The Decree - March 2024

For Exemplary Teacher It’s All about Giving Back entrepreneur, with his own barbershop in Kansas City. Sam served four years in the army, earned a BS in management and now works at a VA Hospital in accounts receivable. He is also a master trainer, facilitating professional development training for employees. Shawn, an entrepreneur, has his own marketing firm and handles all of the marketing needs for several companies. Q: Tell us about a favorite childhood memory. A: My favorite memory is going on vacation with my mom and my siblings. While I was raised in a single-parent home, my mom always exposed us to life. We took annual vacations. It was always fun to visit the beach or to theme parks with my siblings. We weren’t rich in terms of money but we were wealthy because we had each other. Q: What most interested you in high school? A: I would say it was my career education class. We met in the classroom Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, we were placed at an organization of our choice. I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, so I was placed at an elementary school with disabled children. I enjoyed working with those students as they gave me life and a sense of purpose. From that moment on, I set my sights on becoming a teacher. Q: Describe your own college experiences. A: I was a stay-at-home mom while I pursued my undergraduate degree. My children were very active in sports. My “extra-curricular activities” included transporting them to their games. My daughter played basketball, and my son played football and baseball. When I pursued my master’s, I worked as a correctional case manager for six years at the largest women’s state prison in North Carolina. Six months after I completed my master’s, I started my Ph.D. while continuing to work at the women’s prison. Once I started the dissertation phase, I decided to resign from the prison and focus on my studTheDecree NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804 since 1960 “of, by, and for the Wesleyan community.” March 29, 2024 Last year was one to remember for Dr. Katrina Sweet as the business professor and Wesleyan alum was granted tenure and earned the 2023 Exemplary Teacher Award. Born in Tarboro, Dr. Sweet grew up in Princeville and attended Tarboro High School. A 2005 Wesleyan graduate, she majored in criminal justice and then earned a master’s degree in public administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management (DeVry University) and a Ph.D. in business from Capella University. She holds certification in nonprofit management from Duke University. Dr. Sweet, 50, joined the Wesleyan faculty in 2014 as an adjunct instructor and in 2017 she was hired as an assistant professor of business administration. She now teaches in the Wesleyan undergraduate and MBA programs; her courses include: Principles of Management, Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, International Business, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Management, and Crisis Leadership. The Decree interviewed Dr. Sweet in February for the following profile that covers her early life, her late husband’s cancer diagnosis, and her teaching career at her alma mater. Q: Let’s talk about your early life. Where were you born? De- scribe your hometown. A: I was born in Tarboro. But I grew up in a small town known as Princeville. The town was established in 1865 by free slaves after the Civil War. It was then known as Freedom Hill. The town was incorporated in 1885 and was the first independently governed African American commu- nity charted in the United States. Q: Tell us about your family. A: While my mother and father never married, I have a close relationship with both of them. My father served in the army for eight years. When he made the decision not to re-enlist, he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, and worked at a VA Hospital for 30 years as the head chef. He retired 10 years ago and grew his own businesses in lawn care business and janitorial services. My mom is an administrative support specialist at Edgecombe County Health Department. She has worked for the county for 31 years and plans to retire in December. She is also a certified nursing assistant and worked in that area for several years. Prior to becoming a nursing assistant, she was a team leader at Black & Decker and was with the company for 21 years. My mother had four children, and I’m the second oldest child. My older sister’s name is Tina, my baby sister is Stacey, and my baby brother is Curtis. Tina is an LPN for a state facility in Granite Falls. Stacey has a BS in accounting from North Carolina A & T and serves as an executive administrative assistant for the vice president of Brightspeed. Curtis is a correctional officer for a state prison in Virginia. I’m my father’s oldest child. I have three brothers, Virgil, Sam III, and Shawn. Virgil is an Dr. Katrina Sweet Photo courtesy K. Sweet ies and writing my dissertation. I did work part-time at a nonprofit, tutoring elementary and middle grade students in their core subjects—math, science, language arts and social studies. Q: What was your best trait as a college student? A: I would say it was resiliency. I was faced with many obstacles as a college student. My resiliency allowed me to stay focused and complete my degree when all odds were against me. My grandfather —my dad’s father—passed away during the time I was in college. His only granddaughter, I was really close to him. It was a hard time and I was really sad. My grandfather was like a father to me. When I was a child, my dad was in the military, so I spent a great deal of my time with my grandparents. I knew that education was important to my grandfather. While he had only an eighth-grade education, he wanted more for his children and grandchildren. An entrepreneur, he owned a dry cleaner, a convenience store, and a cab company. He always instilled in us the importance of education. I wanted to make him proud and honor his legacy by finishing what I started. I feel like I’m living his legacy because I’m an entrepreneur at heart. Q: What was the biggest mis- take you made as a student? A: It was not believing in myself. My biggest fear was not that I was inadequate but that I was powerful beyond measures. I think this held me back in many ways because I feared I would not fit in with my peers. I pushed myself but I didn’t push myself to my fullest poten- tial. I remember (former Wesleyan Criminal Justice Professor) Mark Stevens challenging me because he knew that I had potential. Q: Talk more about your inter- est in teaching. A: When I was in high school, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I didn’t have an interest in teaching on the university level until the last semester of my grad program. One of my professors allowed students to lecture in some of the classes. We enjoyed learning from our peers and working through challenging problems with each other. There again, one of my professors saw something in me that I did not. He encouraged me to pursue my Ph.D. because he thought I would be great teaching on the university level. Q: Who was your favorite teacher and why? A: Ms. Bachelor, my first-grade teacher, at Princeville Elementary, was my favorite. She reminded me of my grandmother. She was loving and sweet, yet firm. She believed in us and made us believe that we were smart and could do anything and be anything we wanted to be. Q: What attracted you to Wes- leyan in the first place and what keeps you here? A: Wesleyan is home to me. I graduated from Wesleyan in 2005. I remembered my experience as a student, the small class size and the one-on-one interaction with my professors. I also love the community and Rocky Mount. I moved to Rocky Mount in 1996. I raised my children here and bought a home here. Wesleyan gave so much to me. It was the foundation of my education and teaching here is one of the ways that I can give back to students and the community. Q: What’s your favorite class to teach and why? A: My favorite is Human Resource Management. I enjoy advocating for people and creating value for stakeholders. A company must care about their people and not just the operation. HR is more than a department that hires and terminates. HR is a business within a business that offers three product lines: administrative service, business service, and business partner. Q: How do you know when a class is going well? A: It’s going well when students are engaged and want to be in class. I can tell that they want to be there because when class is over, they do not want to leave. I have to make them leave. I also know class is going well when students ask me about careers in the specialized subjects that I am teaching. Finally, I know class is going well when I observe students applying concepts and theory they learned in class in a practical setting: case studies, current events, projects, or internships. Q: How do you deal with a student who you feel is underachieving? A: I’m very patient with students that are underachieving; however, my standards and expectations don’t change for them. I don’t accept excuses. I find a way to tap into their passion and help them see beyond the current discussion and assign- ment. I always try to help them think about their future. I accomplish this by doing a number of things: • I help students set short-terms goals and celebrate those short wins as they accomplish those goals. Students have to experience short term gratification in order to see the benefit of persevering. • I teach students how to dream. I remind students if they can see what they want to become they will become it. The mind is powerful and I teach students how to apply that creativity to their personal dream of earning an undergraduate degree. • Ben Carson (the physician and former presidential candidate) says our brain is a powerful organ. It can remember everything you’ve ever heard and it can process more than two million bits of informa- tion in one second. With that said, I let my students know that if they have a brain, they can learn and apply what they have learned. Q: You’re known for mentoring stu- dents at Wesleyan. What do you think the key is to effective mentorship? A: I like to use the acronym RACE: relatable, approachable, caring, and empathy. Students want someone that can relate to them. I can relate to them not only as a student, but as an individual. I’m also approachable. Students aren’t afraid to approach and talk to me. They feel comfortable talking to me about anything. When I talk to students, I make them feel as if they’re the most important person in my world at that time. I lean into my people skills. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This quote See SWEET pg 5 Easter Memories: Of Family Gatherings, Church and Yellow Peeps Dr. Andrew Stern is a professor of religious studies. A Catholic, the Asheville native is married to Laura Wacker Stern, a Methodists Minister who is pastor to a congregation in Apex. Their three kids spend a lot of time in church during Easter Week. Q. For you, how does Easter compare to Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other holidays? A. Easter involves a lot of time with family and a lot of eating. Easter doesn’t have all the commercial aspects of Christmas, though, so that’s nice. It also gen- erally involves pollen, though. Q. When you were growing up in Asheville, what were some of your family’s Easter traditions? A. I was raised a Catholic, so Easter always involved a lot of time in church. It began 40 days earlier with Ash Wednesday, when we all went to church and received ashes on our heads to re- mind us of our mortality. During the 40 days, a period called Lent, we all tried to give up bad habits and collect money for charities. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday, when we would all process into the church waving palm branches. On Holy Thursday, there was always Mass with a symbolic foot-washing service, and on Good Friday, there was a service commemorating Jesus’s death. There was another service in the evening on Saturday, but we usually skipped that because it was very long. Easter Sunday, we of course went to church in the morning and spent the rest of the day with our family. Q. What foods did your family always serve at Easter? A. We often had ham, until we all became vegetarian, which required some improvisation. I remember spanakopita one year-- that was a big hit. Q. How do you vote on yellow peeps—up or down? A. I love all Peeps, regardless of color. In fact, I just bought some Dr. Pepper-flavored peeps, which I’m looking forward to trying. Q. What’s a favorite Easter memory from your childhood? A. My grandfather always made us take lots of family pictures, always in our itchy church clothes, and always with the sun in our faces. Usually, there were bugs harassing us as well. One year, we must have been taking pictures for an hour when someone noticed that he hadn’t taken off the lens cap. It certainly wasn’t funny at the time, but now, it’s a very nice memory. Q. Now that you have a family of your own, discuss your traditions that you’ve established. A. We still spend a lot of time in church, especially because my wife and I go to different ones—she’s a pastor of a Methodist church in the Raleigh area. My kids and I always go to my church on Good Friday, because that service involves venerating the cross--everyone comes forward and either kisses or places a hand on the cross. It’s a very moving ritual, but my wife’s church doesn’t do it. On Easter, we all generally go to my wife’s church for a sunrise service, which is held outside in the cemetery, and then we usually go back for the 11 a.m. service. My wife preaches, of course, and she does a great job. In the early afternoon, the extended family comes to our house for lunch. No one has time to cook, so we usually pick up food from a Mediterranean restaurant the day before. In the early afternoon, we have an Easter egg hunt in the yard with hundreds of eggs. Between my kids and their cousins, it’s pandemonium. Professor Andrew Stern. B. Grattan photo

Staff Writers Kennedy Clark Rafael Farina Valentina Rabino Albert Sitwell Special Contributors Carl Lewis Shane Thompson Faculty Advisor Dr. William Grattan 179 Braswell • Phone: 985-5336 Email: [email protected] staff The Decree since 1960 “of, by, and for the Wesleyan community.” 2 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 March 29, 2024 WESLEYAN PROFILES Profile: Sherfield Smith—Defensive Lineman, Poet, Refuge Leader By Kennedy Clark Decree Staff Writer Sherfield Smith wore a smile as I walked into the well-lit chapel, his presence immediately drawing my attention. Around a small circle at the center of the room, about ten chairs were arranged neatly for attendees, creating an intimate setting. As others joined, Smith welcomed each one with a warm hug. Wearing a Refuge member leadership shirt, his white attire bore the inscription, “Pray with me, don’t play with me.” Yet, it was his choice of footwear that added a touch of personal flair to his ensemble. Smith sported a pair of vibrant red Jordans. Sherfield Traqez Smith was born on March 15, 2002 in Washington, North Carolina. But he grew up in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the middle child of five sisters and one brother. His mother’s name is Beatrice Louise Smith. Only one sister is from his mom’s side. He shares a favorite memory with one of his sisters, Skylah. He enjoyed watching anime with her. As a child his favorite video game was “Call of Duty.” At the time he was a lot less interested in outdoor activities. “I hated sports with a passion,” said Smith, now a member of the Wesleyan football team. “I was a very lazy kid.” He preferred gaming over sports. His sister’s dad told him he was too fat and lazy to just play video games. If it wasn’t for his stepdad, foot- ball would never have been an option. Growing up in West Philadelphia was a good experience. “It was a lot more dangerous, but I felt safe,” said Smith. The family made good money and Smith spoke of how he had new shoes and fresh clothes, and what apartment life was like. “We had the biggest rats you’ve ever seen, but it was fun,” he said. Recalling Fourth of July celebrations in West Philly, Smith noted that locals didn’t shoot off fireworks. Smith said they would go outside in the street and shoot their guns. “Once you heard the shooting, everyone would run back inside, so the shells wouldn’t land on them,” he said. In Philadelphia, the lifestyle presented a stark contrast. Smith took some time to elaborate on the intricacies of transportation in the city as well. “You walked everywhere. Here in North Carolina, people would drive down the road for a mile, but in Philadelphia walking was normal,” said Smith. While still young, Smith moved back to North Carolina. And there were many adjustments. “I had to unlearn some old habits,” he said. For one, he needed to slow down his speed of talking. And he described how in Philadelphia people didn’t make eye contact. “You don’t say hi to people,” he said. “You don’t greet them. If you look at someone too long, that’s basically a threat. They would want to fight you.” Despite the more aggressive demeanors in his old hometown, Smith said he missed certain aspects of living there. “I liked Philadelphia because people were honest,” he said. “Down here, people would have fake kindness and lie to you, talk behind your back.” Smith acknowledged hardships during his early years in North Carolina. His middle school experience was rough, as Smith had to contend with bullying. The bullying started, he explained, because he was short and overweight. He was called various names such as “Papa Bear.” Dealing with the spread of rumors and mental health issues, Smith said his life reached a crisis point. “Middle school was terrible,” he said. He described a time when he attempted to take his own life. He recalled a phone ringing. He put the knife down to answer the phone to discover no one was on the other line. He believed that this phone call was God communicating to him, saying “That was God saying, ‘hey stupid, you’re here for a reason. Let’s get through this thing together before you do something stupid,’” Smith said. In high school, Smtih found solace and enjoyment through football. “I enjoyed it and was good at it,” Smith said, “but I was very self-conscious about whether I was good enough.” It was during his time in North Carolina that Smith became interested in artistic expression. It began with drawing; he became so interested in drawing that he thought he might eventually go to art school. But then he injured his finger while playing football and his skills diminished. “It was never the same,” he said. From drawing, Smith moved to writing, and poetry became an outlet for him. He had been conditioned to think “men don’t cry, they suck it up.” As a result, he started to write his feelings down, which helped him get through the bullying and depression. “Without writing, without the pen and pad, I don’t know if I would have gotten through it,” said Smith. Poetry has continued to this day, and he gives thanks to God for giving him the ability to write. When it came time to decide on a college, he chose Wesleyan because they had the degree he wanted, and it allowed him to continue playing track and field along with football. “So, I could get my education and be an athlete,” said Smith. On the football team, his position is defensive tackle and defensive end, while in track he participates in the field events as a “thrower.” Smith began his Wesleyan football career during Covid-19. His first game was a lot of fun but scary, he said. He can still recall his nervousness, a mix of excitement and anxiety as he stepped onto the field. “You forget you’re playing as grown men,” he said. “The tempo was faster than in high school. It was quicker, but I caught on very quickly.” It was also during his freshman year that Smith met Key Strickland, his girlfriend of two years. The two met in their Writing Two course. But the friendship didn’t turn romantic until their sophomore year. “I saw her in the library,” Smith recalled, “and I went up to her and I asked for her number in the corniest way possible. I said, ‘Hey, Key, are you busy?’ She said ‘No.’ I said, ‘OK, well I lost something; can you help me find it?’ She said ‘Sure.’ And I said, ‘I lost my number so can I have yours?’” The couple have stuck by each other since their first meeting, Smith said. Smith said that his involvement in church began after he relocated to North Carolina and he has continued his passion for religion while at Wesleyan through Refuge Club. “I love Refuge because it’s my home away from home,” said Smith. He went on to explain that the meaning of refuge is shelter, and that is his way of identifying how he wants the club to impact others. He wanted to find a spot where believers and non-believers could come together under the safety of God. “My goal is to glorify God in everything that I do,” said Smith. He hopes that the more people come and open their hearts to God they will find solace. “Refuge is like Vegas,” he quipped, “what hap- pens at Refuge stays at Refuge.” A dual major in English and religious studies, Smith expects to have a beautiful life. He plans to become a high school teacher, a coach, a preacher and an author. As soon as he gets a job, he wants to put a ring on Strickland’s finger. Smith would like to have a family, with his own children and adoptees. “I’ve always dreamt of being a father even before I knew what a father was,” he said. Smith believes every child deserves to be loved. Sherfield Smith Photo courtesy K. Clark “Food Truck Friday” has become a popular weekly happening at Wesleyan. B. Grattan photos Wesleyan Profile: Aspiring Veterinarian Roberta Vulcano By Valentina Rabino Decree Staff Writer When you reach Roberta Vulcano’s room, you’ll find a door with a sign framed like the yellow and violet logo of the TV show “Friends.” The sign includes the letters R.A. (for resident advisor) and her name. Once inside, you’ll see a room decorated with bright colors. There’s a bed with a set of flowered sheets on one side, her desk on the other. On the shelves she has stocked perfumes such as Victoria Secret and Billie Eilish; along with makeup brushes. On the wall there are two license plates with her name, as well as different types of posters hand- made by Vulcano. Warm sunlight enters through the window, giving just the right amount of brightness to see every inch of the room. Born on May 28, 2001, Vulcano is a senior from Italy. She was born in Manta, a town of 2,000 inhabitants, close to the mountains, in the northern part of the country. Her town was so small that she had to go to another town to attend school, since her town didn’t have one. Vulcano grew up with both of her parents and her older brother, who is now 24 and making a life in Switzerland. Her life changed last summer when her family decided to adopt Fulvio, who came from an abusive family. Before becoming part of the Vulcano family, Fulvio was raised by two different families, including one that mistreated the boy, now 15. As a result, the Vulcano family decided to foster Fulvio, who already had a bond with Roberta’s mom. From that day on, the Vulcano family filled all the documents for them to adopt him. “The documents show that we’re fostering him but committed to adopting,” Vulcano said. “He adapted to the family very well and we’re very happy with him.” Vulcano’s mother works as an art therapist, while her father is the town’s mayor as well as an instructor at the local ski center. It’s the same center that Roberta had some of her best memories as a child. “We used to go every Sunday to ski,” she said. As a youth, Vulcano was close to her grandparents, spending a month each summer at their beach house. She said that she liked to cook with her grandmother and exchange recipes. “I have a good a relationship with my grandma, a good cooking relationship,” she said. Vulcano found a passion for animals at an early age. When she was 4, she recalled that she began to ride horses and loved it. As she got older, she found it difficult to pay for her interest in riding. “I couldn’t really afford to ride horses,” she said, “so I started cleaning the stables in exchange to ride for free.” Vulcano first came to the United States during high school, when she spent her senior year as an exchange student in Colorado. She reported that her host family chose her due to another interest that she had developed, theater and musicals. “It was amazing, the best year of my life. I loved it!” she said, remembering taking trips with her host family to Ari- zona and the Grand Canyon, Chicago, New York, New Mexico, Orlando and Los Angeles. After this experience, Vulcano didn’t hesitate to come back to the United States for her university career. Due to her dream of becoming a veterinarian, Vulcano knew that better opportunities existed outside her native country. She had always wanted to work with horses, cows and sheep but realized that in Italy there’s a prejudice against women in that field because they’re not considered strong enough to handle the bigger animals. During the past three years, Vulcano has enjoyed her time at Wesleyan. She said her favorite course was microbiology taught by Dr. Heather Louch. “Her teaching method was very useful for us to learn,” Vulcano said, noting the professor relied on “a lot of projects” rather than exams. A member of Wesleyan’s honors program, Vulcano also enjoyed her mythology class, taught by Dr. Lee Templeton. “I love mythology,” she said. Despite her positive experience at Wesleyan, Vulcano believes there should be more cross-cultural activity. “We don’t really have that many interactions with Americans or the American experience,” she said. When she’s not doing school work, Vulcano enjoys going for walks, reading and hanging out with her friends. If she was in Italy, she said, she would spend her free time in the stables with the horses. “Even if I don’t ride the horses,” she said, “I just go and hang out there sometimes.” While the distance from family and friends is undeniably tough, what Vulcano has missed the most about Italy, apart from her family, is the food. In particular she misses her grandmother’s homemade lasagna. Without hesitation, Vulcano shared a strong opinion about American restaurants, such as Olive Garden, that pretend to serve Italian food. “They just think it’s Italian food,” she said. “It’s American Italian food, that’s for sure. They don’t understand how it’s supposed to be.” Yet, at this point, Vulcano is not eager to return to Italy after he graduates next fall. She believes that her native country has a retrograde mindset. “Misogynistic, racist, homophobic—let’s just say it’s not very progressive,” she said. Along with the politics, there are high taxes and a lack of job opportunities to consider, she said. As much as she would like to stay in the United States, Vulcano pointed out that studying to become a vet can be very expensive for an international student. It’s so expensive she believes it’s impossible to keep studying here. “There’s not many scholarships for international students,” she said. “It’s hard to get into vet school even as an American because it’s a very competitive field.” She added that most American vet schools allot half their slots for inhabitants of their state. That leaves residents of other states and internationals to compete for the remaining slots. See VULCANO pg 5 Roberta Vulcano Photo courtesy R. Vulcano

Q: What’s your educational background? A: I graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High and then attended NC State and NC Wesleyan. I have degrees in both mathematics and accounting. Q: What personal traits are most important for an individual in your position? A: Organization--We have many responsibilities and we need to make sure that we stay organized so that everything gets completed in a timely manner. Compassion is important because our job is to help students and it’s easier to help if you have some type of understanding of what they’re experiencing. We also rely on our critical thinking skills because there are times that we have to think outside of the box to assist a student with a particular need. Q: What do you like most about working at Wesleyan? A: I really like the people. I also enjoy the holiday breaks that we get because it gives me the opportunity to spend time with my family. Q: What’s your approach to dealing with angry or frustrated students and parents? A: Just listen to them vent and try to remember that they probably aren’t mad with me but with the situation. After allowing them to vent, I try to work with them to find a solution that works for both them and the university. Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? A: When I’m not at work, I’m spend- ing time with my family. We enjoy outside activities, doing puzzles, playing games and the occasional traveling. Q: What are your favorites among the following? • Sports Teams: I don’t really have a favorite team, but I enjoy watching football and baseball. • Music: 90’s bands and Contemporary Christian. • TV Shows: “Bones,” “Blue Bloods,” “Bridgerton,” “Sweet Mag- nolias” and “The Big Bang Theory.” • Movies: “Dirty Dancing,” “The Christmas Story” and “Harry Potter.” • Social-Media: I use Facebook to keep up with family members that live out of town and I like watching TicTok videos. • Meal: I don’t really have a fa- vorite meal but if I had to choose a favorite food it would be venison. standing for their situation. • Resourcefulness: After hearing their story and understanding the situation, you then have to think about how to best help the student. Sometimes it takes you researching the Department of Education regulations, or just talking to another financial aid advisor about it. Q: What do you like most about working at Wesleyan? A: Holiday breaks, snow days, and Ms. Gail Fields. Q: What’s your approach to dealing with angry or frustrated students and parents? A: Many times they’re angry or frustrated due to confusion. Once you allow them to vent and cooler heads can now process information, you’re able to break down actions that have already happened and what steps are needed to give us the best conclusion at that point. Most confusion is due to a lack of understanding and many times that would have been relieved by following up with communication sent to the student and/or parent. Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? A: I enjoy playing with my dog, Piper, hanging with friends, and watching movies and shows. I’ve been a Sunday school teacher since 2009 at Pines Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, in Pinetops. Q: You drive a cool car. Tell us about it: A: It’s a 2010 Chevy Camaro. I got it on Friday, November 13, 2009. I never been a car person, but I wanted a Camaro from the time I saw my neighbor’s blue Camaro in high school. Then in college the Mustang came out with its new body type in 2005-06 and I really liked a Cobalt Blue model. I found one in 2009 and the sales guy didn’t take me seriously. So in October 2009, my dad and I were driving through Wilson and passed the Chevy dealership and I asked him to stop because the Camaro finally changed the body type too and I was hooked. Q: What are your favorites among the following? • Sports Teams: Duke Blue Devils, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Yankees. • Musical Artists & Genres: Shania Twain, Kanye West, HipHop/R&B. •TV Shows: “The Big Bang Theory,” “Avatar: The Last Air Bender,” “Big Brother,” and “Young Sheldon.” • Movies: All the “Harry Potters,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Star Wars,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” MCU, and “Pulp Fiction” (my fave). • Social Media: @AverageJo- eLambo: I Love TicTok, and I keep in touch with family and friends on Instagram and Facebook. •Meal: Chicken and rice in all their variations. Whether it is arroz con pollo, Chinese fried rice with chicken wings, jerk chicken with rice and peas, hibachi chicken and rice, or just homemade boiled chicken and rice, I love it. Leah Hill, Director of Financial Aid Q: When did you begin at NC Wesleyan? A: 2010 Q: Describe your hometown. A: I grew up in Philadelphia, a major contrast to Rocky Mount. With a population exceeding one March 29, 2024 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 3 WESLEYAN PROFILES A painting by Tamela Stith on display in the Gravely Gallery B. Grattan photo For Financial Aid Team, Job Requires Patience, Empathy ReOtis Anderson At a time of rising college costs, Wesleyan’s Financial Aid staff brings more than 30 years of combined experience to the job while addressing the needs of Wesleyan students. The Decree presents the following profiles of the threemember office: ReOtis Lamont Anderson, Financial Aid Advisor Q: When did you begin work at NC Wesleyan? A: December 2016. Q: Describe your hometown. A: Pinetops, North Carolina (aka The Center of the Universe). I love my hometown and the surrounding area; my family and friends come from there. Q: Tell us about your family. A: My parents have been married for over 40 years and are now retired. I have six siblings, and I’m the youngest. Q: Growing up, what was it like as the youngest of seven kids—did you take your lumps, get ignored, or were you spoiled? A: I was so much younger than my brothers and sisters, and many times people thought they were my parents. From about 5 years old, I was the only kid in the house. So I was definitely spoiled but I got all the attention as well (whether warranted or not). So if I did anything bad, all attention was on me. Q: What’s a favorite memory from your childhood? A: Summer League baseball, and I’m 11 years old. Bottom of the 9th ending, two outs, two runners on base, with a count of three balls and two strikes: I hit the game-winning line drive between the shortstop and second baseman, to score two runs and win the game by one. Q: What’s your educational background? A: Southwest Edgecombe High School (’04), East Carolina University (’08) with a BS in business administration and a concentration in accounting and finance. Q: Where do you find inspiration in life, particularly when you’re facing a challenge? A: When facing challenges, my course of action is to be patient. Take on the problem but do so in small steps. When I try to fix a big problem, many times I miss the small things I should have seen and it ends up causing more problems. So, I break the situation down and fix what can be fixed now. It may take longer, but in the end the problem is fixed. So when another challenge comes, I look back at my previous challenge to inspire me to face the new one. Q: What personal traits are most important for an individual in your position? • Integrity: You have to be very honest with students about their financial, personal, and scholastic information and how they tie together. A lot of times, those are very uncomfortable talks, but necessary for the betterment of a student. • Compassion: With having those uncomfortable talks, you have to show empathy for that individual and find some type of undermillion, it has a deep historical legacy, a vibrant diversity in people and food, abundant entertainment options, and convenient public transportation that facilitates access to various city locations. Philadelphia offers a plethora of activities and events offering diverse experiences. Q: Tell us about your family. A: My family consists of me, my mother and my aunt. Q: What’s a favorite memory from your childhood? A: One unforgettable memory revolves around the value I’ve always placed on serving others. This was exemplified in coordinating citywide community service initiatives during Philadelphia’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr “Day of Service” alongside other high school students from Philadelphia’s public, parochial, and independent schools. The collective impact was profound and meaningful. Q: What’s your educational background? A: I attended Springside School in Philadelphia. I earned a B.A. in sociology at NC Wesleyan and an M.A. in higher education leadership and ad- ministration from Capella University. Q: What’s the most adversity you’ve faced in your life? A: I would say that one significant trial I faced was being unexpectedly removed from a long-held position. I opted to persevere and excel in my new role while actively seeking alternative opportunities. This experience has instilled in me an understanding of my own value and reinforced my trust in God. It has also emphasized the importance of discerning who truly supports you, as not everyone may have your best interests at heart. Q: Describe a typical day: A: I normally start by checking emails and reviewing any urgent matters that require immediate attention. I will read NASFAA (National Association for Financial Aid Administrators) and other higher education news to stay informed about changes in financial aid laws and regulations. I communicate updates to the staff and others on campus. Sometimes I might hold a brief staff meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding tasks, deadlines, and priorities. On occasion, I’ll meet with students and their families to discuss financial aid options and provide guidance on completing financial aid forms and exploring scholarship opportunities. I also prepare reports for senior management, accrediting agencies, and government entities as required. Often I attend meetings with other departments, such as admis- sions and academic affairs, to coordinate efforts, provide input on our role in a specific Wesleyan event and address cross-functional issues. Throughout the day, I may address challenges or conflicts that arise and work with staff, students, and others to resolve issues in a timely manner. Before wrapping up for the day, I will review progress on ongoing projects and prepare a to-do list for the next day. Q: What personal traits are most important for an individual in your position? A: Good communication, problem solving skills and empathy. Being knowledgeable about financial aid policies, regulations, and funding sources is essential. And it’s vital to effectively communicate complex financial information to students, parents, and colleagues. As a director, I must be able to troubleshoot issues and hopefully find solutions to problems that arise for students regarding their financial aid packages or eligibility. Students and families are often under stress due to financial concerns. Understanding those challenges requires empathy, sensitivity, and support to help them achieve their educational goals. Q: What do you like most about working at Wesleyan? A: What I find most fulfilling about working here is the bond we establish with students. It goes beyond our roles, allowing us to build meaningful relationships. I especially value the moments when former students reach out to share their remarkable achievements, highlighting the lasting impact of our connections. Q: What’s your approach to dealing with angry or frustrated students and parents? A: My approach is to maintain composure, actively listen, and demonstrate empathy. It’s important to move past their initial emotions to understand the underlying issue to hopefully work towards a solution. Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? A: I like to read, travel and par- ticipate in community service. Q: What are your favorites among the following: • Sports Teams: Philadelphia Eagles. • Music: I like most genres of music. • TV Shows: There are several shows that I can watch repeat- edly: “Golden Girls,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Will Trent” and “Reacher.” • Cuisine: If it tastes good, then I will try it. Lynne Patterson, Financial Aid Advisor Q: When did you begin work at NC Wesleyan? A: October 2012. Q: Describe your hometown: A: I grew up in Rocky Mount. Q: Tell us about your family. A: My parents have been married for 47 years. I have a younger sister who is an account at NC State; she’s married and has a 5-year-old daughter. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for 14 years and we have an 11-year-old daughter. Q: What’s a favorite memory from your childhood? A: One of my favorite memories was summer vacations. My dad worked a lot, but we always took one week and traveled all over the eastern United States. Each year we went somewhere different but we always did one fun thing and one educational thing. Financial Aid Director Leah Hill Photos courtesy of Financial Aid Staff Lynne Patterson

Dani Sahannie Cape Town, South Africa Dani Sahannie said that Easter in South Africa is observed like it is in America with great anticipation and excitement. Families prepare for the holiday by stockpiling Easter chocolates and other necessities in the days preceding Easter. Since Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, families can spend more time together over the weekend. Easter is a time for South African families to get together and strengthen their relationships with one another. Making the most of the extended weekend, many families travel to catch up with friends and relatives. Some families paint Easter eggs, while others have a traditional Sunday lunch as well as egg hunts on Easter Sunday. “Families really look forward to these activities,” she said. The Bishops cheerleader revealed that her family has changed how it observes the religious aspects of Easter over the years, noting that she and her family identify as Christians. “As we’ve grown older, life became busier and we didn’t attend church as often as in the past,” Sahannie said, adding that her faith has not wavered, and she still finds comfort in her Anglican background. The egg hunt is a valued Easter tradition in the Sahannie family. These Easter egg hunts have brought delight and excitement for many years, whether organized by a family friend dressed as the Easter Bunny, or by parents who concealed eggs around the house. The Easter egg hunts became harder as the she and her brothers got older, leaving the family with timeless recollections of laughter and good times. “This tradition has been carried on for years,” she said. “and to this day, if possible, we do an Easter egg hunt.” At one point family friends joined the Sahannie family in the celebration. “The fathers created a sort of Easter egg treasure hunt, with clues and riddles we had to solve to find the eggs,” she explained. “The friends had a large farm, so it took us a while to find the eggs, and we all had so much fun.” Sahannie and her brothers were ardent believers in the Easter Bunny as kids. Whether it was through elaborate stories or the random appearance of a costumed friend, their parents would go to tremendous lengths to preserve the magic of Easter. Isabella Gastelumendi Lima, Perú A native of Peru, Isabella Gastelumendi starts her holiday celebration on Easter Sunday, which starts with a trip to church, where families gather Wesleyan Students Share Easter Rituals from around the World “I used to love candy,” he said. “It was good.” Asked about the Easter Bunny, he joked, “I stopped believing in the Easter Bunny about two years ago.” Candela Conde Buenos Aires, Argentina Candela Conde shared that Eas- ter in Argentina is a time for fam- ily bonding over simple pleasures. She gathers with her parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and other extended family members. “It’s not like a big celebration, but we see it as an excuse for the family to get together,” she said. She said Argentinians enjoy the company of their loved ones while eating traditional dishes like empanadas and grilled asado. Everyone plays a part in preparing the shared meal, add- ing to the enjoyment. “I always helped my mother to make the empanadas,” Conde said, noting that their heritage is rich and diverse, and it is reflected in the symphony of flavors that make up her family meals. Easter might bring up images of elaborate sweets and desserts, but in the Conde family, simplicity is king. Her parents would give a chocolate egg to every child and take pleasure in treating one another. They eat chocolate eggs from different brands, each member having a favorite. Conde said that “Kinder” is her favorite one and that she sticks to “the classics.” The mathematics major added that she used to make her own chocolate eggs for Easter. “I used to do like half of a chocolate egg and fill it with dulce de leche (a caramelized sweet) and a lot of things inside such as cookies,” she explained. Conde pointed out that her family’s religious views differ. While some members only see Easter as a chance for family time, others see it through a reli- gious perspective. “I used to go to a Catholic school, so my side of the family is religious, but that’s not true of every member of the family,” she said. “My mom doesn’t really care much about religion, but my dad does.” Still there is mutual understanding and respect for one another’s beliefs, despite differences in personal viewpoints, Conde said. To ensure that everyone feels valued and welcomed, inclusivity is essential. “It’s not that if you are not religious, you cannot come; of course that’s not the case,” she explained. Conde, the youngest child, recalled her older siblings’ playful antics as it was her older brother and sister who shattered her belief in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. “They would tell me Santa Claus is not real and all those kinds of things,” she said, taking pleasure in the memory. In the South, where customs are deeply ingrained, religious rituals are frequently more highly valued than in the North. Common religious rituals include Masses, Easter Vigils, processions portraying Christ’s Passion, and the sacrament of penance. His family did not participate in all religious activities, but they did celebrate Easter with Mass and family get-togethers, Fanzaga said, adding, “It’s a joyful and festive celebration.” Even though he is now living in another country, Fanzaga considers himself very close to his family back in Italy. He recalled past Easters that involved get-togethers with his family at the home of his maternal grandparents. “It was always a moment of great joy and happiness for me,” he said. He said that one of the highlights of Easter was opening a gigantic chocolate egg that his uncle, the director of a well-known Italian chocolate company, gifted him. “On Easter day, after lunch, we take a hammer, break the egg and eat chocolate all together,” he said of the family’s tradition. While the Easter Bunny isn’t a common symbol in his region of Italy, chocolate rabbits often make an appearance as a nod to the holiday. “I often received and ate chocolate rabbits as a symbol,” he said. “But I never believed in the Easter Bunny.” Finlay Evans Llangollen, UK Finlay Evans, a native of Wales in the United Kingdom, celebrates Easter evenings with his family, cooking large meals that include potatoes and other customary fare. “In Wales Easter Sunday is like a long dinner,” he said. “Reminiscent of Thanksgiving in America.” Although there are many Catholic families in Wales, not all of them strictly observe their religion. “We don’t go to church, but we are Catholic,” he said. For Evans, Easter is more about enjoying time with family and traditions than anything else. Even though some relatives might attend church, his festivities are centered more around secular traditions like the Easter egg hunt. Evans said that it’s the Easter Bunny’s presence that gives the celebrations in his native country an extra magical element. When kids wake up, they look forward to finding chocolate eggs hidden all over the house and yard. “One year I had loads, like 18 chocolate eggs,” said Evans, a member of the Wesleyan soccer team. His recollections are infused with nostalgia from childhood egg hunts and sibling rivalry, which reinforces the bonds of family and common experiences. Evans said he was a believer in the Easter Bunny until he was about 8. 4 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 EASTER OVERSEAS March 29, 2024 Candela Conde Photos courtesy of V. Rabino With Easter upon us, the Decree interviewed some Wesleyan students to learn more about the way Easter is observed Here worldwide. Here are their stories: Clay Wardius Wachapreague, Virginia For Clay Wardius and his family, Easter is a day filled with excitement, from morning egg hunts to leisurely lunches with loved ones. Their traditions reflect the essence of coastal living—simple, joyful, and deeply rooted in family ties. From church gatherings to beachside feasts, their celebrations are a testament to the enduring power of tradition and togetherness. Easter is a time for the Wardius family to get together and celebrate. Wardius and his older sister have a friendship that transcends siblinghood. Over the years they have gone on Easter egg hunts together, laughing together and making priceless memories that deepen their bonds as a family. The Wardius family observes Sundays as holy days, gathering for church services in their tight-knit coastal community. “It’s always really nice,” he said, noting that about 30-40 attend his family’s church. “It’s a good community environment.” After church, the Wardius family returns home to enjoy a meal that his mother has prepared. A variety of fresh vegetables surround the center piece, which is a savory ham. But Wardius shared that one of his favorite parts of the holiday tradition was eating leftover ham sandwiches in the week that follows Easter. For Wardius, a member of the Wesleyan baseball team, a favor- ite holiday memory was an Easter egg hunt held in a town park. “They hid tickets that matched to prizes like coolers and fishing gear,” he said, reflecting the close-knit sense of community that permeates his beach town. Though he liked to take part in the Easter egg hunt, he was always skeptical of the mythical Easter Bunny. “I believed in Santa,” he said. “But because I was into animals, I knew that couldn’t exist.” Andrea Fanzaga Milan, Italy For Andrea Fanzaga, Easter is not just a day but a week-long celebration of faith and introspection in his home country of Italy. Easter Sunday marks the conclusion of Holy Week, which starts on Palm Sunday. Proces- sions, special masses, and the “Passion Play” bring churches to life, attracting worshippers from all walks of life. “In Italy, Easter is a time when families come together to share traditional meals,” he said. “But these vary and are very personal.” The Fanzaga family does not follow a set menu, but Easter is always celebrated together. He described traditional Easter sweets such as chocolate eggs and colomba, a dove-shaped cake symbolizing peace and resurrection. “Easter eggs are an integral part of celebrations for us,” he said. “We joke that there is no age limit to be able to receive an egg!” Italy’s Easter religious cus- toms differ from place to place. to observe the holy day and consider its meaning. Attending church services is a common practice among Peruvian Catholics, symbolizing their devotion to their faith and the commemoration of Christ’s resurrection. “Yes, we are Catholic,” affirms the Lima native, highlighting the religious significance of Easter in their culture. After Mass it’s then time for celebrations at home, where parents usually hide chocolate eggs for their kids. “My parents would hide some chocolate eggs in the backyard,” she said. Little ones make treasured memories of excitement and laughter as they frantically look for the chocolate eggs. Siblings and cousins participate in the celebration as well, extending the tradition’s reach and promoting a sense of unity and camaraderie, Gastelumendi said. The day is capped off with a family barbecue. When Gastelumendi was a child, the family maintained the illusion of the Easter Bunny, with her four elder siblings leading the egg hunts and telling stories about the evasive bunny. This belief increased the joy and excitement of the holiday by bringing a creative and magical element to their Easter celebrations. “I believed in the Easter Bunny until I was like 8 years old,” said the marketing major Osei Kwame Darko Stockholm, Sweden Osei Kwame Darko, a Swede, said Easter is synonymous with gathering around the table with family to enjoy special dishes. The Easter table features a variety of foods, including potatoes, eggs, fish, and sometimes chicken. While the menu may vary, the spirit of the occasion remains the same: coming together to share a meal and celebrate the holiday. There is a religious difference between the mother’s side and the father’s side of his family. Even though his parents are divorced, the Wesleyan soccer player see his family situation in a positive light. “Since my parents got a divorce, I celebrate twice,” he said, highlighting how crucial it is to keep ties with both families. For Kwame Darko, Easter egg hunts are a beloved custom in Sweden, no matter his age. He said he still plays the game of hiding and searching for eggs with his mother. “She would tell me like if it’s ‘high, medium or low’ and I just have to look for it,” he said. Whether it’s laughing around the table or looking for hidden treasures, Easter becomes a time for the six siblings and their families to spend together and make happy memories. When he was younger, Kwame Darko was all about the sweets. By Valentina Rabino Decree Staff Writer Osei Kwame Darko Dani Sahannie Finlay Evans

North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 CAMPUS LIFE March 29, 2024 5 Nadia Simmons and the women’s basketball team fell to number-one seeded Southern Virginia, 69-41, in the USA South Tournament finals February 24. Posting a 14-4 conference record, the team qualified for the title game by beating Pfeiffer (69-54) and Methodist (57-49) in the first two rounds. On the men’s side, Wesleyan lost to Pfeiffer, 93-87, at home in the tournament’s opening round. Justin Burden scored 23 points to lead five Bishop players in double figures. C. Lewis photo Dr. Thompson Previews MLB Season: It’s Braves over Rays in World Series Shane Thompson, religious studies professor, Braves superfan and Baseball Fantasy League enthusiast, has made his predictions for the upcoming MLB season. And he’s thrown in a few other opinions along the way. Q: What most surprised you about last season? A: I’m not sure “surprised” is the right word, but I would say that two things stand out to me about last year. First, spending money still doesn’t equal success. On one end of the spectrum you had the Mets spending gargantuan sums and achieving nothing. On the other end, you had teams like Arizona and Baltimore adding affordable free agents to a young core of homegrown players and achieving success. It certainly makes me happy that baseball is still a sport in which you can succeed without having the biggest checkbook. Second, the playoffs were still a bit of a shock as we continue to get used to yet another round of an expanded postseason. As baseball is a sport in which any team can win on a given day, it’s not entirely shocking that the best teams don’t advance, but last year saw the best teams by and large eliminated very early. In a 162-game season, I do not like this. Why do we play so many games for basically every team over .500 to make the playoffs? (I know the answer to this…it’s money. But I don’t have to like it!). Q: What’s your take on the new rules, such as the pitch clock, that were implemented last season? A: I thought I would be annoyed by the pitch clock but it really didn’t bother me at all. In fact, I grew to like it for the most part. As an avid follower of college base- ball, I was already a bit used to it, so it wasn’t a complete shock. I certainly liked it when I’m sitting on the couch watching a game and wanting to go to sleep. I didn’t necessarily like it when I was attending games which are now substantially shorter but still cost the same amount of money. I also thought that the banned infield shift was, by and large, a success. I’m hoping that we slowly see baseball moving back to caring about “small ball” and not just the three true outcomes (i.e., homer, strikeout, walk). None of the new rules stand out as entirely bad for the game. I still continue to hate the expanded playoffs and the extrainnings “ghost-runner” but those were not new last year. Q: Highlight, and rank, some of the big trades and free-agent signings from the off-season. A: I suppose I have to place the LA Dodgers’ signing of Ohtani at #1. As of the timing of this article, though, it remains to be seen if the contract will last very long due to Ohtani’s supposed involvement in gambling. After that, I would highlight the Orioles additions of pitchers Corbin Burnes and Craig Kimbrel. The reigning Al East champions should build on their success with the additions of these two veteran stars. Many would include the Yankees’ addition of slugging outfielder Juan Soto in this list, but I’m not sure that he’s enough to really help them get over the hump. If they can’t sign him to a long-term deal, then this one is not super important. The Brewers’ additions of first baseman Rhys Hoskins and catcher Gary Sanchez will fly under the radar but should allow them to keep a hold on a weak NL Central. Similarly, the Astros addition of pitcher Josh Hader is a strong move to keep a stranglehold on the AL West. I’ll also note the Braves’ additions of outfielder Jarred Kelenic and pitcher Chris Sale. If Sale can stay healthy, then the Braves may have the best pitching staff in baseball, while a change of scenery for Kelenic could allow him to reach his all-world potential. Q: Pick, and rank, the three most outrageous contracts from the off-season (we might call it the “Jason Heyward Award”) A: #1-3 Ohtani. Look, I get that the dude is amazing. The problem is that he has already had two arm surgeries. I don’t see him pitching for too much longer. So at the end of the day the Dodgers paid $700 million for a DH. That’s just ridiculous. The team’s signing of pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto also stands out. It may end up being a great deal, but there are plenty of proven pitchers that could be signed for $300 million. We’ll see how this one plays out over the next decade. Aside from those, no deals really stand out from this offseason as being just terrible. Q: Identify players you think will emerge as stars this season. Who should fans watch for? A: Well I have to start with my boy, Rhett Lowder. Yes, as a Demon Deacon I’m biased, but Lowder should be in the rotation for a young, star-studded Reds lineup by this sum- mer. In a weak NL Central he could certainly help them compete for a division title. LSU pitcher Paul Skenes is also a name to watch for the Pirates. Another pitcher from last year’s draft class, he should make an immediate impact once he is called up. For those already in the league, look for Cincy’s Elly De La Cruz to continue to develop into the most exciting player in baseball. A dark horse here is Vaughn Grissom who could develop into an All-Star now that he will have regular playing time with Boston. Q: What are your predictions for division, league pennant and World Series champ? NL (Senior Circuit) • NL East – This is the Braves’ division until someone says otherwise. • NL Central – The Brewers will once again win a mediocre division. • NL West – Dodgers in a landslide. • Wild Cards – Phillies, Reds, Diamondbacks • NLCS – Braves over Phillies AL (Junior Circuit) • AL East – The Orioles will prove last year was not a fluke. • AL Central – I guess the Twins? This division may be competitive, but it won’t be because the teams are good…. • AL West – The Astros probably have enough to win this yet again. • Wild Cards – Rangers, Blue Jays, Rays. • ALCS – Rays over Orioles • World Series – Braves over Rays (Did you really think I wouldn’t pick the Braves?) Q: What’s more likely in next ten years—a salary cap in MLB; or the league reducing the number of playoff teams, in an effort to reward regular season excellence? A: I don’t see a reduction in playoff teams happening. There’s too much money to be made. I’m not sure we’ll see a salary cap either. The MLB Players’ Union is strong, and a salary cap will hurt the players. I do, however, think we will see a salary floor. This would be good for the games, fans, and players. No team should just be allowed to exist. They need to compete! Q: How do you think the proliferation of sports betting has/will impact the game, if at all? A: Hopefully this Ohtani situation will scare guys a lot. We could eas- ily see a “Pete Rose” type scenario where Ohtani--the most important player in MLB--is banned for life. Dr. Shane Thompson and his wife, Tasneem Dharamsi. Photo courtesy of S. Thompson SWEET from pg 1 is one of the pillars to the foundation of mentorship. Students want to know that you care about them. My students are not just a number to me. I care about them as a person. Empathy is another pillar to effective mentorship. Showing empathy gives me the ability to offer support that fosters meaningful connections. Empathy promotes effective work- ing relationship where students feel safe and open to receiving advice and help from me. Q: Let’s turn to Dr. Katrina Sweet outside of work. How did you meet your late husband? What were your first impressions? A: We met at a church in Tarboro. My first impression was he was hand- some and well groomed. He was in the navy but received an honorable discharge due to a knee injury. Shortly after I met William, we married. We were married for nine years. We enjoyed traveling together, eating at restaurants, and visiting family. We both loved and enjoyed spending time with our family. Q: How did he die? A: He died of stage four colon cancer in 2008. It was discovered in 2007. He went to the hospital because he had pain in his left side. His appendix had ruptured, and he had to have emergency surgery. It was during that time that the surgeon discovered the cancer. He started treatment right away. We were told that it was an aggressive cancer and eventually, it spread to his liver. He lived one year after the cancer diagno- sis. He died on his mother’s birthday, July 20, 2008. At the time of his death he was surrounded by his loved ones and friends. One of the hardest things I ever had to do was tell my son his father died. He was only 11 at the time. Q: What was happening in your life at the time of husband’s diagnosis. How did you get through the hardest days? A: At the time, I was working as a correctional case manager and pursing my master’s in public administration. My son was in elementary school and my daughter was in high school. Hope was the one thing that kept me going. We believed that William would beat this and life would go back to normal. My son was very optimistic. He knew his father was sick but was waiting for the day that he would get better so they could do they things they used to do. Yes, hope was my best friend. I didn’t have time to grieve because I had to be strong for my children. It would be a year after he died before I grieved. I went to William’s grave. I remembered being angry that he left me to raise our son alone. I cried and yelled at his grave. I also thanked him for an incredible life and made him a promise that I would take care of his son. In a strange way, it was a sense of relief. I walked away from the grave with the mindset that I was going to pull up my sleeves and go to work. And that I did! Q: Now we’ll give you a chance to brag on your son and daughter. A: My son, Kevin, is 27 and works as a biomedical engineer in Atlanta. He chose this career because his father was a computer engineer in the navy. When his father died, my son wanted to honor him by following in his footsteps but he became interested in the healthcare industry and health disparities. He recently told me that I was his best friend and he thanked me for always having is back. I cried like a baby. I am honored God chose me to be his mom. I also have a beautiful daughter, Tashika. She’s 33 and lives in Wake Forest, having moved back to the state from Florida. She did not attend a four-year college, but she did attend a trade school, a cosmetology school in Florida, and became a master barber. She is now pursing her dream of starting a transportation company. We’re a close-knit family. My kids and I talk every single day (Many times Tashika and I talk several times a day). My son and daughter were the reason I didn’t give up after my husband died or when life in gener- al got tough. Giving up or quitting was not an option. They are and will always be my source of encouragement. Q: What are your current hobbies and interests outside of work? A: I enjoy working out four times a week. I have a personal trainer and train with him twice a week. The other two days, I train alone at home. I also enjoy doing community work and now serve on two boards. We serve children who were rescued from human trafficking and individuals that suffer from health disparities. Q: List your favorites from the following list: • Movies: “Men of Honor” (inspired by a true story of Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear) and “Freedom Writers” (based on the 1999 book “The Freedom Writers Dairy” by Erin Gruwell). My current favorite is “The Color Purple.” • TV Shows: “Colin in Black & White,” “All American,” “All American: Homecoming,” and “Giannis: The Marvelous Journey.” • Musical Artists: Chandler Moore & Maverick City. I enjoy Christian music (praise & wor- ship, Hill songs). • Books: “Long Walk to Free- dom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela,” “The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As told to Alex Haley,” “From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God.” • Favorite Meal: Brown stew snapper, rice and peas, and callaloo. This is a great Jamaican dish. I love it! • Favorite Social Media: One is LinkedIn. I enjoy networking with and learning from professionals and business practitioners. Another is YouTube, because I like listening to podcasters. • Favorite Sports Team: The Milwaukee Bucks. I like Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s such an outstanding person with such great morals, values, and leadership skills, both on and off the court. Q: When you retire from teaching, what do you most want students and colleagues to remember about you? A: I want to be known as a true Bishop at heart! I love North Carolina Wesleyan, and I enjoy teaching here. I want my students to remember me as passionate about my discipline; kind-hearted; caring; and willing to go the extra mile for them. I want them to know that every day that I entered the classroom, I gave 100 percent of myself. I want my colleagues to remember me as a trailblazer for African-American women in higher education and the business industry--two male-dominated environments. I wanted to effect change and break concrete ceilings and barriers for the next generation. VULCANO from pg 2 As a result, Vulcano has started to look for options in Europe in countries such as Poland, Ireland, and, in particular, Spain. Even though nothing is secure yet, Vulcano has already talked to a university called “Universidad Herrera” in Valencia. It offers a curriculum that is taught half in English and half in Spanish, a feature that appeals to Vulcano. She shared that she would like to learn a third language. “Since I’ve been here at Wesleyan, I’ve heard a lot of Spanish, more than English sometimes,” she said, “I feel like Italian and Spanish are similar.”