ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – After originally being delayed due to Hurricane Ian, North Carolina Wesleyan University was excited to able to celebrate Homecoming this past Saturday, November 5, with kickoff at noon against Huntingdon College. This year, for the first time ever, Wesleyan’s Homecoming game was held on its new turf field at the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium.
Tailgating began at 9:00 a.m. followed by an alumni football game on the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Lacrosse Field at 9:30 a.m. Returning for its fourth year, NCWU’s annual chili cook-off started at 11:00 a.m. This year’s halftime included a first-of-its-kind giveaway. On September 1, the University announced a partnership with Joey Griffin Kia to give a current NCWU student the deal of a lifetime… a brand-new car!
That lucky and deserving Bishop is Cierra Gamble, an NCWU senior, who received the keys to her new 2022 Kia Rio, courtesy of Joey Griffin Kia, on Saturday during the halftime festivities. From September 1 until November 2, NCWU students, faculty and staff nominated current, full-time students they believe deserved and needed a new car. Students were not allowed to self-nominate, but each student could be nominated more than once.
“Winning the car, to me, is a dream come true! It means that I am one step closer to reaching my goals than I was before,” stated Gamble. “No longer do I have to turn down opportunities due to lack of transportation. The Lord really provided. Thank you, Mr. Joey Griffin, for this opportunity!”
After the excitement of the game, students and alumni headed into the heart of Rocky Mount to see what the city had to offer. The Wesleyan community was able to stop by and take advantage of discounts at Aroma Bar & Bistro or Moe & D’s Restaurant Grill & Bar. There was an exclusive alumni-only event at Blanche’s Bistro. Larema Coffee House hosted an open mic night with talent from NCWU and offered discounts for both students and alumni.
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.
University Honors Marion Barnes Family with Press Box Naming
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – NCWU’s Board of Trustees recently voted to name the future Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Sports Stadium Press Box in honor of Marion Barnes’ family. Barnes’ father, Guy Barnes, was one of the original founders of NC Wesleyan. The Marion Barnes Family Press Box will kick off Phase II of NC Wesleyan’s Sports Stadium Campaign.
Marion Barnes is the owner of Frontier Trailer Associates, Inc. in Rocky Mount, NC directly adjacent to Wesleyan’s new stadium. NCWU recognizes the many and longstanding efforts of Mr. Barnes, including years of dedicated service and personal contributions to the University, as well as additional gifts to the Sports Stadium fundraising efforts. To date, he has single-handedly raised over $2 million towards construction of the stadium.
“Marion’s love for Wesleyan and his belief in the ability to shape students’ lives through athletics remains evident in his personal commitments, as well as the tenacity in which he has led the fundraising effort for the stadium. He and his family’s dedication to education in Rocky Mount, specifically at Wesleyan, will forever be one of their family’s legacies,” stated Aaron Denton, VP of Athletics.
Phase I of the Sports Stadium Campaign was unveiled this April when Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. presented a $1 million check. Stallings Field at Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium consists of a new turf field, lighting and additional parking. As funding allows, additional phases will include permanent seating, scoreboards and a new fieldhouse. The new fieldhouse will contain an athletic training room, weight room, classrooms, meeting space and offices. Others who are interested in helping with Phase II of the campaign can contact Aaron Denton, VP of Athletics, at adenton@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.
Lewin Promoted to Head Men’s Soccer Coach
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – NC Wesleyan University Director of Athletics, Aaron Denton has announced assistant men’s soccer coach Meir Lewin has been promoted to the head men’s soccer position for the Battling Bishops in the 2019-20 season.
Lewin is replacing the departing Frankie Taal, who went back to his alma mater at Bethany College (WV) to become the head coach after 9 stellar seasons as the head soccer coach at Wesleyan including two USA South regular season titles and one conference tournament crown with a trip to the 2017 NCAA tournament.
Lewin spent one season as Taal’s assistant coach and helped lead the team to a 9-7-1 record and 8-3-1 in the USA South along with a conference semifinal berth.
“I am very excited to have Meir as our new men’s soccer coach,” said Denton. “Meir has a unique set of experiences as a player, coach and education professional which will serve him well at Wesleyan and in the DIII setting. He is committed to our student-athletes as well as building on the storied success of our men’s soccer program.”
“It is an honor to be named the head coach of NC Wesleyan men’s soccer. I would like to thank our president, Dr. Clark, and our athletic director, Mr. Denton for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading this program. Additionally, I would like to thank Frankie Taal for everything he has done in building such a strong foundation here,” commented Lewin.
Lewin comes to Wesleyan after most recently serving as the assistant coach at Mary Washington University (VA) while he was also the assistant for two seasons at Washington College in Maryland from 2012-2014. While at Washington College, Lewin coached 4 Centennial All-Conference award winners and 6 honor roll members.
He was also a former scout for the Israeli Football Association National Team. Lewin played professionally in Israel serving as the team captain from 2007-11 starting 72 games and being named to the league-best-11 in 2009-10 as well.
Lewin was also a teaching assistant and Instructor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland since 2014. He will serve as an adjunct English faculty at Wesleyan this Fall.
Lewin graduated with a B.A. in Government in 2011 from the Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliya, Israel. He also completed his Masters in English from Washington College in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D in Kinesiology and Physical Cultural Studies from the Univ. of Maryland.
