BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – Two alumni who continue to support their alma mater and the work of the Black Student Union on campus at West Virginia Wesleyan College were recognized during a special Homecoming celebration.

Angel Riley ’99 and Dr. Robbie Quarles ’11 received the first annual Sankofa BSU Alumni Awards.

Sankofa is a Ghanaian adinkra symbol that means to go back and reclaim your past so you can move forward to understand how you came to be who you are today, according to Laurie Goux, director of the Center for Cultural and International Affairs. It reminds us that we must continue to move forward as we remember the past and simultaneously plant a seed for future generations.

Riley, a member of the WVWC Board of Trustees, said, “ I am deeply honored to receive the Sankofa Award from the Black Student Union (BSU). This recognition reaffirms my commitment to giving back to the student organization that nurtured my growth. The BSU continues to foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, enriching campus life and shaping each student’s experience in invaluable ways. Let us, as alumni, strengthen the BSU legacy of support and education so future generations continue to benefit.”

Quarles previously worked at WVWC as Director of Multicultural Programs and Services before moving to South University where he is Dean of Student Affairs.

“It was an honor to receive acknowledgment and accolades from the Black Student Union,” Quarles said. “The BSU was not only a cultural cornerstone of my college experience but also became a significant part of my professional journey as a staff member. Wesleyan will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m deeply grateful that the organization and the multicultural office continue to thrive in support of students.

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 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth 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.