NCWV Residents, WVU School of Medicine Retirees Donate $100K to Art Museum
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on June 01, 2026
Two retired West Virginia University School of Medicine faculty members are embracing their passion for the arts and giving back to the University in a new way — by partnering to support the Art Museum of WVU.
Dr. Stephen Wetmore and Dr. Mary Wimmer, both of Morgantown, jointly made a $100,000 gift to create a fund that supports the museum’s greatest needs.
“The recent gifts from Drs. Wetmore and Wimmer are truly transformational for our organization,” Aaron Levi Garvey, director of the Art Museum, said. “As members of our Friends of the Art Museum patron group, their sustained support has enabled us to plan the coming academic and calendar year confidently and ambitiously.”
“Earlier this year, with their support, we welcomed more than 120 community members to participate in the National Scrollathon, creating a collaborative work of art that will be exhibited in summer 2026 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., alongside works from all 50 states and U.S. territories celebrating the United States semiquincentennial. With their ongoing commitment, we can sustain this momentum and expand our reach throughout our community and region.”
The former faculty members spent decades at the WVU School of Medicine before retiring, Wetmore as Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology, and Wimmer as Professor of Biochemistry. Though their careers were rooted in science and medicine, both said their appreciation for the arts deepened later in life.
Wimmer, who grew up on a farm in upstate New York, said her interest in art began during her postdoctoral training in Philadelphia, where she was exposed to a vibrant arts scene.
Wetmore, originally from Gary, Indiana, developed a stronger connection to the arts after retirement, taking watercolor classes and exploring his creative interests more fully.
“Art and humanities really expand our lives,” Wetmore said. “Both Mary and I are scientists, but in order to lead a productive and enjoyable life, you need a lot more than just science.”
Following retirement, both became active participants in Art Museum of WVU programs, including exhibitions, educational opportunities, and museum-sponsored travel experiences to places such as Santa Fe and Phoenix.
Those shared experiences helped strengthen their connection to the museum and its mission.
“I don’t need recognition for giving,” Wimmer said. “What matters most to me is knowing the fund will be there supporting the museum.”
Wetmore added that he hopes their gift also encourages others in the community to support the arts.
“It’s an example that other people can follow,” he said. “They can provide funds for the arts or for whichever charity they are interested in.”
Wetmore and Wimmer hope their contribution will help expand access to the arts and inspire greater engagement with the museum across the WVU and Morgantown communities.
Gifts to support the Art Museum of WVU can be made online at give.wvu.edu/art-museum-of-wvu. All gifts are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
