120027_NCWC_Magazine_Spring2017_FINAL_CORRECTED

ON THE COVER Table of Contents
Alumni of the Year, Vernon T.
Bradley, Jr., poses with a group Vernon T. Bradley ‘80 - Alumni of the Year..............................2
of students in front of Wesleyan Wesleyan Turns 60!.............................................................................. 4
landmark fountain. Duff Named Wesleyan Provost.......................................................9
CSX Hub Jumpstarts
Photo by Debra West Twin Counties Economy...................................................................10
Aspire Turns 40!.................................................................................... 11
President Dunn Celebrates 20th Season....................................................... 12
Dr. Dewey Clark ‘82 35th Day for Wesleyan Exceeds Goal........................................ 13
Back By Popular Demand - Wesleyan YTI.............................. 14
Executive Editor Around Campus................................................................................... 16
Judy Rollins Honors & Awards................................................................................ 22
In Memory.............................................................................................. 29
Assistant Editor
Ashleigh Hale

Contributors
Kimla Brandt ‘07
Angela Foster
Karlyn Foster
Meghan Marks
Rikki Rich

Photographers
Debra West
Carl Lewis ‘00
Ashleigh Hale
Meghan Marks
Risa Kawamura
Eduardo Ugalde ‘16
Frank Quinlan

Vice President of Advancement
Eddie Coats ‘87

Director of Alumni Relations
Tammy Harrell ‘16

Director of Donor Relations
Tammy Robinson

NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN
COLLEGE

3400 North Wesleyan Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804

252-985-5100 * 800-488-6292
ncwc.edu

From the President From the Editor

Dear Alumni and Friends of the College: This edition of Wesleyan Magazine
features a new Masthead on the
As we commemorate our 60th year, we reflect on our cover. This is the first in a series of
heritage and look forward to our future with great enhancements the magazine will
anticipation. We have a lot to be grateful for: undergo in the next few issues.

• Our campus is the most beautiful it has ever been. Susan Best, the former Director
• Our financial strength is improving. of Communications/Publications
• Our enrollment continues to hit record levels. and long term editor of Wesleyan
• The community is embracing the College like never Magazine, retired in March of 2016.
We commend and thank Susan
before. for her dedication and service to
• This fall we will have 4 new majors and 5 new minors. the college and her leadership on
• Another new dorm will open in June. Wesleyan Magazine.
• We are making plans for a new business building.
• The Bellemonte House has relocated and future plans The Magazine moves forward without
a full-time editor but with the same
will be announced soon. zealousness and purpose – to
reflect the mission and values of the
We thank you for the generous support that you have College with the guiding principles
provided to help make all of these things possible. of respect for truth, fairness, and
the presentation of diverse ideas.
As the crepe myrtles come into full bloom, the campus is We endeavor to engage readers
alive with excitement about the upcoming summer and – alumni, parents, members of the
the future of the College. We invite and encourage you local community, faculty, staff –
to visit! both intellectually and emotionally,
nurturing a relationship that leads to
Our best days lie ahead. participation in the life of the College.

We hope you enjoy what you see in
the upcoming issues.

Thank you for your support of NC
Wesleyan.

Judy Rollins
Vice President

Enrollment Services & Marketing

Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. ‘80 - Alumni of the Year

The wind-up to warp speed on Vernon T. Bradley, excellence, Bradley became the first player to earn
Jr’s Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is 0 to 62 mph in Most Valuable Player accolades on three occasions
3 seconds but the man runs his business based on the and in the 1978 season, he became the first Bishop
Tortoise and the Hare fable – slow and steady. And that tennis player to earn All-Dixie Conference (now USA
type of incongruity is a recurring theme in Bradley’s life. South) honors at No. 1 singles. After graduation,
A 1980 graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College, Bradley played professional tennis for three years.
Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. was named Alumni of the Year for He was inducted into the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of
2016-2017. Fame in 2007.
Best known on campus for his mythical beast of a
super car and his generous heart, Bradley has quickly Faith
become a very important figure in the history of the Born and bred in Halifax, NC, Bradley is one of
College. He reconnected with Wesleyan and former the largest residential building contractors in North
classmate, Dr. Dewey Clark, in January 2016 and his Carolina. A man of faith, he begins and ends each
trajectory of support for NCWC commenced. day on his knees giving all of the glory to God. At
the age of seven, Bradley witnessed first-hand the
Student Athlete power of the Lord and he says the experience set
As a student at NC Wesleyan, Bradley excelled the foundation for the remainder of his life.
academically and athletically. After his “one-and-
done” year of basketball his freshman year, Bradley Family
was encouraged to focus on tennis. He was 16 years Some may see the trend of pro athletes adding
old when he picked up his first racquet but through suffixes like “junior’’ or “the third” to their jerseys in
encouragement, coaching, and a relentless pursuit of terms of identifying which version of a moniker is
actually out on the field as pointless. But Bradley
is quick to make sure his suffix is included, not
to boost his own identity but to pay homage to
his father. After God, Bradley credits his father,
Vernon T. Bradley, Sr., for all of his business success.
Described as a “sledgehammer” Bradley, Sr. was a
savvy, resourceful, disciplined man with a vision. His
portrait hangs prominently in Bradley, Jr.’s office
and he gets a thumbs-up daily thanks from his son.
His mother was a kind woman who never raised her
voice. Bradley, Jr. describes his parents as the best
combination of fire and ice.

Vernon Bradley, back row, fifth from left The Business
2 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine Like most successful entrepreneurs, Bradley, Sr.
recognized a need and came up with an innovative

solution that proved to be a win-win for both the The Secret Sauce
business and the community. Halifax County is one of
the poorest counties in NC with a per capita income Bradley’s advice to young entrepreneurs:
of $17,000, making home ownership an unattainable
dream. Bradley, Sr. recognized this problem and Stay away from debt. You will have to borrow
created a solution that would prove to be beginning of in the beginning to get the business started
the largest real estate empire in eastern NC. His rent- but once the business starts making money,
to-own strategy made it possible for Halifax County take every dollar and pay off the debt. Don’t
residents to gain home ownership through rental starting buying things or expanding until you
contracts that ultimately led to a personally delivered pay off the debt.
deed to the house. The father and son team feverishly
bought and built homes to keep up with demand. Be the man - Wait until you really make it
Today Bradley, Jr. owns more than 1,000 properties. until you start buying “stuff”. Don’t try to be
the man if you are not the man. You don’t
Wesleyan Vision want to go back. With a wad of cash in their
On that cold January day in 2016 when Bradley pockets, Bradley and his father rode around
returned to his alma mater, he parked in front of the in his father’s beat-up truck and they owned
Taylor Center and gazed down Tyler Drive to see his one T.V.
beloved coaches memorialized in Bauer Baseball
Field, Scalf Soccer Field, and Edge Softball Field and Liquidity – It’s important to have enough
suddenly he had an epiphany. He envisioned a distinct accessible cash sitting in the bank in the
entrance at both ends of the fields, creating a Wesleyan event an opportunity presents itself, you can
sports complex. Today that vision has come to fruition move quickly.
with his moniker.
Bradley’s name is popping up all over campus. Give back – Bradley credits the faculty and
At press time, his generosity has made possible the coaches at NCWC for giving him limitless
baseball fieldhouse, Bradley Residence Hall, practice support and opportunities and he has turned
football field, sports complex, lacrosse field, football his gratitude into supporting the current and
fieldhouse, gym lobby, ard coming this summer – new future students of Wesleyan.
gym scoreboard and Welcome Center renovation.
Bradley says this is just the beginning. Remember where you came from – Despite
“When it was time to select our Alumni of the Year, the flashy cars, Bradley still lives in the brick
the name Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. quickly emerged due ranch home he grew up in. He does not own
to his love of Wesleyan, passionate support of our his own jet or travel the world. He still owns
students, and consummate generosity,” said Wesleyan his father’s Buick and his mother’s Cadillac.
President Dr. Dewey Clark, “Vernon and I were in a He uses a flip phone and left our interview to
number of business classes at Wesleyan. When we eat lunch at K&W Cafeteria.
reconnected last year, I had no idea that he would
become such an avid supporter of our alma mater. He
is a highly regarded businessman and a good friend to
me and to the College.”

Home
When asked what’s left on his bucket list, Bradley
remarkably said that he wanted to continue his
support of Wesleyan and its students and maintain
his health. He rides through campus weekly and gets
a tremendous amount of satisfaction seeing students
playing on his fields and enjoying his contributions.
As for the typical bucket list items like travel to exotic
destinations, Bradley says that he would like to do
some travel within the U.S. He recently returned from a
long weekend in Miami. After a commercial flight into
RDU, he hit I-540 E, merged onto 64 E and then hit I
95 N for the short rows and as he crossed that hill in
Halifax, he was happy to be back home.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 3

Wesleyan
Turns 60!

It is fitting that the diamond represents the 60th anniversary. The word diamond is derived from the Greek
word, “adamas”, meaning enduring and unconquerable. Like the diamond, Wesleyan is a rare precious gem
that has perservered through difficult times and now shines brightly like a constant flame.

The 2016-2017 academic year is a special one in the life of NC Wesleyan College, as our community
celebrates 60 years since the College’s founding in 1956. Since that time when the United Methodist Church
approved a petition from the citizens of Rocky Mount to locate a college in their community, Wesleyan has
been home to more than 13,000 graduates. The following are highlights of some of the events that have
brought Wesleyan to where it is today.

1960s 1963 Betty Chang
from Taichung, Taiwan,
1960 The Pearsall, became Wesleyan’s
Braswell, and Gravely first international
buildings were almost student.
completed by the time
the first classes began The Wesleyan Players
in September. Nine marked their first year
full-time faculty and with five productions.
three part-time faculty
greeted 89 freshmen 1964 The first 1963
for orientation. commencment was
held in May with 31 The mile-long serpentine
graduates. wall was completed which

1962 Four 1965 Controversial is in the Guiness Book
dormitories, the gym, “Death of God” of World Records as the
student union, and the presentation took
president’s house were world’s longest.
completed.
There were 37 faculty place followed by a
members, including
1960 Jean Edge, Don Scalf, reenactment that aired on the CBS Evening News
and Moe Bauer, who
Dr, Thomas A. Collins, a would go on to lead with Walter Cronkite.
ministerial member of the the Physical Education
Department and College enrollment hit an all-time high of 650
NC Conference of the Athletics for the next students, takng up all available beds.
United Methodist Church, 30 years.
was the first President of 1967 Linda Preston from Huddleston, Virginia,
became the first homecoming queen.
NC Wesleyan College.

1969 145 graduates walked across the stage in May.

4 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

1967 The students, faculty, staff, and Rocky Mount
community ultimately saved the College through a
1 Linda Preston was “Save Our College” campaign.
named the first
Homecoming Women’s athletics began with basketball coached
Queen. by Jean Edge and volleyball coached by Don Scalf.

1970s 1976

1970 Former Board Member, Roger Taylor, earned Jean Edge coached the
All-American accoldates in men’s basketball. first women’s basketball

1972 Wesleyan was accepted into Omnicron Delta team in 1976-1977.
Kappa, the national honor society for leadership in
extracurricular activities. 1976 Bruce Petteway became the second President
of NC Wesleyan.
In February, students filled the fountain with Jello.
1977 Enrollment was the largest in history with
1974 Streaking hit Weselyan! 667 students and Wesleyan was named the Fastest
Growing Private College in NC by NCICU based on
enrollment growth from fall 1976 to fall 1977.

1975 Sharp inflation 1975 1976
after the OPEC boycott
and the dramatic Students hold The “off-campus
growth of ECU and “Rock-a-thon” fundraiser program” was
the state’s community
college system, caused to help save Wesleyan. created to serve
financial distress at the adult market
Wesleyan. In March, it and to generate
was announced that revenue. It was
the College was broke later renamed “the
and needed $100,000
to finish out the year. Adult Degree
Program” in 1987.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 5

1980s 1995 Dr. John White becomes Wesleyan’s fourth
President.
1984
Two new residence halls were opened and named
Leon Russell Chapel after area businesses, Boddie-Noell and RBC
was dedicated on Centura.
February 26.
1996 In order 1997
1987 Dr. Leslie Garner, Jr. becomes the third to increase
President of Wesleyan. enrollment, Billy the Bishop was named
Wesleyan the new College mascot.
1989 The decade ended on a high note with lowered tuition
the baseball team winning the NCAA Division by 23% hoping
III National Championship. the additional
students would
1989 make up the
difference. The
John Brackett, former strategy proved
Wesleyan basketball financially
player from 1985-1988, devastating and
was named Head Coach of tuition and fees
women’s basketball. have increased
each year since
1990s then.

1990 Constructed in 1966, the library underwent 1997 The
extensive renovations funded by the Pearsall family Hartness Center was located in the newly
and was dedicated the Elizabeth Braswell Pearsall converted and renovated heating plant.
Library on October 1.
1997
1990
The new student center
The library was was named after Rufus
dedicated in
October after and Patty Hartness.
renovations.
1998 Men’s and Women’s tennis were added as
1991 Aspire begins offering classes in businesses, varsity sports.
including Consolidated Diesel in Whitakers and
Northern Telecom in Durham. 1998

1992 The school radio station WESO 90.9 FM John Thompson was named Director
went live on the air in March. of Athletics and Charlie Long was
named Head Baseball Coach.
6 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

1998

The Senior Class
started a new tradition

with their Class Gift
of the Senior Rock.

1998 The first December commencement was held. 2006

1999 Baseball won second Division III National New Battling Bishop riding horseback
Championship. is adopted as athletic logo.

1999 2007 The 2006
movement for
Four-year letterwinner Weslyean to The Gateway Technology
Artina Trader leads the become part of Center, a cooperative effort
the UNC University between Wesleyan, N.C. State,
Bishops to a Dixie System received
Conference Tournament mixed reaction and ECU, was dedicated.
from students.
Championship. She The proposal was
would later become ultimately not
Head Coach in 2009. approved.

2000s 2009 James Gray
becomes the sixth
2000 Wesleyan was awarded a $1.75 million Title III Wesleyan President.
Grant to go towards improving student success rates.
2010s
2001 A capital campaign to raise funds for a new
recreation center ended with $9.3 million. The new 2011 Wesleyan graduate, Eddie Coats ‘87,
center was named after major donors, Roger and Gaile returns as Assistant Vice President for
Taylor. Development. Dr. Evan Duff is hired to grow the
adult degree program.
Ian Newbold becomes Wesleyan’s fifth President.
2012
2002 May graduation was moved inside the Dunn
Center after a few years of Wesleyan students The Slick Family
concerned about the heat and humidity in May. Foundation Tennis
Center was completed
2004
which includes
Football added as a 12 tennis courts,
varsity sport under the Vietnam Memorial
direction of Coach Jack Courts, and Thomas A.
Betts Pavillion.
Gin. The first overall
record was 5-4.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 7

2013 Jason Edwards ‘99 returns 2015
to Wesleyan as Controller.
Men’s and Women’s Tennis
The Southern Bank Green was Teams won conference
developed from a gift from the
Southern Bank Foundation. championships for the first
time in school history.

2014 Dr. Dewey Clark ‘82 2016 Wesleyan received a $600,000 grant to establish
becomes the seventh President the NC Wesleyan Youth Theology Institute.
of NC Wesleyan and the first
alumni to serve in the role. 2013 The Rocky Mount Inn was donated to the College by
long-time owners Dong B. Jin and Jeong O. Jin.
Judy Rollins and Ed Naylor join Wesleyan adds
Wesleyan as VP of Enrollment band under the Wesleyan was named
& Marketing and VP of Student the Fastest Growing
Affairs, respectively. direction of Private College in NC
Tony Sawyer. for the second year in
a row based on fall
Fall enrollment hits a new record with 390 new 2015 2014 to fall 2015
students and total enrollment for the traditional and enrollment.
adult programs of 1,800.

New brand launched with In March, Wesleyan lost
tag line Believe four of its students to a
tragic car crash in front
in Tomorrow Today.

of campus. The Bishop

Family will always remember Robyne Barnes, Donyell

Brown, Kandis Mc-Bride Jones, and Dee Scott.

2014 2015

Dr. Clark was inaugurated as The Rocky Mount Inn
the seventh President of was renamed the
Wesleyan in October. Wesleyan Inn.

2015 New residence hall, temporarily named Daniel Residence Hall was renamed after Vernon T.
Daniel, opens in the fall with 40 single bed rooms. Bradley, Jr. ‘80.

The campus bookstore was renovated and renamed CSX Raiload
for Rachel T. Dix. announced plans
to build a
Wesleyan is recognized as the Fastest Growing $270 million rail
Private College in NC by NCICU based on hub in Rocky
enrollment growth from fall 2013 to fall 2014. Mount near
Wesleyan.
New cheer and dance programs added under the
direction of Coach Kayla Wygal. The College 2016
announced the
Wesleyan is awarded a $2 million Title III Grant return of Students established a
to suppport retention, student success, and Women’s make-shift memorial for the
graduation rates. Lacrosse as a
varsity sport four lost angels outside
8 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine under the Edgecombe Hall.
direction of
Coach Bridget
Walker.

Duff Named Wesleyan Provost

Evan Duff, Vice President of Adult and technology and academic support services for
students.
Professional Studies, was recently named the new “We did a national search for the provost role,
received over 70 applications, and interviewed a
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic number of candidates,” said President Dewey Clark,
“but ultimately the best candidate was already
Affairs of Wesleyan College. at Wesleyan. As interim, Evan has strengthened
academic connections across campus and helped
Duff brings multiple dimensions to the role. He develop innovative educational programs. He is
committed to the mission of Wesleyan and strongly
is an experienced leader of complex organizations, a supports our liberal arts foundation.” Dr. Duff will
continue to provide guidance and oversight to the
teacher committed to broad undergraduate and adult Office of Adult and Professional Studies.
Dr. Duff graduated with honors from Mount Olive
education and an accomplished administrator with a College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Administration. He earned a Master of Science
proven track record of success. Duff had been serving degree in General Administration from Central
Michigan University and a Doctor of Education in
as interim provost since last May. Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern
University.
Clark said Duff’s experience, values, and Duff serves on the Board of Directors for the
Triangle Literacy Council. He is married to Marcy Hunt
accomplishments make him a perfect fit for the role Duff and they have four children.

of provost. In his new role, he will serve as the chief

academic officer, ensure all programs and faculty are

of the highest

quality, direct the

“Ultimately, the development and
implementation

best candidate of academic
plans and
was already at
policies, and

Wesleyan.” work in close
partnership with

the President to

- President Dewey Clark provide overall

leadership of the

College.



Duff joined Wesleyan in 2011 as Vice President

of Adult and Professional Studies. Under Duff’s

leadership, the adult program has grown from three

locations to ten and almost doubled in the number

of students from 650 to 1,200 for the six-year period.

Prior to joining Wesleyan, Duff served in a number of

administrative positions at the University of Mt. Olive

and Lenior Community College.

Duff served as interim provost in 2013 and again

in 2016. Under his leadership, the College added

several new academic programs, hired 9 faculty

members (growing the faculty by 10%), implemented

several initiatives related to student retention, led

and finalized the 5th year review follow-up report for

SACS accreditation, and directed the implementation

of Title III funding in strategic areas of classroom

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 9

CSX Hub Jumpstarts Twin Counties Economy

The economic forecast for the Twin Counties area is was here, CSX will be a real game-changer for this
promising due in large part to the July announcement community, especially Wesleyan,” stated President
by former Gov. Pat McCroy that CSX will build a new Dewey Clark, “We envision a relationship that provides
intermodal facility called the Carolina Connector in internships, scholarships, and career opportunities
Edgecombe County. The new hub, being referred to for our students. CSX has expressed interest in using
as an “inland port”, will provide a fast, easy means to our campus for many of their events and meetings.”
transfer massive cargo between trains and trucks. Another potential partnership is the establishment
Initially the transformational state-of-the art facility of a School of Logistics. “This could be a very solid
will generate about 300 local construction jobs during niche for us, “ noted Clark, “Very few schools have an
its development. The opening of the terminal will create offering in this emgering field.”
300 additional long-term jobs at the hub itself. About
half of those workers will be employed directly by CSX
with average salaries of $60,000 per year. “As the governor
Longer term, the benefits are projected to reach noted when he was
beyond the Twin Counties area with 1,500 jobs here, CSX will be a real
statewide, 270,000 fewer trucks on NC roads, $310 game-changer for this
million in public benefits, and $125 million in increased community, especially
economic output for the state.
For its part, North Carolina Wesleyan is ready to Wesleyan.”
welcome its new neighbor. Although barely visible
from campus, the Carolina Connector will be about - President Dewey Clark
2/10 of a mile east just across the railroad tracks
from the college. “As the governor noted when he

$60,000 1500 270,000 CSX is moving full steam ahead with construction
expected to begin in 2018. Currently they are working
Average Salary Jobs created Fewer Trucks with surveyors, property owners, and environmental
of CSX statewide on the road as partners to perform assessments and evaluations
Workers a result of CSX of the property. The terminal is expected to begin
operations in 2020.
Year $310 CSX is already proving to be a good corporate
Construction Number in citizen to the community. CSX and The Conservation
Fund announced in December a partnership to offer
expected millions of small grants through the On Track With Healthy
Foods Grant Program, which increases access to
2020 to be expected public healthy, fresh foods for vulnerable and underserved
areas in the Twin Counties.
completed benefits of the new hub

10 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

ASPIRE Turns 40! with adult education experience to lead adult

Bringing education to working adults who otherwise studies from an entrepreneurial perspective – enter

may not be able to earn their four-year degrees is what Dr. Evan Duff. Fresh from leading the adult degree

the ASPIRE program is all about. And this April, the program at a nearby competitor, Duff took the helm

program marks its 40th anniversary as graduate number of Wesleyan ADP in 2011. At that time, the program

7,000 walks across the Dunn Center stage. had 650 students, 3 locations and 10 staff members.

The Adult Degree Program (ADP) was introduced in Duff deployed a new strategy to partner with

1976 in Goldsboro with a long affiliation with Seymour select NC community colleges to offer bachelor

Johnson Air Force Base and in Raleigh at Athens Drive degree programs on their campuses, kicking off

High School. The program consisted of 12-week classes what would be the winning formula to future

with degrees in accounting, business administration, and overwhelming success. The first partnership was

criminal justice. in Wilmington with Cape Fear Community College

In the late 1980’s, and quickly expanded to Pitt Community College

“We are bringing an agreement with in Greenville, Beaufort Community College in
baccalaureate level Regis University was
purchased and ADP Washington, College of the Albemarle in Manteo,

Wake Tech in Raleigh, Brunswick Community

education to the began offering 5 College and Craven Community College in New

communities where and 8 week classes Bern.
people work and in an accelerated
format. The ability During this same period, the brand of the

live in a format that to complete their program was redesigned and the program

renamed ASPIRE. Today the program boasts 1,200

works for their busy degrees in less time students, 10 locations, 20 staff members, numerous
lives through evening, was very appealing
to adult learners community college partnerships, and a variety of

online, and hybrid and the associated online course offerings. The management team

growth stimulated includes Joy Smallwood, Michael Drew, Katie Farrell,
the need for a new
courses.” Mike Ammons, and Laura Estes (pictured above).

location in Durham What does the future hold for ASPIRE?
at Miami Boulevard
- Dr. Evan Duff Expanded degree offerings, more online classes,

and Alexander pre-professional courses, further community college

Drive. In early 2000, the Raleigh and Durham campuses partnerships, expanded professional development

merged into the current location in Morrisville. opportunities, and possible weekend programming

A recession began in late 2007 causing can be expected.

unemployment rates to climb sharply over the course of “The ASPIRE program under the leadership of

the next few years. Many anxious adults decided to gain Evan Duff has sustained Wesleyan from a revenue

new skill sets and finish or complete degrees to seek jobs 10 Locationsstandpoint for

in different fields. many years,” noted
Clark, “We expect
ADP was growing at a steady pace, but the program 20 Staff Members
the success to
had not yet reached its full potential. “With more continue in the

American workers being laid off, adults were in need of

a convenient, fast, and affordable way to finish or pursue future as Evan 40 Years 1976 2017
looks for a variety 1,200 Students
new degrees,” said Wesleyan President Dr. Dewey Clark, of ways to serve
our adult student
“We knew we had the solution in our ADP program but population.”

we had to find a way to market it to more people.”

The decision was made to hire a cabinet level VP

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 11

Dunn Celebrates 20th Season

Charlie and Inez Dunn once dreamed of a facility Martin in 2006. Billed as “Wesleyan’s Christmas Gift
to the Community,” the event features a Live Nativity,
that would build a bridge between the North Carolina luminaries, hayrides and “The Best Christmas Pageant
Ever”, drawing nearly 1,000 people every year since
Wesleyan College campus and the surrounding its inception.
In addition to the Dunn Center’s Performing Arts
community as well as provide a cultural center for Series, the facility is the home of the Wesleyan Players
and the Mims and Civic Art Galleries. The Wesleyan
northeast North Carolina. This year, the reality of that Theatre Department presents 5-6 plays a year and
the visual arts at NCWC contributes 8-10 art shows
dream, The Dunn featuring a variety of quality, diverse collections for
the cultural enrichment of eastern North Carolina and
Center for the Rocky Mount.
The Dunn plays host to numerous corporate
Performing Arts, training events, town hall meetings, receptions,
economic development announcements, concerts,
celebrates its plays, graduations, national dance competitions,
recitals, orientations, summer camps, talent shows
20th season. and numerous student organizations.
The 2016-17 Performing Arts Series is a banner
Charlie season full of old favorites and up-and-coming
performers. The “Live and Local” concert series has
Dunn founded the building buzzing with activity.

Guardian

Corporation,

former owners

and operators of

Guardian Care nursing homes, headquartered in Rocky

Mount. Dunn passed away in 1992 and left $1 million

to NC Wesleyan to help fund a new auditorium – the

largest donation in the history of the College at that

time.

The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts boasts

the largest venue in the Twin Counties region and has

played host to

“The sky is the everything from
limit for the gubernatorial
debates, Barbara

next 20 years at Bush, The
the Dunn Center” President’s Own
Marine Band,

- Sheila Martin, world famous

Executive Director Irish tenor, Ronan

Tynan, The

Nutcracker and local National Day of Prayer services.

The past two decades have seen the beginning

of meaningful family traditions. The Lighting of

Wesleyan, a Christmas community event, was the

vision of Dunn Center Executive Director, Sheila

12 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

60th19A5n6n- i2v0e16rsary

35th Annual Day for Wesleyan
Exceeds Goal

Faculty, staff, alumni, friends of the college, and

the community showed their support for Wesleyan

during the 35th Annual Day for Wesleyan fundraising

campaign. More than $457,500 was raised during

the campaign, exceeding the goal of $420,000. The

amount of money raised is $100,000 more than 2015

and $200,000 more than 2014.

Bill Boddie, Day for Wesleyan campaign chairman,

attributed the uptick in giving over the last two

years to the

College’s marked A postcard was mailed to all alumni customized
with old photos from the years they were students
growth under at Wesleyan. Alumni were encouraged to go to
the campaign website and upload photos to a
“Wesleyan College the leadership commemorative digital photo album.
Coats said Day for Wesleyan is always a
is one of the of Wesleyan good chance to engage with people in the local
cornerstones of President, Dr. community and share the great things happening
Dewey Clark. on campus. He also expressed appreciation for the
our community,” “The money is a financial support provided.
lot easier to raise Boddie agrees with the benefits of a strong
- Bill Boddie when you have partnership. “The more students who come
here, the more business they bring to the
momentum,” said community and the more people learn about
what Rocky Mount has to offer. It is good to see
Boddie, “Dewey the community support the growing needs of
the college.”
understands budgets and goals and knows how

to get things done. People like to be on a winning

team.”

Eddie Coats, Vice President of Development at

Wesleyan, said they capitalized on the college’s 60th

anniversary with an outreach message to alumni,

“You are part of our past… Be a part of our future.”

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 13

Back by Popular Demand - Wesleyan YTI

After a whirlwind inaugural year, Wesleyan’s Youth opportunity to explore their calling to vocational
Theology Institute (YTI) is kicking off its sophomore ministry. While going through the discernment
season with great anticipation and fortitude. After process, they are provided with the tools for life-
receiving grant funding in December 2015 from the long learning and growth with the ultimate end of
Lilly Endowment, Inc., the YTI leadership team had leading and serving in their own communities where
less than six months to develop the summer program, they are needed most.
recruit students, and plan the year-long mentorship “The YTI is an extension of the broader purpose
program. of NC Wesleyan College from its founding,” said
Interest in the program exceeded expectations Carroll, “to serve the people of eastern North
and the goal of 24 was quickly adjusted. Wesleyan Carolina.” To that end, students not only learn a
President Dr. Dewey Clark did not want to turn away new set of skills and build upon their own religious
any eligible youth. The YTI leadership team worked foundations, they experience ministries and
prayerfully and conscientiously to revise the schedule missions where they live.
and hire additional staff in order to provide a quality According to Carroll, it is clear the program
experience to a larger group. By all accounts, it was a made a meaningful impression on the lives of
big success. the participants as evidenced by the level of
The Wesleyan Youth Theology Institute is more participation in the year-long mentorship program,
than a summer camp. It’s a year-long program that the number of students who returned to a recent
combines a week of residency on the Wesleyan reunion dinner, and the continued outreach and
campus with a year of mentorship, practice, and connectivity to the program’s staff. As a native
continued connection to the YTI community. to eastern North Carolina herself, Carroll is most
YTI’s primary focus is to give students the pleased with the how the YTI’s participants have

CAMP LIFE

Each morning begins with a guided, centering
prayer to help students focus their energy into
God’s plan for the day followed by visiting various
partnering ministries and missions. Last summer
students worked with the homeless alongside
a local congregation that provides them with
breakfast; worked on a farm that feeds its poor
community through a small, rural church; and
participated in a summer reading program to help
at-risk youth. Afternoons and evenings involve
studying scripture followed by reflection in small
groups, journaling, and worship around their
experiences.

14 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

Leadership Team

increased their interest and involvement with ministry and the Kathryn Carroll, Director and
local church. Program Coordinator plans,
The relationships built by the Institute are strengthening coordinates, directs, and oversees the
Wesleyan. Two participants have committed to attend the overall Youth Theology Program as
college in the fall of 2017 with others still in the decision-making well as the residential camps. She is
process. YTI participants are speaking in regional churches, Professor of Justice Studies at NCWC.
starting Christian missions, and leading Bible studies both online
and in relational groups. “YTI is performing at the level of a more Dr. Andrew Stern – Academic
tenured and established program,” noted Wesleyan President Dr. Director
Dewey Clark, “Kathryn and the other YTI staff spent countless Dr. Stern is Assistant Professor of
hours building this quality program in a very short amount of Religious Studies and the program
time. I could not be any happier with the results. Other schools coordinator for Religious Studies. Dr.
are already looking at our program as a guide.” Stern has extensive experience teaching
The summer of 2017 will feature two weeks of residential a wide range of subjects from Church
camp with 25 participants each. History to Ethics and Biblical Studies.
He has taught students preparing
for ministry at the Candler School of
Theology and Duke Divinity School.

SPONSOR A CAMPER Reverend Barry Drum - Spiritual
Formation Director
This summer the cost of the residential week is $375. If you
would like to give a child the opportunity of this life-changing Reverend Drum serves as the campus
experience, contact Kathryn Carroll at (252) 985-5584. chaplain for NC Wesleyan College as well
as an adjunct professor of Religion. He is an
ordained Methodist minister and serves as
Pastor of Elm City United Methodist Church.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 15

around CAMPUS

Bellemonte House History of the
Undergoes Face Lift
Bellemonte House
On November 21, 2016, the Bellemonte House slowly
traveled down Bishop Road a quarter of a mile from The Bellemonte House was constructed
the front of the NC Wesleyan campus to the back of between 1817 and 1825 in a synthesized
campus just north of the Dunn Center. Its new setting Georgian and Federal architectural style
was carefully selected to preserve and enhance its reminiscent of the 18th Century. Dr. John R.
architectural significance. The historic structure is Bellamy, a local physician, was the home’s
now being restored and renovated with an anticipated first occupant. Shortly thereafter, Mack C.
completion date of May 2017. A semi-formal garden Braswell, a landowner and merchant from
with period fencing are also being added to enhance Battleboro acquired the Bellemonte. In 1956,
the historic home. the Braswell heirs donated the 200 acres of
The move was partially a result of the enormous farmland adjacent to the house to become
enrollment growth Wesleyan has experienced in the last the site of NC Wesleyan College. In 1959, the
few years. The Wesleyan Inn and two new residence Pearsall and Gorham families donated the
halls are solving the housing crunch for now. The house to the College and it was moved 400
College is now dealing with a shortage of classrooms yards south to the front of campus. In 1989,
and office space. The problem is only going to intensify the structure was restored and listed on the
as there are plans for new majors, new minors, and National Register of Historic Places. Most
graduate degree programs in the year ahead. A recently, the house was used as office space
new building matching the architectural design of until its recent move.
the Gateway Technology Center is being planned to
provide the additional classrooms and offices needed.
“We knew that we would be faced with a classroom
shortage,” said Dr. Dewey Clark, NC Wesleyan President.
“I am pleased that we were able to come up with a
solution that provides a better location to preserve
the cultural and architectural history of the Bellemonte
House while furnishing our students and faculty with a
state-of-the-art learning center.”

16 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

Mercer to lead A 25-year highly decorated
Wesleyan ROTC Program Army veteran and public safety
professional, LTC Mercer was
North Carolina Wesleyan College has revived its Reserve assigned to the U.S. Department
Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program under the leadership of Homeland Security in 2003
of Lieutenant Colonel James A. Mercer. Army ROTC was where he served as a FEMA
established on campus in 2003 as one of three partner regional operations officer. He
institutions under St. Augustine’s University. retired from the U.S. Army Reserve
ROTC is widely recognized as one of the best leadership in May of 2014. Most recently,
programs in the country, as participants are taught through Mercer served as Senior Army
classes and field training how to lead others, motivate groups, Instructor and department head
resolve conflicts, and how to become officers in the United for Wallace-Rose Hill High School’s
States Army. Junior ROTC program.
“The decision to revitalize our ROTC program was
prompted by interest expressed by our existing students and “As a native of Rocky Mount,
high school prospects,” stated Wesleyan President Dewey I am excited to return home and
Clark, “Our students will be able to benefit from numerous I look forward to sharing my
scholarship opportunities, top-notch leadership training, and a military experience with these
wide array of career opportunities.” young men and women,” shared
Contact Lt. Colonel Mercer at 252-985-5340 with questions Mercer, “It is an honor to train,
or to enroll. mentor, and groom cadets from
college students to future officers
of the active duty Army, National
Guard, and Army Reserve.”

Mercer earned his Associate of
Arts degree from Nash Community
College and his Bachelor of Arts
degree from Shaw University. He
served as Director of Emergency
Management Services for the City
of Raleigh for 25 years and retired
from the post in 2011. He and his
wife, Delois, reside in Nashville, NC.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 17

around CAMPUS

The Bald Guy with Kate More About Kate

That is how new transfer student, Brian Moody, The Seeing Eye is a philanthropic
refers to himself. In reality, the humble student is so organization that breeds and raises puppies
accomplished and inspiring that he is already making to be seeing eye dogs. At about eight
his mark on Wesleyan after being here a few months. weeks old, Kate was placed in the home
Brian sees himself like any other transfer student of a volunteer puppy raiser where she was
at Wesleyan but there is one big difference… Brian is taught basic obedience and socialization
blind. At the age of 23, he contracted fungal meningitis and given lots of love. When she was about
which caused severe swelling of the brain and resulted 1 year old, she returned to The Seeing Eye
in permanent damage to the optic nerve. and participated in a four-month course
Eighteen years later, Brian, father of three, is of training with a sighted instructor. She
pursuing a double major in Criminal Justice and was matched with Brian and they trained
Psychology with a minor in Computer Information together prior to Kate’s graduation from
Systems. He plans for a career involving criminal the program.
investigations with a focus on offender profiling. The average working life for a seeing
A native of Concord, Brian transferred to Wesleyan eye dog is 7 - 8 years. Kate has plans for
from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in January retirement at the end of May. She will be
of this year with his constant companion, Kate. Trained looking for an adoptive family, preferably
by The Seeing Eye organization in Morristown, New a Wesleyan family, and Brian will receive a
Jersey, Kate has quickly become a campus celebrity. new Seeing Eye Dog.
Brian utilizes a computer screen reader program,
JAWS (Job Access With Speech), to facilitate his
coursework. The Microsoft Windows-based program
allows users with vision loss to read the screen with
Braille or a text-to-read speech output.
Brian has already become active on campus,
initiating the formation of a student improv group
known as the Royal Jesters. He can also be found
behind the grill in the Blue & Gold Café, where he has a
work-study position cooking dinner. Having learned to
cook in previous positions at Denny’s and in his parent’s
mobile gourmet hotdog stand, he’s most comfortable
cooking chicken and steak over an open flame. When
asked how he knows that the entrée is done, he said it
is all based on mental timing. He considers the weight
and type of the meat and intuitively knows how long to
cook it.
Brian says he feels he has truly found a home at NC
Wesleyan and plans to stay.

18 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine “I am happy to be a part of the Bishop family
and I am proud to say I bleed blue and gold.

I look forward to a college career here
at Wesleyan. I am hoping that one day most

of you will remember my name as
well as you know Kate’s.”
- Brian Moody

Sabbatical:
Dr. Lee Templeton

Dr. Lee Templeton, Associate Professor of English, returned
from sabbatical in the fall. He used that period of time to work
on his upcoming book, Knowing Sorrow; Grief, Gender and
Identity in the Middle Ages. This collection of essays focuses on
a centralized theme of representation of grief within specific
gender roles in the Middle Ages. This work is an edited essay
collection written by other invited authors and includes a
chapter and introduction by Dr. Templeton. The book will be
ready for release by Brill Publications in 2018.
Dr. Templeton is in his ninth year as a faculty member
here at NCWC. His favorite class to teach is English 312- The
Study of British Literature before the 1700’s because medieval
literature is his passion. His favorite thing about NCWC is the
opportunity to work with students, and the small class sizes.
He is also an advisor for Sigma Tau Delta. In October of this
year, Dr. Templeton will present his sabbatical project to faculty.

North Carolina Wesleyan What is a Sabbatical?
College App
A sabbatical is a period
Don’t miss out! of leave granted typically
to a tenured professor for a
Orientation Schedule & Events semester or a year. Since the
Services, Courses, & Maps first sabbatical leave offered
hi Meet Students & Classmates by Harvard University in 1880
to lure a faculty member away
... and much more! from Johns Hopkins University,
this benefit continues as a
Download now! cherished part of faculty life.
Sabbaticals provide professors
ncwc.campusapp.com with time to engage in research
interests, gain new technical
skills, publish works, keep up
with trends in their fields, work
on special projects, and pursue
intellectual and academic
interests.
Typically the faculty member
will return to the classroom
reenergized and their
sabbatical work will enrich their
classrooms and benefit the
College.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 19

around CAMPUS

Bridget Walker

Lacrosse Returns Walker spent several years
to Wesleyan managing and coaching lacrosse
teams in the Triangle area,
After a four-year hiatus, women’s beginning with a four-year
lacrosse will officially return to varsity stint as the program director
competition at Wesleyan in the spring of for Youth Lacrosse Systems
2018. This brings the number of female in Holly Springs. Additionally,
sports to seven and 13 sports overall at she logged three years as head
the varsity level. The College has hired coach at Holly Springs High
Bridget Walker as Head Coach and Lottie School, while most recently, she
Meadows as Assistant Coach to recruit and established the lacrosse program and served as head coach
rebuild the program. Both coaches have at St. David’s School. The 2014 Southwest Wake Athletic
experience in building lacrosse programs. Conference Coach of the Year, she has also worked with the
Carolina Flight Travel Club since 2013.
“We are very excited to have A 2007 graduate of Methodist University, Walker was a
women’s lacrosse return to three-year letterwinner for the Monarchs and was a USA South
our line-up. This addition will Academic All-Conference performer. She also competed in
strengthen our department post-college level lacrosse with the Carolina Heat.
and help us recruit more
female athletes to Wesleyan. Lottie Meadows
We have a great deal of
confidence in Bridget and Meadows comes to
Lottie’s ability to build a quality Wesleyan after a successful
lacrosse program that will fit collegiate career at USA South
our tradition of winning and foe Meredith College, where she
excellence.” was a member of the Avenging
Angels’ inaugural 2013 team.
- John Thompson, The talented midfielder was an
integral part of Meredith’s rise
Vice President and to the top of the USA South,
Athletic Director serving as team captain for
three seasons and leading the Angels to back-to-back USA
South Tournament Championships and NCAA berths in 2014
and 2015.
A three-year starter, Meadows tallied 105 goals and 34
assists over the course of her collegiate career. For her efforts,
she was a 2013 USA South All-Conference performer and
MC’s 2015 recipient of the Dean Burris Coach’s Award. She is
a 2015 Meredith graduate with a bachelor of science degree in
Exercise and Sports Science.
Meadows brings a variety of coaching experience to the
Bishop staff, which includes two summers as an instructor at
Meredith’s summer lacrosse camps. She served in a similar
post at Athens Drive High School, while also serving as a
middle school coach and varsity travel coach at the North
Carolina Lacrosse Academy in Raleigh. Most recently, Meadows
assisted the Apex Women’s Lacrosse Team in the spring of
2016 before accepting a permanent management position at
Holly Springs Chiropractic.

20 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

North Carolina Classroom Named
Wesleyan After Local
Commencement Businessman

North Carolina Wesleyan College held its annual Susan Sabiston recently presented North Carolina
December Commencement at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Wesleyan College with a check for $25,000 to
December 10, in Minges Auditorium of the Dunn name a classroom in honor of her late husband,
Center for the Performing Arts. Jim K. Sabiston. Known as a generous Christian
While most of the 200 graduates were from North businessman, Sabiston was Executive Vice President
Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and the of MBM Corporation, Executive Officer of Great
District of Columbia, there were seven international American Equity Corporation, and was on the Board
graduates from Ghana, Mexico, Nepal, Russia, of Directors for Providence Bank. He was deeply
Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bahamas. involved in many charitable organizations as well as
The commencement speaker was Stephen B. political and community groups.
King, former Special Assistant to the Secretary Sabiston attended East Carolina University, and
of Agriculture and Republication Party National served in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam. He
Committeeman from Wisconsin. was on the Board of Trustees of Nash Community
College, Duke’s Children’s Hospital, and was actively
involved in Duke University Athletics.
“Jim was a former colleague and personal friend
who I greatly admired. He generously gave countless
hours to the community and was very dedicated to
effecting positive change,” said Wesleyan President
Dewey Clark, “We are appreciative of this generous
gift and honored to have a classroom named after
Jim.”
Pearsall 274 has been renamed The Jim K.
Sabiston Classroom and includes such renovations as
LED lights, plantation shutters, new photography, an
interactive projector with whiteboard, and desks and
chairs that will foster an active learning environment.
A plague with the late businessman’s photo hangs in
the classroom.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 21

honors & awards

Crockers Receive Esteemed Award

North Carolina Wesleyan College presented the The Crockers have been very involved with the
prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award to Dr. College for many years. They partner with Mr.
Daniel Crocker and Mrs. Brenda Crocker of Rocky Roger Taylor and Mrs. Gaile Taylor to help fund the
Mount. The award, best known for the adage “Service Taylor-Crocker Honors Program and they graciously
Above Self,” recognizes excellence in character, support the Outward Bound Program which allows
leadership, community service, and spiritual values in Wesleyan students to participate in this unique learning
honor and remembrance of Algernon Sidney Sullivan, a experience.
lawyer, scholar, and orator prominent in New York City Dr. and Mrs. Crocker have made significant
social and civic activities between 1857 and 1888. contributions to musical performance in the Rocky
Dr. Crocker has served on Wesleyan’s Board of Mount community through the development of the
Trustees since 1997. He currently serves as Vice Tar River Orchestra and Chorus, which now consists
Chairman as well as Chairman of the Committee on of six branches of performance groups. All ensembles
Trustees. Mrs. Crocker serves on the Wesleyan Board have performed at Wesleyan from the organization’s
of Visitors and was recently named Chairman of the inception. Dr. Crocker is a prolific trumpet player and
Board. still performs in that capacity with the group.
The Crockers have been dedicated supporters of
Wesleyan music programs for over 30 years with many
tangible contributions evident still. Minges Auditorium
at the Dunn Center houses its orchestra pit dedicated
to Mrs. Crocker, while the Steinway Performance Grand,
used by visiting artists, is dedicated, in part, to the
Crockers.

Dr. Dan Crocker offered a moving performance “The generous contributions and support
of “What a Wonderful World” at Wesleyan’s provided by Dr. and Mrs. Crocker have helped
Founder’s Day Convocation. equip Wesleyan’s band and music programs,
empowering our students to pursue their musical
22 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine aspirations . Dan and Brenda have been an unfailing
source of encouragement and kindness to me

personally and to the College.”
- Kimla Brandt, Dunn Center Technical Director

Nelson Family Honored

The Wesleyan Family Award honors one family each year that has demonstrated outstanding loyalty,
generosity, and service to the College over more than one generation. This year’s recipients, Elliott Stevenson
Nelson, Class of 1966 and Lloyd Edward Nelson, Class of 1967, have been supporting Wesleyan for over forty-five
years.
While a student at Wesleyan, Lloyd Nelson first made a name for himself on the hardwood as the basketball
program’s first-ever Most Valuable Player during the College’s 1963-1964 inaugural season. He was later inducted
into the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. Today the Nelsons can still be found cheering on their
beloved Battling Bishops!
Over the years, the Nelsons have been faithful supporters of the College, establishing a Battling Bishop Club
Endowment, supporting the Annual Fund and the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts. Elliott was the lead
organizer for the recognition of the Wesleyan Vietnam Veterans during the Slick Family Foundation Tennis
Center dedication and he currently serves on the Board of Trustees.

Fortenbury
Receives Alumni
Achievement Award

Jay Fortenbery was bestowed the Alumni
Achievement Award which goes to a recent
alumni who has already made significant
achievement in society. He graduated from
Wesleyan’s Aspire program in 2007. While
attending classes in the evening, he maintained
his job as a Sergeant with the Rocky Mount Police
Department. Since his graduation, Fortenbery
completed his Master of Science degree in
Criminal Justice. He is currently the Chief of
Police in Edenton and serves as a Wesleyan
adjunct professor teaching courses in criminal
justice. He has created videos relating to gun
safety for children, as well as recruiting videos for
the Edenton Police Department.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 23

honors & awards

Distinguished
Staff Award

JONI GARDNER

Born & Raised begun reading Stephen King’s “It.” It’s a book I have
I was born in South Boston, VA but raised in always wanted to tackle.
Farmville, VA. I spent much of my childhood taking
every type of dance class—jazz, ballet, gymnastics, If money were no object, what is the one upgrade
but my favorite was clogging. While in high school, you would make to the NCWC campus?
I played basketball, volleyball, softball, and was a I would love to have a one-stop shop for students.
cheerleader. This would include Financial Aid, Registration,
Advising, Bookstore, and a fast-food option (Chick-
When you started this job, where did you think it fil-a or Moe’s). I would also love to have a wide range
was going to go? of college intramural sports which could potentially
I began my career at North Carolina Wesleyan attract more non-athletes that want to play, but not at
College as the Campus Visit Coordinator in 2007. I the varsity level.
never imagined that I would have worked my way up
this far or that I would have stayed here as long as I Bojangles or Chick-fil-a?
have, but Wesleyan has become my second home and Bojangles for breakfast, but Chick-fil-a for lunch
I cannot imagine ever leaving now! and dinner.

What Motivates You? What’s the most rewarding thing that has happened
As a leader, my staff motivates me. My goal is to to you since you have been at Wesleyan?
provide them with all the tools they need for their jobs I love seeing high school seniors that I have
and to develop their confidence in their abilities so recruited in the past develop as individuals and go
that one day, they will no longer need me. on to do great things. I received a message from
a student I recruited in 2008 to let me know about
What has inspired you? his career as a Special Education teacher and how
My grandparents used to travel. They traveled thankful he was that he was given a chance. He said
around the country by car several times throughout he would not be where he is today if it weren’t for me.
their lives and have visited every state. My That kind of thing sticks with you.
grandparents always encouraged me to travel-- to
spend my time and money on seeing the world What is the best advice you have been given?
instead of on material things. My goal is to travel Honestly, the biggest one that comes to mind is to
Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica in the next listen more than I speak. Many times someone doesn’t
couple of years. want their issue to be fixed; they just want someone to
listen to them. It shows people that you care enough
What is the last book you read? about them as an individual to hear what they have to
Besides a textbook for graduate school, I have say.

24 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

Boys of Summer Inducted
in Athletics Hall of Fame

The 1999 Champion Baseball Team as well as its veteran coaches, Charlie Long and Ernie Jones, were
inducted in the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame. The Class of 2016 is the 18th group of honorees to earn the
prestigious distinction. Since 1999, Wesleyan has honored 64 former athletes, administrators, and coaches by
enshrining them in its Hall of Fame. These individuals have created a higher standard for Bishop athletics and were
selected based on their outstanding accomplishments.
The 1999 Battling Bishop Baseball Team secured the program’s second Division III National Championship
with a thrilling 1-0 win over St. Thomas on June 1, 1999 in Salem, Virginia. The victory remains the only 1-0
championship win in the history of Division III baseball. Making their 11th overall and 3rd straight World Series
appearance, the Bishops put together the most successful NCAA tournament run in school history by winning
eight straight games to clinch the title. The Bishops had previously captured the crown in 1989, with the ‘89 team
garnering Hall of Fame induction in 2006.

Members of the 1999 Championship Team:

Robbie Adams Rodney Harris James Pitney Tim Autry
Buddy Hernandez Jon Rardin Barry Blake Kevin Ingold
Scott Robeson Pat Bullard Chris Johnson Dan Salay
Nick Buonocore Daniel Johnson Brett Schultz David Capobianco
Andy Jones Jayon Sigley Ryan Cramer Steve Kadlick
Jed Snead Jim Faraci Jon Markle Jeremy Stewart
Russ Fink Jason Maurer Taylor Williams Sean Fleming
Andrew McFarland Brian Woolston Nick Hallabaugh Kevin McNeil
Tim Wright Joel Yednock

Charlie Long, Head Coach Ernie Jones, Assistant Coach Jerry Edwards, Assistatn Coach

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 25

honors & awards

Fall Athletes Earn All-Conference Recognition

2016 USA South Regular Season Champions

Men’s Sports Malik Adams Tayler Kidder Victoria Burkhart

FOOTBALL Women’s Sports
Malik Adams, Selma, NC., Senior,
First Team All-Conference, All-Region WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Codan Breckenridge, Jacksonville, FL, Junior, Sarah Grossman, Senior, Lexington, TN,
Second Team All-Conference All-Sportsmanship Team
Michael Clemmons, Greenville, NC, Senior,
Second Team All-Conference WOMEN’S SOCCER
Rakeem Cooper, Newport News, VA, Senior, Tayler Kidder, North East, MD, Freshman,
Second Team All-Conference First Team All-Conference.
Christopher Richardson, Chesapeake VA, Victoria Burkhart, Mt. Pocono, PA., Freshman,
First Team All-Conference
Senior, Second Team All-Conference Logan Bill, Goldsboro, NC., Senior,
Travis Thompson, Palm Coast, FL, Junior, Second Team All-Conference
All-Sportsmanship Team Ella Burkhart, Mt. Pocono, PA., Junior,
Second Team All-Conference
MEN’S SOCCER Ashley Major, Manassas, VA., Junior,
Baboucarr Njie, Washington, DC., Freshman, Second Team All-Conference
USA South Rookie of the Year, First Team Lauren Seegal, Havelock, NC, Junior,
All-Conference Second Team All-Conference
AJ Wadda, Fredericksburg, VA, Junior, Hannah Tolson, Mt. Airy, MD., Junior,
First Team All-Conference, All-Region All-Sportsmanship Team
Drew Wiltse, Centreville, VA, Senior,
First Team All-Conference, All-Region VOLLEYBALL
Kobi Boompong, Bakoteh, Gambia, Freshman, Evie Hunter, Rocky Mount, NC., Senior,
Second Team All-Conference All-Sportsmanship Team
Olafur Einarsson, Isafijordur, Iceland,

Sophomore, Second Team All-Conference
Alex Magner, Newland, NC, Junior,
Second Team All-Conference
Caetano Viegas, Apucarana, Brazil, Senior,
Second Team All-Conference

26 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

The Wesleyan Dance Team Takes First Place

The Wesleyan Dance Team recently took first Members of the NCWC Dance Team (Left to Right)
place in Epic Dance Nationals “Reach the Beach” Diamond Fogg, Starr Mitchell, Kelly Harrell, Christopher
competition in Ocean City, Maryland. The judges Washington, Brittany Wooten, Abigail Walston (Dance
commended the team on their energy, choreography, Arts of Rocky Mount), Sydney Ludlum (Dance Arts of
and enthusiasm. According to Cheer and Dance
Coach Kayla Wygal, most teams practice every day Rocky Mount)
in college gyms with professional choreography.
The Wesleyan team practices for 45 minutes twice
per week and rely on the hospitality of Courtney
Manning, owner of Dance Arts of Rocky Mount, who
lets the team use her gym. The Wesleyan Dancers
do their own choreography except for a small portion
graciously provided by Kelly Scott, Nash Central High
School’s dance teacher. The team was so enthusiastic
that they recruited dancers for next year at the event.
“They are an incredible group of dancers and they
represented the college well,” said Coach Wygal,
“Their work ethic and self-discipline really showed
in their outstanding performance. I could not be any
prouder. The future of the NCWC Dance Team is
really bright!”

Young to Work With NASA

After a highly competitive search process, Casey Young, a NC
Wesleyan Mathematics Major with a Secondary Education Minor,
has been selected as a NASA Instructional Assistant for the MUREP
Educator Institutes at Langley Research Center this May. Casey will
work with members of the Institute’s instructional team that will
include the NASA Center’s Educator Professional Development
Collaborative (EPDC) specialist and an additional Education staff
member assigned by the Center. This 4-person team will utilize
the suggested Institute curriculum and resources, determine the
daily schedule, arrange Center immersion experiences and NASA
partner activities, deliver the Institute content, and assist with the
facilitation of local arrangements.
Casey was selected last year as one of the Education students
who attended a week-long STEM training workshop at Langley
Research Center which provided her the chance to compete for the
instructional assistant position.

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 27

honors & awards

Wesleyan Named to
PTK Transfer Honor Roll

NC Wesleyan was first choice, in the pursuit of a quality, affordable
one of 65 colleges and bachelor’s degree,” Tincher-Ladner said. “With
universities, and the this designation, we hope to connect community
only private college in NC, college students with institutions who value their
recognized by Phi Theta Kappa unique transfer experience and prioritize their
as members of Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor success.”
Roll, which identifies the top four-year colleges Tincher-Ladner added that colleges and
and universities for creating dynamic pathways to universities who provide high-quality transfer
support community college transfers. programs benefit from the rich perspective and
Winners were selected based on engagement, diversity community college students bring to the
collaboration, impact and achievements related student body.
to the transfer of community college students as “These students are scholars, leaders, global
well as partnerships, support, admissions outreach, citizens, often with higher grade point averages
scholarships/financial aid, student engagement than students who started at the university,” she
opportunities and institutional priorities. Information said. “In order to ensure their continued success, the
submitted in the applications has the potential to Transfer Honor Roll Program identifies colleges and
support future transfer studies from Phi Theta Kappa. universities that understand the unique needs of
Phi Theta Kappa CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner community college transfer students and applauds
said the new recognition program reflects the the dynamic pathways these colleges have created
growing importance of transfers in helping the to continue fostering student success at the four-
U.S. achieve its college completion goals, and will year college.”
promote further study and sharing of best practices. The only other NC universities that made the list
“Increasingly, students of all ages and were Appalachian State University and the University
achievement levels are choosing the community of North Carolina at Charlotte.
college, not only as their first step, but also their

REGIONAL SOUTH Wesleyan Makes Top 50 List
in US News Rankings
BEST COLLEGES

2017

North Carolina Wesleyan was named one of the academic quality are first-year student retention,
top 50 regional colleges in the South according to graduation rates, and strength of faculty.
the U.S. News & World Report 2017 Best Colleges This year’s ranking represents considerable
rankings. In the annual study, more than 1,800 improvement for NC Wesleyan. Last year Wesleyan
U.S. schools are evaluated on up to 15 measures ranked #67 and the previous year #71. While the
of academic quality. Wesleyan tied for #47 with wide number of factors that make up the overall
Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL. college experience cannot be completely defined
The U.S. News ranking system is based on in an analysis of this type, it does provide a
quantitative measures that education experts benchmark for students and parents as they begin
identify as reliable indicators of academic quality the college selection process.
and on research data of what matters in education.
Some of the key quantitative measures of

28 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine

in MEMORY

Remembering our Bishop Family

Don Scalf South’s inaugural Hall of Fame class, while the Bishops’
1935 - 2017 annual Don Scalf Invitational continues to be a
highlight for Wesleyan’s golf program.
On Tuesday, March 7, 2017, Scalf was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church
Wesleyan lost one of its own. where he sang in the choir for 30 years. He is survived
Don Scalf, former teacher, by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
coach, athletic director, and
lifetime Battling Bishop passed Marvin Pittman ‘72
away at the age of 82. 1950 - 2016
Donald Lee Scalf was born
in Montgomery, AL, the fourth On September 15, 2016,
child of Rev. John Henry Scalf Wesleyan lost a great friend,
and Mary Cameron Scalf. Don grew up in Winston- board member, mentor, and
Salem and then the family moved to High Point supporter. Marvin Ray Pittman
where he graduated from High Point High School was born in Edgecombe
in 1952. In high school, he exceled at basketball County on May 5, 1950, to
and track and went on to play basketball at Wake Willie and Hattie Pittman.
Forest University. He obtained his Master’s Degree He graduated from George
in Physical Education from the University of North Washington Carver High
Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1959. School and NC Wesleyan
Scalf joined Wesleyan in 1962 where he taught College in 1972. Pittman
for 36 years, coached for 18 years, and served as completed graduate degrees of study at NC State
Athletics Director for six years. During his coaching University and NC Central University.
career, Scalf’s teams won Conference championships Pittman moved to Raleigh where he began his
in basketball (1966) and golf (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973), lifelong pursuit of assisting struggling NC schools and
earning him Conference Coach of the Year honors on students close the achievement gap. His work spanned
four occasions. through the Wake County Public School System,
In addition to his role as the first coach in both Durham County Public School System, NC Department
Bishop Basketball and golf history, he also served of Public Instruction, and the NC State Board of
as head coach for the College’s inaugural women’s Education. More recently, Pittman was appointed as
volleyball team in 1974. NCWC’s “Scalf Field” for the Community Liaison for Student Achievement. He
soccer/lacrosse and “Don Scalf Court” for basketball/ worked directly with the Chairman of the State Board
volleyball are named in honor of his dedication to of Education empowering community constituents
Battling Bishop athletics. to support schools and students strategically. He
A founding father of the USA South (then the also co-chaired the Governor’s Character Education
Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) in 1963, Committee. Upon retirement in 2009, he vigorously
Scalf served as its Secretary-Treasurer for 25 years. continued his work in education through Pittman
His commitment to the student-athlete, guardianship Education Consulting until his health started to decline
of the value of academic achievement, and devotion in early 2016.
to the principles of Division III Pittman was appointed to the NC Wesleyan
athletics set a standard that Board of Trustees in 2010 and most recently served
holds steadfast in the as Chairman of the Education and Enrollment
conference today. For this Committee. He was a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher,
reason, the conference and Chairman of the Education Committee of the
presents its prestigious Don Compassionate Baptist Church in Raleigh. Pittman is
Scalf Award to one deserving survived by his wife of 44 years, Earnestine, and two
male and female student- daughters.
athlete on a yearly basis.
Most recently in
2010, Coach Scalf earned
recognition in the USA

North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine 29

North Carolina Wesleyan College
Office of College Advancement

3400 North Wesleyan Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804

June 18 - 23, 2017

A six-day residential leadership
camp for rising high school school
freshman to graduating seniors.
For more information or to register, go to ncwc.
edu/shelton-leadership
Email: [email protected]
Call: 252.985.5386/252.985.5213

30 North Carolina Wesleyan College Magazine