BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan President Dr. James Moore announced Monday that, following a three-month interim appointment, Kristi Lawrence Wilkerson ’99 has been named Vice President for Advancement.
“It’s always a special situation when someone who loves their alma mater as much as Kristi does also possesses the unique skills and shared vision to make the place even stronger,” said Dr. James Moore, president of the college. “I’m thrilled and humbled that she has agreed to join our team on a permanent basis.”
“Serving my alma mater is an honor and privilege,” Wilkerson stated. “Reconnecting with alumni over the past three months has been a joy, and the staff members of the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office are nothing short of amazing. They are all dedicated professionals who focus on expanding the reach of the College with alumni engagement and donor relations. It is a wonderful team to be a part of and I am excited to continue serving Wesleyan alongside each one of them.”
Wilkerson previously served as the Executive Director of the Upshur Parish House in Buckhannon. Isaac Casto has been tapped to take over that role on October 1.
Since July 1, 2023, Wilkerson’s focus has been to coordinate the upcoming Presidential Inauguration, strategize ways to engage alumni and donors, and set the foundation for fundraising and friendraising in the new fiscal year. The recent 1890 Challenge was resurrected with tremendous response and success from alumni and donors. In addition to Inauguration, the team is preparing for Homecoming Weekend where the College will welcome hundreds of alumni back to campus for a four-day celebration.
Chair of the WVWC Board of Trustees Kevin Spear, ‘76, had this to say about Wilkerson’s appointment.
“I share President Moore’s excitement over the removal of the word Interim from Kristi’s title. Her ability and willingness to join the highly talented and engaged West Virginia Wesleyan College cabinet will play a critical role in our ongoing forward movement. Kristi is the right person at the right time in the right role for our beloved Wesleyan. I am sincerely grateful that Kristi said yes.”
Wilkerson added, “I look forward to visiting with alumni of all ages at the end of September when they are here for Homecoming festivities. A full slate of events is planned and campus is ready to welcome alumni back to their Home Among the Hills!”
Wilkerson brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, public relations and strategic communication. She previously served as Director of Alumni Relations at West Virginia Wesleyan from 2008 to 2015. Since 2019, she has served as Executive Director of the Upshur Parish House in Buckhannon. She is also Conference Lay Leader of the West Virginia United Methodist Church, and a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia.
Wilkerson has served as Associate Director of the West Virginia Independent College and Universities, as well as a past president of the Independent College Advancement Associates. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia Wesleyan, and a Master of Arts degree from Miami University located in Oxford, Ohio. Kristi resides in Buckhannon with her spouse and fellow alumnus Curtis ’99 and their children Rebekah and Grant.
“I am grateful to Dr. Moore for his leadership of my alma mater, and for this opportunity to continue serving Wesleyan. I truly had a transformative educational experience as a student at WVWC in the late 1990s, and I am humbled to give back and assist current and future students in having a similar life-changing experience at West Virginia Wesleyan College,” concluded Wilkerson.
