Why Wesleyan? - West Virginia Wesleyan College
Why Wesleyan? - West Virginia Wesleyan College Why Wesleyan? - West Virginia Wesleyan College
WHY WESLEYAN: INTERNATIONALPlain Talkwith Kim Reed’93This summer Bob Skinner ’75,director of advancement, satdown with Kimberly Reed,a 1993 graduate of WestVirginia Wesleyan, to talkabout Wesleyan’s impactacross the world. Kimcurrently serves as a memberof the WVWC Board ofTrustees and is Senior VicePresident at the InternationalFood Information Council(IFIC) & Executive Directorof the IFIC Foundation inWashington, DC. Here is aglimpse of their conversation…Skinner: How has Wesleyan playeda role in shaping your career path?Reed: West Virginia Wesleyan has beenintegral in shaping my career and whoI am as a person today. When I headedto college in the fall of 1989, my dreamwas to become a physician, knowing thatWesleyan had, and continues to have,one of the top acceptance rates of itsstudents into medical school. However,my experience during a 1990 JanuaryTerm, or “J-Term,” course (wherestudents would take one class duringthe month of January, now offered as“May Term”) changed the entire6 SUNDIAL SUMMER/FALL 2010direction of my life. What started as aclass that I selected simply to fulfill myWesleyan general studies requirement inhistory for graduation, ended up beingone of the most unexpected, positiveexperiences that formed the foundationof my entire professional career.The course — “John F. Kennedy and the1960 West Virginia Presidential Primary”— was taught by Dr. Robert Rupp, atalented history professor who still teachesat Wesleyan. During the month, welearned how Kennedy’s campaign victoryin West Virginia was vital to his electionas President of the United States.Dr. Rupp brought his enthusiasm intothe classroom and, in turn, sparked myown interest in politics and policymaking.In addition to teaching our class thehistory of the 1960 election, Dr. Ruppencouraged me — a somewhat shy collegefreshman — to make this era come to lifeby reaching out to then West VirginiaSecretary of State Ken Hechler, who hada key role with the Kennedy campaign,and request an interview. Faculty at largerinstitutions likely would not have takensuch a step, but at Wesleyan, professorslike Dr. Rupp routinely take a personalinterest in each of their students and helpthem make the most of their abilities.Dr. Rupp encouraged me to seizeopportunity: drive two hours to the WVState Capitol for a one-on-one interviewwith the sitting Secretary of State, and askhim pointed questions on an importantsubject so that I could make an impact.Dr. Rupp went the extra mile so I couldgo the extra mile.I enjoyed this political history courseso much that I ended up dual-majoringin biology and government, and wenton to law school. From there, I movedto Washington, DC, where I was ableto be a part of modern day politicalhistory by working in both the legislativeand executive branches of our federalgovernment, first as a counsel to the U.S.Congress and then as Senior Advisor totwo U.S. Treasury Secretaries. Dr. Rupp’steachings also influenced how I spendmy free time today. I have volunteeredon national political campaigns everyelection cycle for the past fourteen years.I also teach democracy-building coursesin developing countries around theworld. (See photo above — After teachinga session on democracy-building andgood governance in Juba, Sudan, varioussouthern Sudanese political party leaderspose for a photo with me.) Thank you,Wesleyan, for your exceptional faculty andstaff, and commitment to excellence.
Have You Heard?Three members of the Class of 2010 were recently chosenas Fulbright Scholars, the U.S. Department of State’s mostprestigious scholarship program.Jillian Moga will travel to South Korea,Marie Franco will go to Italy, andCarolyn Bugg will spend time in Taiwan.Go to www.wvwc.edu/news/2010/05/bugg-franco-and-mogo-named-fulbright-scholars/ for the complete story and more details.Skinner: Were there particularprofessors that influenced you?Reed: In addition to Dr. Rupp,there were many other professors whoinfluenced me. One of my key mentorswas the late Dr. Ernest Capstack. I grewup in Buckhannon where Dr. Capstacktook a special interest in local high schoolstudents through a summer science campcalled “Energy and Life.” At this camp,I came to appreciate through him howWesleyan would be a college homefor growth, creativity, achievementand support.When I enrolled at Wesleyan, I cameto realize that Dr. Capstack mentoredstudents to become subject matterexperts as well as citizens of the worldby embracing the College’s liberal artsprogram. I was amazed that Dr. Capstackwas able to teach both chemistry andhumanities. I signed up for many of hiscourses because I found him to be theultimate Renaissance Man. Everymoment that I spent with him, I couldfeel my outlook expanding in new,exciting ways. Dr. Capstack taught meto appreciate many wonderful things,such as the beauty of the Japanese teaceremony, the depth of a special foreignfilm, the importance of Henry DavidThoureau’s focus on self-reliance andsimplicity, and the majesty of our ownsense of place — our home among thehills in West Virginia.Skinner: Wesleyan’s mission statementfocuses upon individuals demonstratinglocal and world citizenship throughservice. How would you describeWesleyan’s world citizenship?Reed: While at Wesleyan, students aregiven numerous opportunities to servethe community, nation and the world.For example, I tutored dyslexic studentsenrolled in the Wesleyan Learning Center.I also participated in Dr. Carl Colson’soutstanding marine biology course inJamaica which taught me about theimportance of protecting the world’scoral reefs. In addition, I supported mysorority’s philanthropic efforts fordiabetes research and education, anddedicated my time to public serviceprojects to benefit the localBuckhannon community.Wesleyan’s philosophy of “demonstratinglocal and world citizenship” is a commonthread among all of Wesleyan’s studentsand alumni. It is one element that makesour college such a special place.Skinner: Have you found thatpeople are familiar with the nameWest Virginia Wesleyan in yourprofessional career? What have youfound the College’s reputation tobe beyond West Virginia?Reed: Yes, since graduating fromWesleyan, I have encountered peopleall around the world — even in India —who know, respect and love Wesleyan.For example, when I worked at the U.S.Treasury Department in Washington,DC, two of my colleagues had childrenenrolled at Wesleyan. And, during arecent business meeting, one of mydirectors, an executive with ConAgraFoods in Omaha, informed me that shewas also “a Bobcat.”I attended this year’s commencement andwas touched in a new way when I againheard Charles K. Dick’s The Orange Lineduring the ceremony: “I am the OrangeLine. My beginning was long ago. I haveno end. I am perpetual. My source isin the West Virginia hills. My reachembraces the world. I am in America’ssmall towns. I am in her great cities.I cross the seas. I grow. I am your warm,perpetual memories. I am your sharedexperiences. I am your friends, yourteachers. I am your link to the past. I amyour dreams for the future. Wherever youare, there too am I. I am you. You are me.We — are the Orange Line.” I think thatWesleyan’s reputation is strongbecause of our alumni — our “OrangeLine” — and how so many of them areleaders and also give back to their communities,and to our college, throughservice and philanthropic giving.Skinner: Why are colleges such asWest Virginia Wesleyan importantto global society?Reed: John Wesley said it best: “Do allthe good you can, by all the means youcan, in all the ways you can, in all theplaces you can, at all the times you can.”This quote, which is inscribed at the baseof the John Wesley statue in front ofWesley Chapel in the heart of Wesleyan’scampus, sets the tone for Wesleyan’sstudents, faculty, staff and alumni, andtheir contributions to the world.SUMMER/FALL 2010 SUNDIAL 7
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Have You Heard?Three members of the Class of 2010 were recently chosenas Fulbright Scholars, the U.S. Department of State’s mostprestigious scholarship program.Jillian Moga will travel to South Korea,Marie Franco will go to Italy, andCarolyn Bugg will spend time in Taiwan.Go to www.wvwc.edu/news/2010/05/bugg-franco-and-mogo-named-fulbright-scholars/ for the complete story and more details.Skinner: Were there particularprofessors that influenced you?Reed: In addition to Dr. Rupp,there were many other professors whoinfluenced me. One of my key mentorswas the late Dr. Ernest Capstack. I grewup in Buckhannon where Dr. Capstacktook a special interest in local high schoolstudents through a summer science campcalled “Energy and Life.” At this camp,I came to appreciate through him how<strong>Wesleyan</strong> would be a college homefor growth, creativity, achievementand support.When I enrolled at <strong>Wesleyan</strong>, I cameto realize that Dr. Capstack mentoredstudents to become subject matterexperts as well as citizens of the worldby embracing the <strong>College</strong>’s liberal artsprogram. I was amazed that Dr. Capstackwas able to teach both chemistry andhumanities. I signed up for many of hiscourses because I found him to be theultimate Renaissance Man. Everymoment that I spent with him, I couldfeel my outlook expanding in new,exciting ways. Dr. Capstack taught meto appreciate many wonderful things,such as the beauty of the Japanese teaceremony, the depth of a special foreignfilm, the importance of Henry DavidThoureau’s focus on self-reliance andsimplicity, and the majesty of our ownsense of place — our home among thehills in <strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong>.Skinner: <strong>Wesleyan</strong>’s mission statementfocuses upon individuals demonstratinglocal and world citizenship throughservice. How would you describe<strong>Wesleyan</strong>’s world citizenship?Reed: While at <strong>Wesleyan</strong>, students aregiven numerous opportunities to servethe community, nation and the world.For example, I tutored dyslexic studentsenrolled in the <strong>Wesleyan</strong> Learning Center.I also participated in Dr. Carl Colson’soutstanding marine biology course inJamaica which taught me about theimportance of protecting the world’scoral reefs. In addition, I supported mysorority’s philanthropic efforts fordiabetes research and education, anddedicated my time to public serviceprojects to benefit the localBuckhannon community.<strong>Wesleyan</strong>’s philosophy of “demonstratinglocal and world citizenship” is a commonthread among all of <strong>Wesleyan</strong>’s studentsand alumni. It is one element that makesour college such a special place.Skinner: Have you found thatpeople are familiar with the name<strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Wesleyan</strong> in yourprofessional career? What have youfound the <strong>College</strong>’s reputation tobe beyond <strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong>?Reed: Yes, since graduating from<strong>Wesleyan</strong>, I have encountered peopleall around the world — even in India —who know, respect and love <strong>Wesleyan</strong>.For example, when I worked at the U.S.Treasury Department in Washington,DC, two of my colleagues had childrenenrolled at <strong>Wesleyan</strong>. And, during arecent business meeting, one of mydirectors, an executive with ConAgraFoods in Omaha, informed me that shewas also “a Bobcat.”I attended this year’s commencement andwas touched in a new way when I againheard Charles K. Dick’s The Orange Lineduring the ceremony: “I am the OrangeLine. My beginning was long ago. I haveno end. I am perpetual. My source isin the <strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong> hills. My reachembraces the world. I am in America’ssmall towns. I am in her great cities.I cross the seas. I grow. I am your warm,perpetual memories. I am your sharedexperiences. I am your friends, yourteachers. I am your link to the past. I amyour dreams for the future. Wherever youare, there too am I. I am you. You are me.We — are the Orange Line.” I think that<strong>Wesleyan</strong>’s reputation is strongbecause of our alumni — our “OrangeLine” — and how so many of them areleaders and also give back to their communities,and to our college, throughservice and philanthropic giving.Skinner: <strong>Why</strong> are colleges such as<strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Wesleyan</strong> importantto global society?Reed: John Wesley said it best: “Do allthe good you can, by all the means youcan, in all the ways you can, in all theplaces you can, at all the times you can.”This quote, which is inscribed at the baseof the John Wesley statue in front ofWesley Chapel in the heart of <strong>Wesleyan</strong>’scampus, sets the tone for <strong>Wesleyan</strong>’sstudents, faculty, staff and alumni, andtheir contributions to the world.SUMMER/FALL 2010 SUNDIAL 7
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