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.
Twin County Higher Education Unites for Student Success
NCWC, NCC & ECC Sign Statement of Collaboration
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – As the local colleges are ramping up for a new academic year, they are also working to foster a culture of collaboration between themselves. On August 1, the presidents of North Carolina Wesleyan University, Nash Community College and Edgecombe Community College met to sign a Statement of Collaboration.
“It’s important that local higher education institutions work together. What better way to collaborate than to have a Statement of Collaboration that shows Wesleyan as well as Nash and Edgecombe Community Colleges are working together on joint program development and grant opportunities. Let’s show the community we are not competitors, we work as a team,” stated Dr. Evan D. Duff, Interim President of North Carolina Wesleyan University.
This agreement strengthens the need for collaborative discussions regarding trade-specific training and educational opportunities for the region. Each institution certifies that they will work in sync with one another to contribute to industry demands. This alliance will lead to cross-professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, while also serving the needs of students, organizations and members of these communities.
“As we collaborate and look for partnerships we welcome these opportunities… together we can make this a better region,” commented Nash Community College President Dr. Bill Carver.
The Twin Counties is an ideal place for families to live, work and learn. This partnership benefits the community and our students as each institution unites to seek out new educational offerings and programs.
Dr. Gregory K. McLeod, President of Edgecombe Community College, closed with, “I believe the residents of the Twin Counties and surrounding areas deserve our best, and our best can only be realized through our collaboration and teamwork. For them and for us, we can’t afford not to work together… Together We Can. Together We Will.”
Wesleyan Provost Appointed Interim President
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Dr. Evan D. Duff, Provost of North Carolina Wesleyan University, has accepted a two-year contract as Interim President of the College. Duff was appointed as Acting President by Board of Trustees on Friday, June 14.
“I am dedicated to Wesleyan and to continuing to move the College in a positive direction, where the mission of the College is fulfilled and a liberal arts education makes a difference in the lives of the students it serves,” stated Duff.
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 College since 2011, most recently as Provost.
During his time at Wesleyan, Duff held positions as Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Adult & Professional Studies, adjunct professor and Provost. In these roles, he was responsible for leading efforts to approve new majors, co-writing the College’s first graduate application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools- Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) and creating seven new off-site instructional locations. He was also responsible for facilitating the development of partnerships with 20 two-year and four-year colleges, which led to articulation agreements or memorandums of understanding between those colleges and NC Wesleyan.
Prior to joining Wesleyan, Dr. Duff was the Dean of Extended Education at Mount Olive College (now University of Mount Olive) and Director of their Washington, NC campus. Throughout his career, he has authored or co-authored a great number of academic publications and presentations. He has been honored with a variety of awards for service to the College and the community.
He and his family are active at Hope Community Church in Cary, NC. Previously, they were active members of Covenant UMC in Greenville, where he served on the Pastoral Personnel Committee. Dr. Duff and his wife of 21 years, Marcy, have three sons and a daughter – Tyson, Landon, Peyton and Chloe. Their family has a love for animals and have adopted into their home four dogs and two cats, all of which are rescues.
NC Wesleyan Invites Businesses to Rock the Mount
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Local businesses, churches and organizations can register today to meet NC Wesleyan University’s incoming Class of 2023 at the College’s eighth annual Rock the Mount event. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, August 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
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 College’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 free advertising.
Each year, hundreds of students flow through a Bishop Tunnel, formed by cheering returning students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. The tunnel leads them to the Southern Bank Green, located in the center of campus, where businesses and organizations are setup with booths displaying their products and services. Last year’s Rock the Mount event brought 75 vendors to campus, including companies such as BB&T, Bojangles’ and Sheetz.
NC Wesleyan aims to have even more vendors this year. “This event was established in order to help build relationships between the College and the greater Rocky Mount area,” stated Tammy Robinson, Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship at Wesleyan. “Students are able to discover many of the area businesses and places to worship, as well as have the chance to discover volunteer and part-time job opportunities.”
The event is free to vendors and the College provides a six-foot folding table, two chairs and complimentary lunch. Exhibitors are required to bring table covers, while power cords and small tents (no larger than 10’ x 10’) are encouraged. Vendors can begin setting up the day of the event on the Southern Bank Green at 9:30 a.m. and are asked to have setup completed by 10:30 a.m.
Display spaces are limited, so businesses and organizations are encouraged to sign up now. All who would like to participate must register online by Friday, August 2 at rockthemount2019.eventbrite.com. For additional questions, contact Tammy Robinson at trobinson@ncwu.edu or at 252.985.5581.
Wesleyan’s Pearsall Library Receives Multimedia Production Grant
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Pearsall Library recently applied for, and was awarded, a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant for multimedia production from the State Library of North Carolina.
The purpose of this grant is to enhance the library’s Media Production Lab. These funds will allow the College to purchase an additional computer desk, two Mac desktop computers, 10 Mac laptops with cases, a charging station, new external drives, headphones and three digital cameras, including one combo camera with a tripod and mic. All of these new media technologies will be accessible to students in the fall and laptops will be available for students to check out as well.
“The use of multimedia tools are imperative in library support services. The award of the LSTA Multimedia Production Lab grant will help the library uphold its status as custodian of knowledge and campus information hub. This grant will provide convenient and efficient use of multimedia and digital production services to our students, faculty and staff,” stated Dr. Esther Burgess, Director of the Library.
Awarded 2019-2020 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants total over $2.8 million, and include 47 awards for local library projects that advance excellence and promote equity by strengthening capacity, expanding access and community engagement in North Carolina’s libraries. A list of this year’s grant winners can be viewed at statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/ld/resources/lsta-grants.
LSTA grant awards are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-00-18-0034-18). LSTA grants are awarded in response to specific needs of public, academic and community college libraries. These federal funds are investments that help libraries deliver relevant and up-to-date services to their communities.
Wesleyan Taking Care of Business with New MBA Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – After much anticipation, North Carolina Wesleyan University has officially submitted documentation to its regional accreditor to offer a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Pending approval from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC), the College will offer its first class on January 6, 2020.
If approved, this will be the second graduate-level program launched by Wesleyan in less than two years. The first graduate program, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, was offered in spring of 2018. The MBA program will be 100% online and consist of 33 credit hours to accommodate those seeking work or who are already working. The one-year program will consist of five eight-week sessions, two classes per session, and will end with a final capstone class. Like other academic programs offered by the college including their Adult Studies programs, the degree offers rolling admission, meaning those attending can start the program throughout the year at the beginning of any new eight-week session.
“Our faculty have worked extremely hard to develop our MBA curriculum that will provide students with the skills required to excel in their careers. Future plans may include concentrations in areas like healthcare administration, business analytics and logistics. Our faculty will analyze market and industry research to determine how this curriculum may evolve,” stated Wesleyan Interim President Dr. Evan D. Duff. This program is the only MBA offered locally to the Twin County region and will serve as a great asset to our community and those interested in advancing their career. NC Wesleyan will begin accepting applications into the program beginning August 1, 2019. Those who are interested in learning more about the MBA program can contact Dani Somers, Director of Graduate Admissions, at DSomers@ncwu.edu.
Strong Storms Cause Damage to College
At approximately 4:00 p.m. this afternoon a strong line of thunderstorms moved through the Rocky Mount area causing damage at the College. Thankfully, all damage was isolated to the sports fields and no one was injured or buildings harmed.
Earlier in the day an alert was sent out by the College regarding the possibility of severe weather. As the storm approached, coaches became concerned, cancelled an active sporting event and others sought shelter in the Field House. The storm resulted in significant damage to Brackettville Softball Field, the most prevalent being downed fencing, moved and damaged bleachers, a torn down scoreboard and the home field dugout was destroyed. Other areas of campus such as the Bauer Baseball Field and Vernon T. Bradley Practice Football Field also sustained fence damage.
Power on campus went out due to power lines being down along Thomas A. Betts Parkway. At this time, emergency generators with limited power are being utilized on campus with hopes that power will be restored by Friday. Approximately fifty trees were broken off or down in the woods along the highway. The National Weather Service in Raleigh has been advised of the incident and may assist in determining whether this was straight line winds or a possible tornado.
Though the College is on summer break, there were still several camps and overnight guests on campus. Many from the Wesleyan family quickly poured in and assisted in removing debris, gathering equipment and collecting field maintenance gear from the damaged softball storage house adjacent to field.
NC Wesleyan Announces Reorganization Plans
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA— Responding to the changing landscape in higher education, North Carolina Wesleyan University plans to unveil a reorganization plan that will become effective July 1. The plan will redirect vital resources toward efforts to equip Wesleyan students with the life skills necessary for their success in a society that is increasingly dependent upon highly educated citizens.
Dr. Evan Duff, Wesleyan’s new Interim President, spoke about the reorganization to the College’s faculty and staff last Friday in a “state of the college” address. He said, “We need to be our best self as a college and help our students to become their best. Becoming our best requires us to look closely at multiple facets of Wesleyan’s operations. As we navigate this journey to become our BEST, it is time to evaluate the organization by examining roles and responsibilities, infrastructure and programs. While some changes will be made, we must maintain a laser focus on the reason behind this reorganization….our students. Providing the best college experience for our students to learn and develop as an individual, regardless of age, has to be our number one priority.”
Dr. Duff further stated, “It is up to all of us to attract and retain not just the brightest minds but anyone who has a desire to learn, grow as an individual, and make an impact on their community. We want our students to be transformed and leave with the life skills required to be successful citizens in the world. I know you will step up to the challenge because you love this College, this community and most importantly, our students. We absolutely cannot let them down.”
Dr. Dan Crocker, local physician and Chairman of Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees, introduced Dr. Duff to the faculty and staff. He said that the members of the Trustees’ Executive Committee are unanimous in their support of Dr. Duff and have every confidence that he will help propel NCWC to new heights.
He told the assembly that, “the Board of Trustees is fully aware of the challenges facing small colleges and universities nationwide, challenges that have been brought on by changing technology and rising costs. The Board must maintain strong leadership, leadership with vision, leadership with the business savvy to create resources that can be invested in new, innovative programs of study.”
Dr. Crocker continued, “At all levels, it is paramount that NCWC be student-centered and focused. You, the faculty and staff, hold the keys to making this happen. Your commitment, ingenuity and willingness to develop new academic programs and to adapt to the new forces such as changing technology are essential to the success of this institution. The faculty and staff are also the keys to building the spirit and pride of the College by embracing the students, providing a new home away from their own and providing life lessons beyond their course work. With drive, determination, will and pride we can create a New Wesleyan in Eastern North Carolina.”
Board Chairman Crocker also introduced Mr. Charles “Chuck” Taylor. Mr. Taylor will serve Wesleyan as the president’s Chief of Staff. He has spent his entire career of more than 50 years in higher education. A Rocky Mount Native, Taylor was the first chief financial officer at Nash Technical Institute, now Nash Community College. He served Meredith College as its Vice President for Business and Finance and later its Executive Vice President for seventeen years. Before his retirement in 2011, he was Executive Vice President and CFO at Wingate University for eleven years. Since then, he has been a consultant for several North Carolina independent colleges and the NC Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. In March of 2015, Taylor was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his service to higher education in North Carolina.
On Tuesday, June 18, the Wesleyan Trustees officially endorsed the reorganization plan. The College will move quickly to implement the plan so that the faculty and staff will be ready to welcome the new incoming and returning students in August.
Wesleyan Hosting Over Twenty Summer Camps
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – NC Wesleyan’s campus is bustling with activity this summer as the College plans to host more than twenty summer camps, including academic and athletic camps. Every summer, Wesleyan opens its campus to a wide variety of camps, each ranging from 25 to 300 students.
Teach for America, returning for its eleventh year, kicked off the NC Wesleyan Summer Camps last week. The group significantly extended their stay this year beginning with a 14-day induction phase, followed by an additional 36-day stay later this month. The East Carolina Council Cub Scouts, supported by the United Way Tar River Region, and the Thompson NCWC Basketball Camp held half-day and full-day camps last week as well. UMC Youth Breakaway is expected to be the largest camp of the summer with 270 students in attendance, followed by the Ed Joyner Mission Camp to wrap up the month of June.
Wesleyan’s Connect: Youth Theology Institute (YTI) will host two, week-long camps for rising tenth through twelfth grade students for its fourth year in a row on NCWC’s campus. Connect exists to help high school students connect to Christ, Community and the Church. The program’s goal is to encourage, empower and equip students to live out their faith wherever God places them. YTI presents many opportunities for students to draw closer in their faith and their peers through daily devotionals, small group exercises and prayer. Following students’ week-long experience, students will be placed with a mentor who will help guide them throughout the rest of the year. Students who participate in YTI will be eligible to receive a scholarship opportunity from Wesleyan.
“Connect is a one of a kind experience! To see students from such diverse backgrounds and churches come together in the name of Christ is truly beautiful to witness each summer,” stated Mikah Brondyke, NCWC Director of Connect. “My hope is that students will continue to grow in God’s love for them and others. Love is what it’s all about!”
The Shelton Challenge will return to NC Wesleyan’s campus for another six-day residential leadership experience. The Shelton Challenge builds ninth through twelfth graders’ leadership skills through General Shelton’s five cornerstones of values-based leadership: honesty, integrity, compassion, diversity and social responsibility. Students will participate in team building activities, service projects and fun activities to get to know one another throughout their experience. A $1,000 scholarship will be offered to students who complete the Shelton Challenge and plan to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student at NC Wesleyan.
The Christian Cheerleaders of America (CCA) camp will bring approximately 150 cheerleaders to campus at the end of June. CCA is a sports ministry that aims to use cheerleading as a means to disciple young people for Jesus Christ. Campers will be taught fundamental cheerleading techniques along with how to maintain Christian standards in their daily lives.
“Each summer, Wesleyan welcomes approximately 2,500 campers who depend on us to provide detailed customer service and the concentrated attention of a home away from home atmosphere. It is our goal to provide a partnership that can be trusted year after year to provide excellence in every facet of every day for every camp. If you bring your camp to Wesleyan, we will take exceptional care of you.” stated Wesleyan Summer Camp Director, Kimla Brandt.
Returning in July for its twenty-fourth year at the College is Athens Drive Band, an award-winning, high school band from Raleigh. For a full list of activities and Wesleyan summer camps open to the public, visit the College’s main Facebook page.
Presidential Transition
On Monday, June 10th, the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees received and accepted President Dewey Clark’s resignation. The Board of Trustees and the College community appreciate the many accomplishments and milestones reached during Dr. Clark’s tenure, all of which have helped make Wesleyan the college it is today. After dedicating over 30 years of his life to Wesleyan as a student, employee, board of trustee member and President, Dr. Clark now wishes to explore other opportunities.
The Chair of Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Dan Crocker, commented that Dr. Clark has worked tirelessly since he became president. His love for the college is reflected in the improvements made on campus, just one of a number of successes. All the Wesleyan Trustees wish Dr. Clark and his family the very best as he pursues other endeavors.
Effective immediately, Dr. Evan Duff will become Wesleyan’s Interim President. Dr. Duff has served Wesleyan over the last eight years in the capacities of Vice President of Adult and Professional Studies, Interim Provost and currently as the College’s Provost/Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. Combined, he has over sixteen years of higher education experience.
