Five new WVWC trustees sworn in at 2026 Founders Day convocation

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia — West Virginia Wesleyan College has appointed five new members to its board of trustees, who were inducted during the Founders Day Convocation at Homecoming 2026 on Oct. 9. The new trustees are Pamela S. Cutright ’67, Ed.D.; Rev. Joseph “Joe” Hill; J. Zak Ritchie ’08; Rev. Dr. Andrew Tennant ’09; and Tara Dejmal Tesher ’96. They will serve five-year terms ending in 2031.

Cutright first encountered Wesleyan through youth activities at Stealey Methodist Church in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Her time as a student at Wesleyan proved transformative, shaping her academic interests, building lifelong friendships and instilling the confidence that guided her personal and professional life. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan, followed by a master’s degree from UNC Greensboro and a doctorate in adult education from Penn State. Cutright built a career in education, beginning with Cooperative Extension roles at NC A&T, Montana State and Penn State, where she developed programs for youth and adults. She later joined West Virginia University, supporting adult learners, managing off-campus programs, helping develop a new master’s degree and establishing a regional center. Her career culminated as special assistant to the campus provost at WVU Tech. In retirement, Cutright lives in South Charleston with her husband, Roger Hunter, and enjoys travel, fitness, fiber arts and reading.

Hill is senior pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Wheeling, West Virginia. A veteran leader within the United Methodist Church, he most recently served eight years as a district superintendent, providing administrative oversight, leadership and pastoral care for more than 130 pastors and 200 churches across three districts. Hill is a graduate of Marshall University and began his professional career in the insurance industry with State Farm in Maryland before discerning a call to ministry. He pursued his theological education at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg while serving in ministerial roles in Huntington, West Virginia. His service has included positions as minister of youth and Christian education at First United Methodist Church, associate pastor at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church and senior pastor at Cross Roads United Methodist Church. He also completed a Clinical Pastoral Education residency at St. Mary’s Medical Center, specializing in acute pastoral care. Hill and his wife, Christina Overstreet Hill, have one daughter, Majesty.

Ritchie is an equity partner at Hissam Forman Donovan Ritchie PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia, where he practices complex commercial litigation. He previously served in the Solicitor General’s Office of the West Virginia Attorney General and as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Stephanie D. Thacker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Honorable John T. Copenhaver Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. Ritchie graduated summa cum laude from Wesleyan in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree and earned his J.D. in 2011 from West Virginia University College of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and senior managing editor of the West Virginia Law Review. At Wesleyan, he studied history and politics, participated in student government and was a member of Theta Chi. His parents, Doug and Marcia, are Wesleyan graduates of the Class of ’83. Ritchie is active in professional and civic service and serves on the West Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the Board of Directors of Valley Health. A native of Ravenswood, West Virginia, he lives in Charleston with his three children, Isabelle, Mia and Will.

Tennant was raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and was an active member of Stout United Methodist Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. He graduated from Parkersburg Catholic High School in 2005, West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2009 and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity in 2012 and Doctor of Ministry in 2025. Tennant has served in ministry in the West Virginia Annual Conference since 2012, including appointments at Valley Chapel-Benton’s Ferry from 2012-2018 and Sistersville-Friendly from 2018-2022. He has been senior pastor of Kenova United Methodist Church since 2022. Tennant is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and has served on several conference committees, including as current chair of the Council on Finance and Administration. He has maintained a strong relationship with WVWC since graduation: he was married, commissioned and ordained at Wesleyan, and his children were baptized there. Tennant’s wife, Julie Powelson Tennant ’09, is also a Wesleyan graduate.

Tesher is the founder and CEO of temp-tations®, a bakeware, dinnerware and home decor brand that has sold more than 30 million sets. With over 20 years of experience building the company, she combines product design and brand storytelling while regularly appearing on television as the face of the brand. Tesher credits her years at Wesleyan with helping shape the discipline, resilience and well-rounded perspective that have guided her career. Her student experiences on the soccer field, in her sorority and throughout the campus community instilled an appreciation for teamwork, leadership and connection that continues to influence how she approaches both business and organizational culture.

Also serving as ex-officio members and inducted during Founders Day were Kent Niland ’27, Student Senate president; Beth Rogers ’97, Staff Council chair; and Kelly Terhune ’03, faculty chair.

The 2026-27 West Virginia Wesleyan College board of trustees includes Kevin W. Spear ’76, chair; Brian T. Brouillette ’82; Trish Collett; Dr. Pamela S. Cutright ’67; William R. Fahrner ’96; Jason S. Fiegel ’00; Hon. Sam Fox II ’86; Rev. Joseph Hill; Arria M. Foster Hines ’95; Dr. Danette Ifert Johnson ’90; Dr. Alan Letton; Justin M. Raber ’08; Stephen Ranjan ’01; J. Zak Ritchie ’08; Angel Williamson Rogers ’99; Tad Rupp; Rev. Amy M. Mock Shanholtzer ’87; Rev. Dr. Andrew Tennant ’09; Tara Dejmal Tesher ’96; Curtis L. Wilkerson Jr. ’99; Jamion A. Wolford ’08; and David A. Young ’87.