BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  Caroline Rapking ’79, outgoing chair of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees, will address graduates and receive an honorary degree at the College’s 132nd Commencement Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. in the John D. Rockefeller Physical Education Building. 

Rapking joined the Board of Trustees in 2010 and became the first woman chair in 2020. During her tenure on the board, the College has added buildings and programs and navigated a global pandemic. The Board of Trustees recently announced the five-year appointment of Dr. James Moore as the College’s 20th president.

“Caroline Rapking has been an exemplary Trustee of this College, an outstanding and energetic leader of our Board, and is a model for the kind of success that a Wesleyan graduate can attain,” Moore said. “Her professional and public service accomplishments have been inspirational to many members of our community, myself included. We’re very excited to extend this honor to her.”

Rapking said, “I am excited and honored to receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, my alma mater. I am grateful for the recognition of my years of service to my community of organizations, friends and family.  I am particularly pleased that I have been able to give back to West Virginia Wesleyan College for all that it has done for me and my family.”

After graduating from WVWC, Rapking went on to earn a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in 1982. In 2013, Caroline retired from CGI, a global information technology firm, after 30 years of service.  She was the Vice President for Global Public Sector Markets. 

In 2014, she formed Rapking and Associates, LLC, a management consulting firm established to work with both public and private sector organizations to improve government business operations through the use of technology.  She served as Rapking and Associate’s President. 

Rapking also served on the Maxwell School Advisory Board, the Board of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, was the Chair of the Tech America State and Local Board of Directors, and was a member of the National Capital Area Corporate Executive Council of the American Cancer Society.  

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts 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 one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 40 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, and nursing; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 70 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.