ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University held its 66th annual New Student Convocation today in Minges Auditorium at The Dunn Center. The 314 new Bishops are the first class of incoming freshmen to begin their educational journey under NC Wesleyan’s new identity as a university. President Dr. Evan D. Duff welcomed the Class of 2026, congratulating them on taking the next step in their educational journey.

“We are your family, your home away from home. We want you to have a personal relationship, a connection, not only with your peers, but with faculty, staff and the administration. In everything you’re learning or doing here, whether it’s inside or outside the classroom, we want it to be relevant and practical. We really want you to find your purpose here at Wesleyan,” stated Duff.

Guest speaker for the event was Carl Thomas, a 2002 Sociology alumnus and Co-Founder/Co-CEO of Professional Readiness Equals Progress (P.R.E.P.), LLC in the DC-Baltimore area. P.R.E.P., founded in 2014, is a full-service job readiness and workforce development program designed to provide comprehensive support to disadvantaged youth and adults.

While addressing the newest class of Bishops, Thomas shared his experiences at NC Wesleyan and why he chose to attend. He noted that although he was accepted at other larger institutions, Wesleyan’s small environment and friendly staff suited his needs best. Thomas reminded students to focus on the importance of seizing opportunities when they are in front of them, to learn how to identify and solve problems in their community, and to take advantage of the many leadership and development activities available at North Carolina Wesleyan University.

“You will digest three truths that will frame your time here at North Carolina Wesleyan University—the first: you are exactly where you should be. The second: the people around you conspire with the universe for your greatness. The third: you could be anywhere else in the world, but you’re here right now. Make that worth it. Take advantage of the many leadership opportunities and development activities at Wesleyan. Seize the opportunity to be great,” stated Thomas. “As I look back on all the opportunities I’ve had, Wesleyan offered me so many things to grow and build on. At Wesleyan, I found a springboard which nurtured my capacity to see the value in my community and in my voice.”

Afterwards, students exited The Dunn Center and were immediately greeted by a cheering crowd of returning students, faculty, staff and friends of NC Wesleyan who formed a time-honored tradition— the Bishop Tunnel. As they proceeded through the tunnel to enter the annual Rock the Mount event, they were each welcomed by President Duff and his wife, Marcy. Rock the Mount is an annual tradition for NC Wesleyan to welcome new students to campus and to the community. It takes place the day before the University’s first day of classes, serving as the official kick-off event for the new academic year. Local businesses and organizations are given the opportunity to come and celebrate the start of a new school year with food, music and advertising. This year, almost 90 community organizations lined the street in the center of campus to celebrate Wesleyan’s Class of 2026.

About North Carolina Wesleyan University

North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.

On Monday, August 8, leaders from North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) and Wayne Community College (WCC) met at the Wayne Learning Center Atrium in Goldsboro to sign an Enhanced Institutional Partnership. The two schools have had a partnership agreement in place since 2017, allowing WCC students a seamless transfer to continue their education at NC Wesleyan following completion of their two-year degree at WCC.

Dr. Patricia A. “Patty” Pfeiffer, President of WCC, and Dr. Evan D. Duff, President of NCWU, signed the enhanced agreement renewing their Wesleyan Works transfer partnership, while also forging a closer-knit relationship between the two institutions. Earlier this summer, NCWU made the decision to relocate their Goldsboro Adult Studies location to the campus of Wayne Community College. This change positively impacts enrollment and will save the University over $1.5M over the next seven years. In addition, the move allows NCWU to have dedicated space on the campus of WCC, offering a more convenient option for students at WCC to pursue a degree from NC Wesleyan.

“NCWU’s mission has focused on providing seamless transfer pathways for our NC community college graduates. Through partnerships like this, we can see our vision come to fruition,” stated Katie Farrell, Associate Dean of Adult & Professional Studies: Strategy, Partnerships & Assessments. “We are excited to serve our Goldsboro community and Wayne Community College graduates in pursuing their educational goals.”

The agreement will enhance and expand the educational opportunities of graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science. They will be offered access to the benefits of the Wesleyan Works program, pre-admission advising, generous transfer credit and a clear definition of the transfer of courses from WCC to NC Wesleyan. This partnership allows WCC Associate in Applied Science students to transfer an additional 15 hours of general education credits for a total of 75 transfer credits.

Students who graduate from WCC and transfer under this agreement may select any of NC Wesleyan’s programs of study or may transfer to the college’s Adult and Professional Studies program, taking advantage of the Wesleyan Works program. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good academic standing. The agreement brings NC Wesleyan within the reach of WCC students who may not have otherwise been able to attend the University.

Wesleyan Works is a transfer program designed for community college students who plan to continue their education at NC Wesleyan. Students who participate in Wesleyan Works will have access to academic advising and financial aid counseling through NC Wesleyan, as well as access to events on the University’s main campus. The program is ideal for students who would like to attend NC Wesleyan’s evening or online programs.

About Wayne Community College

Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, NC As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 11,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 140 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.

About North Carolina Wesleyan University

North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.

ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Fantastic Little Paintings by artist, Bob Ross, is set to adorn the walls of The Mims and Gravely Galleries at The Dunn Center in fall 2023. The exhibition will be open to the public with tickets available starting late summer 2023. This will be the first time a Bob Ross exhibit has been to North Carolina and the largest exhibition ever seen under one roof globally.

Robert Norman Ross, an American painter, art instructor and television host known by so many for his permed hair, showed the world how to paint fun pieces of art. He was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States, CBC in Canada, and similar channels in Latin America, Europe and elsewhere. Ross subsequently became known through his posthumous internet presence.

Spending 20 years in the U.S. Airforce, this is where he developed an interest in painting after attending an art class at the Anchorage U.S.O. club. While still in the Airforce, Bob discovered a show called The Magic of Painting. This is where he learned a 16th century painting style called “alla prima” (Italian for “First Attempt”) widely known as “wet-on-wet.” This allowed him to create a painting in thirty minutes. Ross became a master at this technique and began to successfully sell his work.

During each thirty-minute episode of The Joy of Painting, Bob would teach his viewers the quick, wet-on-wet oil painting technique. He would paint a scene without sketching it first, creating the image directly from his mind in real-time. He explained his limited paint palette and made the process easy for everybody to understand in simple, easy-to-follow steps. Ross soothingly reminded his viewers that “we don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”

Ross was said to have painted an estimated 30,000 pieces of art in his lifetime– many of which will be on display in The Dunn Center. Guests are invited to come experience the joy that Ross brought to the art world.

Receive updates and reminders on all the exciting exhibits coming to NCWU, including the world’s largest Bob Ross Painting Exhibition!

About The Dunn Center
The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts. In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. The Mims and Gravely Galleries, located within The Dunn Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as during performances. To learn more, visit dunncenter.com and follow on Facebook.