News Type: Student

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –   Eight individuals who continually find ways to serve their campus, community and beyond were officially sworn in as West Virginia Wesleyan College Trustees during Founders Day 2023.

Arria Hines ‘95, born and raised in rural West Virginia, is an accomplished and energetic business leader and entrepreneur. In 2009, Hines founded Allegheny Science & Technology, a woman-owned West Virginia-based energy services company. From two employees, to nearly 240, AST is a leader in alternative energy technologies and renewable energies. Hines is a member of WVU’s Visiting Committee, TechConnect Board of Directors, West Virginia Governor’s STEM Council, Upshur County Development Authority Board and an advocate for the West Virginia Public Speaker’s Bureau. She is an executive member of the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Board.

Rev. Martha Ognibene ‘79, is senior pastor of Wesley UMC in Morgantown. Ognibene is an elder in The United Methodist Church and has served churches in Parkersburg, Huntington, Colliers and Short Gap as well as superintendent of the Northern District. Ognibene also earned degrees from Virginia Tech and the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Angel (Williamson) Riley ’99 earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from WVWC and obtained a Master of Public Administration in Government Management from Southeastern University. She is senior manager, political affairs, for the North America subsidiary of the leading medical technology corporation Royal Philips. In 2005, she co-founded the Black Alumni Network, an unofficial alumni networking group for WVWC. She also previously served on the Alumni Council from 2009-2015 and headed a capital campaign to renovate the BSU House and chaired the Alumni Council’s silent auction. A four-time Amazon Bestselling author, podcast host, global speaker and certified life coach, Riley continually demonstrates Wesleyan’s objective for alumni to be leaders throughout their lives.

Curtis Wilkerson ’99 majored in history and political science at WVWC and went on to found Orion Strategies, a firm providing strategic communication, public relations and state and federal government affairs. Offices can now be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington, D.C., as well as West Virginia. He is married to Kristi Wilkerson ’99, who recently accepted the position of Vice President of Advancement at WVWC.

Michael Bush ’10 is an attorney and entrepreneur in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, owning and operating various real estate companies, including 1st Management Group, LLC and Real Property Solutions, LLC.  Mike graduated with Honors from WVWC in 2010 and from West Virginia University College of Law in 2013 as a member of Order of the Coif.  He is active with the Berkeley County Planning Commission and Gerrardstown Presbyterian Church. Mike and his wife, Liz, have the honor of raising a rambunctious toddler, Abby. Since graduating from Wesleyan, Mike and a core group of Bobcat friends gather every year for a Thanksgiving cabin weekend – and their spouses and children have quickly become part of the Wesleyan family.

David Young ’87 is the founder and chief consultant of Young & Associates, a specialized consultancy based in London that focuses on developing global product positioning and branding for pharmaceuticals and other medical products. David holds an MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (now a unit of Arizona State University), a BS degree in marketing and biology from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and a certificate in Japanese studies from Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. He is a guest lecturer at the Karachi School of Business (with ties to Cambridge University). He is in the process of being certified as a board director from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). David has been an advisor to the Board of Trustees of Hackney Empire Theatre in London, where he helped shape their equity story to support fundraising efforts. He is a long-standing member and former chairman of the senior advisory board to the Dean of Thunderbird, where he also acts as counsel to the school on marketing and branding related issues. David is part of the original founding team for the ‘Thunderbird SHARE Fellowship’, a prestigious alumni-driven scholarship/mentorship programme for exceptional students from developing countries wishing to attend Thunderbird.  David speaks German, is a certified Master SCUBA Diver, an Emergency SCUBA Medic, enjoys skiing and riding horses, and in his spare time volunteers as a surgical assistant for medical mission work in remote locations around the world.

Joanna McQuaid Webb ’07 is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She graduated from Wesleyan with a BS in Chemistry in 2007. She obtained her PhD in organometallic chemistry in 2012 from the University of Virginia, synthesizing novel transition metal complexes for catalytic small molecule transformations related to the energy sector. She began teaching at Wesleyan in 2012 and received the Exemplary Teaching Award in 2018. Joanna currently serves as a Career Consultant for the American Chemical Society and as Chair of Faculty Senate.  She also owns and operates Three Little Buds in Buckhannon.

Bill Pastorius earned both of his degrees from West Virginia University – he completed his Bachelor of Science in Education (Secondary English specialization) in 1996 and Master of Arts in Reading in 2003. He taught English at Frankfort High School for five years before moving to Johnson City while his wife did research at East Tennessee State University.  After the birth of his daughter in 2009, Bill moved back home to WV and began working as a reading clinician at Wesleyan’s Learning Center in May of 2010.  He has been the Coordinator of Lindamood-Bell®* Methods program since August 2011.  Bill was elected to Staff Council in 2020, served as Vice Chair in 2022-2023, and currently serves as Chair.

Sadie Nichols ’25, current president of the Student Senate, is an ex-officio member of the board of trustees, along with Webb and Pastorious.

The trustees recently elected new officers: Kevin Spear ’76 as chair, Dr. Ellis Conley ’73 as secretary, Bill Fahrner ’96, MBA ’02 as chair of finance and David A. Young ‘87 as chair of governance and trusteeship.  Other trustees returning are John Allevato ’76, Brian Brouillette ’82; Jason Fiegel ‘00; Dr. Alan Letton; Justin Raber ’08; Rev. Dr. Vance Ross ’79; Rev. Amy Shanholtzer ’87; Dr. Joanne Soliday ’69, Hon. ’16; Craig Welsh ’93; and Jamion Wolford ’08.

 

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 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  West Virginia Wesleyan College is excited to announce Family Weekend will be Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

Friday night includes a special opportunity, S’Moores with President James Moore, at 7:30 p.m. at the fire pit located behind the Annie Merner Pfeifer Library. Earlier that day, Moore will have an investiture as part of the Founders Day ceremony to become the 20^th president of the College since its founding in 1890.

On Saturday, there will be a number of events including the chance to catch a softball scrimmage, hear the Pep Band during a showcase on the Chapel Lawn, take in an intrasquad swim meet and screen print a design at the Art Department in McCuskey Hall.

At 1 p.m., the Football ‘Cats take on West Virginia State University. Admission is free. During halftime, Homecoming Royalty will be introduced.

Executive Chef Jason Fleck and his team at Aladdin Food Service are planning a chef’s special dinner in French A. See Dining Center from 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday Night includes a student favorite, Big Bingo, in the Dining Hall.

Family Weekend wraps up with brunch in the dining hall at 11:15 a.m. and a softball scrimmage at noon.

These events are in addition to a robust schedule planned for Homecoming 2023 also taking place over the weekend.

For a full schedule of events and to register, visit www.wvwc.edu/familyweekend

 

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 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –   The West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Theatre & Dance presents “Proof” by David Auburn, Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to curtain and are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors, students or anyone with a WVWC ID.

Winner of the 2001 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Proof” is the story of an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, her calculating older sister, their genius father, and an unexpected suitor, all pieces of the puzzle in the search for evidence about the origins of a mysterious mathematical proof. This poignant drama unfolds on the back porch of an older suburban Chicago home, near a university where the father taught. David Auburn’s characters are brilliant and instantly recognizable as those members of our own families.

The cast includes junior musical theater majors Sydney Stewart of Barboursville, West Virginia as Claire and Ben Long of Buckhannon, West Virginia as Hal, as well as Buckhannon resident Alan Stephens as Robert. As part of the requirements for their senior capstone, senior acting and directing major Ellery Brown of Bay City, Michigan is featured as Catherine. Crew for the show includes costume designs by freshman psychology major Kostadena Matina Hartley of Buckhannon, West Virginia, properties design by freshman education major Tina Green of Huntington, West Virginia, house and box office management by senior psychology major Colby Wamsley of Clarksburg, West Virginia, sound design by senior biochemistry major Owen Hess of Bridgeport, West Virginia and stage management by criminal justice and technical theater double-major Jay Coping-Smith of Charleston, West Virginia, graphic designs by Associate Professor Jon Benjamin, with scenic and lighting designs by David Hartley, new Director of Technical Theater. The play is directed by Associate Professor and Department Chair, Thomas Schoffler.

This play runs just under two hours with a 10-minute intermission and contains adult language, physical intimacy and frank depictions of mental illness. If you have questions, please contact schoffler_t@wvwc.edu

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 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is once again ranked in the top 10 for Best Value in the South in U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Colleges and is one of the Best Regional Colleges by The Princeton Review.

Under the U.S. News and World Report’s rankings, the College was ranked eighth for Best Value amongst Regional Colleges in the South, and 24th overall in the same category.  West Virginia Wesleyan is also listed as one of the Top Performers on Social Mobility which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants. 

 Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing John Waltz ‘01 said, “Growth in our new student and overall enrollment numbers this fall shows that students and families value a Wesleyan education and the unique campus experience and true personal attention our residential setting offers.  We have seen tremendous growth this year in West Virginia Promise Scholars, Creative and Performing Artists, Community Service Scholars, and Student Athletes—along with our largest freshman international population in over 20 years.”

In determining Best Value Schools, U.S. News & World Report considered academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid. 

More than 95 percent of WVWC students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships. WVWC awards academic scholarships up to $18,000 per year, which can be combined with co-curricular scholarships (athletics, creative arts, community service), the West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship, and all outside scholarships obtained by incoming students.

 The U.S. News & World Report rankings follow the College’s listing in the ‘Best in the Southeast’ section of The Princeton Review’s “2024 Best Colleges: Region by Region” publication in August.

 WVWC was also ranked number one in Safest College Campuses in West Virginia, according to the 2024 NICHE Best College Rankings.

West Virginia Wesleyan College will host Fall Open Houses Oct. 21 and Nov. 11, giving prospective students the opportunity to explore all the College has to offer. For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu.

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 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 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.

 BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is holding an Oktoberfest Dinner Party on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the Benedum Campus Center plaza. The event will kick off a slate of celebrations in honor of the inauguration of the College’s 20^th president, Dr. James H. Moore.

The dinner party will feature German food prepared by Aladdin Food Services and traditional music by the Edelweiss Band, sponsored by Arts Alive!  The menu includes: Wiener Schnitzel (breaded pork cutlet), Brats, German Potato Pancakes, green beans, sautéed cabbage, Spaetzle, salad, pretzels with cheese, hot rolls, apple strudel, German chocolate cake, and more.

West Virginia Wesleyan invites the community to join in the inauguration festivities and attend Oktoberfest.  Dinner is $12 per person and open to the public (cash only, please, and exact change is appreciated).  In the event of rain, Oktoberfest will be held in the French A. See Dining Center of the Benedum Campus Center.

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 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 50 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – After successful back-to-back seasons, WVWC Esports is proud to announce the expansion of their esports program into a new facility to compensate for the size and demands of an ever-expanding program.

The new facility is currently retrofitted with 20 computers doubling our stations from the previous space with plenty of room for continued growth as the program continues to expand. The facility has also been retrofitted with a stage as WVWC esports plans to facilitate esports events in the state for all the up-and-coming high school teams in need of a place to run events. Originally the first college within the state to offer a varsity esports team, WVWC is dedicated to continuing to play a part in the growth and development of esports at all levels across the state.

Head coach Ethan Hayes said, “Everything about the new space is an upgrade. From the size to a new kitchen and especially the new competition stage, its good for my students to see all the hard work they put in paying off for them. I can’t express my appreciation enough to the school for continuing to be so openly supportive of our program at every step of the way.”

While the facility has a plethora of nicknames adopted by students at the moment, sponsorships and naming opportunities are available for the new space.  Any interested parties may contact the Office of Development at 304-473-8600.

Additionally, WVWC Esports is recruiting for the next academic year. We are currently recruiting for the following games:

• Valorant
• Apex Legends
• Rocket League
• Fortnite
• League of legends
• Call of Duty
• R6: Siege
• Solo Title

Interested in esports? Any questions pertaining to esports at the collegiate or scholastic level, can be directed to hayes at hayes.e@wvwc.edu.

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 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 50 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – On April 2, 2023, the Epsilon Delta-at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) held an induction ceremony at the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts (PAC). The induction ceremony recognized and celebrated the accomplishments of 15 individuals who received and accepted an invitation to join the Epsilon Delta-at-Large Chapter of Sigma. These individuals were students enrolled in the academic programs of three institutions of higher education (Davis and Elkins College, Fairmont University, and West Virginia Wesleyan College) and nurse leaders from the community.

The individuals inducted during the ceremony include Stormie Cawthorn, Karen Seel, Nikita Collins, Katelyn Zirkle, Annette Arnett, Taylor Shannon, Kacie Barnett, Lauren Williams, Chelsea Difilippo, Mary Lacy, Jennifer Woods, Hillary Cahall, Makenzi Lewellyn, Lauren Posey, and Ann Whitehair. Nurses and nursing students who choose to become a member of the Epsilon Delta-at-Large Chapter will have opportunities to experience and grow in leadership, access to free nursing continuing professional development courses, access to scholarly journals, career connections, and networking opportunities (Sigma, 2023)

Sigma is an organization of over 100,000 active members and 600 chapters. These chapters are supported by institutes of higher education and partners in healthcare from Armenia, Australia,  Botswana to Thailand, the United States, and Wales. The membership includes bedside nurses as well as nurse educators, administrations, researchers, policy makers, and others. The purpose of this organization is to transform health care through the organization’s vision to connect and empower nurse leaders which is an organization that evolved from the efforts of six nursing students in 1922. The Global Value Statement of Sigma.

Eligibility to become a member of the Epsilon Delta-at-Large Chapter and the Sigma International program are determined by the achievements of the undergraduates, graduates, and nurse leaders. For more information, visit https://www.sigmanursing.org/why-sigma/sigma-membership/membership-faqs

 

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 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 50 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.

 

 

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The Higher Learning Commission has granted approval for West Virginia Wesleyan College to begin its newest graduate-level program, a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Applications are now being accepted for the two-year, 60-credit hour program with the first cohort to start in January 2024. Prior to the start of each academic term, students will connect with their peers and instructors during in-person residencies on WVWC’s campus. Students will then complete their coursework through online learning with weekly opportunities for synchronous instruction. 

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Lynn M. Linder said, “We are pleased to have received formal approval from HLC and are very much looking forward to welcoming our first counseling graduate students in January.”

This new program is a collaborative effort made possible through a $1.2 million investment by Aetna Better Health of West Virginia and Community Care of West Virginia, with graduates eligible to receive employment opportunities through CCWV. This direct investment into our communities of trained counselors in West Virginia will help address the shortage of mental health providers statewide.

Since the Spring 2023 announcement, WVWC has hired program director Dr. Jen Randall Reyes, ALPS, LPC, who has worked in the field of mental health counseling for 20 years, and assistant professor Dr. Ariel Williams, LPC.

Randall Reyes said, “Having the capacity to officially launch this program is truly a testament to the power of community. Through our partnership with Aetna and Community Care, alongside the dedicated Wesleyan staff; we are really excited to share that we are ready to review applications for our first cohort.”

Full and part-time cohort models are available, along with the opportunity to earn a 15-credit Addictions Certificate.

Priority admission deadline is Nov. 1 for the Spring 2024 cohort. For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu/cmhc

 

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 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 50 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 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.

LEWISBURG, West Virginia – Abigail Patterson ’25, of Charleston, West Virginia, was in her sophomore year of high school when she discovered her passion for medicine. Today, Patterson is a student at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va., and a participant in the “Go D.O.” Early Scholars Program, which allows Wesleyan students to be accepted to medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)  before they begin undergraduate studies.

It was during a summer reading assignment for an advanced placement biology course that Patterson — who originally thought she might have a future as a teacher — realized she wanted to become a physician.

“We read a book called ‘The Emperor of All Maladies’ [by Siddhartha Mukherjee]. It’s about the history of cancer treatments, and it was fascinating to see how we’ve evolved our thinking about treatments,” Patterson said. “For example, I learned that not all cancer treatments have an end goal of removing cancer; sometimes the goal is to stop the spread and allow people to live while still having tumors in their body. The idea that you can help people and constantly be thinking and learning was exciting.”

Students who plan to attend Wesleyan as a biology or biochemistry major in hopes of later entering medical school at WVSOM can apply to the Go D.O. program during their senior year of high school. Participants who go on to successfully complete program requirements during their time at Wesleyan don’t have to take the MCAT exam that is typically mandatory for acceptance to medical school.

After learning of the Go D.O. program and researching WVSOM, Patterson decided that osteopathic medicine — which views each patient as a unit of body, mind and spirit — was a good fit for her medical interests.

“I knew I wanted to be a doctor, and having guaranteed acceptance seemed like an ideal opportunity,” Patterson said. “When I looked into WVSOM and learned what a D.O. is, I found I liked the school’s approach and the principles of osteopathic medicine. I like that it focuses on whole-person health and that one part of the body can influence the health of another part. It’s an exciting way to think about medicine.”

As a private/public education partnership, the Go D.O. program, which launched in 2021, was one of the first of its kind in West Virginia. WVSOM and West Virginia Wesleyan share a dedication to science, service and holistic education, said Ronnie Collins, WVSOM’s director of admissions.

“This is a unique program, as we’re taking graduating high school seniors who will be attending Wesleyan, which has a track record of producing successful students at WVSOM, and putting them on an early path to become an osteopathic physician,” Collins said. ”The partnership is a win for all, as it allows students to enter WVSOM without the stress of taking the MCAT and helps WVSOM meet its mission.”

Because Patterson has a special interest in research, she spent several weeks on WVSOM’s campus in Lewisburg this summer, assisting Shinichi Asano, Ph.D., an associate professor in WVSOM’s Department of Biomedical Sciences, with his investigation into how sex hormones might influence the presentation of asthma. Patterson has been performing immunoblotting, a procedure used to detect proteins in tissue samples, as well as conducting data analysis and assembling an abstract that she will present at the WV-INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) Summer Research Symposium on July 25 in Huntington, W.Va.

She said her experience at WVSOM has been educational and that her co-workers on the research project have treated her as a professional.

“I was concerned coming in that I might be thought of as an undergrad who doesn’t really know what’s going on, but everyone has held me to a higher standard. They’ve treated me as an equal instead of just some college student who is in the way,” Patterson said.

Asano praised Patterson for her dedication and said she exemplifies why medical school pipeline programs are needed in order to identify young people in West Virginia who have what it takes to someday enter the physician workforce.

“Abigail is an outstanding undergraduate who has learned many laboratory techniques quickly. She has a scientific mind, and she’s very organized and careful,” Asano said. “It’s valuable to have initiatives like the Go D.O. program so that we can find talented West Virginia students like Abigail early on. As medical school faculty, it’s important to show these students what medical school is like and let them know what we can offer them.”

Requirements for acceptance to the Go D.O. program include a high school GPA of 3.75, a minimum composite ACT score of 30 and a minimum composite SAT score of 1,390. More information on the program can be found at www.wvsom.edu/admissions/go-do.

 

About West Virginia Wesleyan
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 one of its 2022 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan a “Top 20” Best Value – Regional Universities (South) and one of the “Top 75” Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 40 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 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – Wesleyan Department of Theatre & Dance announces auditions for our fall semester theater productions. Any member of the Wesleyan and Buckhannon community is welcome to audition. All shows for the fall semester audition Wednesday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for Performing Arts. Those interested should submit an electronic audition form found at https://forms.gle/NseNLgY8kM4kMzHY6 before Tuesday, August 22 at midnight. Be sure to list your potential conflicts and check the details below about the individual shows and their requirements. 

Actors are asked to prepare by memorizing a brief (30-60 second) comedic monologue with or without a hillbilly twang. “PIG” is heavily reliant on improvisation, so be prepared for improv exercises as well as cold readings from either script. If necessary, callbacks will be held on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

If you have questions about auditions, please contact Thomas Schoffler, Chair of the Theater & Dance Department, at schoffler_t@wvwc.edu. 

“Proof, by David Auburn, and directed by Thomas Schoffler, chair of the WVWC Theatre Department, will run Thursday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 7 in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts.

Winner of the 2001 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Proof is the story of an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father, and an unexpected suitor, all pieces of the puzzle in the search for the truth behind a mysterious mathematical proof. This poignant drama about love and reconciliation unfolds on the back porch of a house settled in a suburban university town, that is, like David Auburn’s writing, both simple and elegant.

This play contains adult language, physical intimacy and frank depictions of mental illness.

CHARACTERS:

Robert: 50s, father, genius, struggles with mental health

Catherine: 25, daughter, brilliant, sarcastic and haunted

Claire: 29, big sister, big city, organized and together 

Hal: 28, graduate student, self-proclaimed nerd, kind and goofy

Rehearsals run Sunday – Thursday nights 6:30 – 9:30 p.m,. beginning Sunday, Aug 27 until longer technical rehearsals begin Sunday Oct 1 through opening performance on October 5.

 

The Case of the Sleepwalking Pig,” written and directed by Greg Mach, professor, will be performed Friday, Nov. 3 at the Buckhannon Opera House, Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Randolph County Arts Center and Sunday, Nov. 12 at The Lodge in Alpena (two shows). 

Two mountain families feuding may sound familiar, and these wacky hillbilly families have definitely got it in for each other, so there’s sure to be murder-most-ridiculous before it’s all over! The play starts with a meeting to announce that Curly Boy, the 977 pound MacRoy family pig, has been kidnapped, and the MacRoy’s know it was one of the Flatfields that did it and they want the pig back before things get out of hand like back in the feuding days. The pastor tries to keep the peace as accusations and old  animosities fly, stirring up the feud again. Many hilarious insults are thrown back and forth, and the Pastor gets pretty loopy when his water is replaced with moonshine, and we’ll even shoot some guns off for excitement. The murder victim turns out to be the pig, so it’s barbecue pork for dinner at this dinner theatre show!

 CHARACTERS:

 Pastor Hiram- a very upright leader of the Cass/upscale Whittaker Heights community, who tries to keep peace between the two clans. Drinks lots of water because he talks and sweats so much.

 Mamaw Minnie Flatfield is the matriarch of the Flatfields and is old-fashioned in her ways, disgusted by the new-fangled world she has to live in.

Ruby Flatfield is Minnie’s daughter, a college-educated brainiac business woman with no fashion sense and a daunting vocabulary.

 Leland Flatfield is Minnie’s son, the security officer for Whittaker Heights and takes his job very seriously.

 Uncle Parrot, tied to both clans, tries to keep things hopping by playing music throughout.

 Vernon MacRoy is the gruff patriarch of the MacRoys and owner of a 977 lb. prize pig named Curly Boy.

 Little Bobby MacRoy is a local crime boss involved in lots of illegal activities, primarily drugs and moonshine.

 Eloise (eh- LOW- iss)  MacRoy is a flashy, flirty actress that made a couple of unmemorable B-movies in Hollywood before returning home to live off daddy’s money.

 Rehearsals start in September around “Proof” rehearsals, and then daily Sundays through Thursdays, 8-11 p.m., October 8-31, with an on-campus performance November 1, and dress rehearsals at each of the venues the evenings or afternoons before each performance. Additional performances may be added at each of the venues, depending on ticket sales.