BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – This week, West Virginia Wesleyan College will welcome over 360  new undergraduate students for Orientation Weekend.  Officials at the College project total enrollment to be up 5% over 2023 and 10% over 2022.  The new student cohort comes to WVWC from 28 states and 13 countries, with 40 West Virginia counties represented. 

John Waltz ’01, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, remarked, “I am thankful for the work of our talented enrollment professionals, coaches, and the campus community for helping connect this amazing new student class to the state’s premier education.  The challenges and delays created by the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) were met by unmatched Wesleyan personal attention and care, ensuring each family was assisted through a daunting process.   I couldn’t be prouder of our team.” 

Over half of all incoming freshmen hold a 3.5 GPA or above and more than 20% will receive a West Virginia Promise Scholarship.  The College has seen a 20% increase in enrollment of freshman West Virginia residents over 2023.

Wesleyan is also experiencing growth in its graduate programs, with a 40% increase in graduate students over 2023.   Recent launches of a Master of Art in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) have added to Wesleyan’s thriving graduate offerings in Nursing, Athletic Training, and Creative Writing.  

President of the College Dr. James Moore is excited about the trajectory of West Virginia Wesleyan.  

“This marks the second year that West Virginia Wesleyan College has experienced real enrollment growth,” he said. “I’m confident that this is due in large part to the fact that students and their families realize that this College is among the best in the nation. We train leaders, and I believe we’re the finest academic institution in our state and our region.”

Over 60% of the new student class plans to participate in athletics. Well over 50 freshmen are receiving creative and performing arts scholarships and 25 students will participate in the Community Service Scholars Program.  Popular major choices include Business, Pre-Nursing, Exercise Science, Criminal Justice, Biology, Psychology, Education, Health Science, Physics, and Music Education.  

To read more about 2024 Orientation activities, visit www.wvwc.edu/orientation.  

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 nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 21 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.