BUCKHANNON, West Virginia —  A long-standing award meant to recognize students at West Virginia Wesleyan College by their positive attitudes, level of contribution to the life of the campus and upbeat approach to their overall college experience, and who simply make our day, is now renamed the Alisa Suttle Spirit Award in honor of the person who initiated the honor in 1992.

“From the very beginning, the Spirit Award was her idea – created to recognize those students who truly embody the heart, pride and community of West Virginia Wesleyan College,” President James Moore said at the 2026 Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Suttle retired June 1 as assistant vice president for student affairs.

“Today, we are pleased to announce that, moving forward, the Wesleyan Spirit Award will be named in honor of an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of our students,” Moore said. “From the very beginning, the Spirit Award was her idea—created to recognize those students who truly embody the heart, pride, and community of West Virginia Wesleyan College.

“In her remarkable 39 years of service, she hasn’t just met the criteria for this award.  She has defined them. Her unwavering devotion and enthusiasm for our campus have made her a cornerstone of the Bobcat experience for generations. Her unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to our campus community have left a lasting impression on generations of Bobcats.”

Two students from each of the four classes are selected annually to receive this honor, newly named the Alisa Suttle Spirit Awards. This year’s recipients were: freshmen Avery Bangsund ‘29 and Bryant Durant 29, sophomores Trey Greer ‘28 and Savannah Hose ‘28, juniors Sophia Shoemaker ‘27 and Isaiah Baker ‘27 and seniors Stanley Martin ‘26 and Haden Finchman ‘26.

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.