Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Coach of Basketball 1950-1956
Associate Professor of Physical Education and Coach of Basketball 1957-1960
Professor of Health and Physical Education 1960-1986
Professor of Health and Physical Education and Coach of Baseball Emeritus 1987-2015
Notes:
1942-67 Naval Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander
1944 (May) to 1945 (March) Commanding Officer on USS LCT 710, which landed elements of the 50th Signal Battalion on Utah Beach on D-Day (June 6, 1944) (LCT – Landing Craft Tank)
1944 (June) Made D-Day landing on Utah Beach, Normandy
1945 (June) Gunnery Officer on USS LCI 728 in Pearl Harbor, HI. (LCI – Landing Craft Infantry)
1947-50 U.S. Olympic Basketball Committee
1949 Taught and Coached at Martins Ferry High School
1986 – The Baseball Field at West Virginia was named in honor of Franklin Clay “Hank” Ellis. [1986 Sundial Spring/Summer p.13]
1959 West Virginia Coach of the Year in Basketball
Named to the All-Time WVIAC Basketball Team as both a player and a coach,
There has been a word that I can’t get out of my mind this week: Grace.
Grace refers to God’s unmerited favor, love or help.
Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This greeting was present in nearly every one of Paul’s letters in the New Testament. It is the greeting of the Church.
It is also used as a blessing before a meal.
We sing about Amazing Grace. It is one of the most popular hymns of all time.
There are many other ways that this word is used in our language, such as to be graceful or gracious.
Even very literally at times: Hail Mary, full of Grace. The Lord is with thee. Mary, mother of Jesus, was literally full of Grace – the unmerited gift from God.
It is also used as a woman’s name in our world today.
This week I have been thinking especially of Grace Imathiu.
Upon her graduation in 1984 from WVWC (Chemistry), Grace wrote an open letter of appreciation to the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was a recipient of the Dorothy Lee Scholarship for international students, funded by the United Methodist Women in West Virginia. Her time here was rich and rewarding, even as she was experiencing some homesickness as she had not been back to her native Kenya in more than three years. During breaks and vacations, she traveled around the United States (more than 40 states) to experience this country and spent time with close friends who became like family.
That letter surfaced recently, and I would like to share some excerpts from it.
Grace comes to Buckhannon from Kenya
I remember that day I arrived in Buckhannon I was excited. Excited about America. Excited about the experience of college. I had plans–big plans. As we drove up Main Street, my excitement began to slowly turn to disbelief. Was this America? Where were the skyscrapers, the traffic, the muggers? That was the America I had been presented with through movies and books in Kenya. Something was wrong!
While at WVWC
Grace was active at Wesleyan, and formed many lasting friendships. She was elected to serve on the Community Council.
Murmurmontis 1984
Community Council consisted of representatives of campus organizations, the student body, administrators, faculty, and staff who were elected to facilitate communication among all the members of the campus community. Grace was elected to serve. Also serving at that time were Professor Reginald Olson and his wife, Barbara. The Olsons, active in civil justice issues, and Grace Imathiu serving together on the Community Council! How powerful. And what a foreshadowing of the work of Grace’s life.
As She Graduated in 1984
In Her Letter:
I will never know every person who pitched in to help me. I can not even imagine how I will ever repay you except to assure you that I will pass it on and help someone else in need one day.
And now after graduation one wonders, “what next?” After a struggle that goes back to the days of teaching Sunday School at sixteen, I have acknowledged and accepted God’s call to serve him in ministry. It has been a personal battle. I have always known I have been called and indeed I had made the commitment long ago to serve. Yet to also be chosen for the ministry is a little scary, but, oh, so exciting. Once every so often I have to jump up and close my eyes feeling so good. My cup runneth over.
As soon as I am settled into seminary, I will let you know where I am and how I am progressing. I thank you once again and ask you to pray for me as I take the first step in the direction God is leading me. May God continue to bless you.
She has certainly fulfilled the goal of helping others in need. Her steps have taken her across the country and across the globe.
Within just the past year,
Her strength and leadership was so helpful to many during the Special Session of General Conference in May 2019 – and after. Her work as a fierce ally for the LGBTQ community and gender equality (also the life work of the Olsons) has been powerful. She spoke out frequently and powerfully at meetings, gatherings, and on social media to encourage the inclusion of all.
While on a trip back to Kenya in the summer of 2019 to visit her parents, she received an invitation from Pastor Ken Mwita to come to the Moheto United Methodist Church, located in a very remote village, and to help them to know more about becoming a Reconciling Congregation in support of LGBTQ persons. This was the first church in Kenya to do such a thing, and Grace’s mentorship helped make it possible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic Grace, and the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Evanston, IL have prayerfully and creatively led worship online and have been reaching people far beyond Evanston – including our entire extended family. (Grace and my sister, Sarah, were friends at WVWC and have stayed in touch. They call each other Rafiki…the Swahili word for friend.) The services have been a combination of information, care, compassion, empathy, and respect which address the seriousness of the situation while providing a glimmer of hope through the teachings of the gospel.
This Week
During the past week, Grace’s Facebook posts have been full of pain and concern for the injustice and anguish of the nation and the world, but also for her own son (a brilliant and gentle mathematician). She has called for people like me to speak out about the injustice. Not just about recent events, but about hundreds of years worth of injustice and systems that allow it to continue. I am speaking out now in response to that request. Even though I can’t even begin to know or to imagine the full impact of the horrific injustices that have been perpetuated. Even though I have no words.
Once again this morning, Grace and her congregation in Evanston have managed to offer a worship service full of authentic and meaningful words and music. I give thanks each day for Grace Imathiu, and am also thankful that her journey brought her to Buckhannon all those years ago. I would encourage anyone who is hurting or struggling with the topics of injustice to check out this video.
Nurses and hospital workers are playing a vital role in helping the world through the COVID-19 Pandemic. This week I would like to give them all a shout out and a virtual hug for all that they are doing.
Struggles and Frustrations
During my years in the library, I would watch the dedicated nursing students as they worked extremely hard, many times through the tears and frustration required to master all of the important information.
Many of those people are out there this week, all over the country, providing care and being heroes. I have no doubt that many of them are again crying tears of frustration over the situation that they are involved with. I find it comforting to know how well prepared they are, and proud of WVWC for the strong Nursing Program that has prepared them.
In particular, I want to honor and thank those who have founded, taught in, and been students in the Nursing Program at WVWC.
This summary is necessarily brief — to write the full rich history would take many books!
1961
In 1961, President Stanley Martin hired Miss George Rast a full year before the first students were admitted to the program. A nurse educator since 1937, Miss Rast developed the curriculum, made connections for clinical placements, and took care of all of the administrative things that needed to be completed.
1962
Eleven students enrolled in 1962, and five of these became the first graduates of the program in 1965.
Interest continued to grow. When the Admission reports came out in February of 1966 there were already thirty-one applicants for the program (second only to Education, which had 64).
Each year the students who have completed their first clinical program are honored at a capping ceremony. At the ceremony in 1974-75, there were thirty-four including a couple of males.
Stronger Than Ever
During budget woes in 2004 there were plans to phase out the program. An outcry from community and college alike was heard by President Pamela Balch who reinstated it in October 2006 as her very first act when taking office.
From that low point, the program has come back stronger than ever. In fact, it now includes degrees at the masters and doctoral levels. From 1999-2000 to 2018-19 (the past 20 years) Wesleyan has awarded 349 BSN degrees and 108 Masters degrees in Nursing fields
Advanced Degrees
2009 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – with a Nursing Education Focus. This was quickly followed by a Master of Science in Nursing with a Nursing Administration Focus.
2011 Master of Science in Advanced Practice (APRN) areas of Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology. A collaboration was formed with Shenandoah University in order to make these degrees possible.
2013 Because of expressed desire, interest, and need from the community of interest, the MSN program received approval for the the degrees of MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) and post-graduate APRN certificate (FNP with population focus of individual/family across the life span) in spring 2013, with the first cohort of students entering in fall 2013. Importantly, the decision was made at this time to utilize technology and adapt instruction from face-to-face pedagogies to hybrid distance teaching methods. This decision was in great part the result of input from our community of interest and it has been an important part of our work in the MSN program for the last several years.
2018 Doctorate of Nursing Practitioner (DNP) began enrolling students, and the first class will graduate in May 2020.
Facilities
The present-day Erickson Alumni Center was purchased as the home of the brand new nursing department In 1961, and remained the home for ten years until Middleton Hall was built in 1971.
The simulation lab is a state-of-the-art facility giving students plenty of hands on training on campus as well as in their clinical placements at hospitals and other health facilities in the area.
Great curriculum + Great faculty + Great facilities = Successful Alumni
“Wesleyan alumni nurses are known for their level of expertise, sensitivity, and care. Many hold leadership positions in some of the nation’s best hospitals. However, all have a common goal – to be a caregiver to those who need help. Whether it is in administration, cardiac care, community health, emergency rooms, intensive care units, medical-surgical care, neonatal, oncology, or women’s health, Wesleyan nurses make a difference.”
Our graduates are out there making a huge difference. They are heroes.
And yes, a WVWC Nursing Grad works there……
HUGS!!
Many thanks to Tammy Crites, Director of Institutional Research and to Dr. Susan Leight, Professor of Nursing and director of the West Virginia Wesleyan School of Nursing and the MSN and DNP programs, for some background information and numbers!
Dr. Mellissa “Missy” Hicks Nixon ’10 is an Immunologist at Rubius Therapeutics. She graduated from the biology department in 2010, obtained her doctorate from The Ohio State University in 2014 and completed a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2018. With over 12 peer reviewed research articles, she has contributed to the advancement of cancer therapeutics, from small molecules to immune checkpoint blockades and most recently live cell therapies. Dr. Nixon has received several young investigator awards from The Society of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Research Symposium. She is currently residing in Boston, MA with her husband Ben and daughter Savannah.
It is, to be sure, a time to say thanks to those who planted the college here in Buckhannon in 1890. We thank them by highlighting examples of how their dreams have turned to reality.
Photo by Robbie Skinner, Class of 2011
Alumni
Graduates of WVWC have excelled in all walks of life. They have done heroic things. They are leaders in science, education, government, political realms, music, healthcare, business, sports, and religious eneavors. The education they received here set them on paths that have led them all over the world to make a difference. Each year, we honor some, but for each one that receives this honor there are hundreds who would be deserving recipients.
The Extra Mile Award is also offered – sometimes to Alumni (and sometimes to people who we would love to claim!)
Speakers
In 1933, Bishop Adna W. Leonard (Resident Bishop of the Pittsburgh Area of the Methodist Episcopal Church) spoke at an event that became known as Bishop’s Day. It was a day set aside to celebrate the college and church connections springing from our original Founders. Bishop Leonard and his successor, Bishop James H. Straughn were generally the speakers for that event, and it was held in Atkinson Chapel. Bishop Straughn changed the name of the event in 1941 to be known as Founders Day.
In 1952, the dedication of the New Men’s Residence Hall (which we now know as Fleming Hall) was mentioned in the October, 1952 issue of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Bulletin:
The program marks the observance of Founders Day, a tradition instituted by Bishop Straughn while the resident bishop of the Pittsburgh area and originally known as Bishop’s Day.”
In the 1950s speakers other than bishops were included, and they were a mixture of prominent Methodist leaders, heads of foundations, civil rights leaders, and alumni who had risen to the ranks of leadership in many areas of work. Some were also Trustees of the college.
On Founders Day 1989, the speaker was Carl Rowan. He was a journalist who began his career by covering the Civil Rights Movement in the south as one of the country’s first African-American reporters at a major daily newspaper. Later in his life, he became the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and the Ambassador to Finland. In the year before he retired in 1965, he was the Director of the United States Information Agency. He spoke on the real value of an education.
Carl Rowan interviewed by Sarah Lowther (Class of 1984) for West Virginia Public Radio
Another speaker that stands out as I look through the list is J. Roy Price. A member of the class of 1923, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1949. At the Founders Day Convocation on October 28, 1955, Dr. Price presented the Founders Day Address entitled A Charter for a College of Liberal Arts. This charter looks both back and toward the future. A Trustee from 1949-73, you can read more about him here.
These are but a couple of examples, but there have been many powerful Founders Day speakers challenging us to keep going and to keep growing.
Trustees
Trustees are present at the Founders Day Convocation, and new ones sign the book which has the names of the leaders and decision makers throughout the years. Some, but not all, are also Alumni. Some, but not all, are United Methodists. All have been duly elected by the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church…..who started the entire story.
Leaders of church, government, industry, medicine, law, business, and more, the Trustees are those who guide and make decisions and hire presidents. They are people who are dedicated to West Virginia Wesleyan College. Some, but not all, have been Founders Day Speakers.
Alumni and Speakers and Trustees, Oh My.
I hope that the Founders are proud of the school that they planted so long ago.
West Virginia Wesleyan College (1987) (B.S., Biology)
West Virginia University (1989) (MS., Physical Therapy)
Taught:
Lecturer in Biology 00-02; 2006-11)
Instructor in Biology 2012-2015
Lecturer in Biology 2015-2017
Instructor of Biology 2017-2019
Notes:
Played Field Hockey at WVWC
Her students still know her to be a huge fan of Hockey, especially her beloved Washington Capitals.
Served for many years as the Faculty Athletic Representative, and supported all things Bobcat. She believed that every day was not simply a good day, but rather a great day to be a Bobcat.
Allison Ann Hull, 54, of Buckhannon, WV, passed away unexpectedly in her home on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. She was born May 6, 1965 in Weston, WV to James and Susan Hull of Weston. She was a Baptist by faith.
During her youth, Allison was a very active horsewoman. She and her American Saddlebreds, Sony and Squeak, won multiple adult class championships throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Allison graduated from Lewis County High School in 1983 and went on to attend Wesleyan College where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Her hard work was rewarded when she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1987. She continued her education at West Virginia University and earned her Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology in 1989.
After living and working a number of years in Baltimore, MD and Pittsburg, PA, Allison retuned to her “home” of Wesleyan where she was an instructor in the Biology department for the past 11 years. Additionally, she was an advisor to the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and active in college athletics. Allison served as the faculty representative to the softball and women’s soccer teams.
Allison’s greatest joy at Wesleyan was the success of many students who attended professional schools and graduate programs upon completion of their undergraduate studies. As a devoted Washington Allison Ann Hull Capitals fan, for Allison every day was not simply a good day but rather a great day to be a Bobcat!
In addition to her parents, Allison is survived by one bother and sister-in-law, Jonathan and Christina Hull of Spotsylvania, VA; the nieces she was so proud of: Kelsea Hull of Alexandria, WV and Katherine Hull of Fairfax, VA; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins across the nation.
Friends and family will gather at Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service located at 144 Hackers Creek Rd. in Jane Lew From 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Funeral Services will be held in the Pat Boyle Funeral Home Chapel at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday with Bob Skinner officiating. We, at Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service, are honored and privileged to serve the family of Allison Ann Hull. Online condolences may be expressed at www.PatBoyleFuneralHome.com
B.S. West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1960 (Chemistry; Cum Laude)
University of Michigan
Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh, 1968
Honorary Doctor of Laws, WVWC October 11, 1973
Taught:
Instructor in Chemistry 1963-64 (Filled in while John Wright was on Sabatical at Oxford)
Trustee from 1988-2018
Notes:
During WVWC student days, was active in Choir, Glee Club, Track
Top Chemistry student each year
President Community Council 1959
Also member of Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Methodist Student Movement
Selected to appear in Outstanding Young Men of America in 1970.
One of three professors at University of Pittsburgh honored with the first “College Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award”, 1971
Named Dean of Students at University of Pittsburgh, 1971
WVWC Founders Day Speaker, 1973
Named Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs at University of Pittsburgh, 1973
National Educational Sales, Manager and Director, Atari Institute for Education Research
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Roosevelt University
1984-2000 Director, University Affairs at Hewlett Packard National Educational Sales, Manager and Director, Atari Institute for Education Research
1984-2000 Director, University Affairs at Hewlett Packard
One of seven to receive the first Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Chemistry, September, 2000.
This week several messages of sadness and loss came – The Orange Line is hurting. Through social media, college emails, and then even national media we have learned of the loss of some of our WVWC family members.
Betty Barrick Furan, Class of 1979, died of a massive heart attack. She was a member of Kappa Phi while at WVWC and her friends remember such great times together. After graduation she also earned a Master of Divinity Degree at Drew University. She loved music.
K. David Rollins, Class of 1976 (seen here with the Sports Writers for the Pharos in 1976) was a member of the Council on Church Ministries and a brother in the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. He walked in the Orange Line each and every year during the Founders Day Convocation.
And then came the news that Daniel Stein, Class of 1969, was among those murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pennsylvania.
He was a new grandfather, and loved spending time with his grandson and cheering for his Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a leader in the Pittsburgh Jewish community, and was known for his volunteer work and generosity.
During his time at WVWC, Daniel was known for his infectious smile, kindness, and was well liked by those who knew him.
Daniel was one of two Spanish majors who graduated in 1969, and had a minor in Latin American Studies. He probably spent a good bit of time with Robert B.. Green, who taught Spanish from 1965-71. In addition, Dr. Fred Peterson, a world expert in Latin American Studies, would have been one of his mentors.
Photo by Hiner
Stein was very involved with Intramurals, such as pictured below. Although the individuals in these pictures were not identified, it certainly shows the fun and the competition that was taking place.
Each of these members of the WVWC family was a beloved friend, a beloved student, a beloved classmate, a beloved colleague, a beloved family member. The WVWC community is weeping with all who loved them.
We also weep with the Jewish Community. The senseless violence against these people of faith has gone on far too long in far too many places.
If you walk up the front steps to Wesley Chapel, you cross some.
At first glance, you might assume that you are seeing the footprints of John Wesley. But, if you look past the statue and focus in on the steps which lead to the door of the chapel, you will see another name……..
In Memorium
Edward L. Boetticher
Let us unite the two so long divided, knowledge and vital piety. John Wesley
We may know that John Wesley was the founder of Methodism. He, and the beautiful statue of him on the WVWC campus, will be the topic of another blog another day. But who in the world is Edward L. Boetticher?
Edward L. Boetticher the Student
Edward L. Boetticher, Class of 1926
Edward was very active on campus. He also graduated in only three years!
Edward’s campus activities included:
As a member and First Vice President of Alpha Gamma Phi Fraternity (forerunner of Kappa Alpha Fraternity), Edward lived in the house at 49 South Florida. Faculty advisers and hosts were Nicholas Hyma and Edgar Sorton. Housemother was Mrs. Maude Mick.
Edward was a member of the Chrestomathaean Literary Society, and the Vice President of the Cutshall Literary Society in 1926. (This organization was reorganized into an Honorary Fraternity for students with high academic achievement and Boetticher was the President during the second semester 1926-27.)
Lyceum Course Manager 1925, 1926
Men’s Glee Club, Treasurer 1925; President 1924; Vice President 1925-26
Ministerial Association member. This group prepared for the task of ministry and aided each other in deepening their own spiritual lives.
Murmurmontis Business Manager, 1925
Pharos Reporter, 1924
Student Council
Wesleyan Players, Treasurer 1926
Y.M.C.A.
His education did not stop at that time.
1926 West Virginia Wesleyan College, A.B.
1929 Boston University, S.T.B.
1930 University of Pittsburgh, M.A.
1942 West Virginia Wesleyan College, Hon. DD
Edward L Boetticher the Methodist Minister
Edward met his future wife, Gayzelle Rusk (College Class of 1925), while at Wesleyan. She was a member of many of the same organizations. She also served as a school teacher after graduating with her degree from the Normal School in 1922.
Together they shared a life of ministry. Edward’s ministerial footprints included:
Licensed to Preach 1924
1925-26 Conway/Glenfield
1926-27 In School
1926 Admitted on Trial Methodist Episcopal Pittsburgh Conference
1928 Full Member of Methodist Episcopal Pittsburgh Conference
1928 Ordained Deacon
1928-31 Pittsburgh: McCandless Avenue
1929 Ordained Elder
1931-35 Pittsburgh: Beechview
1935-40 Monessen: First
1940-56 New Kensington: First
1956-62 Superintendent: Blairsville District
1962 Member Methodist Western Pennsylvania Conference at Merger
1962-December 15, 1963 Executive Secretary: Conference Board of Missions/Church Extension
Edward L. Boetticher the Trustee
From 1949-1965, Edward served as a Trustee at West Virginia Wesleyan College. His love for the school and the church combined to make him a very active trustee. Earlier catalogs listed the committees on which the Trustees served. Edward’s list included:
Alumni Relations 1954-1959
Executive 1959-1960
History, Archives and Fine Arts 1956-1959
Instruction 1949-1952
Policy and Planning 1955-1956; 1957-1959
Religion 1955-1957
Edward L. Boetticher in Memoriam
Edward died on December 15, 1963 just as the campus was experiencing great growth. His widow, Gayzelle, honored him by providing memorials in a few different areas.
This plaque, just inside the door of the Meditation Chapel, indicates that Gayzelle Rusk Boetticher established the marble altar in Edward’s memory. There was considerable work and reinforcement of the floors needed for that project.
As mentioned above, Edward’s name is carved into the very steps leading to the front door of Wesley Chapel, and includes a quote from John Wesley about the importance of linking education and spiritual matters — both of which were extremely important to Edward as well as to John Wesley.
Edward the Family Member
Curiosity about his family background led Edward to Washington, D.C. in 1938 to meet with Lt. General Frederick Von Boetticher, the German military attache. This meeting led to wonderful conversations and a visit with long lost cousins in Germany after World War II was concluded.
At one such visit, in 1952, Edward was presented with the Von Boetticher Crucifix. This item, dating from about 1356, had been passed down through the generations of the family from that time forward. There had always been at least one in each generation to go into the ministry. To read more about this amazing artifact, click here.
Dr. Boetticher returned from his European travels with the crucifix. It remained in his home until his death in 1963 when his widow, Mrs. Gayzelle Rusk Boetticher, decided that it more appropriately should be placed in the new chapel of the couple’s beloved alma mater.
Edward L. Boetticher was a
follower of Christ
student of John Wesley
student and alumus and trustee of West Virginia Wesleyan College
This week I have been thinking especially of Grace Imathiu. 
