By: Peter D’Avanzo

West Virginia Wesleyan College Service Scholars put $100,000 of value into the community in academic years before the pandemic. 

Wesleyan Service Scholars is one of many programs the Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development has on campus. Every year, a $2,000 renewable scholarship is given to those who commit to 150 hours of community service work per year as part of the program. The students can volunteer at 21 different community organizations from everything from the Upshur County school district to the police and fire departments. Jessica Vincent provided details on how she selects students for an organization. Students get to detail their experience and interests in order to be paired with an organization where they will excel most. In order to remain in the Service Scholar program, students must volunteer 6 hours per week and are required to attend regular meetings. Service Scholars have a full-college schedule which means they need to balance school, homework, and their service site. 

As part of their orientation, they attend a camping trip to get to know each other and to bond with one another, and develop an awareness of the community they are preparing to serve. “My favorite highlight from service scholars is meeting new people who were originally strangers.” said Megan Pritt. Pritt is a Volunteer at The Tennerton Elementary School and a freshman member of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Service Scholars.  Also, first-year Service Scholars complete a one-credit leadership class to increase their foundational knowledge of leadership. There is a required application and a possible interview. The scholarship is very competitive; about 60 students apply and only 25-30 students get into the Service Scholar program. There are currently 83 students in the program – 26 of the students are freshmen. 

The recruitment process is open for the next group of service scholars. Applications can be submitted until February 1st, 2022. Service Scholars are an incredible part of the West Virginia Wesleyan College and the Buckhannon communities. “Help with compassion, and always let your actions speak louder than your voice,” says Alex Thompson, Volunteer at The Tennerton Elementary School and a freshman member of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Service Scholars.