Bethany to Honor Professor Emeritus of Biology

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College is recognizing the contributions of a professor emeritus of biology with a digital ceremony at noon Dec. 8.

Dr. Albert “Jay” Buckelew taught biology at Bethany for 42 years before retiring in June 2011. During his career, he served as department chair and faculty adviser for Phi Kappa Tau.

He co-directed the first West Virginia breeding bird atlas project and often guided aviary walks for Bethany students.

He also served until this year as the secretary of the Bethany Sanitation. He was a past president of the Brooks Bird Club and served as the editor for the club’s journal, The Redstart.

A new path in the Bethany College Trail System is named in his honor, and the Buckelew Trail was dedicated during a private ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

Kenn Morgan, the Jennie Steindorf Renner Chair of Fine Arts and professor of fine arts at Bethany, presented Buckelew with a painting of the trail.

Buckelew and his wife are moving from Bethany to Colorado.

“It’s wonderful that that not only will students of the future know Dr. Buckelew’s name and lasting influence on the College, but with this painting, Dr. Buckelew can bring a bit of Bethany with him to Colorado, as well,” said Dr. Anna Edlund, current Chair of Biology.

Video of the dedication will be part of the Zoom event. Click here for information on how to view the ceremony.

At that time, alumni and students from Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and Tri-Beta, the biology honor society, will speak to Buckelew’s impact on campus.

Upon his retirement from Bethany, the college set up the Buckelew Fund to pay for technology upgrades in the Biology Department. To donate in his honor, click here.

Alumni who would like to share their letters of appreciation and photos for Buckelew can email them to Liz Short at [obfuscate_btn]lshort@bethanywv.edu[/obfuscate_btn] by Dec. 5.

The Bethany College Trail System covers two miles through the Old Growth Forest. Most of the interconnecting paths are named after renowned Bethany faculty or alumni.

ABOUT BETHANY COLLEGE

Bethany College, founded in 1840, is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.