By: Faith Yoho

Several West Virginia Wesleyan College students traveled to Washington D.C. on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 for a networking event. 

In the early hours of Thursday morning, at 4:45 AM, a group of students gathered behind the French A. See Dining Center and a bus hopped on a bus bound for Washington D.C. Dressed in business casual or better, these bobcats were preparing to network and rub elbows with WVWC alumni and professionals in the D.C. area. Even after a drive on winding roads, naps on the bus, and undeniable nerves, they arrived at their destination nothing less than bright eyed and bushy tailed. 

The trip was spearheaded by alumnus Tadd Rupp, and his team at Targeted Victory, as well as Dr. Justin Bowers, Director of Career Services and Experiential Learning at West Virginia Wesleyan College, who served as faculty advisor.  

Remmey Lohr, a senior at West Virginia Wesleyan College, was one of many students who attended the trip.

“A friend had mentioned how excited she was to travel to DC. I had no idea this trip was happening, but after gaining more information, I decided to tag along for a fantastic day of networking,” Lohr said. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to go on a trip like this, and I appreciate every conversation I was able to have.”

Students were also able to visit the House Committee on Natural Resources’ hearing room, and were introduced to members of both Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capitos’s respective teams. Additionally, they were welcomed to the Philip’s Governmental Affairs office by alumna Angel L. Riley and alumnus David Young, both members of the WVWC Board of Trustees. They were also introduced to Dana Madden, an admissions counselor at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars and alumnus Phil A. Hancock from Norfolk Southern Railroad. 

The group ended their evening with presentations from alumnus Paul D. Daugherty and alumna Kimberly Reed in the Targeted Victory office. A reception was also held to conclude the day which allowed the students to have additional networking opportunities with more WVWC alumni. 

Alyssa Souders, also a senior at West Virginia Wesleyan College, was greatly impacted by the day. 

“The most impactful thing I learned from the trip was that I am not stuck in my major or career path. For my entire life, I thought I had to have it all figured out. Then, once I picked biochemistry as my major, I thought I had to stay in that field. I learned that other employers look for the traits of a biochemist in other job applications. I also learned that most of the people we had the opportunity to speak with, tried multiple careers before they found the one that they are in now,” Souders said. 

Souders also shared that the trip took her by surprise.

“This was an amazing experience. I went into this trip thinking that I was not going to be able to relate to anyone there and that I wasn’t going to gain anything from this trip. However, I came out of it with quite the opposite. I made many amazing connections and would have never had this opportunity without the trip.”

The trip was a success, and greatly impacted the students who attended. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible.

Photo: group photo at the White House 

Credit: Dr. Justin Bowers’ LinkedIn