ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Sheila Martin, Executive Director of The Dunn Center, announces the appointment of Jan Sullivan-Volz as the new Art Curator for The Mims and Gravely Galleries. Jan replaces Greg Purcell who served as part-time Art Curator and Lighting Designer for the past three years.
“Greg accepted a position in Greenville, NC to be closer to his new home. He was an invaluable part of our team and we wish him all the best in his new endeavor. As we begin a new journey, we are excited to welcome Jan to The Dunn Center staff. She brings a wealth of experience to our group and is an active part of the art community locally and state-wide,” stated Sheila Martin, Executive Director of The Dunn Center.
Jan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, and has taught art at schools in Roanoke Rapids and Weldon, North Carolina. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor in the Art Department at North Carolina Wesleyan University.
Jan, and The Dunn Center’s entire staff, will be working diligently in the coming months to continue preparation for the opening of Bob Ross “Fantastic Little Paintings” showing November 2, 2023 through January 4, 2024. The newly-renovated Mims and Gravely Galleries will also feature six other exciting exhibits this year. To view the schedule, please visit ncwu.edu/artgalleries.
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.
Alumnus to Serve as New NCWU Board Chair
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Dr. Dan Crocker, a retired local physician and Chairman of NC Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees, has announced his plan to hand over the reins to Vice Chairman, Paul Bauer, after serving in the capacity since 2018. Mr. Bauer will begin his tenure as Board Chair on June 1 with Dr. Crocker remaining an active board member.
Mr. Bauer is no stranger to Wesleyan, as his father Dr. Raymond “Moe” Bauer, served NC Wesleyan for over 33 years in a variety of roles such as Head Baseball Coach, Director of Athletics and professor of both education and physical education. You may also recognize the name from NCWU’s baseball facility, Bauer Field, dedicated in memory of his father in 2005.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to help lead the University in the coming years. Dr. Crocker has always led by example and paved the way for a successful transition,” stated Bauer. “With the history that Wesleyan holds for me and my family, I’m excited to see my alma mater continue to flourish over the coming years.”
Bauer is a 1986 graduate of NC Wesleyan who majored in History and Political Science. He is a Senior Client Executive with JHA Risk Management in Rocky Mount. In this role, he develops customer relationships and specializes in commercial and personal property and casualty insurance sales.
“I’m thankful for the leadership and generosity that Dr. Crocker has provided to the University and our Board of Trustees. During his tenure, NC Wesleyan has experienced numerous enhancements and growth,” stated Dr. Evan D. Duff. “I look forward to continuing to work with him as an active member of the Board and maintaining this momentum with the appointment of Mr. Bauer.”
Dr. Crocker has served on the Board of Trustees since 1997 and was Vice Chairman from 2016 until 2018. He and his wife, Brenda, have been avid supporters of NC Wesleyan throughout the years creating multiple scholarships, mentoring students and beautifying campus with Brenda’s gardening talents. In appreciation for their selfless contributions, the board has established an endowed scholarship fund in their name. With Dr. Crocker’s passion for higher education and nursing, the scholarship will go to benefit NCWU nursing students.
“Witnessing the success of North Carolina Wesleyan University is a passion of mine and I have full confidence that Paul will continue to lead this University to new heights,” stated Dr. Crocker. “I’m proud of the accomplishments that we’ve been a part of and I look forward to continuing to work with this talented group of board members.”
Bauer has served on the Board of Trustees since 2014 and as Vice Chair since 2018. As Board Chair, he will lead 20 others from a variety of backgrounds and industries who serve on the North Carolina Wesleyan University Board of Trustees.
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, Instagram and YouTube.
NCWU’s First Faculty Member of Color Earns Jefferson-Pilot Award
North Carolina Wesleyan University Professor, Dr. Patricia Brewer, has been awarded with the 2023-2024 Jefferson-Pilot Professorship. This award is the highest and most singular honor that can be bestowed upon a faculty member and is given in recognition of scholarship, teaching and community service.
The Jefferson-Pilot Professorship is an endowed award that was established in 1981 through the generosity of the Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company. The honoree is nominated by a committee of faculty and appointed by NC Wesleyan President, Dr. Evan D. Duff. To be eligible for consideration, the faculty member must have tenure and have clearly distinguished themselves with high standards of excellence. As teachers, they demonstrate a whole-hearted dedication and rigorous professionalism in forwarding their students’ learning and personal development for life and work. As scholars, they have to possess a mastery of their discipline, contribute to new understanding and knowledge, and demonstrate a lively commitment to life-long learning for themselves, as well as their students. Additionally, as a member of the Wesleyan community, they give generously to the aims and programs of the University, both with their time and means.
“I’ve always found Dr. Brewer to be a strong advocate for exceptional learners,” stated Dr. Evan D. Duff. “She’s worked tirelessly in the classroom and the community to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Dr. Brewer, now in her nineteenth year at Wesleyan, delivered her Jefferson-Pilot Professorship Lecture, entitled: “Transformative Teaching: The Who, What, Why and How Service-Learning Pedagogy Impacts Culturally Diverse Populations” on Thursday, April 20. Her lecture explored experiential learning that most impacts students’ success.
Dr. Brewer is an associate professor of education and coordinator of the special education program. She earned a B.S. in elementary education and an M.A. in special education, both from NC Central University; an M.Ed. (educational leadership) at East Carolina University; and a Ph.D. (special education administration) from Southern Illinois University. She founded the Students Helping Students Afterschool Program Initiative with the Association for the Learning Disabled and Handicapped (ALDH) in February 2015. The initiative was in response to an outcry for additional, intensive services for special needs children in Nash/Rocky Mount schools, grades K-12. All NCWU pre-service students contribute through the required course Special Education 300: Introduction to Exceptional Children. They work once a week for two hours at Wesleyan over a 10-week period. The program allows NC Wesleyan’s education students to put theory into practice in real-life experiences, such as identifying and evaluating student needs, analyzing and interpreting data for instruction, providing research-based learning strategies, and collaborating with parents.
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.
NCWU Professor is First Appalachian Headwaters Ecologist Resident
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Dr. Ami Thompson, Assistant Professor of Biology at NC Wesleyan University, will spend 10 weeks this summer as the very first Ecologist Resident hosted by nonprofit, Appalachian Headwaters. Based in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Appalachian Headwaters is a leader in environmental education and reforestation of mined land in central Appalachia.
The organization operates several environmental education projects including Camp Waldo (a summer camp for children), the Appalachian Pollinator Center (focused on education related to native habitat and pollinators) and the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective. During her residency, Dr. Thompson will live on-site near Lewisburg, WV and establish research and training programs that focuses on Appalachian citizen science, climate change and native pollinators. She will build a foundation for more academic resident participation in future years and use the organization’s new Appalachian Pollinator Center as a programmatic home base.
“I’m thrilled to spend my summer with the interns and staff at Appalachian Headwaters. This unique opportunity is a perfect fit for someone like me who has one foot rooted in academic ecology and the other in science education,” stated Dr. Thompson. “We will explore the relationship between native pollinators, like butterflies and bees, and the timing of local flower blooms. Changing climate conditions are altering the time of year when flowers bloom—some species are flowering earlier in the year, some later. The interns and I will explore how this change in bloom timing could impact the insects who pollinate those flowers. Can the pollinators and flowers still find each other when they need food or pollination services? Or will they become mismatched?”
Dr. Thompson studies the ecology of dragonflies and is a world expert on the common green darner. She’s been featured on PBS North Carolina for her exciting dragonfly research. In addition, Dr. Thompson has shared her dragonfly expertise on the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ “Science Tonight” program and created a series of weekly educational videos for the U.S. Forest Service’s Wings Across the America’s program during the summer of 2021. Formerly a National Park Service ranger, Dr. Thompson has also written guidebooks and education curricula on dragonflies that have been translated into two other languages.
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.
NC Wesleyan Announces New Master’s in Strategic Leadership
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University’s faculty approved a new graduate program in strategic leadership. The Master of Science in Strategic Leadership (MSSL) is a 30-hour graduate degree comprised of 10 courses. This fully online program is unique in that students have a choice of an accelerated option, taking two courses per term, to complete their degree in less than 12 months. The University has been actively growing its graduate degree programs, with this being its fourth masters in five years.
The mission of the MSSL program is to equip graduate students with the essential skills needed to prepare them for current or future leadership roles in a broad range of organizations. This program provides the knowledge students need to lead dynamic organizations to solve complex problems. Students will also gain the knowledge and skills necessary for team building and process efficiency.
“I’m excited that we are now launching our fourth master’s program at NCWU. Building off of the success of our MBA program, the varied curriculum will have a broad appeal to a variety of our undergraduate students, not just business majors,” stated Dr. Katrina Sweet, Associate Professor of Business Administration. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018), there are a projected 807,000 new management jobs being added to the U.S. economy between now and 2026. NC Wesleyan is providing a purpose-driven approach to educating qualified graduates to fill these roles in the workforce.”
The MSSL program will require students to complete a research project that integrates the technical and scientific knowledge they have gained throughout the program. Additionally, the program will focus on leadership concepts with additional emphasis on strategic thinking and organizational strategy. Students can apply this skillset to a range of career fields including: senior positions in for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public administration, human resources, consulting, and federal or state agencies to name a few.
The University anticipates the first cohort of students in the new Master of Science in Strategic Leadership (MSSL) program to start in fall 2023. Those who are interested in learning more can visit ncwu.edu/mssl or contact the Office of Adult Studies, at adultstudies@ncwu.edu.
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.
NCWU Recognized by Exercise is Medicine® for Creating Culture of Wellness on Campus
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University is one of only 149 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine® for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Through personal training offered to faculty and staff, Wesleyan Wellness initiatives, Lunch and Learn Series on Health and physical activity events conducted by their Health and Movement Science Club, NCWU earned silver level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program.
“We are thrilled to recognize these campuses’ commitment to make movement a part of daily campus culture and give students the tools to cultivate physical activity habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” said Robyn Stuhr, Vice President of Exercise is Medicine. “These campus programs are nurturing future leaders who will advance a key tenet of Exercise is Medicine: making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in health care.”
“We are excited to have received the EIM-OC Silver distinction for the fourth year in a row! This was made possible by the collaborative efforts of our students, faculty, staff and administration, who continue to promote the importance of physical activity and health on campus,” said Dr. Shannon Crowley, Associate Professor of Exercise Science and Exercise is Medicine on Campus® Program Advisor.
Of the 149 campuses recognized this year, 73 received gold, 55 silver and 21 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on June 1 as part of the 2023 Exercise is Medicine World Congress, held in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting.
EIM-OC calls upon universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health and encourages faculty, staff and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the campus community.
EIM-OC launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools earn gold, silver or bronze status based on their activities. Gold level campuses have created a referral system where campus health care providers assess student physical activity and refer students as necessary to a certified fitness professional as part of medical treatment. Silver campuses engage students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and make movement part of the daily campus culture while bronze level campuses promote and generate awareness of the health benefits of physical activity.
View a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the EIM-OC program at exerciseismedicine.org/eim-on-campus.
About Exercise Is Medicine®
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) co-launched Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) in 2007 with the American Medical Association. ACSM continues to manage the global health initiative, which seeks to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care, connecting health care with evidence-based physical activity resources for people everywhere of all abilities. EIM is committed to the belief that physical activity promotes optimal health, is integral in the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions and should be regularly assessed and included as part of health care. Visit www.ExerciseisMedicine.org for additional information.
About the American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. More details at acsm.org.
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.
U.S. News & World Report Ranks NC Wesleyan Among Best Online Programs
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) has been ranked among the 2023 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News assessed schools in the Best Online Programs category based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, as well as services and technologies.
“We understand that many adults are looking to return to school, but may face challenges with balancing work, family and other responsibilities,” said Dr. Elizabeth Gail Marsal, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Criminal Justice. “This recognition by U.S. News & World Report demonstrates the quality education that NCWU provides for online adult learners through practical and purpose-driven experiences. I’m honored that NC Wesleyan was the only private, nonprofit University in NC and one of only three schools total in NC to receive this ranking.”
NC Wesleyan’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program offers many benefits including: rolling admissions with 100% online classes starting every eight weeks, finish in as little as 12 months, one-on-one mentoring, supportive faculty who have real-world experience offering applied assignments and career assistance. The program offers concentrations in Criminal Justice Administration or Criminal Justice Practice. North Carolina Wesleyan University is the only private, nonprofit higher education school in the region to offer a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. To learn more about admission requirements and curriculum information, visit ncwu.edu/cjmasters.
Designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education, this year’s edition of U.S. News & World Report evaluates more than 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Best Online Programs include rankings of bachelor’s programs as well as the following master’s-level disciplines: MBA, business (non-MBA), computer information technology (including computer science), criminal justice/criminology, education, engineering and nursing. While the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.
“Most of the undergraduate programs in the Best Online Programs rankings are degree completion programs, meaning the vast majority of their students already have some college credit,” said Liana Loewus, managing editor of Education at U.S. News. “The methodologies are developed with those students in mind, setting these rankings apart from those that are focused on recent high school graduates pursuing higher education for the first time.”
Prospective students can see how NCWU compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
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.
NCWU President Installed for Additional Five Years
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Executive Committee of North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees has extended a five-year contract renewal to Dr. Evan D. Duff, expanding his tenure until May 31, 2028.
Duff was appointed Acting President by the Board of Trustees in June 2019, later accepting a two-year contract as Interim President. In May 2020, he was appointed as President extending his contract for an additional two years. That extension positioned Duff as President through May 31, 2023.
“I am enthusiastic and appreciative for the opportunity to continue to serve this great institution for an additional five years. Working with our faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, alumni and community to enrich the lives of the students we serve is extremely rewarding,” stated Duff. “I look forward to our continued growth in graduate programming, while strengthening our undergraduate programs to reinforce theoretical and practical knowledge. Our collective vision is to become a regional university of excellence that equips traditional and adult learners with skills that prepare them for any career or life challenge.”
Since becoming President in 2019, Dr. Duff has led the school from a $2M deficit to a positive change in net assets through 2022, along with securing the highest level of giving in the history of NC Wesleyan. To position the institution for the future, a new vision and core values was established in 2019 and a five-year strategic plan was created with initiatives to improve student success, the financial foundation and Wesleyan’s connection to the community. During his leadership, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools- Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmed the accreditation of North Carolina Wesleyan University through 2030. The University also attained accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Experiencing one of the most difficult times in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic, Duff actively worked with faculty and staff to develop a comprehensive strategy to reopen for in-person classes in fall 2020. He has also created student engagement activities, as well as an advisory council on diversity and inclusion. In just over three years as President, Dr. Duff has helped establish new degree programs such as RN to BSN, Master’s of Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Supply Chain Management and concentrations in the University’s MBA program. In spring 2022, a strategic marketing plan was developed to transition the College to a University with a new identity of Personal. Practical. Purpose-Driven.
Since 2019 Duff has been named a Top 10 Most Influential Education Leader by The Education Magazine (2021), completed a certificate in Employment Law from Cornell University (2021), received the Outstanding Leadership Award from Education 2.0 (2022), as well as became a certified Global Career Development Facilitator (2021) and Certified Career Services Provider (2022). Dr. Duff earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Olive College, a master’s in administration from Central Michigan University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He has served in multiple leadership roles at the University since 2011, including Provost and Vice President of Adult Studies.
Dr. Duff and his wife of 24 years, Marcy, have three sons and a daughter – Tyson, Landon, Peyton and Chloe. Tyson graduated Magna Cum Laude from NC Wesleyan in December 2022 with a degree in Marketing and minors in Cybercrime and Computer Information Systems. Landon currently has NCWU on his short list of schools to attend in fall 2023 and is active in the theater program at Rocky Mount Academy (RMA). Peyton and Chloe also attend RMA in the 8th and 7th grades, respectively. The two are active in competitive cheer and dance, they both play soccer for RMA, and Chloe plays volleyball for RMA as well. Marcy is a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Syneos Health. Their family enjoys worshiping at the various Methodist churches in Rocky Mount and visiting Rise Church, adjacent to NC Wesleyan, from time to time. The Duff family enjoys living on campus and supporting all things Wesleyan.
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.
NCWU Shaw Learning Center Now Open
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Construction recently wrapped up on North Carolina Wesleyan University’s new Shaw Learning Center. This facility was made possible by funds the University received from the Nancy A. Shaw Trust. Dr. Shaw was a successful physician with ties to Nash County. Her trust’s primary focus was to benefit the health and care of cats.
Back in 2020, NCWU announced that it had received an initial $2,500,000 from the Nancy A. Shaw Trust to invest in its science and pre-vet programs. In total, NC Wesleyan received over $4,000,000 from the trust which allowed for the construction of the Shaw Learning Center and the Shaw Environmental Center, currently under construction. In addition, these funds also allowed for endowed scholarships for Pre-Vet students and NCWU’s first Endowed Professorship was established. The inaugural Nancy A. Shaw Endowed Professor is Dr. Emily Weber who started in 2022 as an Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Weber holds a B.A. in Biology from Augustana University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester.
The approximately 5,000-square-foot Shaw Learning Center is located behind the Welcome Center in the middle of campus and contains four classrooms and four offices. The facility provides students with unique learning opportunities, scientific initiatives and innovative ideas towards the care of felines. A unique feature of the facility is the cat lounge centrally located as guests enter the building.
The cat lounge will house approximately six to eight rescue or endowed cats from owners who have passed away. In addition to offering a serene space for these cats to live, there will also be space for students to study and socialize. Multiple research studies have shown that cats help reduce anxiety, stress and depression.
Over the past 20-25 years, there’s been a huge explosion in canine cognition research; however much less is understood about cats. There are only a small handful of cat cognition labs in existence. Therefore, the field is ripe for areas of investigation and contributions to animal research.
Dr. Dimitri Blondel, NCWU Assistant Professor of Biology and animal behaviorist, is interested in non-human animals, why they do the things they do and how they perceive their own world. In his second year at Wesleyan, he wants to find ways to expand into different exploration areas, such as human-cat interactions. He also aspires to sponsor student-directed research. Teaching an animal behavior class with a lab opens the door for him to hold these labs in the new cat lounge.
“Some of the research that I plan to conduct includes student-directed cat cognition studies. Studies such as these look at animal intelligence, how they receive information through their senses, learn and process the information. Can they understand speech and things like sense of fairness? Intelligence tests such as pointing exercises have shown that they can understand human pointing gestures. This means they have the potential for understanding other areas of cognition as well. Do they know their name, can they choose between a toy and food, how independent are they? All of which can help with training, owner interactions and the way we communicate with felines in general,” stated Dr. Blondel.
Another type of research that will take place in the Shaw Learning Center is behavioral endocrinology, which considers how hormones affect behavior. This is the use of fecal hormone assay to detect levels of stress hormones to determine if there is a connection between these hormones and their personalities. This research will allow NCWU students to determine cat IQs by studying how they learn and process information.
Individuals who are interested in endowing a cat, supporting the cat lounge through supplies, toys and food, or for the naming rights of the lounge should contact Mark Hinson, Sr. Executive for Philanthropic Engagement, at mhinson@ncwu.edu or 252.985.5145. NCWU is planning an official ribbon cutting for the new facility later this spring and hopes to rescue their first cat by summer 2023.
To support the well-being of the cats in our Shaw Learning Center Cat Lounge, Click HERE.
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.
NCWU Teacher Education Program Receives Grant from NCDPI
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Teacher Education Program recently received a $30,000 Education Preparation Program (EPP) grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) Office of Exceptional Children. This Special Education Student Teaching Stipend will support two NCWU special education student teachers during the spring 2023 semester.
To be eligible for the stipend, students must be engaging in a special education student teaching opportunity during the 2022-23 school year in pursuit of a special education license. NC Wesleyan students, Chlorinda Lafranque and Taylor Webb, are the grant recipients and will student teach, respectively, at Benvenue and Winstead/Englewood Elementary schools.
In addition, this grant intends to:
- Increase the diversity of the special education teaching profession
- Retain special education teachers in North Carolina after successful completion of an NC Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
- Provide ongoing support for early-career special education teachers
- Develop a community of practice among a diverse set of early career teachers and their mentors
Dr. Patricia Brewer, NCWU Professor and Coordinator of Special Education, continues to highlight the program’s 100 percent licensure passage rate on the North Carolina Licensure PRAXIS Exam: Special Education Core Knowledge and Mild-to-Moderate. Dr. Brewer also recognizes the impact of the Students Helping Students Award-Winning Afterschool Program that provides opportunities for diversity in teaching and service-learning.
“We are so excited about this grant,” stated Dr. Brewer. “The funds will supplement students’ living costs and related expenses during student teaching.”
As a condition of accepting a stipend, each special education student teacher recipient agrees through an assurance agreement to seek employment in North Carolina for at least one full school year and actively participate in the NC Early Career NCDPI/Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) partnership.
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.
