EXTRA MILE AWARD RECIPIENTS
1986
John Gill
1988
Virginia Waldeck Fisher ‘32
1990
James K. Myers ‘49
1991
Bobby H. Loftis
1997
June Rose Simmons
1998
Katherine Curran Reemsnyder
1999
Mary Lee Welliver
Kenneth B. Welliver
2002
David A. Milburn
Larry R. Parsons
2004
Harold T. Elmore Hon. ’82
Sylvia Conklyn Elmore
2005
Robert J. Wallace
2006
William O. Goodwin
2007
John K. Saunders
2008
Marvin and Sarah Carr
2009
Jo Ann Michael
2010
Alisa Mauk Lively
2011
Patrick Balch
2012
Willis “Jr.” Cornell
2013
Senator Mike Ross
2014
John Jenkins
Carl Colson and Katharine Gregg
2016
Dallas Bailey
2020
2025
Dr. Rob and Dr. Lynn Rupp (Posthumous)
Rupp performs his craft with humor, imagination, and gentility. Educated at Ohio Wesleyan University and Syracuse University, Dr. Rupp contributed regularly as a regionally known and recognized political analyst to newspapers and public radio. In his final years of teaching, he published, The Primary That Made a President: John F. Kennedy and West Virginia. Throughout his career, he held numerous public service positions, such as being a member and chair of the West Virginia State Election Commission and serving on the Upshur County School Board.
Dr. Lynn Gableman Rupp (1948–2023) was a beloved educator, department chair, and Director of the Master’s in Education program at WVWC. With degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University and Syracuse University, she spent over thirty years shaping secondary social studies education at the college, where she was known for her commitment to teacher preparation and excellence in social studies. In recognition of her impact, WVWC awarded her its Exemplary Teaching Award in 2004. Beyond the college, Dr. Rupp was a leader in advancing social studies education throughout West Virginia. The Lynn Rupp/Lynn Bennett Award for WV Social Studies Excellence was named in her honor to celebrate her lifelong contributions to the field. She was instrumental in securing and directing three Teaching American History grants, known as American HEART, which helped to enrich history instruction and professional development for educators across the state.
Their impact on the students at WVWC cannot be overstated. When speaking of Dr. Robert Rupp, the nominator had this to say, “Rupp extended the reach of Wesleyan, and deepened the relationship between the College and Town of Buckhannon, by practicing what he preached. Rupp engaged in public service for many years with the Stockert Youth Center, the West Virginia Election Commission, and the Upshur County Board of Education. And quite importantly, Rupp was smart enough to engage his late wife, Dr. Lynn Rupp, in all of these ventures, and together they served Wesleyan Students, the College Campus, and the broader Community.” The Rupps served WVWC with excellence and distinction.