ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The faculty at North Carolina Wesleyan University recently passed the following new curriculum programs: a B.S. in Healthcare Administration, a B.S. in Sports Administration and three certificate programs in Human Resources, Executive Leadership and Healthcare Administration. These new programs will add to the exceptional array of academic offerings already at Wesleyan, giving students the ability to choose from over 45 undergraduate degree options, 32 minors and two graduate degree programs.
The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degree will prepare graduates to work in the business operations side of medical facilities. Students will learn the financial, human resources, legal and ethical aspects, as well as quality control within a healthcare setting. This degree will prepare students for careers in medical and health services management, healthcare administration and medical office management.
The Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration degree will prepare graduates to work at all levels within sports, facilities and recreation management. Students will learn about the administration of sports programs, sport facility and event management, sport communication and coaching theory among other topics. Graduates will be prepared to work as a coach, facilities manager, athletic director, sports coordinator or be prepared for graduate school. “We are excited to offer programs that will lead students to careers in growing industries such as sports and healthcare administration. Exciting features of these new programs will allow students to study and gain valuable experience during their program. The new certificates will help those looking to add specific skills in leadership, business, and healthcare administration,” stated Molly Wyatt, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Students.
A Day for Wesleyan
One Day. A Lifelong Impact.
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Day for Wesleyan event has been a tradition at North Carolina Wesleyan University for 38 years, typically taking place over several weeks in the fall of the year. As Wesleyan implements safety and operational plans related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the College is still working hard to fulfill its educational mission and help its students complete the semester. This year, “A Day for Wesleyan” will be a 24-hour online giving opportunity for alumni and friends to show their Bishop Pride on Thursday, March 26.
“It’s important that we are meeting the needs of our students, both academically and financially. In an effort to uphold our mission and press on to provide this support for our students, we will move forward with our Day for Wesleyan campaign. Now more than ever, our students, families, communities and state need to rally around one another,” announced Interim President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
The goal of the campaign is to attract 650 donors to help raise $45,000 in a single day. Among the matching gift incentives, once the campaign reaches its 300th donor, a gift of $10,000 from an anonymous alumni will be unlocked.
“We hope that the entire community will show their Bishop Pride on Thursday, March 26th. When alumni and friends of the College unite to share their passion for Wesleyan, amazing things can happen,” said Vice President of Advancement and Wesleyan alumnus, Eddie Coats. “All gifts, regardless of the amount, add up to make a huge impact on the College’s efforts to educate these bright and talented students.”
NC Wesleyan hopes everyone in the community will embrace March 26th as a day to celebrate Wesleyan. It can be as simple as wearing blue and gold or Wesleyan gear, posting Wesleyan memories on social media using #DFW2020, spreading the news to others to follow Wesleyan, or making a gift in support online. Gifts to the Wesleyan Fund will give the College the ability to respond to the greatest needs and concerns as they arise.
“Their growth has brought more young people to this area,” states Chamber of Commerce President David Farris. “The educational experiences they offer, and the opportunities they create to improve our quality of life culturally, has an impact on everyone in this region.”
Donors can learn more and participate in the Day for Wesleyan by going to the secured giving website dayforwesleyan.com or by calling 252.985.5266. Gifts are tax-deductible.
The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts Receives Bequest from Trustee Emeriti
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts recently received a gift from the late John J. Ferebee, Sr. This gift will be held as an endowment fund to be used for the annual costs of maintenance and upkeep of The Dunn Center.
John J. Ferebee, Sr., who passed away on October 7, 2019, was the previous Board of Trustees Vice Chairman for North Carolina Wesleyan University and a recipient of the College’s prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. His son, John “Jett” Ferebee is a current member of the College’s Board of Trustees.
“The Dunn Center staff is so grateful for this generous gift,” stated Sheila Martin, Executive Director of The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts. “Mr. Ferebee and his family have been strong supporters of the performing arts on campus since the building opened 23 years ago. He had the same two seats for all of our season shows until his health declined a number of years ago. Mr. Ferebee’s gift will be used to greatly enhance the quality of the lighting and audio on our proscenium stage in the Minges Auditorium.”
The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts is located on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan University. The facility includes the 1,181 seat Minges Auditorium, the intimate Powers Recital Hall and several galleries including Mims Gallery. Other spaces include the Carlton Board Room, Garner Lobby, as well as an acting classroom. The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions and concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra.
Wesleyan Board Chair Establishes Nell Rose Ellis Boone Endowment
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Dr. Daniel and Mrs. Brenda Crocker recently established the Nell Rose Ellis Boone Endowment at North Carolina Wesleyan University in memory of their longtime friend, Mrs. Nell Boone. It was the Crocker’s desire that the scholarship qualifications be established by Mrs. Boone’s surviving sons, Bert and Neal Boone. The recipient must be an upperclassman, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, be active in their church, involved in community service, and demonstrate good personal character and academic achievement. The criteria specifies the student should be from northeastern North Carolina pursuing a major in Education.
Mrs. Boone, who passed away February 20 of this year, retired from the Nash-Rocky Mount School System after 35 dedicated years as a high school chemistry and physics teacher. Her joy of teaching was evident through her love for all of her students through the years. She was very active in her church, Red Oak Baptist Church, having served in many capacities including faithfully teaching Sunday school for over 70 years.
The Crockers have been loyal supporters of North Carolina Wesleyan University for almost 40 years. Dr. Daniel Crocker currently serves as Chair for the Board of Trustees and Mrs. Crocker previously served as Chair of the Board of Visitors. This isn’t the first endowment established by the Crockers; they also funded the Essie Mae Batten Crocker Endowment in memory of Dr. Crocker’s late mother, as well as the Dr. James Durant Melton Outward Bound Scholarship in memory of Crocker’s dear friend. The Crockers are also supporters of the Taylor-Crocker Honors Program which encourages students in Wesleyan’s Honors Program to engage and excel in activities that may not have been available to them without the funding. The Crockers were chosen as recipients of Wesleyan’s 2016 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award which recognizes members of the College community of noble character and who have acted as humble servants to others by putting service above self.
The power of an endowment is never-ending— it is a gift that continues to serve the College in perpetuity and is a wonderful way to honor or cherish the memory of loved ones. If you would like to impact lives while continuing a family legacy, please contact Tammy Robinson in the Office of Advancement at trobinson@ncwu.edu or 252.985.5581.
Wesleyan’s Youth Theology Institute Receives Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University was recently awarded with a $300,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. This grant will help to further the College’s efforts with its Youth Theology Institute (YTI), known as “Connect- YTI” on campus.
Connect, a summer camp and year-long mentorship program, exists to connect high school and college students to Christ, community and the church. During the past four years, more than 100 students have attended the program with the help of some 35 local churches that refer students. Connect has hosted several community-wide youth events and explored different theological topics – from Justice to Jesus in the Gospels – with the belief that theology (the study of God) is a life-long journey, not merely a religious study from a book.
Connect was launched in 2016 with a grant from Lilly Endowment as part of its nationwide initiative, High School Youth Theology Institutes at Colleges and Universities.
This new grant will help North Carolina Wesleyan University continue to support Connect during the next four years. Wesleyan hopes to continue strengthening the summer institute; training and equipping college students as mentors; hosting more guest speakers and artists; helping high school and college students with their discernment process of life; and providing mini conferences on campus to empower and equip lay leaders with issues they face in ministry.
“This is such exciting news for our program! Lilly Endowment has been so generous to us. I have told many people, it’s really cool to see how the generosity of one person, family or organization can impact the lives of so many people. I think this grant is a testament to that,” stated Mikah Brondyke, Director of Connect- YTI. “The past four years have laid a great foundation for our program. It will be really neat to watch our program build upon this and continue the work of encouraging and empowering the next generation of youth.”Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family – J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli – through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. Lilly Endowment’s religion grant-making is designed to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes.
Wesleyan Celebrates 63rd Anniversary
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University celebrated its 63rd year with its annual Founders’ Day ceremony Thursday in Minges Auditorium of The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts.
The opening processional included an invocation by Dr. Barry Drum, presentation of the colors by NC Wesleyan’s Army ROTC and the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. North Carolina Wesleyan Interim President, Dr. Evan D. Duff, welcomed the crowd of students, faculty, staff and friends of the College.
“Today we celebrate our 63rd birthday,” noted Duff and “63 years of academic excellence.” He then followed by reading a letter dated back to 1955 from Archie W. Mclean, Co-Chairman at the time, addressed to Mrs. R.D. Gorham, Miss Vivian Braswell and Mr. Thomas J. Pearsall. The letter acknowledged the College’s deep appreciation of the four sites on the Belmont Farm gifted to develop what we now know as North Carolina Wesleyan College.
Guest speaker for the event was the honorable Judge Phil Carlton, Trustee Emeritus. Carlton has a long and generous history with NC Wesleyan, serving almost 20 years as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He has been an instrumental financial supporter and advocate of the College since the 1970’s. Carlton has a wealth of historical knowledge of the founding and growth of the College.
Judge Phil Carlton kicked off his speech acknowledging, “One fact you may not know is that Methodist College in Fayetteville and Wesleyan opened on the same day and they are today still the youngest four-year liberal arts colleges in North Carolina.” Carlton asked, “So, what’s our future here today on our birthday?” He then noted, “We need to decide what it is that is driving higher education today and what is going to drive it in the future… If I had to pick two key words it would be collaboration and partnering… It’s called thinking out of the box, and that’s what we got to do.”
Eddie Coats, VP of Advancement, presented members of the Nash County Tourism Development Authority and the Foundation for the Carolinas with tokens of appreciation for their generosity and support of Wesleyan. In 2018, the 2.18-mile Wesleyan trail that circles campus was constructed thanks to the contributions from the Nash County Tourism Development Authority and the Longleaf Fund, managed by the Foundation for the Carolinas.
During the ceremony, two North Carolina Wesleyan residence halls were formally renamed. Nash Hall was renamed Pash Hall in honor of Mrs. Jessie “Jackie” H. Pash in recognition of her service as an elementary school teacher in the Nash-Rocky Mount School System. Edgecombe Hall was renamed after Carrol and Judy Roberson in recognition of their service to others and the values they placed upon education. These tributes were both made possible due to a generous gift to the College by the Roberson’s son, C. Saunders “Sandy” Roberson, who was also a former student in Mrs. Pash’s first-grade class at Englewood Elementary School here in Rocky Mount.
“North Carolina Wesleyan University is fortunate and blessed to have a long history of dedicated members of the Rocky Mount community who have supported the mission of the College with their time, talents and donations. We appreciate the generous gift that Sandy Roberson has made to rename these residence halls,” commented Duff.
The day concluded with an Open House hosted by NCWC Residence Life staff at the newly renamed Roberson Hall.
Battling Bishop Women’s Soccer Receives Endowment Fund
Thomas and Cynthia Dyer Endowment Fund Established to Support Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Battling Bishops Women’s Soccer program recently received a $10,000 endowment. This gift was made possible due to the generous support of two previous North Carolina Wesleyan University students— Thomas and Cynthia Dyer.
Women’s Soccer at NC Wesleyan started in 1983 and has grown immensely over the years. With the broadening of the program and its success comes increased costs including uniforms, travel for away games and lighting for the complex. To assist with these needs, The Thomas and Cynthia Dyer Endowment Fund was established by Cynthia Dansie Dyer of Maryland and Thomas G. Dyer ’70 of Virginia. Long supporters of North Carolina Wesleyan University, the Dyer’s remain involved with the Nu Gamma Phi Fraternity, giving to the efforts of establishing scholarships and support for the Hartness Center, among other endeavors.
“It’s a privilege to assist the Women’s Soccer program. We feel fortunate to be able to support Wesleyan and the growth that this program has experienced,” stated the Dyer’s.
It’s their desire to leave a legacy with their alma mater in the form of an endowment. When Women’s Soccer Coach, Beverly Biancur, expressed the need for additional support of certain initiatives such as her vision for a Soccer Complex Wall and other enhancements that refine the student athletic experience, the Dyer’s seized the opportunity.
“I am grateful for this extremely generous endowment from the Dyer’s for our program. These young women and those before them have exemplified academic excellence with a 98% graduation rate, acceptance into grad school and professional occupations, a competitive desire for excellence and a willingness to serve their community,” stated Biancur. “This endowment will help to provide these women with support, facilities and equipment to achieve the individual goals and team expectations now and into the future.”
The Thomas and Cynthia Dyer Endowment is one of four endowments created to support Wesleyan’s athletic programs. Wesleyan is excited about its potential growth, which will benefit the Women’s Soccer program for years to come. These benefits will make a massive impact on the quality of the program, and most of all, the life of Wesleyan’s student-athletes.
The Dyer’s met at Wesleyan in 1966. In 1967, Cynthia transferred to nursing school obtaining her degree in 1970. Thomas graduated from Wesleyan in 1970 with a degree in Economics. Shortly after graduation the two married that same year and today reside in North Carolina.
The NC Wesleyan Women’s Soccer program is home to seven All-Americans and a National Player of the Year. The program has won numerous USA South Conference Tournaments and recently received its eighth consecutive National Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The 1994 season saw the Bishops reach the NCAA Division III Final Four.
Wesleyan Received Golden LEAF Foundation Grant for Logistics Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Golden LEAF Foundation awarded NC Wesleyan University with a $100,000 grant to support their new Logistics and Supply Chain Management baccalaureate program that actively started this fall. This award is in addition to a grant awarded by the NC Office of State Budget and Management in August 2018.
NC Wesleyan has offered a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Logistics for a number of years. The new degree program, which kicked off this semester, offers a more comprehensive, focused curriculum designed with the needs of the local industry in mind. The program addresses cost efficiency, cutting-edge technologies and sophisticated strategies and practices as it relates to the movement of raw materials and goods in a global economy. Dr. Melanie Townsend was hired before the start of the semester as the full-time visiting professor for the program.
The program, offered on the Rocky Mount campus and online, is in response to the growing advanced manufacturing and distribution sector in the greater Rocky Mount area and eastern North Carolina. It will also address the immediate need for a well-prepared and qualified workforce for local companies such as Pfizer, Cummins-Rocky Mount Engine Plant and Eagle Transport, in addition to new companies such as the CCX Carolina Connector, Triangle Tire, Corning and FFE Transportation Services. Wesleyan’s program prepares students for middle- and senior-level management positions.
The program is targeted toward traditional students who choose to attend Wesleyan following high school, transfer students from community colleges, adult students interested in changing careers and workers who are already employed in the industry. Students can choose from traditional in-person classes, online classes or a hybrid program of both classroom and online.
Articulation agreements were signed at the beginning of August with Nash and Edgecombe Community Colleges that offer students with AAS degrees a seamless transfer to Wesleyan’s Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree program.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in Logistics and Supply Chain Management is projected to grow 7% through 2026 due to the transportation of goods in a global economy. The annual wage for logisticians with a four-year degree is $74,590.
The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to receive a portion of North Carolina’s funding received from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers. For 20 years, Golden LEAF has worked to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities through leadership in grant making, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.
NC Wesleyan University Indoor Sports & Education Facility
We have received a commitment from an anonymous donor for the building of an indoor sports and education facility that will completely cover the cost of construction, along with a grant from the Nash County Tourism Development Authority. The vision is to provide North Carolina Wesleyan University the opportunity to enhance the scope of its educational and sports offerings, along with increasing partnerships and involvement within the local community through educational and sports programs for adults and youth. Wesleyan hopes to provide sports not readily available in this area, namely squash, indoor tennis and pickleball. Wesleyan has applied and been approved for a building permit with the Rocky Mount Planning Board. A construction start date has not been set at this time. The hope is that the facility will be completed by Spring of 2020.
Wesleyan Holds Scholarship Appreciation Event
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Scholarship donors and their recipients came together at North Carolina Wesleyan November 1 as the college held its Scholarship Appreciation Gala at The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts. The event recognized scholarship donors who give annually to Wesleyan students, helping them pursue their academic and professional dreams.
“It is always rewarding to bring together this group of promising young people and let our generous sponsors see the powerful impact their commitments are making on these leaders of tomorrow,” stated Eddie Coats, Vice President of Development. “Many of these students would not be able to afford a comprehensive college education without this support.”
Student body president and Heritage scholarship recipient, Will Plyler, spoke about the impact of his award. “I am just a sophomore but my life has been completely changed by the funding that made it possible for me to attend Wesleyan. I now have the opportunity to learn and pursue my passion in life. I am extremely grateful,” said Plyer.
Guest speaker for the event was J. Winston Lea, owner of Action Staffing Group and President of the Gravely Foundation. In 1945 as World War II was ending, the children of Rocky Mount businessman J.O.W. and Lula Keen Gravely created the Gravely Foundation to honor their parents’ philosophy that every child should have the opportunity to advance themselves through education. Over the last four decades, the Gravely Foundation has provided approximately $803,000 to support students and programming at Wesleyan. In his speech, Lea encouraged students to give back to their communities, churches and colleges. “One thing that I have learned on this journey of life is whatever you give, you will receive back tenfold,” stated Lea.
Wesleyan presented its prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award to Lloyd Nelson ’67 and Elliott Stevenson Nelson ‘66. The award honors the excellence in character, leadership, community service and spiritual values of Algernon Sydney Sullivan, a lawyer, scholar and orator. While at Wesleyan, Lloyd was a stand-out on the hardwood as the basketball program’s first Most Valuable Player during the college’s inaugural season in 1963-1964. He went on to become a two-time All-Conference selection and earned MVP rights again his senior year. The Nelsons have been very involved in Wesleyan over the years and Lloyd served on the Board of Trustees from 1997 to May 2018.
“The Nelsons have given tirelessly and generously to Wesleyan over a long period of time,” stated President Dr. Dewey Clark. “Their love and dedication to this college and the students we serve is without comparison. There has never been two more worthy recipients than Lloyd and Elliott.”
Each year more than 180 Wesleyan students benefit from the generosity of our donors.
###
