In the spirit of compassion, generosity, and belief in second chances, North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to share the profound impact of a new Angel Donor Initiative supporting adult learners through the University’s Adult Professional Studies (APS) Scholarship Fund.
Over the past two weeks, the initiative, sparked by the generosity of NCWU supporters, has helped 13 adult students overcome financial barriers that threatened to derail their education. These timely gifts allowed students to pay current or future balances, register for upcoming courses, and remain on track toward graduation.
Over the past two weeks, the initiative, sparked by the generosity of NCWU supporters, has helped 13 adult students overcome financial barriers that threatened to derail their education. These timely gifts allowed students to pay current or future balances, register for upcoming courses, and remain on track toward graduation.
For many recipients, this support arrived at a critical moment. More than 75% of the students who were assisted had exhausted their federal financial aid eligibility due to life interruptions, prior enrollment attempts, or unforeseen hardships. Others were navigating deeply personal crises, including homelessness, the loss of a parent, recovery from a massive stroke, or job loss tied to a government shutdown.
“These gifts were not just scholarships; they were lifelines,” said Katie Farrell, Dean of Adult and Professional Studies. “They met students where they were and provided exactly what was needed at exactly the right time.”
Turning Deferred Dreams into Degrees
The immediate outcomes of the Angel Donor initiative are powerful and measurable:
- A Healthcare Administration student described the support as “Heaven-sent,” allowing her to complete the final course needed to graduate in May 2026.
- Multiple Educational Studies and Leadership students were able to overcome financial barriers. This funding not only prevented delays but also accelerated degree completion and career trajectories, allowing future educators to enter the classroom sooner, helping address critical workforce gaps in education across the region.
Stability During Life’s Hardest Moments
Some stories speak not only to academic persistence, but to human resilience:
- A Leadership student, also a retired grandmother, unexpectedly assumed custody of three grandchildren and experienced temporary homelessness. She used the funds to secure housing, cover tuition, meet basic needs, and create a modest holiday for her family.
- A Criminal Justice student experiencing homelessness was able to remain enrolled and complete her final credits.
- A police officer finishing a Criminal Justice degree received support during the loss of his father.
- A Leadership student, a recently elected Town Commissioner recovering from a massive stroke, was able to continue his education while focusing on recovery and community service.
While this summary highlights selected stories shared with permission, additional funds continue to be distributed to other deserving students whose privacy is being respectfully protected.
A Season of Hope
The Angel Donor initiative affirms NC Wesleyan’s unwavering commitment to adult learners, students who balance education with work, family, and life’s unexpected challenges. Through strategic, compassionate support, the University is proving that persistence paired with opportunity can change lives.
As the holiday season approaches, these gifts stand as a reminder that generosity can be transformational, not someday, but today.
NC Wesleyan extends its deepest gratitude to the Angel Donors whose belief in students made these life-altering moments possible.
NC Wesleyan University Announces the Establishment of the Betty A. Price Endowed Scholarship
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is honored to announce the signing of the Betty A. Price Endowed Scholarship, established by author and pastor Rev. Dr. Michael A. Price in loving memory of his late wife, Betty A. Price. Dr. Price was joined at the signing by his sister-in-law, Sondra Bledsoe of Rolesville, who came to support the legacy being created in Betty’s name.
The endowed scholarship pays tribute to a woman whose life embodied resilience, faith, intellect, and service. Betty Price passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s — a journey marked not by struggle alone, but by courage and enduring grace.
Born in Raleigh on February 4, 1949, Betty began her working life as a cashier at Roses Discount Store before embarking on an inspiring academic and professional path. She graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, later becoming a Certified Public Accountant in 1992. Her dedication to learning continued with the completion of her MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2009.
Betty’s career spanned roles as Controller and Financial Manager for respected organizations such as Memorex/Telex, Martin-Marietta, Progress Energy, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Her commitment to education extended to the classroom as well, where she taught at both the University of Mount Olive and her alma mater, NC Wesleyan University.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Betty was a devoted Christian whose heart for service shaped countless ministries — from assisting with new church builds to supporting inner-city food pantries. She served faithfully as an assistant treasurer, a member of the Diaconate, and a Sunday School teacher, touching lives through both leadership and compassion.
Her husband, Rev. Dr. Michael A. Price, a pastor, educator, and author known for his work on faith and leadership, established this scholarship to honor Betty’s legacy and continue the work she cared so deeply about. The Betty A. Price Endowed Scholarship will support single mothers pursuing higher education, offering them the kind of opportunity and encouragement that defined Betty’s own journey.
Betty is survived by her husband of 17 years, Rev. Dr. Michael Price; her son Rodney; siblings Julia Herring, Sondra Bledsoe, and Mike Adams; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her final resting place — the shoreline of Ft. DeSoto County Park in Pinellas County, Florida — reflects her spirit: peaceful, enduring, and full of quiet strength.
NC Wesleyan University is humbled and grateful to carry forward Betty’s legacy through this endowed scholarship, ensuring her story continues to inspire generations of scholars to come.
NCWU Announces the Establishment of the James and Elizabeth Gray Endowed Scholarship
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to announce the creation of the James (Jim) and Elizabeth (Beth) Gray Endowed Scholarship, honoring the life and contributions of NCWU’s former President Jim Gray and his wife, Beth. This permanently restricted endowment will provide lasting support for NCWU students and will carry forward the Gray family’s commitment to education.
The scholarship was formally announced during the NCWU football game on Saturday,September 20, where Jim and Beth Gray and their family joined President Dr. Evan D. Duff on the field for a special check-signing ceremony. The moment celebrated not only the Grays’ generosity, but also their ongoing commitment to the Wesleyan community.
When awarded, the scholarship will be communicated to students as the Elizabeth Gray Education Scholarship, recognizing Beth Gray’s dedication to preschool education and her lasting impact on NCWU.
“This scholarship is a meaningful way to celebrate the Gray family’s legacy and their devotion to advancing education,” said Dr. Evan D. Duff, President of NCWU. “Their generosity will directly impact generations of students, helping them pursue their dreams with the same values of excellence and service that the Grays embodied.”
The endowment, funded by Jim and Beth Gray, will be invested in accordance with the University’s endowment guidelines to ensure it is awarded in perpetuity. The scholarship will be distributed annually with preference given to:
- Students majoring in Preschool Education, followed by Education majors.
- Students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and good personal character.
- Recommendations from the University’s Education Department.
The scholarship may be awarded to both freshmen and upper-classmen and can be renewed.
By establishing this fund, Jim and Beth Gray have created a legacy that will continue to support students and the mission of North Carolina Wesleyan University for generations to come.
NCWU Offers Educational Benefits to UNC Health Nash
North Carolina Wesleyan University President, Dr. Evan D. Duff, and UNC Health Nash President/CEO, Dr. L. Lee Isley, have signed a partnership agreement to expand educational opportunities to employees of Nash. The partnership allows employees to develop practical skills that they can apply to their careers through certificate, undergraduate RN to BSN and graduate degree programs at NCWU.
“At Wesleyan, we have programs that support almost every career path at UNC Health Nash. Those programs include certificates in Executive Leadership and Human Resources Management, as well as our Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, RN to BSN program, and our Masters in Public Health and Masters in Strategic Leadership,” stated Dr. Evan D. Duff. “Since the launch of our RN to BSN program in 2019, the University has been fortunate to have the support of Dr. Isley and UNC Health Nash. This new agreement is one way for us to give back to their employees.
The partnership includes special financial awards for those who enroll in one of Wesleyan’s certificate, baccalaureate or graduate degree programs. Nash employees who are seeking to grow as a leader in their respective divisions can do so with NCWU’s flexible programs for working adults. All of these programs are 100% online with one-on-one support from faculty who have industry experience. NC Wesleyan’s degree programs improve competency in areas specific to the roles of employees at UNC Health Nash. This partnership will also provide Registered Nurses with one of the most affordable BSN options in the state of North Carolina.
Mutually benefiting all parties, this partnership allows UNC Health Nash employees to receive special rates to attend NCWU. In return, the hospital will market this opportunity and NC Wesleyan’s programs to all of their employees. In addition, Nash will afford NC Wesleyan University an opportunity to advise their employees through email, on-site opportunities, flyers, brochures and the posting of other promotional materials. Nash employees must remain employed with the hospital in order for them to remain eligible for these awards.
Nash County Launches Education Network Agreement
Nash County Public Schools (NCPS), Nash Community College (NCC), and North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) are pleased to announce the signing of the Nash County Education Network agreement. The agreement was signed this morning at NCWU by Dr. Evan D. Duff, President of North Carolina Wesleyan University; Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, President of Nash Community College; and Dr. Steven Ellis, Superintendent of Nash County Public Schools.
This collaborative initiative is designed to support local talent by offering an affordable educational pathway from high school to a bachelor’s degree within Nash County. Tuition will be capped at $20,000 in total for completion of both an NCC associates degree and an NCWU bachelor’s degree. These students will also be offered access to academic advising and financial aid counseling by NCWU prior to enrollment at NCWU. The Nash County Education Network exemplifies community cooperation and a commitment to keeping our most promising individuals close to home. Addressing the misconception that higher education at Wesleyan is financially inaccessible, Dr. Duff remarked, “We need to educate them here, so they’ll stay here,” highlighting the strategy to make education attainable for Nash County’s students.
The network not only emphasizes affordability but also cultivates a “live here, learn here, work here” ethos that benefits the entire community. Students can now seamlessly transition from K-12 at NCPS to completing their associate degree at NCC and then transfer to NC Wesleyan to complete their four-year degree. These exclusive opportunities are tailored for Nash County students who complete their associate degree at Nash Community College, reinforcing the strategic educational journey from local classrooms at NCPS to the business world, including internships and job placements. “We are creating more than a pathway; we’re preparing for a future where education and industry intersect, leading to a thriving local economy,” Hunnicutt stated. Dr. Ellis added, “This pathway will have a profound impact on our public school system and our students’ futures. It opens doors to higher education and career opportunities that were once out of reach for many.”
For further information about the Nash County Education Network, please contact Heather Louise Finch, NCPS, at hlfinch@ncpschools.net and Kenyon “K.J.” Askew, Jr., NCC, at klaskew736@nashcc.edu.
About the Nash County Education Network:
The Nash County Education Network (NCEN) is a transfer program for Nash County Public School graduates who plan to continue their education at NCC, with the educational goal of fulfilling their undergraduate degree at NCWU. This pathway is formally spring 2024 to ensure that graduates from both NCPS and NCC are automatically eligible for admission to one of NCWU’s undergraduate degree programs. Tuition will be capped at $20,000 in total for completion of both an NCC associate degree and an NCWU bachelor’s degree*. These students will also be offered access to academic advising and financial aid counseling by NCWU prior to enrollment at NCWU. Participants in the NCEN will also be offered access to any events on NCWU’s main campus in Rocky Mount, NC, at no cost.
NC Wesleyan’s President Invited as Panelist at National Education Conference
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University’s President, Dr. Evan D. Duff, recently spoke on a panel at the Education 2.0 Conference. This year’s conference, “Uniting Changemakers To Revolutionize Education,” took place Wednesday, April 6 through Friday, April 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During the event, Duff joined four other educational experts from around the world on a panel discussion titled: “Theory & Practical Knowledge – Bridging the Gap.” He discussed the benefits of successfully applying theoretical knowledge in practical settings through meaningful pedagogical practices, corporate partnerships, and applied learning experiences.
The Education 2.0 Conference’s exclusive recognition session spotlighted a few incredible individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly to reform and improve global education. During the event, Duff was presented Education 2.0 Conference’s 2022 Outstanding Leadership Award.
“I was inspired by all of the intellectual capital present at this conference and for the learning outcomes that I walked away with,” stated Duff. “Being recognized by Education 2.0 with an Outstanding Leadership Award was icing on the cake. I appreciate our talented faculty and staff who work with our students to connect their learning to rewarding career paths.”
Attendees included a global learning strategist from Google, college professors, foundation CEO’s, and other education industry leaders. This program honors these visionary minds and inspires emerging global voices.
About Education 2.0
Education 2.0 Conference’s goal is to bring the global education community together to facilitate knowledge sharing and to look for solutions to issues faced in education transmittal in this day and age. The Education 2.0 Conference aspires to present a vibrant platform where changemakers from the education industry can meet with peers and discuss ways and means to revolutionize how we learn and teach.
