BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College Student Senate recently announced awards recognizing a Faculty and Staff Member of the Year at the annual Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Dr. Travis Zimmerman, assistant professor of criminal justice for the past seven years at WVWC, is this year’s recipient of the Faculty Member of the Year Award.

Zimmerman is said to make students want to attend his classes by keeping them engaged and sharing his knowledge and lifelong experience in the criminal justice field. He was also recognized at the 133^rd Commencement by the graduating class as the Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year.

“To be selected by the student body holds special meaning to me,” Zimmerman said. “Our students are what makes a faculty member’s job at Wesleyan one of the best jobs on the planet. Like all Wesleyan faculty, I feel like our commitment to making sure we prepare students for a successful future in their prospective fields is our most important job. I’m very proud to receive this recognition of my small part in this holistic student experience!”

Kenna Whitcomb, assistant director of campus life since November 2022, was named Staff Member of the Year. Whitcomb works very hard at making sure students are entertained outside the classroom through her leadership with Bobcat Entertainment and Campus Life.

Whitcomb said, “Being recognized by Student Senate as Staff Member of the Year makes me feel appreciated. I am glad that I get to serve and work with our students in this role.”

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; 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.