BUCKHANNON, West Virginia  –  West Virginia Wesleyan College is preparing to say “Aloha” as alumni return to their Home Among the Hills Sept. 25-28 to help their alma mater celebrate 135 years.

Tickets are on sale now for Thursday, Sept. 28’s performance by the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. Purchase online at https://tinyurl.com/WVWCPJO. Tickets may also be available at the door for $20 each.  The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra is a prominent large jazz ensemble dedicated to representing Pittsburgh’s rich jazz legacy, and we are thrilled to have them return to WVWC.

On Friday, Sept. 25, homecoming registration will be open from noon to 6 p.m. in the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library for alumni to pick up schedules, nametags, campus maps and get answers to Homecoming questions. Visit the Wesleyan Under Water exhibit chronicling the flood of 1985 on campus and in the Buckhannon community.  Or stop by the Erickson Alumni Center from 2 to 4 p.m. for an open house and campus tours leaving on the hour at 2 and 3 p.m.

WVWC’s Class of 1975 will celebrate their 50th reunion from 2:30-4 p.m. in the side dining room of the French A. See Dining Center.

At 4 p.m., Founder’s Day Convocation will bring the campus community together as WVWC celebrates 135 years and looks toward the future with updates from Moore. Join the celebration as new board of trustee members are inducted outstanding alumni who have given back to their alma mater and communities in various ways are honored. 

The Black Student Union will sponsor a pool party from 6-8 p.m. open to alumni and friends or relive a favorite WVWC tradition, Big Bingo happening at 7 p.m. in the social hall.

Stop by Rockefeller Center to cheer on women’s volleyball versus Salem University in a 7 p.m. match-up and then head to the PAC for a Town Hall with President Moore happening at 8:30 p.m. In this hot ones twist, Moore will be interviewed about college updates as he eats increasingly hotter chicken wings, much like the popular TV Show, “Hot Ones: The Game Show.” 

Saturday events include the 4th annual Mark Petrosky Memorial Hunger Walk for the Parish House at 9 a.m., leaving from the Parish House. For those alumni arriving Saturday, registration in the library continues from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Honor legendary tennis coach Jim Smith ‘57 with the dedication of the new seating at the tennis court complex at 9:30 a.m. 

The WVWC Student Art League will be screenprinting in McCuskey 113 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your own white t-shirt and select a student-created design to print. Donations will be accepted.

While in McCuskey, stop by the Sleeth gallery for an alumni spotlight exhibition featuring watercolorist and alumna Carolyn Martin Light ‘79. 

Several athletic contests happen on Saturday, including a Softball Orange and Black Scrimmage at the Culpepper Field and a Men’s Basketball Orange and Black game at 2 p.m. in Rockefeller. 

At 11:30 a.m., there will be an information session on WVWC’s new Certificate Program in Addiction Counseling.

The Emertius Club Luncheon will be held at noon in the French See Dining Center (to induct the class of 1975 and celebrate reunion classes of 1970 and 1965.

From 2-5 p.m., a pop-up arts and craft fair will happen on the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library lawn. 

Dr. Devon McNamara will give a homecoming lecture at 2 p.m. in Library Room 213 followed by a lecture from Dr. Joseph Wiest in Christopher Room 103. Both professors retired this summer.  

Join the All Classes Reunion as the classes of 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 are invited to gather on the Haymond Hall of Science Lawn, catch up with friends, and take a class photo. For members of the Class of 2020, President Moore will be available from 5:30-6 p.m. to take a graduation photo.  Borrowed cap and gown and diploma cover available.

From 5:30-7 p.m., join the Aloha Block Party for $15 with a tropical feast including pig roast, chicken, and other inspired
foods. Then head over to the WVWC Football game under the lights at 7 p.m. as the ‘Cats host Frostburg State. Athletic trainers will be recognized prior to the game as WVWC celebrates 40 years of athletic training.

A planetarium show will also take place at 7 p.m. in the Christopher Hall of Science Planetarium. 

On Sunday, prepare to say aloha with a Gospel Service at 10 a.m. in Wesley Chapel, followed by the Aloha Brunch in the French A. See Dining Hall and two final sports contests to close out the weekend. Women’s Soccer will play the University of Charleston at 1 p.m., while the men will face off against UC at 3:30 p.m.

For a full schedule and to see more details about these 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 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