All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

On the frontlines: WVWC nursing students get dose of real-life experience, key players in on-campus and community vaccinations

BUCKHANNON, WV – With Upshur County residents still awaiting a COVID-19 vaccine, West Virginia Wesleyan’s School of Nursing – both faculty and students – have taken to the frontlines to help meet a local need for the Buckhannon-Upshur community and turn the tide on a global health pandemic that has plagued the United States and the world for nearly a year. 

John Taylor ‘21, a senior nursing major from Oakland, Maryland, was one of the scores of Wesleyan School of Nursing students who administered the vaccine on campus. 

“These vaccines are going to help someone and help them stay healthy,” said Taylor, who plans to pursue a career in health care in north central West Virginia after graduation. “I joined the health care profession thinking that as long as I can save or improve one life, I have accomplished my goal. 

“[Giving the vaccine] gave me that sense of accomplishment,” Taylor added.

As part of their clinical, hands-on training, second, third and fourth-year nursing students have currently provided 357 vaccinations to faculty, staff and students on Wesleyan’s campus. Wesleyan provided its first inoculations on December 31 and will continue through March.

Maddi Carpenter ‘22, of Belington, WV, shared that the experience of providing the vaccine was ‘surreal.’ Carpenter said: “Nurses risk their lives every single day in hopes of saving others. [Giving the vaccine] was an opportunity I never thought I would have.”

Carpenter is using her nursing training at Wesleyan to prepare for a career in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before seeking certification as a registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

In addition, Wesleyan’s nursing faculty and students have supported a community partnership to provide vaccinations and after-vaccine monitoring to the broader Buckhannon-Upshur community with Community Care of West Virginia, the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur, WVU Medicine/St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department, Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Upshur County Commission.

“Wesleyan’s nursing students are affecting change and will have a place in our public-health history,” said Tina Straight, DNP, MSN Ed., CNE, RN, who is the Director of the School of Nursing at West Virginia Wesleyan. “It is an unprecedented hands-on experience for our students and it is providing them with an understanding of what goes into protecting the public’s health and the critical role nurses play in that effort.”

West Virginia Wesleyan offers prospective students – including currently practicing nurses – a host of opportunities to prepare them for a career in nursing. The College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to undergraduate students; and, offers a host of graduate program opportunities, including: a Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Leadership Advanced Practice Nursing Specialties (APRN) and Post-Graduate APRN); and, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP-Nursing Leadership, MSN to DNP-Nursing Leadership, BSN to DNP-Advanced Practice; and, MSN to DNP-Advanced Practice).

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

LUCAS Truck

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon

LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, will offer low-dose CT scans in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon in July for insured and eligible uninsured patients by appointment.

Man arrested for allegedly attempting to cash unauthorized check at BC Bank in Buckhannon

Christian Lyons, 47, of Ashford, was arrested on a felony charge after allegedly attempting to cash a check without authorization at a Buckhannon bank, with surveillance and account details helping police identify him.
Summer basketball

Summer Basketball League continues to grow under UCRC director Mitchell Shaw

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League, overseen by UCRC director Mitchell Shaw, is thriving and expanding with 18 teams and 183 players, offering organized, community-focused competition and new sponsorship-driven prizes in Buckhannon.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 11, 2025

Local highlights include a June 28 Glow Stick Party at James Curry Library, Upshur Schools’ virtual learning signups, BUHS rescheduled Alumni Soccer Game and a debut novel by Chantelle Kerr.

Upshur Update: Catch up on the latest local news in our June 11, 2025 podcast

The Upshur Update highlights the return of the Almost Heaven BBQ Bash, pool openings with new inclusive programs, community achievements in literacy and sports, student honors, local recognitions, and upcoming summer events in Buckhannon and Upshur County.

‘It’s the Small Things that Count’ – Lively pens book about daughter Megan

Alisa Mauk Lively has written “It’s the Small Things that Count,” a book celebrating the life and impact of her late daughter Megan, with proceeds benefiting Upshur County Special Olympics.

Buckhannon woman arrested for allegedly selling meth within 1,000 feet of local youth center

Tiffany Sparks, 43, was arrested after allegedly selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant within 1,000 feet of the Stockert Youth and Community Center in Buckhannon, according to police.

Read all about it: Rachel Strawder named new director of Literacy Volunteers of Upshur County

Rachel Strawder, a longtime member and former AmeriCorps VISTA, has been named the new director of Literacy Volunteers of Upshur County, succeeding Jennifer Higham and aiming to expand literacy outreach in the community.
asphalt pavement road paving work

City of Buckhannon to pave Randolph Street and other roads this week

The City of Buckhannon will begin paving southern Randolph Street on June 10, followed by Railroad Avenue, East Lincoln Street, and Maple Street, and asks residents to remove vehicles during the process.