Honor roll of Donors - West Virginia Wesleyan College

Why We Give Back
and Why We Give Monthly
Thom ’84 & Denise Head Smith ’85 (above left) enjoy
successful careers in the healthcare field. After graduation,
Denise worked at the University of Virginia and at Sloan-
Kettering in New York. Today, she works in NICU management
at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. Thom is a Divisional/
Regional Director for Case Management/Performance
Improvement for Hospital Corporation of America. He has
held a number of national leadership positions in healthcare
associations. They are among a growing number of alumni
who make monthly contributions to Wesleyan. They have
two children, Cameron and Audrey (above right).
Their favorite Wesleyan memories
We both have wonderful memories of Wesleyan including, but
not limited to, our involvement in Concert Chorale, Freshmen
Orientation leaders, RA’s, the Top of the SCOW, snowball fights
in the Chapel oval, Mickey Mouse on the Chapel Clock, (for
Denise) pledging Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and (for Thom)
participating in Community Council. One of the highlights for
both of us was the nursing capping ceremony during our sophomore
year and the nursing pinning ceremony as we completed
our nursing studies. We will never forget the early morning
nursing breakfasts or sitting in those cold vans and heading over
the snow covered hills for clinical to Elkins or Clarksburg.
How they met
We knew each other at Wesleyan, but did not date. After going
our separate ways after graduation, we had the good fortune of
moving to Richmond at the same time in 1991. A mutual friend
and graduate, Kevin Bruny ’84, got us together and the rest is
history. The connection from Wesleyan truly enabled a quick
start to our relationship, as we had so much in common related
to the nursing program, Concert Chorale, etc. We were soon
engaged and married in October 1992, and our wedding
definitely had a Wesleyan flavor. Our friendships endure as we
enjoy annual trips, boys and girls, with our mutual Wesleyan
friends, and several join us in our annual beach vacation each
year, truly adding to our Wesleyan memories. We stay involved
with Wesleyan, as Thom is Class Chair and secretary of the
Alumni Council. We attend Homecoming annually and attend
as many social events as possible while enjoying our favorite
Buckhannon spots such as the Donut Shop. We always return
to Richmond with pepperoni rolls and Snyder’s potato chips.
Why they give back
It is very important to assure that Wesleyan will remain the
fine institution it was during our years there. Our giving helps
Wesleyan provide a quality educational experience. Further, as
our children come of college age, we are hopeful that we have
inspired in them the benefits of not only attending Wesleyan,
but also contributing to the success of the school through
volunteer involvement and monetary giving.
Why they give monthly
We remember the solicitation that we received out of school to
give back to Wesleyan and both of us had the same reaction,
“why would we send money when we continue to pay off
student loans” We soon learned the cost of our education was
dramatically reduced through the scholarships we received at
Wesleyan. We realized that alumni contributions funded those
scholarships and we decided to make a commitment to provide
funding so others could afford a Wesleyan education. In the
early 90’s, we learned that we could continue our commitment
to Wesleyan by giving monthly. We continue to this day and
are members of the Wesleyan Society. For us, it is as simple as
writing it into our checkbook on a monthly basis and it equates
to less than a cup of Starbuck’s on a daily basis.
How you can give monthly
Step 1. Download the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form at
www.wvwc.edu/supportwesleyan/ or call Christie Villers,
coordinator of gift records, in the Office of Advancement
at 800-768-8264. You can also pay monthly via credit card.
Step 2. Complete and sign the EFT form including where you would
like to designate your gift and mail it along with a voided check
to: Office of Advancement, West Virginia Wesleyan, 59 College
Avenue, Buckhannon, WV, 26201. Funds are withdrawn from
bank accounts on or around the 15th of each month.
2009–10 giving summary Contributions by Constituency 2009–10
Contributions by Initiatives 2009–10
Unrestricted $ 635,053.05 11%
Academic Programs $ 1,696,790.76 29%
Endowment Gifts $ 1,284,554.22 22%
Facilities $ 731,394.07 12%
Other $ 1,561,047.58 26%
Total $ 5,908,839.68
Alumni $ 2,684,303.10 45%
Parents $ 215,034.00 4%
Friends $ 589,946.15 10%
Foundations/
Corporations $ 1,169,786.22 20%
Religious $ 96,364.00 2%
Other $ 1,153,406.21 19%
Total $ 5,908,839.68
Honor Roll of Donors 2009 - 2010 3