ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University welcomed a new Residence Life & Student Activities Coordinator this fall. Ms. Nadine Verner will manage and reside in Roberson Hall, as well as work with Wesleyan’s Greek Life students in the Student Activities department.
Nadine was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and is an alumna of Alverno College of Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she studied Communication. As a continuous learner, she is currently in her second year pursuing her master’s degree in Education at Abilene Christian University in Texas. Nadine’s experience in higher education includes residence life, student activities and various support services. She has been a part of many organizations, both as a student and advisor, and is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
In addition to overseeing Roberson Hall, a first-year female residence hall housing up to 130 students, she will also provide leadership development and event management support to the Office of Student Activities. She is charged with encouraging and supporting students’ academic, social, cultural and emotional growth and retention. Her responsibilities will also include managing and recruiting resident advisors, desk assistants and game room attendants.
“We are excited to have Nadine join our team due to her previous experiences with residence life and student activities. Her background, energy and professionalism will allow Nadine to connect with students to advise, mentor and help shape them during their college career,” stated Steve Burrell, Director of Residence Life.
In her free time, Nadine loves to explore new places and craft. Nadine recently joined the College in welcoming the NCWC community back to campus for fall 2020 and looks forward to supporting the Bishops and fulfilling the mission of the College.
The Lasting Value of the Liberal Arts
Featured article featured on evolllution.com written by our very own Dr. Evan D. Duff.
This pandemic has given the liberal arts the time and space to begin building upon and traditional models and innovating new methods to deliver the education and skills that employers are looking for…
Nonprofit Founded by NCWC’s Director of Military Studies Fights Hunger Locally
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Mercer Foundation, Inc., founded by NC Wesleyan’s Director of Military Studies, Lt. Col. (Ret) James Mercer, has partnered with Thornes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church , The Alpha Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. and Conetoe Family Life Center to assist Nash, Edgecombe and Rocky Mount communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the current pandemic, Thornes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Alpha Omicron chapter members, volunteers from The Mercer Foundation, Inc. and Conetoe Family Life Center have been committed to serving their communities in various ways. These groups have made it their mission to provide donated food from the Eastern and Central North Carolina Food Banks and Conetoe Family Life Center to those in need and also helping the elderly of their communities.
During these unprecedented times, their members and volunteers have answered the call by assembling, packaging and distributing over 10,000 pounds of donated food to area residents and have helped more than 350 families in the month of July alone.
“Sadly, most people believe that hunger only affects people who are lazy, people who are just looking for a handout or people who don’t want to work. However, many of us who are on the front-lines fighting hunger know that is not true. Here in our community, over one-third of our hungry people are innocent children who are members of households that simply cannot provide enough food or proper nutrition,” Lt. Col. (Ret) James Mercer said.
Mercer, who serves as the Director of Military Studies and coordinates the ROTC program for North Carolina Wesleyan University, founded The Mercer Foundation, Inc. in late 2017. The organization seeks to create healthy opportunities for children and to provide assistance to disabled veterans. The major goal of the organization is to transform lives. They equip disabled veterans with necessary tools, education and vocational training and provide balanced meals for children in high-risk environments. Knowing well the challenges that face his community, Mercer founded this organization to make a positive impact. Understanding what veterans go through as a retired Lt. Colonel of 31 years, Mercer has firsthand experience in transitioning back into the work force after serving in the military.
New Indoor Sports & Education Facility at Wesleyan Takes Shape
Inflation Begins This Week
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Over the course of the past week, Hayden Bay, the company responsible for installation of the dome of the new Indoor Sports & Education Facility at NC Wesleyan, began mounting and assembling the mechanical systems for the building. This is the first step in an estimated two week process which will be completed with the inflation of the facility’s dome. The crew hopes to finalize inflation by Friday, July 31.
Crews broke ground on the project in early February 2020. The state-of-the-art, approximately 48,000 square foot, air-supported structure was designed by Oakley Collier Architects, engineered and produced by Broadwell Air Domes, and built by Smithson Incorporated. Phase I of the facility, including the design and construction of the air supported structure, two squash courts and four indoor tennis courts, was fully funded by anonymous donors, along with a grant from the Nash County Tourism Development Authority.
Broadwell Air Domes is an industry-leading air dome manufacturer that produces the highest quality, longest lasting and most technologically advanced air dome in the world. Wesleyan’s new facility will be unlike any in the area. The software-driven, climate-controlled “smart” building automatically adjusts to changing weather conditions. The software allows for full control over temperature, humidity, pressure and air quality, which can all be controlled from a smart phone. The shell of the structure is evenly covered with a square woven cable harness system that allows for superior strength and corner protection creating unmatched structural durability.
Recently, an additional anonymous donor committed funds to outfit the Exercise Science and Health Promotion area within the facility. This gift will provide these faculty members with new laboratory and office space, as well as new equipment to offer state-of-the-art learning to Wesleyan students. NC Wesleyan continues to seek donors to contribute to the success and development of various amenities and services provided to the campus, as well as the community, by the addition of the Indoor Sports & Education Facility.
“This process has demonstrated how Wesleyan faculty and staff, generous donors and the community can come together to enhance the learning and health of our students in a considerable way. This facility will have a major impact on the community as well by affording opportunities for physical activity, health research and tournaments that will bring additional revenue to Nash County area businesses,” stated NC Wesleyan President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
The facility has potential for future growth academically and athletically, specifically within the College’s Exercise Science and Health Promotion programs. The leadership team of NCWC, along with the faculty and staff associated in these areas, desire collaboration with the local community to improve and enhance the well-being of its citizens. The sports and future educational pillars of this facility— athletics, scholarship and research— have vast potential to develop training, mentorship and tutoring programs for area youth. The facility will also offer training and education for students and local citizens concerning prevention and management of diseases and injuries, as well as facilitating proper and enjoyable physical conditioning measures.
A time-lapse video of the inflation of the facility will be posted to the College’s website, ncwu.edu, and social media accounts in the coming weeks.
2020 Brings New Vision for NC Wesleyan
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Over the past year, North Carolina Wesleyan University has been in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan. The plan, recently approved by the College’s Board of Trustees, will drive the institution’s priorities, focus efforts and set goals for the next five years.
Credo, an independent higher education consultant, worked with the College’s Executive Planning Team and President Dr. Evan D. Duff to discuss the contours and timeline for the planning process. The College wanted to develop a planning process through which it could have meaningful input from all constituencies and members of the community. So in December, Wesleyan held a Community Day and Christmas lunch where all faculty and staff were invited to participate in a college-wide planning workshop hosted by Credo. This allowed employees to come together and provide their thoughts and input about NC Wesleyan’s future.
“Working with Credo and the entire Wesleyan community to develop our new vision and core values has been an inspirational experience. To see how much our students, faculty, staff and Board care about the College demonstrates our commitment to make North Carolina Wesleyan University a place where students can learn about the world, grow their skillsets and develop meaningful relationships,” stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
From this feedback, the College established its new Vision and Core Values:
Vision Statement
At North Carolina Wesleyan University, we provide students with opportunities to make meaningful connections and learn through innovative teaching approaches. The distinctive Wesleyan experience equips our graduates to make a positive impact on the world.
Core Values
- Knowledge & Understanding
- Integrity & Accountability
- Patience & Respect
- Kindness & Empathy
This new Vision and Core Values will help propel Wesleyan to the next level in the new decade as the College continues to build upon its academic offerings, infrastructure and community relations.
Harper Joins NC Wesleyan Admission Team
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.
NC Wesleyan Hires New Dean of Students
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University recently welcomed Dr. Jason Modlin as its new Dean of Students. Modlin comes to Wesleyan from Louisburg College, where he previously served as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.
Among his many accomplishments at Louisburg College, Modlin was instrumental in developing a Residence Hall Mentor program, an innovative approach to staffing residence halls with full-time professional relationship-builders. He also led a short-term retention effort that increased fall-to-fall retention by 7% over the previous year.
Modlin holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With a 25-year career in small, private higher education, he brings a wealth of knowledge to NCWC.
In his role as Dean of Students at NC Wesleyan, Modlin will be responsible for overseeing all student affairs operations, including the departments of Health & Wellness, Campus Life, Residential Life, Religious Life and Food Services. He will also serve as the Chief Judicial Officer of the College and the Title IX Coordinator and Adjudicator. Modlin assumes the role of Dean of Students from Dr. Molly Wyatt who had previously taken on the responsibilities of both Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Students.
“NC Wesleyan is fortunate to have brought in a highly-qualified and experienced Student Affairs professional who is both familiar with the small private college environment as well as the Eastern North Carolina region, stated Dr. Molly Wyatt, Interim Provost. “Dr. Modlin is making a big impact already, having had a summer forum with the College’s traditional students and contributing to reopening plans and retention strategies.” Modlin is a long-time resident of Nash County and currently resides near Red Oak with his wife, Ami, and their three daughters.
NC Wesleyan joins RN-to- BSN Articulation agreement with Community Colleges
NC Wesleyan University has signed an agreement that will make it easier for registered nurses to transfer their community college credits to Wesleyan in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
NC Wesleyan University is the 13th private college in the state to sign the RN to BSN articulation agreement between North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) and the NC Community College System. The agreement was established specifically to address the growing need for highly qualified nursing professionals.
Learn More about our RN to BSN Program >
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
