A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Wesleyan College
Wesleyan Holds Scholarship Appreciation Gala
Scholarship donors and their recipients came together at North Carolina Wesleyan November 1 as the college held its Scholarship Appreciation Gala at The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts. The event recognized scholarship donors who give annually to Wesleyan students, helping them pursue their academic and professional dreams.
"It is always rewarding to bring together this group of promising young people and let our generous sponsors see the powerful impact their commitments are making on these leaders of tomorrow," stated Eddie Coats, Vice President of Advancement. "Many of these students would not be able to afford a comprehensive college education without this support."
Student body president and Heritage scholarship recipient, Will Plyler, spoke about the impact of his award. "I am just a sophomore but my life has been completely changed by the funding that made it possible for me to attend Wesleyan. I now have the opportunity to learn and pursue my passion in life. I am extremely grateful," said Plyler.
Guest speaker for the event was J. Winston Lea, owner of Action Staffing Group and President of the Gravely Foundation. In 1945 as World War II was ending, the children of Rocky Mount businessman J.O.W. and Lula Keen Gravely created the Gravely Foundation to honor their parents' philosophy that every child should have the opportunity to advance themselves through education. Over the last four decades, the Gravely Foundation has provided approximately $803,000 to support students and programming at Wesleyan. In his speech, Lea encouraged students to give back to their communities, churches and colleges. "One thing that I have learned on this journey of life is whatever you give, you will receive back tenfold," stated Lea.
Each year more than 180 Wesleyan students benefit from the generosity of our donors.
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award Presented To Nelsons
NC Wesleyan recently presented its prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award to Lloyd Nelson '67 and Elliott Stevenson Nelson '66. The award honors the excellence in character, leadership, community service and spiritual values of Algernon Sydney Sullivan, a lawyer, scholar and orator. While at Wesleyan, Lloyd was a stand-out on the hardwood as the basketball program's first Most Valuable Player during the college's inaugural season in 1963-1964. He went on to become a two-time All-Conference selection and earned MVP rights again his senior year. The Nelsons have been very involved in Wesleyan over the years and Lloyd served on the Board of Trustees from 1997 to May 2018.
"The Nelsons have given tirelessly and generously to Wesleyan over a long period of time," stated President Dr. Dewey Clark. "Their love and dedication to this college and the students we serve is without comparison. There has never been two more worthy recipients than Lloyd and Elliott."
Dr. Carl Lewis '00 Shares His Time And Talents
Dr. Carl Lewis '00 has a talent and a passion for photography. A NC Wesleyan alumnus and faculty member, Dr. Carl Lewis and his wife, Dr. Jackie Lewis, volunteer numerous hours to the NCWC Department of Athletics by serving as the Battling Bishops' resident photographers. Fifteen NCWC sports teams keep the Lewises very busy capturing the seasons for each team. Not only do they volunteer their time, the Lewises are also happy to share their photos free of charge to student-athletes and their families as well as the Wesleyan community. From November 14, 2017 to November 14, 2018, Dr. Lewis' photo site had 3,579,047 photo hits/downloads. Visit his website to view all of his photos
http://www.clewisncwc.smugmug.com/.
In addition to photographing all the sporting events for the college, Lewis also photographs events for the College. His pictures capture the life and essence of the Wesleyan community at all hours of the day and night.
In addition to NCWC sports, marketing and event photography for the college, Carl has recently been involved in numerous other events. Here are just a few of his accomplishments...his photo was featured as the magazine cover for a coastal magazine in Fall 2018; photography for the Fall 2018 Lost Colony Food and Wine Festival; the NC Museum of History used one of his photos for program marketing; Tarheel Junior Historical Association used his photo for programming; Summer 2018 The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama photography; photography for Spring/Summer 2018 City of Rocky Mount Downtown Development Commission; and Spring Summer 2018 thirteen of his photos were placed on permanent display throughout the Station Square Office Complex in Rocky Mount.
Dr. Carl Lewis obtained his bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from NC Wesleyan College in 2000, his masters degree from East Carolina University in 2003 and his PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice from North Central University in 2011. He is currently Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at North Carolina Wesleyan College. He also serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative.
During his free time, in addition to photography, Dr. Lewis enjoys surfing, kayaking, and training for triathlons.
Wesleyan To Honor Brackett With Fundraiser For Softball Field
The NC Wesleyan athletic department is celebrating thirty years of
dedication to NCWC by honoring head softball coach John Brackett with a softball fundraising project to show their appreciation and support to him.
The department is hoping to raise $50,000 to add a new brick backstop, new backstop netting and a new field entrance at the Edge Softball Field complex that will read "BRACKETTVILLE" as you enter into the complex.
Brackett enters his 30th season at North Carolina Wesleyan College. Coach Brackett served as the Head Women's Basketball Coach for 20 seasons, compiling a program-best 193 victories. He also holds the career wins mark in softball, having recently eclipsed the 500-win mark during the 2018 season completing his 27th season as Head Coach.
In softball, Brackett was named Conference Coach of the Year in 1996 after leading the Battling Bishops to their third straight regular season conference championship. He went on to earn East Region Coach of the Year accolades in 1998 after
helping Wesleyan to a program-best 31-13 overall record and the team's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Brackett's teams made it to the NCAA Regional Final in both 1998 and 1999 and narrowly missed the opportunity to compete in the College World Series. In 2006 and 2007, Brackett led NCWC to back-to-back 20-win seasons and coached the program's first All-American selection.
There are three levels of giving to the project....Blue-$250, Gold-$500 and Bishop Pride-$1,000. You may give online designating your gift for Brackettville or by calling (252) 985-5581.
You Can Earn A Bachelor's Degree In Accounting 100% Online
Did you know you could earn a bachelor's degree in Accounting from NCWC 100% online?
CPA's are consistently well paid because that skill is in high demand. When you have a skill that is in high demand, you can count on career stability, a competitive salary and lots of chances to advance.
Careers to consider with a degree in Accounting:
Public Accounting (CPA): Public accounting firms provide auditing, tax, accounting, and consulting services to businesses and individuals.
Private Industry Accounting: In private industry accounting, you work for one company and gain in-depth knowledge and experience in the accounting for that company. You prepare the financial information necessary to help management plan and control company activities.
Government & Non-Profit Accounting: The goal of the accounting department in typical government agencies is to function within the budgetary constraints mandated by the legislature. Government accountants also monitor the appropriation of funds and awarding of contracts to private agencies that must follow governmental regulations.
Rotary Club Of Rocky Mount Presents Scholarship Funds
Rotary Club members Garry Hodges, Kristen Brabble, Neill Nelson, and Lyn C. Brown present a check to Eddie Coats and Mark Hinson, NC Wesleyan College
The Rotary Club of Rocky Mount recently presented a total of $66,000 in scholarship money to Rocky Mount area colleges. The funds were raised through the Tackle the Tar event, an annual 5K obstacle race organized and promoted for the past three years by the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount.
North Carolina Wesleyan College, Nash Community College and Edgecombe Community College were each presented with a check for $22,000 to be used for providing scholarships to college students in Nash and Edgecombe counties. .
Next year's Tackle The Tar event will be held on May 18, 2019. For more information about the Tackle the Tar event, go to http://www.tacklethetar.com.
Your Holiday Shopping Can Make a Difference To Wesleyan
Did you know your purchases can make a difference? AmazonSmile donates to North Carolina Wesleyan College when you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/56-0686603.
Upcoming Shows And Events
At The Dunn Center
Lighting of Wesleyan - November 29, 2018, 5:30 PM
Please join us for the 13th Annual Lighting of Wesleyan on November 29th starting at 5:30 PM. Come enjoy our live nativity, live music provided by our NCWC musical groups and meet Santa! It will be a great night full of fun for the whole family! After a hayride around campus sponsored by the Battling Bishops Baseball Team, stick around for a production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Call the box office at (252) 985-5197 or stop by The Dunn Center for your $7.00 Charlie Brown tickets today!
A Charlie Brown Christmas - November 29, 2018 7:00 PM
Everyone's favorite holiday classic comes to life in A Charlie Brown Christmas at the DUNN! Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. A Charlie Brown Christmas
is a present the whole family can enjoy!
Call The Dunn Center Box Office at (252) 985-5197 for tickets ($7.00 each/general admission) or buy
online.
The Holly Day Celebration - December 1, 2018, 7:00 PM
Come out and enjoy Christmas music and hymns put on by a local group called The Holly Day Celebration. Tickets are just $16. Doors open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 7:00 PM. Show sponsors are Don's Body Shop, Hubert Vester Auto Group, Strickland Brothers, The Reams Family and Farm Pak.
Call The Dunn Center Box Office at (252) 985-5197 for tickets or buy online.
Brooke Simpson - December 14, 2018, 8:00 PM
From recording her first song at the age of two years old, to being a part of NBC's
The Voice, Brooke Simpson's life story is one with her music. She is a powerhouse vocalist who is passionate about songwriting and people. This past winter she received a four-chair turn on
The Voice, with Miley Cyrus as her coach, charting on the iTunes top ten week after week, and ultimately getting third place on the show's 13th season. A night not to be missed.
Tickets are on sale now at The Dunn Center by calling (252) 985-5197 or you may buy
online. General seating $15-$25. Limited VIP seating $40.
Balsam Range - January 11, 2019, 7:30 PM
Hailing from Haywood County, this quintet is among the most award-winning musicians in bluegrass. Their ascent to the top of the genre is as majestic as the Great Balsam Range in the NC mountains, for which they are named. Come see why Buddy, Caleb, Marc, Darren and Tim have amassed ten IBMA awards and turned out six critically acclaimed albums.
Call The Dunn Center Box Office at (252) 985-5197 for tickets or buy online.
Earn Your Master Of Science In Criminal Justice Degree
You can earn your fully accredited Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree 100% online from NC Wesleyan College. Cost of books for the entire program is less that $200. Finish your degree in twelve months. Next start date is January 14, 2019. Financial aid is available. Contact Michael Drew [email protected] or call (252) 985-5200 to learn more.
Reserve Your Wesleyan Memorial Brick
Students, organizations, parents, alumni, and community supporters now have the opportunity to inscribe their names at North Carolina Wesleyan College. The Office of Alumni Relations is selling bricks to be placed at the new entrance located at the south end of the Pearsall Library addition, or at the Leon Russell Chapel entrance.
Your brick will be a permanent tribute on the NCWC campus. In years to come, your family members, students, alumni, faculty, and visitors will see your name and recognize your loyalty to the College. Your gift is a special way to support NCWC.
A brick is a wonderful opportunity to honor a mentor, memorialize a loved one, commemorate an occasion or event, or simply make public your support to NCWC. Click here for complete ordering information.
Alumni Spotlight
Faculty/Staff Spotlight
Retired Lt. Col. James Mercer Inducted Into Hall of Fame
Lt. Col. James Mercer, US Army (Ret.) was recently one of twelve to be inducted into the 2018 Twin County Hall of Fame. He was honored during the 15th Annual Induction Banquet held at the Rocky Mount Event Center on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
Mercer is currently the Director of Military Studies at NC Wesleyan College and also coordinates the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program for the college. Lt. Col. James Mercer was born in Edgecombe County and raised in Nash County. He joined the US Army after graduating from North Edgecombe High School. He retired with 30 years of military service in the US Army, US Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. During his distinguished civilian career, he served in multiple roles including: police officer and firefighter for the City of Rocky Mount, Deputy Fire Marshal for Nash County Emergency Services, Public Safety Instructor at Nash and Edgecombe Community Colleges, Director of Public Safety Training for Nash Community College, Director of Emergency Management and Fire Marshal for Edgecombe County, Director of Emergency Management for Fayetteville State University and later for the City of Raleigh, where he retired in 2012.
"This is a big deal for me and pretty cool, I must say. What an incredible honor it is to be recognized by my community. I want to thank all those who mentored me, impacted me and helped me along the way. It was a village that got Lt. Col. (Ret) James Mercer from Battleboro, North Carolina, to where I am today," stated Mercer.
