For more information:
Bob Edwards
Public Relations Department Assistant
Glenville State College
Glenville, West Virginia
(304) 462-7361x7610

Glenville, WV--The Wesley Foundation at The Wesley-Arbuckle Center at Glenville State College, across from Pickens Hall, is an oasis for

students. It is a place full of opportunities to enjoy good friends and food, to relax, study, worship and develop spiritually, a place to grow and serve others.

Under the direction of Dr. Bob Bartram, Preacher Bob as he is affectionately known by many, the Wesley Foundation strives to minister to the everyday needs of GSC students. Bartram is the director of the Glenville United Methodist Ministries, which includes the Wesley Foundation and Trinity United Methodist Church where he is the Pastor. “The goal of the Wesley Foundation is to be a ministry of presence, providing a safe place where students can grow and develop their faith,” said Bartram. The Wesley Foundation is open to all GSC students, faculty, and staff, and offers a wide variety of services for them.

The center holds a non-denominational campus worship service every Monday night at 7:00 p.m. and the Baptist Campus Ministry meets there on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m.

Every Tuesday, starting at 11:30 a.m., The Wesley Foundation serves ‘Lunch for a Buck’ for anyone who would like to stop by and eat.

Generally between fifty and seventy students, faculty, and staff will eat lunch each Tuesday. The GSC Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets at the center on Tuesday evenings for dinner and a meeting. The Foundation also hosts several special dinners, cookouts, and tailgate parties throughout the year including feeding GSC athletic teams and students on move-in day.

Other activities include weekly study groups and movie and music nights. During the fall, the center is open on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings so students can enjoy NFL football. Last spring following final exams, the Wesley Foundation sponsored a road trip to the beach. A group of nineteen GSC students traveled to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina where they stayed in an oceanfront house and enjoyed the beach. Another beach trip is in the works for spring of 2008. Bartram says he is also exploring other road trip ideas such as a ski trip.

In addition to the fun food and fellowship that the Wesley Foundation provides, it also serves as a safety net for GSC students that need a little help. A student may be short on food, need some emergency money, or simply need someone to talk with or some counseling. “Whatever the need we try to help them through their struggle,” said Bartram. Dr. Bartram is in his fourth year at Glenville State College and has a wealth of experience working with young adults. Prior to coming to GSC, Bartram served in similar campus ministries at Marshall University and West Virginia University. “Glenville really offers a quiet, safe community for students to get a quality education,” said Bartram.

The Wesley Foundation has an open door policy; everyone is welcome to take advantage of all of the services they provide. To learn more about the Wesley Foundation or to get involved, stop by the Wesley-Arbuckle Center across from Pickens Hall, or call 462-7569.