Many of us have stories to share about these people who have meant so much. Often we share them on Facebook – which is great for the short term. (Note: I try and “harvest” some from there, but it is very hit and miss)
If you have memories you would like to share, email them to historian@wvwc.edu
Here is the database of the stories that have been shared.
| Subject of Your Memory | Your name | Graduation Year | Your Thoughts/Memories | Attachments | Category | Date Submitted | Harvested from Facebook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin, Arminta | Sodano, Randy | 1995 | Randy Sodano, class of 1995, wrote this reflection about his experience with Arminta Baldwin. He read it at her memorial service on October 28, 2017. Sodano, Randy (Who Pushed Who?) |  | Faculty | 2017-10-28 | yes |
| Berry, Michael Lynn | Plante, Linda MacDonald | 1983 | I was Mr. Berry’s student assistant for three years while I was at WVWC. He was my advisor, a mentor to me and I loved learning from him. I’m sure he was a good part of the reason that led me to be a Mathematics major. When he asked me to be his assistant after taking his Trig class, I was amazed that he’d even noticed me in the class. He saw more in me than I saw in myself and helped me become more confident in my teaching abilities. After graduation, he helped me get an instructor’s position at the college. I remember going to his house for cookouts with the family, and we were honored to be attend the ceremony when he and Anona renewed their vows. He was the one professor that I made sure to introduce my son to when he was starting at WVWC in 2007. For his big stature, he was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. Linda MacDonald Plante ’83 |  | Faculty | 2021-04-05 | |
| Berry, Professor Mike | Herod, Dan | 1981 | Mr. Berry was the reason I eventually became a math & physics teacher. I'd bounced around in various programs my first two years at Wesleyan and found myself at the end of my sophomore year with no clear direction. Over that summer I decided to try Computer Science and that fall was very excited to finally declare a major that I thought I'd like. However, I had no idea how much math was involved. I never paid attention to math in high school and the next thing I knew, I was in Mr. Berry's Calculus 1 class, frantically trying to stay afloat. Mr. Berry should have shown me the door and at least made me take the appropriate pre-req classes, but he knew that I'd already been there for 2 years and I needed a path to graduate. So, instead of judging me, he spent countless hours basically teaching me what I should have learned in a high school Algebra 2 class - and there I was trying to learn Calculus. In 20/20 hindsight that was an absurd combination and the only thing that kept me afloat was his compassion. Over the next 3 years I took more math classes from him than I could shake a stick at. He also encouraged me to get a minor in Physics, thinking that it might help me in the computer industry. I did work in the computer industry for 20 years, but after I came to a crossroads (I'm just not cut out for corporate politics), I reflected on what I could do with the rest of my life and decided to try to impact students as he impacted me. Twenty years into teaching, I still try to be as patient and kind and non-judgmental with my students as he was with me. One day, as I was struggling yet again, he told me that students understand one level below the class they're taking, but with time, they'll catch up and be fine. He was absolutely correct. Math finally started making sense after I'd taken my 3rd or 4th class from him. Once I started teaching Calculus, there were many times that I thought back to the absurd questions I asked him...but never did he point out my shortcomings...he just dug in and tried to fix them. He truly was a Giant. #6 on my To-Do list was to write him another letter since it's been two or three years (maybe more) since we last corresponded. My last class with him was 40 years ago and now I'm approaching retirement and it's almost time for me to say goodbye to the classroom. Sadly, I didn't get it written quickly enough. I talked about him to my classes today. They'd all heard the stories of how I struggled in school because I wasn't prepared. Now they know the name and had a chance to see his picture. Perhaps his attitude of helping instead of judging will live on. | Faculty | 2021-04-06 | ||
| Coston, Herbert Reece | Hess, Gary | 1960 | A marvelous couple! Herb officiated Carolyn and I renewing our wedding vows at the Chapel during Sweethearts Weekend on campus. Phyllis's parents lived in Lincoln Place, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where I lived a few years while a student at Wesleyan in the late 50's. We several times drove them there for a weekend while we all were profs at Wesleyan in the 70's. They were truly a blessing to Wesleyan and all who encountered them! May Herb now join Phyllis and their son in Heaven! Rest in Peace! | Faculty | 2022-10-21 | yes | |
| Coston, Herbert Reece | McGrew, Paula Lowther | 1978 | Herb Coston taught at WVWC from 1962-1992, then retired and continued to teach for several more years during his days as Professor Emeritus (1992-2022). One of his major points of focus was to connect people across the globe. He did this through the International Studies major, trips to Japan, China, and Africa, and by lovingly supporting international students on campus. He and wife Phyllis created a scholarship to aid students as they participated in this work. He was a true WVWC Giant. As anordained United Methodist Elder, he did it all through the lens of the church. | Faculty | 2022-10-27 | ||
| Coston, Herbert Reece | Watson, James D. | 1979 | I thank God that I had the privilege of having Dr. Phyllis Coston for classes and that I learned from her. I never had Dr. Herbert for class but I knew of him and got to meet him a two years ago. What a loss for Wesleyan's tradition. Both had such l… See more | Faculty | 2022-10-24 | yes | |
| Coston, Herbert Reece | Kenaston, Joseph | 1981 | The Costons were amazing! I was blessed to be Herb’s student assistant in the history department | Faculty | 2022-10-21 | yes | |
| Coston, Herbert Reece | Cameron, Rich | 1981 | The Coston’s were tremendous! Great people who cared about the school and the students. They made a difference | Faculty | 2022-10-21 | yes | |
| Coston, Herbert Reece | Chiang, Jim | 1992 | On behalf of myself and all your students, before and after me, thank you Dr. and Mrs. Coston. We thank you for all that you have done for us while at West Virginia Wesleyan. And while time continues to pass with each and every minute of every day, we are eternally grateful and in debt for your service. | Faculty | 2022-10-24 | yes | |
| Coston, Phyllis | Carr, Marvin | Carr, Marvin H., III. Phyllis Coston Eulogy. Delivered at her Celebration of Life service on April 2, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon, WV. | Faculty | 2018-04-02 | |||
| Coston, Phyllis | Skinner, Bob | 1975 | Skinner, Bob. Remembering Phyllis Coston. Eulogy delivered at her Celebration of Life service on April 2, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon, WV. | Faculty | 2018-04-02 | ||
| Dees, Caroline | Parsons, Larry | In paradisum deducant te angeli: May the angels lead you into paradise; Received word last night that Caroline Dees passed in her sleep Monday evening. Caroline was a long time colleague and friend. She taught many wonderful students among whom are; Val Wilson, Stacey Brett Davern, Jannine White, Jeremiah Smallridge and others. I have many Caroline stories - she was on several tours with me to Europe and with Concert Chorale. Who will ever forget that high pitched laugh that told us she was in the room! I will always remember her interview with Dr. Agey and me. Gracious southern lady to say the least. So gone are Dr. Agey, Dr. Bobby, Dr. Milburn, aka Slide, and now Caroline. That leaves from those years Linda Sabak, the youngster, Mel and me. Grace and peace my friend. (Facebook August 24, 2021) | Faculty | 2021-08-24 | |||
| Dees, Caroline | McGrew, Paula | 1978 | SInce Caroline had also entered the world of librarians by virtue of her MLIS, she often attended our Library Christmas Lunches and other events. She always brightened up the room with her laugh and the joy that bubbled from her. Caroline, Carol Bowman, and Patricia Tolliver spent many hours traveling to Clarksburg for their class sessions via television, and built up quite a support system for each other. They were often mentored and led by Judith Martin. Benjamin Crutchfield, who came to WVWC the same year as Caroline, often had his hands full when all of these folks got together. They were quite a force! | Faculty | 2021-08-27 | ||
| Dees, Caroline | Watson, James | 1979 | Although I never had her for a class or lesson, I remember how she filled a room with happiness and laughter. Her smile was contagious and she always talked about things as if there was nothing wrong with the world. Most of my memories are about get-togethers with Dr. Milburn and many music students and I know they were good friends. I know we celebrate her life rather than feel sorrow for her loss. I know that it is rather cliche-ish to say that she was a good person but she truly was one of the good ones. And her laugh could be heard down the hall making a person feel good and pleased to be alive. She touched many lives, especially her voice students, and they will remain her legacy. | Faculty | 2021-08-30 | ||
| Dees, Caroline | Moore, Ed | 2007 | *This was posted on Facebook by Ed Moore. He has been singing professionally with Pittsburgh copper chorus for many many years. This is what he posted on his Facebook page about after the memorial service. I had the honor of attending a memorial service yesterday for a friend, a teacher, and a singing colleague. My college professor Ms. Caroline Dees. Caroline had a remarkable coloratura soprano voice, and an incredibly articulated laugh... hard to explain, but her laugh was pitched and unbelievably piercing. I first met her 36 years ago. She taught me diction for singers, and introduced me to the cardinal languages of singing, and the Phonetic alphabet. More importantly, on a late summer's evening during my first semester, she invited me and a few of my classmates to her tiny house in Buckhannon, served us dinner, and showed us, on a video cassette, what would be my first opera; Puccini's "La Boheme." While others left her house that evening, I stayed to the bitter end, and left her house as a 19 year old who has just experienced his "first time" as a lover of opera. Those singers, and the beauty of their voices, had implanted themselves into my life, and that love has not yet left me. I still remember some of those singer's names: Teresa Stratas, Jose Carreras, Ileana Cotrubas, James Morris... and others. As time passed, while she was not my primary voice teacher, she taught me a lot. One of those lessons was (for me as a tenor) to be respectful of your soprano. We were rehearsing the famous sextet from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" and I was singing Edgardo to her Lucia. My agile young voice showed no fear in leaping up to the high d-flat at the end of the piece BUT, during rehearsal, she was not prepared for it. Afterwards she playfully slapped me with her hand-fan and told me to watch her for permission to sing that high note. During the performance, I was poised but cautious. As we approached the ultimate operatic moment, I glanced in her direction. She gave me a brief, grim nod, and I proceeded to launch into it. Caroline buried me with the size of her high note! Afterwards, I gave her a hug. She said to me, "The lesson you need to learn is to save it when you can so you only have to do it once." Lesson learned, Caroline. Thank you and God bless... I had a lemon drop in your memory. | Faculty | 2021-11-08 | yes | |
| Donaldson, Gavin | Bailey, Tamara Denmark | I sure will miss Gavin. He always had a kind word and had this quiet grace about him. He was stubborn, but pragmatic. If you took a bit more time to enjoy the conversation, you may have been lucky enough to hear his humor. He recruited a heck of crew of players these past few years. I am looking forward to seeing that plays out next fall. | Colleague | 2022-03-12 | yes | ||
| Donaldson, Gavin | Gempler, Kory | Where it all began. Circa 1988. Thanks for being our coach, a good friend, and lots of good memories. |  | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes | |
| Donaldson, Gavin | McCormak, Travis | To the coach who took a chance on an un-recruited walk on, provided a home amongst the hills for so many of us and cultivated relationships that have lasted years beyond what one could imagine - Thank you Gavin Donaldson! I don’t come to WV Wesleyan College without that chance to further my athletic career and join a fantastic athletic training program while playing soccer. I will never forget the teams I was a part of in ‘99 and ‘00 before your guidance helped me choose my current career path in athletic training. Rest easy now knowing you helped to mold some amazing men who will never forget the times shared on the pitch by the river enjoying the beautiful game you loved so much. Here’s to you Coach! My condolences to the entire #bobcatsoccer family and Coach’s immediate family during this difficult time. [Posted on Facebook 3/11/2022] | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes | ||
| Donaldson, Gavin | Camacho, Ed | Gavin Donaldson, You were the only person that believed in me and pushed me to the fullest. From the day you picked me up at the airport with Joe and took me West Virginia Wesleyan College, to the day Angel Camacho was born and I decided to play baseball. You supported every decision I made that helped me grow as a man, father and now coach. I'm in total disbelief about the news of your passing. I know for a fact, that everyone you've coached and helped from 10U to Pro, will always say you were the best coach they ever had. You were not only family to Jessica and I, but to every single student and student-athlete you crossed paths with. You will be missed dearly Coach, but you will never be forgotten. Thank you for being my inspiration to follow your footsteps in becoming the best coach I can be for the future of sports and for believing in me the way you did, when you could have gave up on me and sent me on my way out the door. The World lost another amazing great husband, person, coach and teacher. Rest in peace Coach Gavin [Posted on Facebook 3/11/2022] | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes | ||
| Donaldson, Gavin | Akintunde, Juwon Samuel | Sometimes you have to stop, take a moment and appreciate life. Gavin played an important role during my 3 years at Wesleyan, and knew how to get the best out of me especially my senior year! We shared some great memories on and off the pitch which I will cherish forever. He was highly respected throughout the college level and that speaks volumes about the type of man he was. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Your legacy will continue through WSE. Thank you Coach [Posted on Facebook 3/11/2022] |  | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes | |
| Donaldson, Gavin | Hannig, T.J. | Rest easy Coach! Thank you for everything you did for me as a young player! Your mark on the game and impact on young players can’t be matched! Please Lord, make sure all the Angels know that Gavin is one of the good ones….until you spill his coffee!! [Posted on Facebook 3/10/2022] | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes | ||
| Donaldson, Gavin | Whiting, Zach | I’m fortunate and thankful to have so many inspirational and positive influences in my life; coach Gav was certainly one of the best for me and so many others. My thoughts are with those who knew Gav and I hope everyone is able to take a moment to show the love to those that mean the most. [Posted 3/10/2022] |  | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes | |
| Donaldson, Gavin | McGrew, Paula | 1978 | Coach Gavin Donaldson, thank you for everything you did for me and countless others. Legends never die! | Colleague | 2022-03-11 | ||
| Donaldson, Gavin | Emrick, Rae | 1995 | Your legacy will be carried on by all of us. Rest In Peace Coach 💔 | Coach | 2022-03-10 | yes | |
| Donaldson, Gavin | Ravestijn, Wilco | 1997 | Gonna miss you Gavin Donaldson. You had a far greater impact on me than I think you knew. Thanks for taking a chance on me…for fighting for me and thanks for the tough love you gave me. I don’t think I appreciated your generosity until later on in life. Will never forget you and will honor you by passing it on. Rest In Peace. [Posted on Facebook 3/10/2022] |  | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes |
| Donaldson, Gavin | Potter, Brian | 2003 | My time as both a student, and then staff AT, at WVWC was a great experience for many reasons and because of many people. Gavin Donaldson was one of those people. Aside from building quite a legacy on the soccer field, Gavin was every athletic trainers dream coach. He believed in and supported the importance of the AT, and the role of the sports medicine staff as a whole. I’ve dealt with coaches where every day was a battle trying to justify our actions as healthcare providers. In 8 years of working daily with Gavin, there was never one instance of that. I am forever grateful for that kind of professionalism and working relationship. Thanks Coach for your dedication to the school so many of us love, to the sport of soccer, to the many student athletes you had the opportunity to mentor, and for your friendship to all of us that had the opportunity to work with you. Attending a soccer game at WVWC will never be the same. Prayers for Karen and the rest of the family. [Brian Potter, Facebook 2022-03-10] | Coach | 2022-03-10 | yes | |
| Donaldson, Gavin | Johns, Joe | 2010 | I was trying to find the words yesterday but couldn’t. Coach Gavin Donaldson, thank you for everything you did for me and countless others. Legends never die! Your legacy will be carried on by all of us. Rest In Peace Coach [Posted on Facebook 3/11/2022] | Coach | 2022-03-12 | yes | |
| Kinkead, AngelaGay | Crist, Amy Rossiter | 1978 | Created a GoFundMe page for AGK. “In early August, Angela Gay was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rarer and aggressive blood cancer. A series of quick actions led her to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX, where she filled the very last spot in a 50-person, 2-year clinical trial. Her stellar medical care is essentially fee-free. This Go Fund Me is organized to alleviate associated travel costs.” After a recent conversation with her, and to no surprise to anyone who knows her well, she’s facing this obstacle with courage and strength and optimism that defines who she is as a person. If you can give, please give. If you can pray, please pray. If your life has been made better because of AGK, let her know. “Nevertheless, she persisted.” | Administration,Chaplain,Classmate | 2022-10-27 | yes | |
| Kinkead, AngelaGay | Caltrider, Jarrod | 2009 | It’s no exaggeration to say that apart from my family, very few people have had as profound of an impact on my life as AngelaGay Kinkead. I’m fairly certain we met in passing for the very first time during a West Virginia Wesleyan campus visit during my junior year of high school. Once at Wesleyan it was in the Chapel office, in the classroom, in Wesley Chapel and the Meditation Chapel, in her home on Hart Avenue, on an airplane across the country, and so many other places that she nurtured my faith, cultivated a deep love for well-designed and thought-out liturgical worship, let me ask difficult questions and was patient in conversation. She was the first person of faith I heard articulate what it means to follow a God whose love is far more inclusive than any one of us could ever begin to imagine or dream. I believe so much of what I believe because of the guidance, wisdom, love, and grace she poured into me. As I’ve said before, after some 17 years she’s still pastoring me in ways that are too invaluable to put into words. Now it’s an honor to not only call her my pastor and mentor but also my colleague and most especially friend. | Chaplain,Administration | 2022-10-27 | yes | |
| Martin, Tom | Skinner, Bob | 1975 | Bob Skinner remembers Tom Martin on Facebook (10/6/2019) Mourning the loss of Dr. Tom Martin, athlete, coach, teacher, mentor, and friend. He was an All American soccer player at Davis and Elkins and he led helped lead them to two national championships. At Wesleyan, he had a great run as a coach and led the Bobcats to National Titles in 1984 & 1985. He went on to coach 29 years at James Madison University and won over 470 games, which ranks him 5th on the all-time wins list for soccer coaches. I first met Tom as a senior at Elkins High School, when he completed his student teaching rotation. I liked him immediately. Tom and his D & E teammates stirred my interest in soccer. D & E never enjoyed great athletic success until the soccer teams of the late 1960’s. And when they won the first national championship, I remember the crowd of people that welcomed them back at the Elkins Airport. In 1978, he accepted the head soccer coaching position at Wesleyan. He also was an assistant professor. He and his wife, Cherylen lived in a duplex on Camden Avenue beside my cousin, Gary Skinner and me. We shared a ton of popcorn, pizza, and pasta that year and spent the summer playing golf. Tom loved golf as much as I did so we joined Bel Meadow Country Club. Every time we had an opportunity, we drove up Route 20 to play golf. We did this for 7 years and had so much fun. We competed a little, but mostly enjoyed the walk talking about life and sports between shots. We hit a lot of shots over and into the water, raked a ton of sand, and relished over every birdie. We both had our dreaded holes. Mine was the 8th and Tom’s was the fifth. No matter how Tom was playing that day, the 5th would always seem to bite him. I would turn my back, hear the driver hit the ball, and then listen to the ball bounce off trees and into Elk Creek. Of course, I always found that stupid creek on the 8th. After every round of golf, Tom and I stopped at a little store in Romines Mills and would drink a 12 ounce bottle of coke. We would reminisce about the day and start planning on the next outing. Tom was a great friend who picked me up when I was knocked down, brushed me off, and encouraged me to keep going. Tom was also a great racquetball player and my record against him was 1-95. Most of the 95 losses were real drubbings, which is why the one win felt like a successful climb up Mt. Everest. Of course after that one win, Tom beat me 21-0 the next time we played. Tom Martin was a great coach. The Wesleyan title teams were a blend of players from all over the world and he was able to unite them toward one goal—winning. One of my big regrets is that Tom and I never played golf after he left Wesleyan. We talked about it, but life got in the way. But we always reminisced about our Bel Meadow days each time we saw each other at a Wesleyan Hall of Fame event. I had no idea Tom was ill. He kept it private so when I heard the news yesterday, my heart sank. Ironically, on Friday when returning from Pittsburgh, I took the Rt. 20 exit. As I drove past Bel Meadow, my mind was suddenly flooded by memories of golfing with Tom. And as I neared the curve where the old store once stood at Romines Mills, I thought of those days drinking a coke after a great day of golfing with Tom. I will always regret not playing golf with Tom after 1985, but always cherish our days at Bel Meadow. This afternoon, at a store somewhere, I will buy a coke, and say a toast to Tom. He touched and influenced thousands of lives. He set high standards for himself and others. He lived a great life and will leave a lasting legacy. Well done, Tom. Well done. | Coach | 2019-10-06 | yes | |
| Milburn, David | Watson, James | 1979 | When I arrived at WVWC I was a green, immature and inexperienced wanna-be, wishing to play music and just to learn. By the time Dave was done with me, and I had received my degree, I felt confident and a bit more grown up. I could have strayed in many directions, not many of them good, but he gave me the desire and courage to try. Although I didn’t achieve many of my life-long dreams, I did get to spend many years entertaining and playing music, as I loved to do. And, when I visited Wesleyan with my daughter when she was very young, Dave took her in like another of his own. And now I get to visit Wesleyan while my daughter pursues her dreams at Wesleyan. I have a lot to thank him for, and miss him. There are too many good memories to even list here but I do miss most his smile and that gleam in his eye that we would all see when we were playing well. Thank you, Dave, for all you gave. | Faculty | 2013-05-05 | ||
| Milburn, David | Appleby, Gavin | 1976 | My middle school band director taught me what music is. My high school band director taught me confidence, commitment and responsibility. Dave Milburn taught me something entirely different — the wonderful concept of freedom within a well knit team. He trusted us to support each other while challenging us to try new things, especially while soloing. He also taught me how wonderful it was to have a teacher who was also a friend. I could go on for pages like this, but instead I’ll add just one more. Dave took a young, naive kid from Youngwood PA to Poland and Romania and opened my eyes to the world. I’m forever thankful for the momentous impact that had on me. Love ya Dave! | Faculty | 2013-05-05 | ||
| O'Halloran, Jeannie | Jones (Hambrick), Shauna | 1992 (BA), 2013 (MFA) | During spring of senior year at Wesleyan, I signed up for DIV 090: Literacy Volunteers which provided three credits, but more importantly, an established volunteer experience. As a psychology major applying to graduate school, it would boost my application while helping the local community. Jeannie O'Halloran, a blend of hippie and professional, was our instructor. She led us in discussions of the value and potential impact on the neighbors we assisted. My site was at a local Section 8 housing development where we provided after school tutoring and crafts. I was a first-generation college student who'd lived in far worse settings and I struggled to overcome imposter syndrome, feeling like I didn't belong in this private liberal arts setting. Jeannie treated me like a budding leader. She taught me the value of mentoring and planting seeds even if we don't get to witness the fruit. One night our small class sat on the chapel steps beneath John Wesley and took turns reading aloud from "The Man Who Planted Trees." Jeannie gifted each of us a copy of the book. Over the years, we stayed acquainted through Facebook and she gifted me a collection of books and a vintage dragonfly door knocker which is mounted on my back porch. I hope everyone at some time experiences a Jeannie O. in their life. I hold gratitude for her and my other WVWC professors and staff who really, really saw me. I try to do the same for others. | Faculty,Staff | 2022-01-20 | ||
| Rupp, Lynn | Petitto, Karen | A wonderful colleague. Her work continues to positively impact the children of WV through her work in Teacher Education at Wesleyan and statewide. | Colleague | 2023-01-13 | yes | ||
| Rupp, Lynn | Rennix, Alana | ? | Thank you Dr. Rupp for everything. You changed the lives of so many students, including mine. You always supported me and I loved your classes. Thank you for teaching me about the importance of Maslow over Bloom every single day when it comes to my students. I hope that you have an unlimited supply of Dove chocolate now. Rest easy. | Faculty | 2023-01-13 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Compton, Cristina | ? | Dr. Rupp was my favorite professor, my advisor…and so much more than just that…at Wesleyan. She saw something in me and believed in me when I didn’t have that much faith in myself. She told me once that she had enough faith for the both of us and to just hold on until I could see it too. What an inspiration….and what a sad day for all of us who knew and loved her. — feeling sad. | Faculty | 2023-01-13 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Aloi, Susan Miller | 1980 | One of my favorites! Such a fun and supportive colleague! Just an amazing teacher. I’ll always remember her joyful laugh! ❤️ Additional thought (01-14) Robert Rupp Abigail Benjamin Just read this quote, attributed to Mark Twain, that reminds me so much of how Lynn chose to live her life. “There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickering, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that.” Missing Lynn and thinking of all the lives she touched so lovingly. ❤️ | Colleague,Faculty | 2023-01-13 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Emrick, Rae | 1995 | Lynn was definitely an amazing mentor and wonderful lady. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with her. | Faculty | 2023-01-12 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Smith, Kerri | 1996 | Dr.Lynn Rupp was an amazing teacher!! I had taken a Jterm class with her my senior year at Wesleyan 1996. We traveled to Pittsburgh. It was an amazing experience! She made it amazing!! Many thoughts and prayers to her husband and family. Deeply sorry for your loss! | Faculty | 2023-01-13 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Wilderson, Kristi Lawrence | 1999 | With tremendous sadness, I share that my close friend Lynn Rupp passed away earlier today. She was a rock star and the best cheerleader anyone could have. Details on arrangements will be available later. Please remember Rob, Abigail, Emily, Tad and their families in prayer at this sad time. WVWC folks know that we're all better because of the privilege of having known Lynn, and the world's a little darker this afternoon without her. | Faculty | 2023-01-12 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Edwards, Erin | 2000 | She was pure kindness May remembering her always bring a smile to the faces of those lives she touched! And because of her, so many people went into education and touched and changed lives. Even though I changed my major, I took one education class with her and all through college and through graduate school up up through when I preach, you will find me with a “Starmint” AKA Peppermint, AKA church mint because my first test ever in her class she gave out mints and told us it helps with memory and anxiety. I also learned about ramps from her! | Faculty | 2023-01-12 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Barnette-Miller, Adena | 2003 | I'm struggling to find the right words. One of the most important people in my life--my college advisor, my mentor, my college mom, my American Heart mom, my inspiration for teaching--the irreplaceable Dr. Lynn Rupp has passed away. To say I love and admire her is an understatement. She's the reason I'm a teacher. She guided me through every step of my education major and she's the rock I depended upon when the job became overwhelming. I'll never my first day of student teaching when I caught my first student cheating. I called her house immediately for advice. When I called asking for Dr. Rupp, she wanted to know which one since she and her husband were both my teachers. I said, "I need you!" and started to bawl my eyes out. I told her what was happening and she walked me through how I needed to handle it. Because of American Heart, we spent the next 12 years together. She shared her wisdom and knowledge. I sat back and soaked it all in. We've traveled all over the country together and have laughed at all of our funny stories ever since. I can't even tell you how many letters of recommendation Lynn has written for me over the years, she was my go-to person for my entire career. I am praying for her entire family, especially Rob, our entire WV Wesleyan community, and our American Heart family. This loss hits hard. I'm heartbroken | Rupps with Adena.jpg (https://v5.airtableusercontent.com/v3/u/25/25/1707681600000/06eZ0tBjNOw7E_kUZUAVFg/0Tw-o4jUBpVOHtFR7TUmDSVsBCA4u7Y_OB-R2gVFnXyZtVDzzk_6T_JW8eyA8R0AW6s1OlkxIPhEZZamIXQfrteD9-4nUeC5kv1lwggj1VsiUocEId5mRzrrmO-gT3DQ117pgmJ5d0xMGDwaARTa_A/vZb9G0jL0D9H6hgWNkr3IOQ55eYfe_7glrGt74Wmi54) | Faculty | 2023-01-12 | yes |
| Rupp, Lynn | Quarles, Robert | 2012 | Dr. Lynn Rupp was incredibly dynamic! She loved her students and LOVED education. I’ve always been thankful for the opportunities she gave me to grow my CV and teach lessons in the M.Ed programs. Dr. Rupp was truly a legend. | Faculty,Colleague | 2023-01-13 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Crist, Tori | 2015 | My heart is breaking I literally just talked about her the other day in one of our meetings at school and how she would always tell us, “Students have to Maslow before they can Bloom,”meaning their most basic needs (food, water, safety, social/emotional health) need to be meet before any learning and higher level thinking can take place. It’s my personal education mantra, and something I’ve always held close to my heart during the past seven years of teaching. She was an amazing professor, and I know her loss will be felt deeply. I will be praying for Rob and the rest of the family | Faculty | 2023-01-12 | yes | |
| Rupp, Lynn | Wilmoth, Emily | 2023 | I had the privilege of having Dr. Rupp while at Wesleyan! She was an amazing professor and was always willing to help when needed. Her help always came with a piece of dove dark chocolate too. Dr. Rupp’s class was hard and a lot of work but it was one of the best classes I’ve taken. You will be greatly missed by many students Dr. Rupp! | Faculty | 2023-01-13 | yes | |
| Rupp, Robert O. | Bowman, Carol | 1992 | I took one of the first classes he taught at Wesleyan. It was a 3 hour evening class. I was very surprised when we stopped for a break in the middle of the class. The class had passed by so fast because of how interesting Rob was as a professor. I enjoyed his Parties and Elections class so much. Some of the students in the class went to the court house to see if he was registered as a Democrat or a Republican....he presented both sides so well. Wesleyan students will miss much by not getting to have Rob as a professor. Happy retirement to Rob. | Faculty | 2021-08-02 | ||
| Rupp, Robert O. | Cunningham-Amos, Jennie | 1995 | I was first introduced to Dr. Rupp in the fall of 1990 as a freshman in his freshman orientation class. The following semester I took one of his political science classes. The next fall a few more, and so on until going into my last semester (double majoring in marketing and public relations) I was 6 hours away from also picking up a third major in political science. It wasn't a tough sell to me. When I took a Dr. Rupp class, I knew I was going to have to put in the work for an A, but it never seemed like work because it was always interesting. Several years ago, Dr. Rupp was giving a lecture on Kennedy and the 1960 WV Primary (loved that J-Term course!) that I brought my non-Wesleyan grad husband to. After that evening, he understood how I ended up in all of those poli-sci classes. I still watch every State of the Union speech and count the number of standing ovations, and which side of the aisle is applauding. I still watch all nights of each party's conventions and try to hear your voice in my head probing about what kind of political theater we just witnessed. Thank you for a lifetime of thirst for more knowledge in politics. Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Rupp! | Faculty | 2021-08-02 | ||
| Rupp, Robert O. | Pritchett, Chett | 1999 | From taking both sections of US History survey concurrently to serving as his office assistant and taking every class I could with him, Rob was a steady presence throughout my college career. My most treasured memory was when I failed an exam with another PoliSci professor, I walked to the Haymond suite for a shift of work and Rob said, "So, I hear you failed a (insert faculty name) exam. What'dya do - think for yourself?" | Faculty | 2021-08-02 | ||
| Rupp, Robert O. | Daugherty, Paul D. | 2000 | Enthusiasm, Humor, Honesty, Historical Knowledge, and yes a bit of that quintessential forgetful college professor comes to mind when thinking of Dr. Rob Rupp. From the first class I had with Dr. Rupp, I knew I chose the right class and professor to learn from during my freshman year at West Virginia Wesleyan College. While I entered WVWC majoring in engineering with a minor in political science, it was not long after my first course with Dr. Rupp teaching one of my classes I was reconsidering my major, eventually double major in Communication Studies and Political Science. Dr. Rupp brings an exceptional level of energy, passion, and life into history, the political system, and current political events. His teaching and student experiences guides us to think, evaluate, and act strategically in a fast moving and ever changing environment of politics and public service. Two quotations come to mind when I think of Dr. Rupp’s influence on my college education and the foundational skills/knowledge he gave me to excel in my evolving career including: The first is a bit more humorous borrowing from the words of Sir Winston Churchill, "A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen." Inside and outside the classroom, Dr. Rupp shared that he was always better at evaluating why did things go down the way they did after an event (election, policy battle, legislation passage, etc.) whether it was a win or a loss. His teaching us to take the time to evaluate before, during, and after in public policy, politics, and/or public service are very critical skills needed to make progress and change on your work. It allowed for me to realize that the work in politics and public policy is long-term it is not just one event, but when something doesn’t or does work you must evaluate what took place, how did it shake out, and what you should do differently going forward. You learn from both your successes and mistakes to improve your expertise and skills going forward. The second is more serious from the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” His teaching, class assignments, and our overall learning experience allowed for us to address real world problems, projects, or elections in the classroom environment. Rooted in this teaching and experience it provided me and my fellow classmates the ability to understand politics and public policy as tools andskills to create stronger communities, opportunities for fellow citizens, the Mountain State, and a stronger democracy. He did so well staying objective never exposing his own political affiliation. He helped us to see that engaging in politics and public policy can create a stronger society and to apply those skills to be the change that we wish to see in the world. I’m reminded of his work with the Upshur County School Bond Levey. In my own professional life, I apply his teaching now in navigating local, state, and federal policy matters and government to be a strategist and problem solver for nonprofits, philanthropy, and most importantly our citizens. As a student of Dr. Rupp and alumni of the Political Science major at West Virginia Wesleyan College, I am extremely thankful for the time he took to teach, mentor, challenge, and encourage me. I know his teaching and positive influence on me are one of the major reasons that today I’m able to engage in the state and national policy work and partnerships to bring opportunities back to West Virginia. When a “kid” from rural West Virginia on a Bonner Scholarship can rise to the level of doing national work on behalf of his state and gets appointed a Presidential Leadership Scholar, I know those successes are due, in part, to Dr. Rupp and his fellow professors of Dr. Kay Long, and Dr. Danette Ifert-Johnson who taught, mentored, humbled, inspired, and sometimes arm twisted me. I share my thanks and praise for Dr. Rupp for what he did for me as well as younger brother and sisters. I wish Rob a wonderful retirement, but please do not go quiet. Rather continue sharing your humor, political observations, and holding us all accountable to fulfill the duties of democracy and creating a more perfect union for it is still needed now, more than ever. | Faculty | 2021-06-22 | ||
| Rupp, Robert O. | Bush, Michael | 2010 | Professor Rupp used modern history and politics to teach students the importance of context. What motivates us; what lessons shape our world-view; what's the rest of the story? Topics and teachings evolved depending on the events of the day, and undoubtedly, any of Rupp's syllabi were obsolete by the second class. Rupp's greatest lesson, for me, is to "not worry about logistics". The bigger question is "What?", and once we see the big picture, do not get bogged down in the "How?". Rupp pushes students to tackle issues of first impression, and then be accountable for that information in a public audience. If pesky "logistics" got in the way of a project, trip, or idea, Rupp got on the phone to make a phone call or two. (It would not be unusual for such phone calls to ring state senators, members of Congress, or industry leaders.) Rupp understood that the College, its students and staff, play an important role in the fabric of the local community. Rupp pushed students to get involved in local and state matters, and then report back on the experience. Rupp knows the history, understands the theories, tests ideas through real-world implementation, and forecasts the specific question to uncover critical facts and pieces. Rupp captivates audiences and uses his academic super-powers for positive social impact. I'll always cherish my time with Rupp - I now understand that our lessons were never about the finish line, but always about the process. | Faculty | 2021-07-15 | ||
| Rupp, Robert O. | Daugherty, Allison | 2015 | I took Dr. Rupp for one of his American History courses during my first semester at Wesleyan. I sat towards the front of the room. By the time class started, no one had sat in front of me, and I became the person he turned to for answers to his questions. This made me increasingly nervous. He spoke about how history is often written. Is it the truth or do they exaggerate it? Dr. Rupp compared it to someone working in public relations. He turned to me and asked, "If you worked in PR, would you tell the truth or exaggerate it a bit?" I said I would tell the truth. He said I wouldn't do well in PR (which is good because I was majoring in education). I repeated that I would tell the truth with extra emphasis on the "I". He chuckled and continued with his lecture. I eagerly chose a seat further away from the front of the class the second day. His class was always thought-provoking and honest. I definitely did not get a job in public relations after graduation, but I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be thanks to Wesleyan and its memorable faculty, like Dr. Rupp. | Faculty | 2021-06-22 | ||
| Rupp, Robert O. and Lynn | Barnette, Adena | 2003 | Rob Rupp made a profound impact on my life in both the content that teach and how I teach it to my students. Rob was the very first person that I had met whose passion in life was American History and Politics. Not only were Rob and Lynn my teachers for four years at Wesleyan but I spent 10 years after college traveling with them and learning from them through three Teaching American History grants sponsored by the college. During the school year, I learned content from Rob and pedagogy from Lynn, and during the summers we traveled the country seeing our nation's history in action. I credit Rob and Lynn entirely for the reason I am still an educator after 18 years. Their guidance and support have guided me throughout the years, especially through the hard times. I can still call them or email them anytime I need help or their expert advice. It's been pretty awesome to watch our relationship evolve from one of student and teacher to a relationship of peers. Last year when I needed someone to present at the WV Council of the Social Studies Conference, it took only one call to Rob's office to get him on board for presenting about John F. Kennedy and the 1960 WV Primary. We talked on the phone for at least 30 minutes about the state of WV politics and what it's like to teach during the Age of COVID. Rob has also taught many of my former students. It was only fitting that one of my former students was a student in his final seminar course that he taught at Wesleyan this past semester. After school let out, she came back to Ripley High School and taught my college WV History and State and Local Politics students about what she learned about Jackson County's role in the 1960 primary. Talk about full circle! If someone has had Rob in class, they've heard his signature sayings, "Squash your paper like a marshmallow and get that fluff out of your paper" or " You can't be a five. You need to pick a side, one way or another." There are simple phrases that stick with you for a lifetime and that I have borrowed to use with my own students. Rob and Lynn Rupp are class acts. Their impact on WV Wesleyan is unmeasurable because their students have impacted others, who have impacted others. It's the Wesleyan ripple effect that makes our college so unique in the terms of its small size but its great impact on the world. |  | Faculty | 2021-06-20 | |
| Shaafi, Hamid | Hughes, Kelly Terhune | 2003 | It is with heavy hearts that we share the news with our extended Wesleyan family that Dr. Hamid Shaafi, Associate Professor of Business and Economics, passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022. During his nearly 32 years of service Dr. Shaafi taught generations of students courses in accounting, finance, and in recent years, the business capstone course, Business Policy and Strategy. We remember Dr. Shaafi for his intellect, and long-standing commitment to student learning. He was known for challenging students to think, and yes, occasionally pick up the textbook, but one thing was always clear; his unwavering love for both his students and teaching. He truly embodied the characteristics of a professor that make West Virginia Wesleyan College, and the Albinson School of Business, a unique and special place for students to learn. Please leave your favorite Dr. Shaafi moments in the comments as we all remember his tenure and passion for teaching at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Kelly Hughes - Facebook 2022-01-25 |  | Faculty | 2022-01-25 | yes |
| Weeks, Richard | Overmiller, Nikki | 2008 | Dr. Weeks I can’t wish you enough happy birthdays! You made me a better person and a better teacher! You taught me how to love my students and to be hard on them to make them better! |  | Faculty | 2022-10-29 | yes |
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Creasman, Boyd | I was saddened to hear of the passing of Ken Welliver, a true giant of West Virginia Wesleyan. He was a man of scholarly accomplishment who put serving students ahead of research. Ken believed in students seeing connections between disciplines and between cultures. He was a quiet champion of all those varieties of deeper understanding. Without Ken, Wesleyan would not have been nearly as internationalized as it became. He and MaryLee provided scholarships and brought students into their home to make their transition to an American college smoother. Ken could impressively evaluate transcripts from international universities so the students could be placed in the appropriate courses and granted the proper credit. Many institutions pay a heavy price for the kinds of transcript evaluation he provided for free. Speaking of proper credit, I am not sure many people could grasp how much he did for Wesleyan’s international students. It was an extraordinary contribution. In the academic space, he helped deepen my understanding of the humanities. We had many talks about which texts and artistic creations matter, or should matter, most to students. He visited a class of mine and dazzled the students by being able to answer every single question they had about the Bible. Every single question. When I became the chief academic officer at Wesleyan, he said with a wry smile, “It will be fun for a while.” When he told me something he found important, I knew I should listen. I always knew that he was a big deal, even though he was modest and unassuming. If you asked him to do something and he agreed to do so, it was 100% that he would give it the proper focus and effort. I admired his erudition, his wisdom, and his generosity of spirit—all qualities in short supply in today’s world. Rest in peace, Ken. You made a difference! Posted by Boyd on Alice's Creasmans' Facebook 2022-01-25 | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-25 | yes | ||
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Mallory, William D. | Words of Remembrance shared at the Celebration of Life and Faith on June 18, 2022 | Administration,Faculty | 2022-06-18 | |||
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Brown, Monty | 1974 | Dr Welliver was a great scholar & teacher and a wonderful man with a kind and gentle spirit. I graduated in 1974 and was back in Buckhannon in circa 1979/80 as an attorney in a murder trial. (Victim was a Wesleyan coed.) Dr Welliver was subpoenaed as a witness to some student records. He was so nervous about having to testify in court, it shocked me. And once again he was my teacher: it diesn't matter how good you may be in "your field," the unknown can be very scary - for the best of us. ( ... or, nobody except the really weird profession of trial lawyers should ever want to go to court.) | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-22 | yes | |
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Skinner, Bob | 1975 | Dr. Ken Welliver was a Wesleyan icon! He was the definition of a scholarly gentleman. He was one of the most intelligent and kind people I ever worked with at Wesleyan. I have many fond memories....from sitting and talking with him in the Campus Center SCOW during lunch (he always ate an apple) to discussing or reading his evaluations of international student applicants to seeing him working in his office at midnight each weekend as I walked across campus after a student activity. Ken was incredibly dedicated, collaborative, and thoughtful and he and Mary Lee were always so kind to and supportive of international students. He was also a wonderful teacher and mentor. In summary, he was the essence of the Wesleyan mission. Editor's Note: Bob's earlier post on Facebook 2022-01-22 Wesleyan has lost an icon. Ken was the definition of a scholarly gentleman. He was brilliant, kind, collaborative, and incredibly dedicated. | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-24 | ||
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Frye, Barbara | 1977 | Thanks Boyd for the tribute. He truly was a wonderful humanitarian for all of Wesleyan and especially for international students and both international and religious studies. A kind and wise scholar who made us all feel welcome to Wesleyan. (Posted on Facebook 2022-02-01) | Administration,Faculty | 2022-02-01 | yes | |
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Ewald, Vicki Starnes | 1978 | I was his student assistant for one year as well as having him as my humanities professor. He was a gentle giant. What a gift to the college and the greater church. | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-22 | yes | |
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Starnes, Victoria | 1978 | I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Welliver as my humanities professor my freshman year of college. And then I had the wonderful joy of working for him as a student assistant one year, also in humanities. I just remember him being engaging as a professor and mostly so kind. My grandmother died that first year and I had to go home for a few days and he was so understanding about it all. Then when I went back years later as a trustee, it was wonderful to reconnect with him again and still find that gentle kind personality. Rest well good and faithful servant of God! | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-26 | ||
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Kinkead, AngelaGay | 1979 | A gentleman and scholar has passed from this life to the life abundant. The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Welliver died on January 21, several days following surgery. During my tenure as Dean of the Chapel at WV Wesleyan, I witnessed Mary Lee and Ken's tremendous support for international students. That and his hands-on involvement with the Buckhannon area Habitat for Humanity, gave me a whole different view of him, rounding out my experience of him as a Bible/Religion professor in my days as a student. My prayers are of gratitude for his life and for Mary Lee as she continues without her partner in life. | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-22 | yes | |
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Jones, Lois Inzetta | 1984 | Dr. Welliver was such a gentle man. I was amazed at one of our Homecomings not too long ago and probably something like my 45th or 46th reunion, I greeted Dr. Welliver, and he remembered me! I teased him that While in his class, I did not know who begot who, but later in life attended 9 years of scripture study! We had a good laugh together . He will always be a part of my early Wesleyan memories. May he RIP. | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-25 | yes | |
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Masman, T. Todd | 1987 | During my tenure at the college from 83 to 87, Dr. Welliver was the vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty. It was always a pleasure to work with him on personal challenges as well as community council business. Well done good and faithful servant. | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-22 | yes | |
| Welliver, Kenneth Bruce | Sherpa, Tsering Dolma | 2006 | I’m deeply saddened to read this news about Dr. Welliver. Truly the Wellivers’ support for international students like myself was a gift of God. At the beginning of the college year, the Wellivers wholeheartedly welcomed international students at their home - pizza parties and more- and consistently supported us throughout the years. I’d the fortune to live in their home during my academic year at WVWC and I’m forever grateful- same to AngelaGay Kinkead. Thank you. I wish Mrs. Welliver and the family much love and deepest condolences. May you’ve the strength to move forward and celebrate the great life of Dr. Welliver. Attached is a group photo of my last visit to the Wellivers in Maryland on July 21, 2019 with Camolyn Weeks, Ten, Molly Snyder and their children. Dr. Welliver, you’re truly missed. Thank you for everything. I wish I visited you again after 2019. [Facebook January 22, 2022] |  | Administration,Faculty | 2022-01-24 | yes |