BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College Student Senate recently announced awards recognizing a Faculty and Staff Member of the Year at the annual Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Dr. Travis Zimmerman, assistant professor of criminal justice for the past seven years at WVWC, is this year’s recipient of the Faculty Member of the Year Award.

Zimmerman is said to make students want to attend his classes by keeping them engaged and sharing his knowledge and lifelong experience in the criminal justice field. He was also recognized at the 133rd Commencement by the graduating class as the Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year.

“To be selected by the student body holds special meaning to me,” Zimmerman said. “Our students are what makes a faculty member’s job at Wesleyan one of the best jobs on the planet. Like all Wesleyan faculty, I feel like our commitment to making sure we prepare students for a successful future in their prospective fields is our most important job. I’m very proud to receive this recognition of my small part in this holistic student experience!”

Kenna Whitcomb, assistant director of campus life since November 2022, was named Staff Member of the Year. Whitcomb works very hard at making sure students are entertained outside the classroom through her leadership with Bobcat Entertainment and Campus Life.

Whitcomb said, “Being recognized by Student Senate as Staff Member of the Year makes me feel appreciated. I am glad that I get to serve and work with our students in this role.”