ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA –On Thursday, April 4, the North Carolina Wesleyan University cheer team traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida to compete in the National Cheerleaders Association Collegiate Championship under the leadership of new coaches, Lyndsey and Pete Graham.
After a strong morning practice and a confident warm up, the Bishops took the mat for the second time on Friday. The team placed third nationally in the Intermediate Small Coed Division III.
Spirit Coordinators/Cheerleading and Dance Coaches, Pete and Lyndsey Graham, assumed leadership of the cheer program back in January. Pete works with the teams full-time, while Lyndsey coaches part-time.The dynamic duo is responsible for coordinating the cheer and dance team in recruitment, try-outs, choreography, practices, game days and campus/community events.
“We are incredibly excited for this team. Third place is an amazing accomplishment and we couldn’t be happier,” stated coach Pete Graham.
Together, the couple has a combined nine years of experience coaching at the college level. Lyndsey Graham graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Psychology and Pete Graham graduated from NC State University with a degree in Business Administration. Both excelled in cheer at their universities and were chosen to serve as team captains. The couple went on to marry, celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary just before starting at NC Wesleyan. The new coaches have experience in competing at the National Cheerleading Associations College Nationals at Daytona Beach, Universal Cheerleading Associations College Nationals in Orlando, UCA & NCA Nationals, NCAA and Big South. Besides competing and coaching at the college level, both have experience in leadership positions with the Christian Cheerleaders of America for numerous years.
“We are very excited about Pete and Lyndsey joining the College and leading our Cheer and Dance programs,” stated Ed Naylor, Dean of Student Affairs and Legal Matters. “They are experienced, talented, energetic and will advance our competitive cheer program, as well as improve the game day experience for many of our athletic programs.”
To learn more about Wesleyan’s Cheer and Dance Program, visit ncwcsports.com.
Jefferson-Pilot Professorship Awarded to Dr. Lee Templeton
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA –North Carolina Wesleyan Professor, Dr. Lee Templeton, has been awarded with the 2018-2019 Jefferson-Pilot Professorship. This award is the highest and most singular honor that can be bestowed upon a faculty memberand 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 the president of the college. 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 College, both with their time and means.
“When the nominating committee met to discuss our consolidated list of potential faculty nominees, it quickly became apparent to the committee that one single faculty member stood head and shoulders above the rest as the clear choice for the 2018-2019 Jefferson-Pilot Professorship Award,” stated Dr. Evan Duff, Interim President at Wesleyan. “Overall, Dr. Templeton has a strong record of teaching, scholarly activity and service.”
Dr. Templeton, now in his eleventh year at Wesleyan, delivered his Jefferson-Pilot Professorship Lecture, entitled: “Until the Dragon Comes: Ragnarok and the Liberal Arts,” on Thursday, March 28. His talk explored two topics– dragons and higher education – and attempts to connect the two in a meaningful way. Beginning with an examination of the figure of the dragon and its various metaphorical meanings, in Old Norse/Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon myth and literature, Dr. Templeton considers current trends in higher education through the metaphorical lens of the dragon.
During the lecture presentation, the 2019-2020 recipient of the Jefferson-Pilot Professorship was announced. Next year’s awardee is Dr. Jeffrey Kuglitsch, Associate Professor of Earth Science.
Wesleyan Signs Three Articulation Agreements with NC Community Colleges
NC Wesleyan was one of many colleges to sign a transfer agreement for students pursuing Music, Theatre or Fine Arts at North Carolina’s community colleges. Students can now seamlessly transfer to any of a number of private colleges in the state to complete a bachelor’s degree in one of those disciplines. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE >
Wesleyan Students Awarded for their Research
Biomedical Science seniors, Beverly Anaele and Jawuanna McAllister, presented their research at the NC Academy of Science (NCAS) at UNC Wilmington on March 23rd. Both young women have been doing research at NC Wesleyan for the past two years, independently as juniors and later as part of their senior honors theses. Beverly has worked with Dr. Kosal, and Jawuanna has worked with Dr. Stovall.
At the conference, Beverly won the 3rd Place Derieux Award for her oral presentation in the Ecology, Botany, & Zoology category! Her talk was titled “Can a natural plant product, such as the American beautyberry, repel and alter mosquito behavior?” Jawuanna won the 1st Place Derieux Award for her oral talk in the Cell & Molecular Biology and Physiology category. Jawuanna’s talk was “Effect of Caffeine on PALLD Expression and GBM Cell Invasion.”
Both Beverly and Jawuanna have just finished one-year terms as the Secretary and President, respectively, of the Collegiate Academy of NCAS. Both young women are graduating from Wesleyan this semester and have big plans! In August, Beverly, who recently won the Biology Award at the NC Wesleyan Honors Convocation, will begin a Master’s of Public Health program at Thomas Jefferson University, and Jawuanna will start her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology at Cornell University.
Congratulations to these outstanding and successful young scientists! The Biology department will be sad to see them go. But, we are so excited to see what they become.
Honor Students Receive Awards
NC Wesleyan University recently held the 2019 Honors Convocation Award Ceremony. These Awardees and Honor Society Members have displayed outstanding contributions inside and outside of the classroom. When you see these students, please take a moment to congratulate them.
Recipients of the 2019 NCWC Honors Convocation Awards
STUDENT SUPPORT | |
Supplemental Instruction Leader of the Year Award | Trevor Harris |
Peer Tutor of the Year | Beverly Anaele |
Internship Award | Gordon ( Mitch ) Layton |
ROTC Highest GPA Award | Elena Duran |
ROTC “Hooah” Award | Savion Young |
ROTC Golden Joe Award | Dion Cox |
ROTC Golden Jane Award | Kate Avila |
SCIENCE AND MATH | |
Biology Award | Beverly Anaele |
Environmental Science Award | Ericca Lenhardt |
Exercise Science Award | Mehli Carolyn Erbaugh Marcellus |
Chemistry Award | Kayla Lavan |
American Institute of Chemists/North Carolina Institute of Chemists Foundation Award | Ivan Cockman |
Mathematics Award | Ivan Cockman |
Mathematics Award | Joseph Lloyd |
HUMANITIES | |
Religious Studies | Sean Michael Dancy |
Senior English Award | Libby Edwards |
EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | |
Communications Outstanding Student Award | Ali Cucinotta |
John Paul Jones History Award | Beverly Anaele |
History Major Outstanding Student Award | Jessica Brabble |
Political Science Award | Anderson “Andie” Batt |
SNCAE Award | Tristan Marshall |
Susan B. Taylor Excellence in Educational Practice Award | Karolina Winstead |
Psychology Outstanding Student Award | Joseph Lloyd |
Excellence in Sociological Studies Award | Keaira McMiller |
Criminal Justice Outstanding Student Award | Courtney Paige Garofolo |
BUSINESS | |
Accounting Outstanding Student Award | Hannah Huls |
Business Administration Outstanding Student Award | Shreya Suman Thakuri |
Marketing Outstanding Student Award | Stephany Barbera |
Organizational Administration Outstanding Student Award | Gene “Trey” Croom |
Computer Information Systems Outstanding Student Award | Nabin Singh |
ADULT DEGREE PROGRAM AWARDS | |
Outstanding Adult Student Award | Latishea Faison |
Below you will find a list of honor society members who were recognized at the 2019 Honors Convocation Ceremony. When you see these students, please take a moment to congratulate them.
PSI ETA SIMGA |
Bethany Bergman |
Elizebeth Blair |
Olga K. Bloh |
Karlee Bjurstrom |
Alyssa Nichole Brookhart |
Bethany J. Dunham |
Angela W. Groeneveld |
Hayleigh Heckman |
Hunter L. Ingram |
Dan R. Locey III |
Victoria Mayer |
Eboni’ Sapphire Mayle |
Hugo Mendes |
Rebecca Renee Mitchell |
Brittany Petticolas |
Odalis Enmanuel Peralta Paulino |
Mariana Rey Xavier |
Taylor E. Roberson |
Brianna D. Skipwith |
Rodrigo Soto Gongora |
Dawn E. Wallace |
Ashley Carroll Wiggins |
Sigma Tau Delta |
Libby Edwards |
Dalton Smiley |
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) |
Hannah Ivester |
Jawuanna McAllister |
Dakota Casey |
Savannah Flanagan |
Psi Chi / Pi Gamma Mu |
Thomas Keilty Hand |
Justin DeBraska |
Cecilia Patino |
Sarah Griffiths |
Thomas Keilty |
Justin DeBraska |
Cecilia Patino |
Sarah Griffiths |
Alpha Phi Sigma |
Shelby Godwin |
Jordan Forbess |
Timothy Caulder |
Anna Stribling |
Faith Overton |
Courtney Garofolo |
Victoria Simmons |
Jerry Cameron |
Keith Garner |
Gary Davis |
Timothy Hathaway |
William T. Smith |
Patricia Sessoms |
Jerry Shoemaker |
Sigma Beta Delta |
Rashonda Bradley |
Willie Ray Flowers |
Cheryl D. Garner |
Lathen Earl Hyman, Jr. |
Abigail Leather |
Valerie Newton |
Kendra S. Patterson |
Sydney B. Taylor |
Kelvin L. Wiggins |
Sigma Tau Delta |
Libby Edwards |
Dalton Smiley |
Kappa Mu Epsilon |
Angela Nicole Bird |
Payton Coleman |
David Austin Mooney |
Chinwe Cynthia Obi |
Julia Anne Trimmer |
Samantha G. Valeros |
Jackie N. Webb |
Abigail Wooten |
Wesleyan Showcases Global Cultures
The stage at the Dunn Center was alive Monday with representations of different cultures as N.C. Wesleyan University students presented 10 acts, each with a different international flavor. READ MORE
The Heart of Dr. Hartness- Renovation Ceremony at The Hartness Center
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA– Over 110 students, staff, supporters and family recently gathered at the Hartness Student Center at North Carolina Wesleyan University for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating new renovations. The event recognized Dr. John Hartness for his generous contributions and tireless support of the College.
Just before the event began, the room buzzed with conversation as individuals from various backgrounds greeted one another and shared stories of how Dr. Hartness has impacted their lives. Elliott Smith, Director of Student Activities, opened the event by expressing his thanks and mentioning all of the recent changes to the building as part of this renovation.
The improvements took place over the past several months. They include: redesigning the ground level to encompass dynamic meeting areas, building a second floor which houses offices and creating a multi-purpose student lounge to accommodate both academic and entertainment needs. Annick Umuliza, a student-worker at the Hartness Center spoke on her pride of working for the center and its mission.
After sharing a story of their friendship, Wesleyan President, Dr. Dewey Clark voiced his appreciation saying, “Dr. Hartness had this vision… he wanted to be a part of Rocky Mount because of North Carolina Wesleyan University. How fortunate we are to have Dr. Hartness come and befriend us.”
As Dr. Hartness came forward to say a few words and cut the ribbon, the entire room rose in a standing ovation for a man whose efforts serve as a prime example of a community supporter and leader.
What was originally a building used to supply heat to the College has now transformed into a thriving students center all because of Dr. Hartness and his family’s generosity and vision. He does not take credit for the success, however, humbly saying, “I did not do this, my family did this. I just happened to be there. My family is most generous, and I am most grateful.”
Students & Faculty Attend American College of Sports Medicine Conference
On February 14th and 15th, Drs. Crowley, Henderson and Magal, and four students attended the regional conference of the American College of Sports Medicine in Greenville, SC.
At the conference and under the direction of Dr. Crowley, Mehli Marcellus and Tyler Ricks presented a research project titled: “Factors Influencing Attitude Towards, and Participation in, Physical Activity in Eastern North Carolina”.
Also at the conference, Dr. Meir Magal, Program Director and Professor of Exercise Science together with Mr. Francis Neric, Director of Certifications at the American College of Sports Medicine, has co-presented a tutorial titled: “Graduated Now What? Succeeding in the Exercise Profession”
Wesleyan Hosts National Society of Leadership & Success Induction Ceremony
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA– North Carolina Wesleyan University recently held its second annual National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS) Induction Ceremony at The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts. Seventy-five student leaders were inducted in the organization, the nation’s largest leadership honor society.
The Wesleyan chapter seeks to foster personal reflection, goal setting and leadership development amongst its members. The focus this fall was to lead new students through completion of the national requirements to become fully inducted members.
“I am pleased to report that we have been very successful this semester. Ninety percent of those who joined in August have achieved induction, exceeding the national goal of forty percent,” stated Jessie Langley, Chapter Advisor and Associate Dean of Students for Campus Life.
Keynote speaker at the event was Ron Green, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region, who focused on the themes of generosity and love. In support of this theme, student members and their guests were encouraged to bring new coats, toys and hygiene items as a donation to the local Boys & Girls Clubs. Through NSLS member nominations, Excellence in Teaching awards were given to faculty members Richard Allsbrook, Dr. Jason Buel and Dr. Daniel Stovall. Excellence in Service to Students awards were given to Michael Mosley and Wayne Sears.
In order to achieve induction, members must attend Orientation, Leadership Training Day, three Speaker Broadcasts and three Success Networking Team meetings. Students are selected by their college for membership based on academic standing or leadership potential. Candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction. You can learn more about the National Society for Leadership & Success at nsls.org.
2018 Distinguished Staff Award
Dr. Dewey Clark (left) awards Tammy Robinson, Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship at NC Wesleyan University the 2018 Distinguished Staff Award on Monday, December 3rd at the annual staff Christmas celebration. Tammy has been at Wesleyan for 7 years. This award honors staff members who have exhibited outstanding work performance, service and dedication to the College or community.