BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College announces its 2025 Alumni Award recipients, recognizing individuals for exceptional leadership, service, and achievement. Two non-alumni will also be honored for their extraordinary service to the College. These individuals exemplify the values of excellence WVWC instills in its graduates. All winners will be celebrated at the Founders Day Convocation during Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at 4 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. This event is open and free to the public. 

Alumni Achievement Award:

• S. Doug Ritchie ’83 founded Star Plastics, a global enterprise providing local employment. Beyond business, he’s a committed philanthropist, creating the Fund for Ravenswood and leading “Renewable Ravenswood” to revitalize his hometown.
• Dr. Charity Metz Schuller ’95 is a distinguished global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, dedicated to ensuring the safe delivery of life-saving medicines. As Executive Director at PPD Clinical Research Business, she oversees international teams and mentors the next generation of science and medicine leaders.

Young Alumni Achievement Award:

• Jordan Godwin ’11 is the youngest-ever CEO of Valley Health Care (VHC), a federally qualified health center. His leadership transformed VHC, expanding operations and increasing patient access in rural West Virginia communities.
• Angel Wilson ’13 is a successful entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker. She founded Silent Books Publishing, empowering aspiring authors, especially from unheard communities, and has helped five WVWC faculty and students become published.

Alumni Service Award:

• Paula Lowther McGrew ’78 served as WVWC’s Director of Library Services and is now the official WVWC Historian. One of her most significant contributions is DreamersAndGiants.com, a comprehensive website documenting the college’s history.

Young Alumni Service Award:

• Jessicah Cross ’15 is a tireless advocate for WVWC. In her professional roles, including Chief of Staff for the West Virginia First Foundation, she consistently promotes and supports the college and higher education in West Virginia. She has been an alumni volunteer with Zeta Tau Alpha, acting as the College’s chapter advisor. 

Extra Mile Award:

• Drs. Lynn Gableman Rupp and Robert O. Rupp are recognized for their profound impact on WVWC students and the broader community. Dr. Robert Rupp, a noted historian and political scientist, served as a professor and a regionally known and recognized political analyst. Dr. Lynn Gableman Rupp (1948–2023) was a beloved educator and department chair, instrumental in advancing social studies education in West Virginia.

Full bios of award recipients 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 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