BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  A generous gift by an alumnus and friend of West Virginia Wesleyan College has provided for a columbarium to be located in the West Meditation Chapel on campus. 

Rev. Dewayne Lowther ’57 was searching for peace of mind after the death of his spouse, Rev. Ginnie Settle Lowther ’68, and he found it at an unexpected moment: while attending the memorial service for United Methodist Bishop William Boyd Grove, Hon ‘86.  Lowther noticed the location for that service had a columbarium, and it sparked an idea. 

Given his and his family’s deep personal and professional connections with West Virginia Wesleyan College, Lowther inquired if a columbarium could be located in or near Wesley Chapel.  Rev. Jonathan Acord, Dean of the Chapel, explored the idea to determine feasibility and administration supported the project.

“How meaningful it has been to provide funds for the creation of a columbarium on Wesleyan’s campus and to plan for our niche where we can join ‘a cloud of witnesses,” Lowther said. “Other options had been discussed, but we kept coming back to Wesleyan. This is sacred space.”

The Lowthers were married on campus and lived in married housing on campus. Numerous family members have graduated from the institution and the Lowthers spent many years working with the West Virginia United Methodist Annual Conference held in Wesley Chapel.

“We’ve had awesome experiences and Wesleyan has been at the heart of it all,” Lowther said. “It’s where it all started.”

Thanks to Lowther’s generosity, Wesleyan’s new columbarium has been installed and is now available and ready to serve others who find the campus or the chapel home.  Details can be found at www.wvwc.edu/columbarium or by contacting the Office of Advancement or the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at WVWC.  Niches can be reserved by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends such as United Methodist clergy and laity.  

“To be with people who are meaningful and to be surrounded by people who I’ve known for a long time – that’s what we wanted,” Lowther said. “This columbarium pulls it all together.  I am happy that my gift to Wesleyan will also make this an option for others so that they, too, can have peace of mind.”

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.