North Carolina Wesleyan University celebrated 70 years of history, community and Bishop pride on Wednesday, October 21, as students, faculty and staff came together for Founders Day during the University’s latest Community Day.
Under the theme “70 Years, One Wesleyan Community: Honor the Past. Serve the Present. Shape the Future,” the celebration recognized the people, experiences and shared purpose that have shaped NC Wesleyan since its founding in 1956.
With more than 20 events and activities throughout the day, campus was filled with opportunities to connect, serve, learn and celebrate what it means to be part of the Bishop community. From Brunch in the Blue & Gold Cafe and a campus clothing swap to academic advising, career preparation, club meetings and guest speakers, the day’s activities showcased the many ways students can engage with campus life beyond the classroom.
Service was at the heart of this year’s Founders Day celebration.
Through the University’s 70 Acts of Service initiative, students and campus community members participated in projects designed to support local organizations and bring encouragement to others.
Donation items were collected for My Sister’s House and the Bassett Center, while volunteers created tug toys for the Rocky Mount Animal Shelter. Participants also wrote Cards of Encouragement for residents of The Lodge, the Boys and Girls Club, and individuals served by Meals on Wheels. These projects offered meaningful ways for the Wesleyan community to put the University’s commitment to service into action.
Leah Hill, Director of Financial Aid and Special Assistant to the President, served as chair of the Founders Day Committee, and helped coordinate the University’s 70th anniversary celebration. Hill shared, “Founders Day is about more than celebrating 70 years of Wesleyan’s history. It’s about bringing our campus community together, recognizing how far we have come, and finding ways to give back. Whether it’s through a small act of kindness or serving others in our community, we all have an opportunity to make a difference. That’s what makes this day so meaningful.”
The celebration continued into the afternoon and evening with recreational activities and Bishop athletics. The men’s soccer team faced the University of Mary Washington at Scalf Field, followed by women’s volleyball against Methodist in Everett Gymnasium, bringing students and fans together to support their Bishops.
More than a celebration of the University’s history, Founders Day offered an opportunity to recognize the people who have helped shape Wesleyan over the past seven decades and the community continuing that legacy today.
Since 1956, NC Wesleyan has grown and evolved while remaining committed to education, meaningful connections and preparing students for successful futures. As the University celebrates its 70th anniversary, its story continues to be written by the students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends who bring the Bishop community to life.
The Next Chapter Starts Here: Attend Open House
As NC Wesleyan celebrates 70 years of impact, the University is looking ahead to the next generation of Bishops. Prospective students and their families are invited to experience the Wesleyan community firsthand at Open House on Saturday, October 24.
Open House offers an opportunity to explore campus, learn more about academic programs, connect with the NC Wesleyan community and discover what makes the Bishop experience unique.
Ready to see your future at Wesleyan? Join us for Open House on October 24 and take the next step toward becoming a Bishop.
NCWU Celebrates an Open House Ceremony for New Nursing Facility
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) proudly celebrated the upcoming launch of its new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program, set to welcome its first cohort in Fall 2025. To mark this milestone, the University hosted a private Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, April 10, 2025, on its Rocky Mount campus.
The event welcomed generous donors, University leadership, and community partners for an exclusive preview of the state-of-the-art nursing facilities. This was only possible with generous partnerships such as: Golden LEAF Foundation, UNC Nash Hospital, Cannon Foundation, The Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, Daniel and Brenda Crocker, Paul and Leslie Bauer, Lonnie and Carol Poole Family Foundation, Southern Bank Foundation, State of North Carolina Treasury, Rocky Mount Community Foundation, Gerald and Melia Cox, and Guardian Corporation. Attendees had the opportunity to tour newly designed classrooms, faculty offices, simulation labs, study areas, and break rooms—all tailored to support the next generation of nursing professionals.
Special remarks were shared by NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff, who noted, “Five years ago we started making plans to launch a BSN Program and we were able to bring those plans to fruition with important hires, and the support of our community and dedicated donors.” underscoring the impact and importance of this new program to the region. He shared how the facility began as bank facility, was then donated to Wesleyan, and has since then been utilized for other purposes. It was decided that it would become Wesleyan’s mission to “focus all energy on converting this building to a state-of-the- art Nursing Education Facility”.
The ceremony concluded with an official ribbon cutting, symbolizing the beginning of an exciting new chapter in NCWU’s commitment to advancing healthcare education and serving the needs of eastern North Carolina.
A second Open House will be held on Wednesday, April 16, for faculty, staff, and other invited guests to view the facilities and learn more about the BSN program.
For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at NCWU, please visit https://ncwu.edu/academics/majors-minors/nursing/.
