News Type: Student

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –For the second time in as many years, West Virginia Wesleyan students have flexed their intellectual muscle at the annual meeting of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). Exercise Science graduate Holli Bragg ‘23, of Milton, West Virginia, and Five-Year Master’s in Athletic Training junior Connor Hollen ‘24, of Buckhannon,  West Virginia, accompanied by their faculty mentor, Dr. Greg Popovich, each presented research posters, with Hollen taking home top honors for the undergraduate research poster category.

Hollen’s poster was entitled, “Exploring the novel concept of intra-nasally administered creatine.” Bragg presented a follow-up to her previous study on dietary habits of collegiate volleyball players, while Dr. Popovich shared a case study on poor nutrition resulting in orthopedic injury.

Hollen reflected on the moment and the recognition for his original idea, “Being awarded first place was surreal,” he said.  “It made me realize that no matter where you are from, and no matter how small the idea, you could be recognized on an international stage. All the faculty within The School of Exercise Science and Athletic Training—and especially Dr. Popovich—welcome your ideas and can help you present them in a professional manner. This experience has reinforced that I am on the right path for my future. I cannot wait to present at a professional meeting again.”

West Virginia Wesleyan President Dr. James Moore added, “I’m so proud of our faculty and students. Once again, this shows the great value that we place on undergraduate student resources here at West Virginia Wesleyan College.”
For Dr. Popovich, the magnitude of the moment was not lost on him.

“For Connor, our program, and our College, this represents a major accomplishment whereby we are successfully competing with Tier 1 research institutions not in monetary terms, but in intellectual currency. For this to be the 20 th anniversary of this meeting and with some of my own mentors present to witness the event, it was nothing short of an amazing experience.”

In addition to the poster session for which he received a cash award, Hollen also competed in the innovative “Research Blitz,” a contest to convey research findings in 60 seconds or less. Sixteen presenters were selected to participate.
The ISSN meeting took place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from June 15-June 17.

Hollen will spend the remainder of his summer testing his hypothesis as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) grant.

In 2022, senior in Exercise Science, Callie Boddy ‘22, was also awarded first place at ISSN for her presentation on cheat meals during prolonged weight loss.

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 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, 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.

 

 

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College recently recognized students for their academic and service achievements in multiple disciplines during the annual Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Outstanding Senior Awards were given to Morgan Bennett, Ontario, Olivia Carpenter, of Canvas, West Virginia, Madisyn Fox, of Caldwell, West Virginia; Courtney Gray, of Flemington, West Virginia; Easton Perry, of Ripley, West Virginia; and Ryan Shrewsbury, of Winfield, West Virginia.

Senior Academic and Leadership Achievement Awards were presented to Betty Abdelgelil, of Summersville, West Virginia; Abigail Anderson, of Caldwell, West Virginia; Lillie Archer, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; Jakob Bohland, of Fort Mill, South Carolina; Kristen Crowder, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; Caroline Fulks, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; Hannah Hudson, of Blackstone, Virginia; Payton Hefner, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; Jackson Igo, of Cross Lanes, West Virginia; Samuel Ingram, of Scott Depot, West Virginia;  Katherine Marks, of Wellsburg, West Virginia; Yuka Mizuidi, of Ueda Nagano, Japan; Mariah O’Hara, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Abigail O’Shields, of Dagsboro, Delaware; Isabella Posey, of Weston, West Virginia; Kotone Sakamura, of Japan, Rebekah Sikora, of Morgantown, West Virginia; Timothy Walker, of Alum Creek, West Virginia; and Abby Wetzel, of Clarksburg, West Virginia.

Winners receiving the Sam Ross Scholar Athlete Award were Khalil Smith, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Hannah Hudson, of Blackstone, Virginia.

Dean of Students Alisa Lively presented the Campus Life Staff Member of the Year Award to Colby Wamsley, of Clarksburg. Wamsley also received the Bobcat Entertainment Member of the Year Award while Peter D’Avanzo, of Eastchester, New York, was presented the Bobcat Entertainment Rising Star award.

Jessica Vincent, director of the Center for Community Engagement and Leadership Development, presented Sullivan Foundation Awards to Easton Perry, of Ripley, and Madisyn Fox of Caldwell, West Virginia. John Wesley “Do All the Good You Can” awards went to Noah Jeffries, of Bristol, West Virginia, and Michael Winston, of Lewisburg, West Virginia. Wesleyan Values Awards were given to Courtney Gray, of Flemington, West Virginia; Emily Wilmoth, of Fairmont, West Virginia; and Hannah Ketterman, of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The Outstanding Peer Leaders are Olivia Carpenter and Ryan Shrewsbury, of Winfield, West Virginia. Outstanding Community Outreach awards went to Geneva Brown, Caroline Fulks and Laine Stover. Brad Long Peace Award recipient was Kiylei Holloway, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Laurie Goux, director of Center for Cultural and International Affairs, presented the Outstanding Leadership Awards to Charles Malone, of Dacula, Georgia; Morgan Bennet, of Windsor, Ontario, and Loren Keene of Bluefield, West Virginia. Allyship Award went to Geneva Brown, Trail Blazer Award was given to Cierra Tolbert, of Fishers, Indiana, and the Rising Star Award to Omar Sadek of Egypt.

John Bohman, director of Greek Life, presented the Greek Man of the Year Awards to James McIntosh, of Charleston, West Virginia and Greek Woman of the Year to Olivia Carpenter.

Jonathan Acord, director of Religious and Spiritual Life, gave Leadership Awards to Garrett Davis, of Jane Lew, West Virginia, Christian Cimaglia, of Ridgeley, West Virginia, and Abigail Anderson, of Caldwell, West Virginia.

Faculty Member of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Greg Popovich and Staff Member of the Year was given to Bohman.

Art Awards were given to Berlin Pruden, of Alpha, Illinois, (Outstanding Senior Art Major); Kaitlin Anderson, of Webster Springs, West Virginia (Outstanding Senior Graphic Design Major); Alaynah Rubio, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island (Outstanding Junior Art Major); Oreana Sharpless, of Aurora, West Virginia (Outstanding Sophomore Art Major); and Paige Blust, of Hurricane, West Virginia (Outstanding Freshman Art Major).

Outstanding Senior in Biology Awards were presented to Olivia Carpenter and Betty Abdelgelil. Hali Westcott, of Sistersville, West Virginia, was named Outstanding Junior in Biology. Kyan Gillespie, of Webster Springs and Kaef Rehman, of Daniels, West Virginia were Outstanding Sophomores in Biology. Outstanding Freshmen in Biology awards were presented to Srikiran Nandigama, of Salt Point, West Virginia; Sydney Vilain, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Raveena Navalgund, of Irwin, Pennsylvania; Caitlynn Sherman, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Omar Sadek, of Egypt; Haden Fincham, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia; Autumn Russell, of Keyser, West Virginia; Elizabeth Kittle, of Belington, West Virginia; Curtis Litton, of Duck, West Virginia. Chris Bender, of Webster Springs, West Virginia, Geneva Brown, Olivia Carpenter, Hayden Hess, of Bridgeport, West Virginia and Ashley Nicholas were named Outstanding Research Students.

Yudai Kojima was named Outstanding Accounting Student, Jacob Folland, of Gainesville, Virginia, Outstanding Business Administration Student, Camillo Salvi, of Verona, Outstanding Economics Student, Mari-Jane “Gracie” McLeod, of Ridgeley, West Virginia, as Outstanding Marketing Student, Shelby Kennedy, of Howell, Michigan, was named Outstanding Sport Business Student and Camden Richardson, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was named Outstanding 5-Year MBA Student.

Stephen Groves, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, was named Outstanding Laboratory Assistant; Garrett Davis, of Jane Lew West Virginia, Outstanding Junior Chemist, Kristen Crowder, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, Outstanding Senior Biochemist.

Outstanding Communication Major went to Iris Kolenich, of Buckhannon, West Virginia and Emily Reed, of Scott Depot, West Virginia; Leadership in the Communication Department went to Anthony Damcott, of Akron, Ohio. Outstanding Communication  Research Award went to Chloe Sotomayor, of Spencer, West Virginia. Damcott and Timothy Walker received the Outstanding Media Communication Award. Hunter Dierlam, of Sacramento, California, and Dylan Pauley, of Red House, West Virginia, also received communication awards.

Gage Poling, of Moatsville, West Virginia, received the Outstanding Senior in Computer Science Award.

Lillie Archer, of Corapolis, Pennsylvania, received the Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice Award.

Larry Reed Technical Theatre Award was presented to Elizabeth Tweel, of Elkview, West Virginia; Outstanding Senior Dance Student was given to Loren Keene, of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Outstanding Senior Theatre Student was given to Jackson Johnson, of Charleston, West Virginia, and Timothy Walker.

Education Awards were presented to freshmen Rhiannon Woolcock, of Falling Waters, West Virginia; sophomore Katherine Caldwell, of Charleston, West Virginia; Junior Payton Campbell, of Weston, West Virginia; and Senior Abby Wetzel, of Clarksburg, West Virginia. Wetzel also received the Dr. Ruth Mansberger Shearer Education Award and Abigail Anderson, of Caldwell, West Virginia, was given the Dorie McHugh O’Brien ’64 Award.

Outstanding Senior in English Award went to Daniel Dyal, of Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Easton Perry received the Outstanding Senior in Athletic Training Award. Holli Bragg, of Milton, West Virginia, received the Outstanding Research Student in Exercise Science Award, Isabella Posey, of Weston, received the Delta Psi Kappa/David E. Reemsnyder Award and Ryan Shrewsbury received the Developing Clinician in Exercise Science Award.

Outstanding Senior Major in Gender Studies Award was presented to Noah Jeffries, of Bristol, West Virginia and Kayla Means, of Clarksburg, West Virginia. Putting Theory into Practice Award went to Geneva Brown.

Outstanding Honors Program Students were Olivia Carpenter, Jackson Igo and Shaylen Chenoweth, of Elkins, West Virginia.

Caroline Fulks received the Outstanding Senior in International Studies Award.

Mathematics Hallam Awards were presented to Christian Cimaglia; Savannah Herrod, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Camden Lawrence, of Morgantown, West Virginia; Collin McEntire, of Haddonfield, New Jersey, and  Morgan Norris, of Gilbert, Arizona.

Music Department Award was presented to Geneva Brown.

Outstanding Seniors in Nursing were Mariah O’Hara and Victoria Syrews. Outstanding Juniors in Nursing were Kaitlyn Canby, and Makenzi Lewellyn. Outstanding Sophomores in Nursing were Melody Ryanne Garrett and Paige Miller.

Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Physics: Ethan Cutright, Robert Hurdt, Payton Hefner, Jackson Igo, James Anthony McIntosh, Abigail O’Shields, Logan Proud, Eden Reynolds and Rebekah Sikora.

Outstanding Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Lance Cerullo; Madisyn Fox; Caleb Hardy, of Kearneysville, West Virginia; Gene Hutchinson, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; Pedro Parmezani, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida; and Payton Slider, of Ridgeley, West Virginia.

Brittany Myers, of Weston, West Virginia, received the Outstanding Senior in Political Science Award.

Shaylen Chenoweth was given the Outstanding Senior in Psychology Award.

Courtney Gray earned the Outstanding Religious Studies Award.

The John Warner Sociology Award went to Kendra Goeddert, of Maxwelton, West Virginia; Vijaya Rao Global Awareness Award to Caroline Fulks and the Outstanding Senior in Sociology Award to Caitlin Wilhelm, of Waynesboro.

Wesleyan Spirit Awards were given to freshmen Julius Pretlow, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and LouMasi Lott, of Walker, West Virginia; sophomores Kaef Rehman and Zoe Casto; juniors Colby Wamsley and Destiny Cochran and seniors David Taylor, of Washington, D.C. and Hannah Ketterman, of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

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 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.

 

 

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College has released its President’s List and Dean’s List for the Spring 2023 Semester.

President’s List is composed of students who earned a 4.0 for the semester while completing at least 12 semester hours with no incomplete grades. The full list of students achieving President’s List honors can be found here.

Students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the semester while completing at least 12 semester hours with no incomplete grades are eligible for the Dean’s List. Those students achieving Dean’s List honors can be found here.

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 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –    The West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Nursing recognized graduates receiving Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master’s and Doctoral degrees recently.

Dr. Lynn M. Linder, Vice President of Academic Affairs, acknowledged the hard work by graduates that went into achieving the nursing degree.

“Because of the high standards and rigor of the nursing program at West Virginia Wesleyan College, not to mention the knowledge, expertise and dedication of your professors, I know you are extremely well equipped to offer every patient the absolute best care,” she said.

Dr. Tina Straight, director of the School of Nursing, said, “These students entered our nursing program when the Covid pandemic was at its worst. They were challenged by virtual classrooms and virtual clinicals, but their courage, motivation and strength led them to this stage today.”

Mariah O’Hara ’23, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, recalled receiving her acceptance letter to the School of Nursing Spring Semester 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall semester 2020 online and then in-person clinicals in January 2021 to help students make up clinical hours.

“Many of us never thought this day would come and, if I’m being honest, it’s still pretty surreal,” she said. “We have overcome many obstacles and challenges this past year. We have taken exam after exam, all while completing our 120 preceptor hours.”

Dr. Amy Coffman, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, and director of the graduate program, said, “These students have not only successfully navigated a master’s program or a doctoral program, but they have done so while providing hours of comprehensive health care during a global pandemic, the likes of which none of us have witnessed firsthand. It’s been a difficult time to be a nurse; much less a nurse in graduate school. I’m in awe of your achievements.”

Ann Whitehair ’23, of Grafton, West Virginia, MSN graduate, thanked the faculty for their unwavering support.

“I would like to commend faculty for keeping us grounded, focused and motivated, to push us forward to academic achievement,” she said. “Graduation is just the beginning of great things. It gives us the opportunity to serve others, become advocates, engage in community partnerships or further our education and professional development so we can provide safe, quality care in whatever service path we choose.”

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 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.

 

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  West Virginia Wesleyan College recognized graduates who were members of the Black Student Union, PRISM, International Student Organization or who were a First Generation college student in a special ceremony Friday in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts.

Imani Jackson ’23, of Akron, Ohio, shared how joining the Black Student Union contributed to her college experience.

“Being surrounded by people who you can relate to brings a different type of comfort to your college experience, especially for those of who are hours away from home,” she said. “Having an environment for black students to be open, speak, educate and come together on campus is one of many positive aspects of West Virginia Wesleyan.

Morgan Bennett ’23, of Canada, served as president of the ISO her senior year.

“I have been able to meet and become friends with amazing people from across the globe,” she said. “Throughout the many events here on campus, I have seen people want to celebrate their ethnicity and inspire others to do the same.”

Geneva Brown ’23, of Chesapeake City, Maryland, shared how her experiences in PRISM, helped her grow in confidence, led her to classes in the gender studies program and opened up new opportunities.

“It has been a great experience this last year as one of the more senior members of PRISM to help younger students with their journeys,” she said.

Madisyn Fox ’23, of Caldwell, West Virginia, admitted being terrified, unsure of how to make friends and how to be a college student in August 2019.

“I held tightly on to my title as a First Generation student, but I didn’t know how to wear it,” she said. “Fortunately, thanks to the resources I was afforded here at Wesleyan, my life changed quickly and I had to quickly adapt every day to keep up with it. Being surrounded by people like you, who are consistently resilient despite the odds placed against us, has inspired me and shown me that I am in the right place at the right time with the right people.”

Graduates from each of the groups received stoles or cords to represent the group or groups they participated in during their college experience.

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 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  The West Virginia Wesleyan College Class of 2023 joined the Orange Line Saturday during the 132nd Commencement Ceremony that celebrated their perseverance and resilience.

President James Moore encouraged graduates to continue to pursue truth and knowledge, learn from mistakes, but find joy in the journey.

“You are about to embark on a journey – the next chapter of your life; a journey of unknown possibilities,” Moore said.  “Find the joy in as many things as you possibly can. Never miss an opportunity to celebrate a win for yourselves, for your friends and family. Learn from your failures as you have during your time here. Remember what you have learned. There is a great big world out there that needs you. It is a world that is waiting for you. Never lose the joy.”

Caroline Rapking ’79, outgoing chair of the board of trustees, led the trustees during the Covid-19 pandemic that sent the Class of 2023 (and all students) home in mid-March 2020. Rapking spoke of the class’s adaption to online Zoom and Google Meet for classes and clubs and the return to on-campus life in Spring 2021 with Covid-19 protocols in place.

“After months of separation, the Community had to adjust to being together in person after so many months of a lot more solitary existence,” Rapking said. “I know that as students you were happy to be back, and you began to stitch your Community and the Wesleyan Community back together. Resilience, collaboration, and creativity were at the forefront.”

The Class of 2023 continued to be resilient throughout their College experiences.

“You persisted, you adapted, and you will now take these life experiences as you move forward, and may even, someday, be grateful for them,” Rapking said.

Rapking received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the ceremony.

Caroline Fulks ‘23, president of the Senior Class, presented Dr. Tamara Bailey, professor of history and international studies, with the Outstanding Faculty award voted on by the class.

Fulks asked her fellow graduates to remember their tight-knit connections made at the College.

“Wesleyan has given us the tools to make this memory and it is our job now to keep them alive,” she said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me this life-changing experience. Wesleyan will forever be my Home Among the Hills.”

Tara Steed ’87, president of the Alumni Council, said, “You have a lifelong bond to your Home Among the Hills. You may leave this place, but this place will never leave you.”

She encouraged the graduates to wear the title of alumni as a badge of honor and to find ways to give back to the College.

“We are the Orange Line,” she said. “Congratulations.”

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 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.

BUCKHANNON—The West Virginia Wesleyan College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) conducted its 60th annual induction on April 13, 2023, in the Meditation Chapel.  The circle inducted three seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, one graduate student, one faculty and two staff members.

The Wesleyan Circle of ODK was established in 1963 and has inducted over 1,100 students, faculty, and staff.  Student eligibility is based on the top 35 percent of each class in scholarship, as well as participation in one of the following:  athletics, music, arts, journalism, and community service.

Newly inducted members include:  graduate student Debra Tysor ‘23, Elkins, West Virginia.  Seniors Payton Hefner ‘23, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Rebekah Sikora ‘23, Morgantown, West Virginia;  Hope Wyatt ‘23, Tornado, West Virginia.  Juniors Alienor Dalle ‘24, Belgium; Stephen Groves ‘24, Bridgeport, West Virginia, Jillian Morgan ‘24, Dailey, West Virginia, Madison Rowe ‘24, Nashua, New Hampshire, and Hannah Walters ‘24, Cabins, West Virginia.  Sophomores Katherine Caldwell ‘25, Buckhannon, West Virginia, Brooklyn Farley ‘25, Kermit, West Virginia, Elizabeth Mazzariello ‘25, Somerset, Pennsylvania, Bree Moll ‘25, Craigsville, West Virginia, Danica Propst ‘25, Martinsburg, West Virginia, and Eden Reynolds ‘25, Cross Lanes, West Virginia .

Also inducted were Dr. R. Daniel Martin, professor and director athletic training, Anita Dib, director of the learning center, and Elisabeth Rogers ‘97, director of library services.

Participating in the ceremony were Dr. Thomas Smith, faculty advisor,  Dean of Students Alisa Lively, and Alison Whitehair, vice president for student affairs.  Officers participating included Mari-Jane McLeod ‘23, president, and Kevin Shrewsbury ‘23,  vice president.  Student officers for the 2023-2024 academic year include Bree Moll, president, Alienor Dalle, vice president, and Stephen Groves, treasurer. 

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on December 3, 1914, on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.  The Society was founded by a group of 15 students and faculty who believed that leadership at the collegiate level should be recognized and encouraged across all phases of campus life.  The motives which guided the founders sprang from the desire to bring together one body for the general good of the institution, leaders from all parts of the college or university community.  The success of the ODK idea, an essential part of which is its inter-generational nature and a determination to maintain a consistent and high standards of leadership recognition, led to the establishment of chapters, which are called circles, at other colleges.

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 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – A West Virginia Wesleyan College rising junior and McCuskey Fellow will spend his summer working towards building a model of the Mars helicopter Ingenuity as part of an undergraduate research grant award.

Caleb Hardy ’25, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was awarded a NASA-West Virginia Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research Grant for the 2023-24 year.

“The research project I will be working on over the summer was inspired by the Mars helicopter Ingenuity, and the goal is to build a model of Ingenuity with some of the same capabilities,” Hardy said. “Specifically, I want the model helicopter to be autonomous and fly to a set waypoint. Additionally, I want to connect solar cells to the helicopter so it can be solar powered.”

“West Virginia Wesleyan College has prepared me for this project due to my participation in the NASA RockSat program we have on campus where we build payloads that are launched on sounding rockets. Furthermore, the challenging courses I have taken thus far will equip me with the tools I need for this difficult project.”

Dr. Joseph Wiest, professor in the Department of Physics and Engineering and a board member of the NASA-WVSGC, said, “This is a very competitive grant program that is open to all of the colleges and universities in West Virginia and requires an original grant to be conceived and written that will be of special interest and address a particular need of the NASA program.”

Hardy was inspired by Christopher Kuhl ‘93 who has worked as an aerospace engineer for NASA-Langley and led the landing of the space probe of Mars in the past year.

“Christopher’s work has led to the first flying of a helicopter on Mars, the successful Earth-guided movement of a rover on Mars, and the search for evidence of life on Mars,” Wiest said.

Hardy was drawn to West Virginia Wesleyan College for its NASA affiliation among other reasons.

“I chose to attend Wesleyan because of its smaller size classes along with its excellent physics program, and the College’s affiliation with NASA had a tremendous impact on my decision as well,” he said. “The reasons I stay at WVWC are the wonderful professors, which I have been able to make personal connections with, and I have had many opportunities to apply for scholarships and internships through the school.”

Wiest added, “Caleb has been an excellent student in all of our physics, engineering, and mathematics courses at Wesleyan; and he also serves as a tutor for the Learning 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 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.

 

 

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is preparing for commencement activities May 5-6 to celebrate the Class of 2023.

On Friday, May 5, a number of ceremonies and events will take place at the College.

The Nursing Convocation will be held at 2 p.m. in Wesley Chapel with a reception following in Middleton Hall.  The School of Education will host a reception in the Social Hall at 3 p.m.
Multicultural and First-Generation Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. in the Culpepper Auditorium of the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. A reception for all graduates will be held from 5-6 p.m. in the French A. See Dining Hall.

Finally, Rev. Angela Gay Kinkead ’79 will speak at the Baccalaureate Ceremony to be held in Wesley Chapel at 6:30 p.m. Kinkead, an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, served for 14 years at Dean of the Chapel at WVWC and is retiring this June as pastor of Elizabeth Memorial United Methodist Church in Charleston, West Virginia.

On Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m., the College’s 132^nd Commencement will take place in the John D. Rockefeller Physical Education Building. Nearly 200 graduates will receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or a higher level master’s or doctoral degree.

 

Caroline Rapking ’79, outgoing chair of the West Virginia College Board of Trustees, will address graduates and receive an honorary degree at the ceremony. Rapking joined the Board of Trustees in 2010 and became the first woman chair in 2020.

 

Both the main commencement ceremony and the baccalaureate will be streamed live at this link: https://www.wvwc.edu/livestream-events

 

 

 

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 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.

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The Reverend Angela Gay Kinkead ’79 will give the Baccalaureate address at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 5 in Wesley Chapel.

Kinkead is an ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church and a member of the West Virginia Annual Conference. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College (1979), a master’s degree in Christian Education from Scarritt Graduate School (1986) in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Master of Divinity degree (1997) from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville.

Since July 2020, Kinkead has served as Pastor of Elizabeth Memorial United Methodist Church in Charleston, West Virginia. Prior to serving in Charleston, she served Pea Ridge United Methodist Church in Huntington, West Virginia for five years. Kinkead has served local churches as a Christian educator in Madison and Huntington, West Virginia and Greenbrier, Tennesee, and as part-time Minister of Congregational Care of a congregation in downtown Nashville.

For more than 15 years, she led the youth-directed agency of the United Methodist Church, the National Youth Ministry Organization, lodged within the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville. In October 2001, she returned to her alma mater, West Virginia Wesleyan College, to serve as Dean of the Chapel for the next 14 years.

During her time at WVWC, Kinkead was awarded West Virginia Wesleyan’s Community Engagement “Unsung Hero” Award, she led 11 Alternative Breaks for students, including Elektrostal, Russia; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City, Washington, D.C.; and eight work teams to post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, Louisiana involving approximately 200 students, staff and faculty.

Retiring from full-time ministry at the end of June, she will relocate to Wichita, Kansas to be her brother’s next-door neighbor, and adapt to “every day being Saturday, except Sundays!”

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 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.