ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – NC Wesleyan welcomes Kerri Harper as Admissions & Advising Coordinator for its Wilmington and Brunswick campuses. In this role, she will be responsible for participating in recruiting events and presentations, advising and counseling students on major and minor requirements, and promoting the Adult Studies Program at community colleges, churches, civic organizations and businesses.
Kerri is an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre education. After graduation, she worked abroad in Shanghai, China as a drama instructor and English teacher. After returning to the United States, she obtained a Master of Arts in Education from Baldwin Wallace University.
“We are very excited to have Kerri join the NC Wesleyan team. Kerri brings a wealth of experience that will positively impact the students she recruits and advises,” said Katie Farrell, Associate Dean of Adult Studies.
Kerri’s teaching experience in both the K-12 setting, as well as higher education, has equipped her with a well-rounded set of skills to welcome future Bishops. She states: “I am excited to join the Wesleyan family and look forward to assisting the citizens of our community with achieving their educational goals.”
NC Wesleyan Puts Vision Into Action
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan’s vision is to provide students with opportunities to make meaningful connections through innovative teaching approaches. The distinctive Wesleyan experience equips graduates to make a positive impact on the world.
NC Wesleyan continues to carry out this vision despite the contemporary challenges facing our global community. One example of this is that the Admissions Office is waiving ACT/SAT admission requirements, and in some cases, waiving student enrollment fees for the fall 2020 semester. In addition, Wesleyan’s Financial Aid Office has set aside funds to assist with the financial needs of current and prospective students that have been impacted by COVID-19.
The Advancement Office has also joined in the College’s efforts by creating the S.O.S. (Support Our Students) Fund. This campaign will provide financial assistance to meet the unexpected needs of Wesleyan for a wide range of emergency situations.
“Gaining acceptance to college is but one step toward achieving a degree. NC Wesleyan understands that students may need support, whether it be to gain acceptance, enhance academic abilities, or secure financial aid,” stated Michael Drew, Dean of Admissions & Adult Studies. “Our leadership team believes in supporting any range of student needs, and it is the foundation of our vision to equip graduates to make a positive impact after NC Wesleyan.”
The College appreciates its community relationships and stands steadfast in its commitment to students completing an undergraduate or graduate degree program(s) through NC Wesleyan. For more information on degree options for traditional and adult students, visit ncwu.edu/admissions. For those who would like to support the College’s S.O.S funding campaign, additional information can be found at ncwu.edu/cares-act.
President Duff to Participate in Educational Panel
Join us on a Webinar learn about the impact of COVID-19 on our local education systems and find out what the next steps will be for the Fall 2020 school year. All proceeds are going to Tackle the Tar which will support our local students for scholarships at Edgecombe and Nash Community Colleges and North Carolina Wesleyan University.
Webinar Panel Featuring:
Dr. Valerie Bridges, Superintendent, Edgecombe County Public Schools
Dr. Evan Duff, President North Carolina Wesleyan University
Dr. Steve Ellis, Superintendent, Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools
Dr. Lew Hunnicutt, President Nash Community College
Dr. Gregory McLeod, President, Edgecombe Community College
NCWC Board Announces Duff as College President
Contract Extended Through 2023
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Dr. Evan D. Duff has been named the eighth President of North Carolina Wesleyan University. The announcement came early this month from Dr. Dan Crocker, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the College.
Duff was appointed as Acting President by the Board of Trustees on June 10, 2019 and later accepted a two-year contract as Interim President. Following recent discussions with faculty and staff, a consensus decision was made by the Board of Trustees in their May 29 assembly to appoint Duff as President and extend his contract for an additional two years. The extension positions Duff as President for the College through May 31, 2023.
In his statement to faculty and staff, Dr. Crocker, Chair of the Board, noted “the remarkable manner in which Dr. Duff took the reins since last summer, leading both efficiently and effectively.” He also mentioned “the extraordinary financial turnaround [of the College] in just one year with Evan at the helm.”
Over the last year, Dr. Duff has worked diligently with the Provost and faculty to develop new academic programs, namely Wesleyan’s new RN to BSN Program, set to begin this fall. In collaboration with faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees, he has been instrumental in developing a new vision, core values and a comprehensive strategic plan for the College, while providing significant leadership in the College’s efforts to finalize the educational space of Wesleyan’s new Indoor Sports and Education Facility, currently under construction.
The Executive Advisory Committee of the Board agreed to complete a yearly formal presidential assessment, which is currently in-process under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Stern, Chair of NC Wesleyan’s Faculty Council. Critiques from this assessment will be a valuable resource for both the Board of Trustees and Dr. Duff as he continues to lead the College.
“I am humbled by this opportunity that the Board has granted me, and I look forward to serving the faculty, staff, students, alumni, area churches and the community as we all continue to ensure the mission of the College is met. There is no greater time than the present to ensure our students are informed and educated citizens who are passionate about being positive change agents,” said Dr. Duff.
Wesleyan Alum Makes On-Campus Football Possible for 2020 Season
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University is thrilled to announce that all home football games are scheduled to be played on campus for the 2020 season due to a generous donation from alumnus, Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. The College recently received Bradley’s gift of $150,000 to be used for bleachers, a scoreboard and other signage.
NC Wesleyan saw great success last fall with its first-ever on-campus football game for homecoming on the Vernon T. Bradley Jr. football practice field. A 1980 graduate of Wesleyan, Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. is a 2007 NCWC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and the 2016-2017 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. As a tennis player at Wesleyan, he enjoyed a solid four-year career that saw him become one of the most decorated athletes in the program’s history.
A three-time Most Valuable Player from 1978 to 1980, Bradley was the first tennis player to receive MVP accolades on three occasions. He also claimed another Bishop milestone in 1978 when he earned Dixie All-Conference honors at #1 singles. Once again, being the first Wesleyan player to achieve such honors.
Bradley has remained an avid supporter of NC Wesleyan over the years and has enjoyed a successful career in real estate. “Vernon T. Bradley Jr. continues to be a leader in many ways and among individual donors, Vernon is our #1 donor, giving more than any other individual in the history of the College”, stated President Duff.
“I am so excited that the opportunity our campus and community enjoyed last year with our first-ever on-campus football game will be expanded by Vernon’s consistent and overwhelming support of the College. The impact on our student-athletes and campus community cannot be overstated,” stated Aaron Denton, Director of Athletics.
The namesake of several campus landmarks, including the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Sports Complex, Residence Hall, Football Practice Field, Field House and Lobby, his commitment and dedication to North Carolina Wesleyan University is evident in his accomplishments both on and off the court.
Wesleyan Senior To Nationally Represent Eastern NC Democrats
Catherine Leake, a senior political science major, has been selected to represent North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District as a delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention! This is a great honor, as there are only about 4,000 delegates selected nationwide.
A Message from President Evan D. Duff
Dear Wesleyan Family,
Our country continues to struggle with equality, race relations, treating others with decency, respecting opinions different from our own and showing no regard for human life. We are mourning, grieving, and fighting for justice all at the same time. North Carolina Wesleyan University strives to provide an environment that is tolerant, inclusive and open to educating all students to make positive changes in the world. Let’s move full force with demonstrating our core values of: knowledge, understanding, integrity, accountability, patience, respect, empathy and kindness to create those positive changes.
We all have a voice, we all can take action and we all have the opportunity to make a difference. Let’s do our part at Wesleyan to create an atmosphere that is reflective of the society we should aspire to be.
To our African American friends and family, we are listening to you, we care deeply about you, and you can count on your Wesleyan peers and colleagues to stand with you.
Additional details will be shared soon with students about educational and support programs the College will be implementing for our students, faculty and staff to meet their needs as we navigate through this time together. I pray through these tragedies, states of unrest and pain, we learn to take better care of each other.
Live well. Stay strong. Be wise.
Dr. Evan D. Duff
Interim President
NC Wesleyan Offers RN to BSN Conditional Acceptance Policy
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University is working through the COVID-19 pandemic and meeting the needs of May 2020 graduates with an Associate Degree in Nursing who apply for Wesleyan’s new RN to BSN Program. The College recently received approval for a conditional acceptance policy, allowing graduates to be able to enter into the program in the fall without delay.
Due to COVID-19, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has made changes to protect the safety of those taking the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), as well as the staff working in testing centers. Therefore, students may be unable to obtain an NCLEX-RN test date prior to the August 2020 enrollment into Wesleyan’s RN to BSN Program.
NC Wesleyan recently received approval for a conditional acceptance policy for May 2020 RN graduates due to these changes. Graduates from a regionally accredited ADN program will receive conditional acceptance to NC Wesleyan’s RN to BSN Program. The conditional acceptance will only be given to those students who graduated in May 2020 and have applied for the fall 2020 start date. Applicants will be required to submit all other admissions criteria, including their transcripts, documenting the RN degree conferral.
Applicants who receive conditional acceptance will be required to submit RN verification and successfully complete the NCLEX-RN exam prior to starting NUR 330. Students who do not pass the NCLEX-RN exam will not be able to register for NUR 330 and may be required to reapply to the program.
Wesleyan’s 100% online RN to BSN program is designed to help registered nurses achieve the education necessary to broaden their skill set and advance their careers in nursing. This curriculum integrates new and innovative knowledge into daily nursing practices and includes 34 credit hours. In this program, professional baccalaureate nursing practice will focus on population health, nursing leadership and management, informatics, healthcare policy and evidence based research opportunities that will facilitate professional growth. RN to BSN students will be required to complete clinical practice experiences that will allow them to implement new knowledge into their nursing practice. The program features multiple start dates so students can begin when they are ready and finish in as little as 12 months.
From Homeschool Student to NCWC Alumna
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Recent Wesleyan graduate, Abigail Wooten, began studying at Nash Community College as a dually enrolled student taking classes through their Career and College Promise program during her junior and senior years of high school.
At NCC, Wooten was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She graduated from Nash in 2018 with Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, with highest honors.
Wooten said that although it can be intimidating for students to speak up when they do not understand something, it is important to do so. “If you put in the time and ask for help when you need it, you will succeed, not just at Nash, but out in the world as well.”
Following graduation from NCC, Wooten transferred to North Carolina Wesleyan University. She graduated last month with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Information Systems, with highest honors. “I believe Nash helped prepare me for my journey at NCWC by instilling a strong work ethic in me. By the time I got to NCWC, I had already learned how to stay on top of assignment deadlines and how to ask professors for help when I needed it, two skills I consider essential.”
While attending NCWC, Wooten worked several part-time jobs, including tutoring at NCC. “This didn’t leave much time for clubs and activities at school,” she said. “However, I transferred my membership to the local chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, an organization I originally joined at Nash. I was able to attend speaker events and fundraisers with them. I also volunteered for community service projects.”
Wooten currently serves as a tutor in the NCC Mathematics Department. She plans to continue working with developmental math students, providing the support for foundational learning they need to become mathematicians.
She has been accepted into East Carolina University’s Master of Arts in Mathematics program and will begin this fall. “I hope to teach math full-time at Nash. The math department was instrumental in making me and so many others into the people we are today, and I want to continue that tradition.”
Through the Career & College Promise program, qualified high-school-age students have the opportunity to begin their college education, tuition free. Interested students should meet with their high school counselor or home school principal. Enrollment is open for NCC’s online summer classes. Summer semester begins May 26. For more information, visit nashcc.edu/registration or call 252.451.8235.
Students who are currently enrolled in NCC’s Career & College Promise program with 12 or more credit hours and are interested in transferring to NC Wesleyan should contact Jason Letchworth, Transfer Admissions Counselor, at jletchworth@ncwu.edu for more information. Those with less than 12 credit hours can apply for regular admission at ncwu.edu/apply-for-admission and one of Wesleyan’s Admission Counselors will assist you each step of the way.
Wesleyan Welcomes Two New Admission Counselors
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University is pleased to welcome two new Counselors to its Admissions Team— Jason Letchworth and Stephanie Stallings.
Jason Letchworth received his Associate of Applied Science in Biotechnology from Pitt Community College in 2012. In 2016, he finished his BS in Business Administration at North Carolina Wesleyan, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Jason is a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a North Carolina certified Firefighter and EMT. In his new role, he will be responsible for working with incoming transfer students.
Stephanie Stallings is from Nashville, NC and is a 2018 alumna of North Carolina Wesleyan University. She was a member of the Women’s Soccer Team for four years and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. This April, Stallings also received her Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Wesleyan. In her new role as Admissions Counselor, her recruitment territories include Dare and Currituck Counties, western North Carolina, Virginia and southern states, Tennessee to Texas.
“NC Wesleyan continuously strives to help better serve the needs of students and our community. Adding to our Admissions staff is one of the many ways of showing these efforts. We are pleased to have Stephanie and Jason join our team, as both have the education and experience to thrive in their new role and help propel admissions,” stated Paige Wells, Assistant Director of Admissions-Recruitment. North Carolina Wesleyan University is excited to welcome these two new, but familiar faces to the Bishop family and is enthusiastic about the skillsets and energy that each will bring to the team as they work to recruit future Bishops.