BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – After nearly 11 months of virtual instruction due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic, West Virginia Wesleyan College started its Spring 2021 semester with in-person instruction today on its Buckhannon-based campus. More than 1,000 students, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, are registered for classes for this spring semester.
“It’s great to be back on campus with my fellow students and the faculty and staff,” said Samuel “Chase” Dotson, a senior chemistry major from Newark, Ohio. “It has been amazing to see everyone’s excitement for their return to campus, along with the freshmen beginning their college experience. Wesleyan has implemented many protocols and procedures in order to keep us as safe as possible. As long as we all team up and follow the guidelines set by our leaders, we will be successful.”
“I am thankful to finish my undergraduate degree where it all started at my home among the hills,” Dotson said.
Kim Bjorgo-Thorne, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science and Chair of the Wesleyan Faculty, echoed Dotson’s sentiment.
“We are thrilled to welcome our students to the Wesleyan campus, some for the first time,” Bjorgo-Thorne said. “Wesleyan remains committed to delivering an excellent educational experience that prepares our students for the future.”
Dr Bjorgo-Thorne added, “Without a doubt, it has been a challenging 11 months. WVWC has relied on science and our public health partners to resume in-person instruction for the Spring 2021 semester. I thank our faculty, staff, and students for their dedication and countless hours of service. Their resilience is inspiring.”
West Virginia Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees voted in August 2020 to conduct the Fall 2020 semester virtually. This will be the first time since March 13, 2020 that Wesleyan has held a full schedule of classes during a spring or fall semester. A special January residency was conducted January 4-22 to allow for a segment of students to complete course work in the lab sciences, athletic training, and nursing, for example.
The college is implementing a comprehensive Arrival on Campus Plan, which includes mandates and guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including a universal mask policy for anyone on the Wesleyan campus. For more information, go to www.wvwc.edu.
