West Virginia Wesleyan College, located in Buckhannon (Upshur County), opened in 1890 as a Methodist school called the West Virginia Conference Seminary. It became West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1906 and still remains closely connected to the United Methodist Church.

At first, the school focused on basic education, but it grew over time and awarded its first degrees in 1905. It survived difficult times, such as the Great Depression and World War II, when student numbers dropped. After the war, enrollment rose, and the campus expanded. Jay Rockefeller, later a governor and senator, became president in 1973.

Wesleyan offers a strong liberal arts education with programs in nursing, teaching, business, music, and more. It also has a master’s program in business. The school is mostly residential and offers a lively campus life with music, arts, sports, and community service.

The college campus includes many historic buildings, like Agnes Howard Hall and Wesley Chapel (pictured)—the largest church sanctuary in West Virginia, it features an impressive pipe organ and bell tower. Enrollment was about 1,500 students in the past but has fallen. Around 45% of students are from West Virginia.

Today, West Virginia Wesleyan remains known for strong academics, Methodist values, and a focus on service and community.