, as well as participation in one of the following:  athletics, music, arts, journalism and community service.

Newly inducted members include:  Graduate students, Laura Adams, South Charleston, West Virginia; Johnnie-Jo Hovis, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Judith Rose, Morgantown, West Virginia; and Ann Marie Whitehair, Grafton, West Virginia.  Seniors included Samantha Carlin, Sarasota, Florida; Zoe Casto, Fairmont, West Virginia; Kadie Dunham, Grafton, West Virginia; and Megan Pritt, Mt. Nebo, West Virginia.  Juniors included Savannah Herrod, Clarksburg, West Virginia; Edward Marks, Wellsburg, West Virginia; Sydney Vilain, Clarksburg, West Virginia; Carly Rae Wolfgang, Leesburg, Virginia.  Sophomores inducted included Madelyn Armstrong, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Cullen Cairns, Riverview FL; Tobias Fleece, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Laura Gatewood, Huntington, West Virginia; Kostadena Hartley, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Leah Ireland, Maitland, Florida; Zoe Jarvis, Big Chimney, West Virginia; Renae Kennison, Rainelle, West Virginia; Kylah Lockriddge, McGraws, West Virginia; and Breanne Waldron, Fairmont, West Virginia. 

Also inducted were Dr. Rae Emrick, vice president for athletics, Alexis de Coning, assistant professor of communications, Jonathan Acord, dean of the chapel, and Colby Wamsley, assistant director of campus life.

Participating in the ceremony were Dr. Thomas Smith, faculty advisor, Alisa Lively, dean of students and circle advisor, and Jessica Wagner, director for community engagement and circle staff.  Officers participating included Srikiran Nandigama, president, and Ellie Pergoletti, treasurer.  Guest speaker was Paula McGrew, professor of library science and director of library services emeritus.  Student officers for the 2025-2026 academic year include Srikiran Nandigama, president, Faith Yoho, vice-president, and Sydney Vilain, treasurer.

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on December 3, 1914, on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.  The Society was founded by a group of 15 students and faculty who believed that leadership at the collegiate level should be recognized and encouraged across all phases of campus life.  The motives which guided the founders sprang from the desire to bring together one body for the general good of the institution, leaders from all parts of the college or university community.  The success of the ODK idea, an essential part of which is its inter-generational nature and a determination to maintain a consistent and high standards of leadership recognition, led to the establishment of chapters, which are called circles, at other colleges.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  Severe flooding in February in Wyoming County, West Virginia, caused significant damage to people’s property. 

Wyoming County is the home county of freshman Matthew Hatfield ’28, who watched from his residence hall as his community dealt with flooding and wanted to help. Other West Virginia Wesleyan College students were also watching the devastation and brainstormed how they could help.

“WVWC Student Senate contacted me and asked what they could do to help,” Hatfield said. “When I was approached and asked how they could help, I was moved. Growing up in the small town of Oceana, West Virginia, I was taught that when your neighbor needs help, you help. That is exactly what happened on February 15th. To say I wasn’t worried about my community would be a lie. Getting on Facebook and seeing people begging for help and to be rescued made me feel helpless. Seeing the pictures as the water destroyed homes and businesses that I have walked in hundreds of times made me feel paralyzed. Going back and hearing the stories of people I hold dear tell me that they had to escape in knee-high water made me feel like I was there when it happened,” he said. 

Hatfield stated, “Being at West Virginia Wesleyan College reminds me so much of being back home. Seeing this College come together for a community they have never been to shows the love this College has. I am the only student from Wyoming County here at WVWC and for them to go out of their way to do this for my community shows me again that I picked the right College.” 

WVWC Student Senate President Bray Boggs ’27, of Scott Depot, West Virginia, said, “Our goal as a Student Senate is to be a supportive governing body for campus organizations as well as a source of support for the student body as a whole. However, WV Wesleyan College has a unique history of not being limited by the boundaries of the campus, and I truly believe that we have an important role to play in supporting our fellow citizens and West Virginians. Seeing the needs of those affected by the flooding, we felt duty-bound as a Senate to offer our support. After hearing from Matthew and communicating with community service organizations in the region, we felt that monetary aid would be the most appropriate option.” 

“These individuals are constantly in our thoughts and prayers, and it is my hope that this gesture will reach many families and households in the tight-knit communities of Southern West Virginia. The Student Senate is proud to have contributed to these recovery efforts,” he added. 

The WVWC Student Senate agreed to donate $1,000 to Mountain Heart Community Service in Metheny, West Virginia, who will oversee the distribution for needed supplies such as shovels, brooms and cleaning supplies. 

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 – The West Virginia Wesleyan College Departments of Theatre & Dance presents Oscar Wilde’s comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” This production contains a unique twist to Wilde’s work, featuring both a dressed-down British cast and an American Southern cast set in the 1960s. Performances run April 10 at 7:30 p.m., April 11 at 7:30 p.m., and April 12 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The British cast will be performing April 10 at 7:30 p.m. and April 12 at 2 p.m., while the Southern cast will be performing April 11 at 7:30 p.m. and April 12 at 7:30 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.  

Known for its sharp social commentary and delightful absurdities, “The Importance of Being Earnest” has captivated audiences for over a century. Set in Victorian England, the play follows the escapades of two young men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who lead double lives to avoid societal pressures. Their comical deceptions set off a chain of misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and romantic entanglements, culminating in Wilde’s signature humorous and revealing conclusion. 

This production creatively blends Wilde’s witty English satire with the warmth and charm of Southern culture. Directed by Thomas Schoffler, chair of the WVWC Department of Theatre and Dance, this reimagining infuses the traditional British setting of the play with the distinctive accent, style, and humor of the American South. A talented British cast brings Oscar Wilde’s razor-sharp dialogue to life, while Southern elements provide a unique contrast, amplifying the comedy and ensuring a completely original theater experience. 

Wesleyan’s cast includes junior musical theatre/media communication major Ashton Nardella ‘26, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, as Southern Algernon Moncrieff and freshman musical theatre major John Spellman ‘28, of Morgantown, West Virginia, as British Algernon Moncrieff, sophomore acting/directing major Eli Dickey ‘27 of Chloe, West Virginia, as southern Jack Worthing, sophomore English major Amelia Hughes ‘27, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, as British Jack Worthing, senior acting and directing major Ellery Brown ’25 of Bay City, Michigan as Southern Gwendolen Fairfax, senior musical theater major Sydney Stewart ‘25,  of Barboursville, West Virginia, as British Gwendolen Fairfax, sophomore biology (pre-med) major Kaylie (Kai) Toler ‘27, of Harts, West Virginia, as Southern Cecily Cardew, freshman acting/directing major Leigh Rice ‘28, of Philippi, West Virginia, as British Cecily Cardew, Buckhannon resident Jett Eric as Southern Lady Bracknell,  Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Lexi de Coning from South Africa as British Lady Bracknell, junior musical theater/communications double-major Julius Pretlow ‘26, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, as Southern Reverend Chasuble, freshman acting/directing major Salem Bradshaw ‘28 of Nicholas County, West Virginia, as British Reverend Chasuble, Senior English major Roxie Underwood 25’, as Southern Miss Prism, sophomore acting/directing Major Rhyan Sebring ‘27 of Caldwell, Ohio, as British Miss Prism, freshman pre-drama therapy major Payton Hill ‘28, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, as Southern Merriman and Lane, and  interim Director of Technical Theater Justin Grow as British Merriman and Lane. 

The show features designs by two professional guest artists including costumes by Pittsburgh-based designer Jacob Currence and scenic designs by former Wesleyan technical director Keith Saine. The production’s stage manager is sophomore arts administration major Tina Green ‘27, of Huntington, West Virginia, and Assistant Stage Manager Payton Hill ‘28, of Hedgesville, West Virginia. Additional crew includes properties design by senior psychology major Cam McGriff ‘25, of Wilmington, Deleware, sound design by sophomore acting/directing major Rhyan Sebring ‘27, of Caldwell, Ohio, with lighting design by senior technical theater major Jay Coping-Smith ‘25, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and freshman musical theater Major Adrian Legg ‘28, of Charleston, West Virginia, with senior musical theatre major Ben Long ‘25 of Buckhannon, West Virginia, serving as assistant director. 

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 – The Black Student Union and Thomas H. Albinson II School of Business are hosting a unique event Friday to bring entrepreneurs and business professionals together for a day of networking and learning with students. 

Laurie Goux, director of the Center for Cultural and International Affairs, said this expo has three goals.

“First,  to create a directory of black-owned businesses in West Virginia, across the United States and globally,” she continued. “The second goal is to inspire an entrepreneurial mindset in students pursuing business careers. Third, to educate all business students on issues that affect minority-owned businesses.” 

All events will be held in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts and are open to the public.

The winner of the business entrepreneur contest will be announced. Over the past week, WVWC students have had the opportunity to submit their idea for a business and the chance to win $500 toward their project. 

Lunch and Learn at noon will be served by Aladdin Catering. Student vendors will set up from noon-1 p.m.  Sample “Gabby Bakes” sweet potato pie, Paula Kaufman, poet, visual artist, and educator will share her artwork and present on African American Foodways. 

From 1 to 3 p.m., there will be a discussion panel organized by the Thomas H. Albinson II School of Business. Beginning at 3 p.m., there will be various business professionals sharing about an “Entrepreneurial Mindset” via Zoom. An in-person book club discussion panel will be held from 4-5 p.m. with Shawn Rochester, author of The Black Tax, who will join by Zoom. 

The event will culminate from 5-6 p.m., with a presentation on House music and entertainment brought by WVWC students.

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 – 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