Bishop Beat, November 2019

A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Wesleyan College

Wesleyan's New MBA Program Approved

North Carolina Wesleyan College is thrilled to announce that its new Master of Business Administration program has been fully approved by its regional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The inaugural class will start on January 6, 2020.

"NC Wesleyan College has been equipping business students to be industry leaders at the undergraduate level for over 60 years. We are taking our expertise in this subject matter to the next level. Our MBA will meet the region's needs to having highly qualified managers and leaders at all levels of an organization," commented Interim President Dr. Evan D. Duff.

The MBA program will be 100% online and consist of 33 credit hours to accommodate those seeking work or who are already working, The one-year program will consist of five eight-week sessions, two classes per session and end with a final capstone class. The program is designed for students seeking to develop their knowledge and broaden their skills in management and leadership. The curriculum is designed to enhance students' ability to develop and implement organizational strategies that deliver business results. The MBA degree offers rolling admission, meaning those attending can start the program throughout the year at the beginning of any new eight-week session.

NC Wesleyan is the only private, non-profit college currently offering an online MBA degree in the region. Click for more information or contact Dani Somers, Director of Adult Studies & Graduate Admissions, at [email protected].

December 2019 Commencement Speaker Announced

North Carolina Wesleyan College is proud to announce Sony Music Entertainment Executive, Ms. Constance D. Williams, as their December 2019 commencement speaker. A seasoned executive with over 26 years of human resource and business experience as well as previous adjunct professor at the College, Ms. Williams brings a wealth of knowledge to impart upon the upcoming graduating class. Her legacy of delivering trusted, forward thinking, creative and impactful insight within her field will inspire graduates as they transition into the next chapter of their lives, promotion opportunities and future careers.

"Constance is a positive force of nature in the world of human resources and organizational development. During her time as an adjunct professor, she instilled the highest level of knowledge, character and personal development with our students. I am so excited for our December class of 2019 to hear the wisdom she has to offer," stated Wesleyan's Interim President, Dr. Evan D. Duff.

Ms. Williams currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Americas, Sony Music Entertainment located in New York, NY. She leads Sony Music's talent acquisition and talent management functions.

Prior to her employment at Sony Music Entertainment, Ms. Williams was an adjunct professor at North Carolina Wesleyan College, credentialed to teach courses in Psychology, Business and Organizational Administration at all levels. She earned her bachelor's degree from Cornell University and her master's degree from Columbia University. She also earned distinction having received Billboard Magazine's 2018 Women in Music Award. Read more

Battling Bishop Women's Soccer Receives Endowment Fund

The Battling Bishops Women's Soccer program recently received a $10,000 endowment. This gift was made possible due to the generous support of two previous North Carolina Wesleyan students--Thomas and Cynthia Dyer.

Women's Soccer at NC Wesleyan started in 1983 and has grown immensely over the years. With the broadening of the program and its success comes increased costs including uniforms, travel for away games and lighting for the complex. To assist with these needs, The Thomas and Cynthia Dyer Endowment Fund was established by Cynthia Dansie Dyer of Maryland and Thomas G. Dyer '70 of Virginia. Long supporters of North Carolina Wesleyan College, the Dyer's remain involved with the Nu Gamma Phi Fraternity, giving to the efforts of establishing scholarships and support for the Hartness Center, among other endeavors.

"It's a privilege to assist the Women's Soccer program. We feel fortunate to be able to support Wesleyan and the growth that this program has experienced," stated the Dyer's. Read more

Wesleyan Celebrates 63 Years At Founders' Day Ceremony

Noth Carolina Wesleyan College celebrated its 63rd year with its annual Founders' Day ceremony Thursday, October 24, Guest speaker for the event was the honorable Judge Phil Carlton, Trustee Emeritus. Carlton has a long and generous history with NC Wesleyan, serving almost 20 years as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He has been an instrumental financial supporter and advocate of the College since the 1970's.

During the ceremony, two NC Wesleyan residence halls were formally renamed. Nash Hall was renamed Pash Hall in honor of Mrs. Jessie "Jackie" H. Pash in recognition of her service as an elementary school teacher in the Nash-Rocky Mount School System. Edgecombe Hall was renamed after Carrol and Judy Roberson in recognition of their service to others and the values they placed upon education. These tributes were both made possible due to a generous gift to the College by the Roberson's son, C. Saunders "Sandy" Roberson, who was also a former student in Mrs. Pash's first-grade class at Englewood Elementary School here in Rocky Mount.

"North Carolina Wesleyan College is fortunate and blessed to have a long history of dedicated members of the Rocky Mount community who have supported the mission of the College with their time, talents and donations. We appreciate the generous gift that Sandy Roberson has made to rename these residence halls," commented Duff.

The day concluded with an Open House hosted by NCWC Residence Life staff at the newly renamed Roberson Hall. Read more

Rotary Club Scholarships Awarded to NC Wesleyan Students

This year's Rotary Scholars (L to R): Michael Parker, Brianna Skipwith, Miranda Massey, Kenya Dickens, Jessica Wall, Kevin Teague, Nya House and Kiara Spooner. (Not Pictured): Madison Gill, Latarsha Powell, Jymaca Revis and Joynese Speller.

Twelve North Carolina Wesleyan College students recently became recipients of scholarships from the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount. These scholarships were made possible by proceeds raised during the Tackle the Tar 5K Obstacle Race, held back in May.

This September, the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount presented North Carolina Wesleyan College with a check for $27,000 from this year's Tackle the Tar. In just four short years, Tackle the Tar has given $234,000 to Nash Community College, Edgecombe Community College and NC Wesleyan College to help fund scholarships. Read more

Senior Receives Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club Scholarship

A North Carolina Wesleyan College senior, Jessica Wall, was recently awarded a scholarship from the Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club in memory of Mrs. Betsy Strandberg.

Wall, a native of Whitakers, NC, attended high school at Northern Nash. She is currently majoring in Psychology with plans to graduate this spring. After graduation, she intends on pursuing her masters and doctorate. In her free time, Wall enjoys attending Covenant Campus Ministry on Wednesday nights, an outreach of Christ Covenant Church. During the summer, she works as a counselor with Lifeway FUGE camps.

This scholarship was given in memory of Mrs. Betsy Strandberg, the first woman president of the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce and the first female member of the Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club. Strandberg was active with North Carolina Wesleyan College as President of the Board of Visitors, Chair of "A Day for Wesleyan," more

The change in temperatures is an indication that fall semester is rapidly coming to a close. It has been a busy time on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan College.

October 24 we celebrated the College's 63rd birthday, known as Founders' Day. We are so fortunate to have people like Judge J. Phil Carlton, Sandy Roberson and the multitude of other donors, board members, alumni and friends of the College who support our mission.
We welcomed future and prospective students to our Fall Open House on November 2.
NC Wesleyan hosted the 2019 USA South Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 2 on the brand new on-campus walking trail. The NCWC men's and women's Cross Country teams are in Memphis, TN this weekend competing in the NCAA Regional Championships.
My wife, Marcy and I attended the annual honors' dinner with our honors' students.
Our men's soccer team won the 2019 USA South Championship. They are now headed to the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Championship where they will face Washington & Lee in Lexington, VA on Saturday, November 16.
Two spirit rocks have been added to campus. They will allow our student groups to express themselves and will add character and uniqueness to our campus.
The last home football game of the year will be played on campus Saturday, November 16 as the North Carolina Wesleyan College football team takes on Maryville. I hope you will come out early and join the pregame tailgate prior to the noon kickoff.
A new, yearly tradition that allows graduating seniors to leave a mark on campus was launched this week. The tradition involves the planting of tulip and daffodil bulbs on an area of campus chosen by the seniors. Seniors graduating in December 2019 or May 2020 gathered on campus in front of Pearsall Library to kick off the new tradition. The graduates had the opportunity to plant these bulbs as a symbol of their legacy at NC Wesleyan College. This new tradition nicely coordinates with Wesleyan's continued efforts to expand its beautification of campus and positively impact the environment.

Click here to register.

Upcoming Shows At The Dunn Center

Elf The Musical Jr.

Thursday, November 21, 2019, 7:30 PM

The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts

You asked for plays and musicals. So we're gearing up with Rocky Mount Academy for some great middle school talent! Based on the beloved Christmas film, orphan Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Get ready to have sooo much fun as you, too, embrace your "inner elf" at The Dunn!

Call the Dunn Center box office at (252) 985-5197 or purchase tickets here.

An Afternoon With Patsy Cline

Sunday, November 24, 2019, 3:00 PM

The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts

Tribute artist Jackie Finley comes calling on The Dunn with dozens of Patsy Cline favorites including Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Walkin' After Midnight, Crazy and Sweet Dreams. She's an award winning vocalist alongside national recording artist Nathan Hefner and percussionist Rick Cline. It's Sunday afternoon at The Dunn - and it's oh, soooo fun!

Call the Dunn Center box office at (252) 985-5197 or purchase tickets here.

Christmas with the Celts

Friday, December 13, 2019, 7:30 PM

The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts

Group founder Ric Blair tells the story of a friend who prodded him to attend an Irish concert. "I opened the doors, and people were literally dancing on the tables. The music was so happy." Today, he is one of America's most avid authorities on Celtic music. Come celebrate Christmas at The Dunn. Didn't we tell you it would be oh, soooo fun?

Call the Dunn Center box office at (252) 985-5197 or purchase tickets here.

Mims Art Gallery

Koncept Photography Club: Area photographers expressing us and where we live.

October 31 - December 8, 2019

The Koncept Photography Club has 21 members from around Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton and Warren Counties. Each member has their specialty and some members have broader interests in taking photographs. Twelve members are exhibiting their work in this exhibition. Some club members specialize in portraits, formal and informal; candids are popular, where unplanned, the photographer captures someone doing something interesting or just looking good; events bring people together like car shows, ceremony especially like the Haliwa- Saponi Native pow-wow provide lots to photograph; wild life and nature are tricky...sneaking up on a bird and waiting for a sunrise are all a part of this interest; city and country environs are subject matter, architecture new and old and in different extant states and conditions, modern, historic and falling down....all such concerns and fascination interest club photographers. Subjects in a photograph are important, but equally important are the seasoned photographer's skill and artistic instincts for composition, color and atmosphere qualities, capturing action and movement, also clarity and sharp contrast...all aspects featured in the Koncept Photography exhibition.

Today the camera has changed and changes all the time....digital photography by camera and iphone dominate the photographers equipment...no more spool film and darkroom technology. But the Koncept Photography Club's Mission Statement says it best: "The camera may change, but the concept stays the same."

From The Vault

From The Dissenter 1988...

From The Dissenter 2005...

Stay Connected!

Keep Wesleyan and your fellow alumni informed of your news of marriages, births, job changes, awards, and other activities. Email your Class Note to [email protected]. Photos also will be considered.

Alumni Class Notes

Annette W. Turik '91 was recently the recipient of the Pitt Community College Outstanding Alumni Award. She was a 1986 graduate of PCC with a Paralegal Technology degree. After graduating from Pitt, she worked full-time as a paralegal while earning her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1991 through the Triangle Adult degree program at NC Wesleyan College. She earned her Juris Doctor from NC Central University. She started the law firm Wooten and Turik in 2003. Annette is presently serving as a judge in North Carolina's 8th Judicial District.

Remembering Our Bishop Family

To notify us of the death of a classmate, faculty or staff member, please email the information and an obituary, if available, to [email protected].

Thomas "Sleepy" Taylor, Jr. '87 , 55, departed this earthly life on Friday, September 20, 2019. He lived in Garner, NC. Sleepy graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan in 1987 with a Bachelor's degree. While at Wesleyan he was manager of the baseball team. He is survived by his mother, three sisters, one niece, and two nephews. He was a father figure to five children; one aunt and one uncle.

Dr. John William Kilgore, Sr., age 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. He was a professor at North Carolina Wesleyan College teaching chemistry and physics before he began teaching at Barton College. He retired from Barton in 1996. Bill was a forever Duke fan and an avid watcher of cooking shows. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and a good friend to many. He is survived by two daughters, two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

T. Carl Alderman '66, age 76, passed away on November 9, 2019 in Wake Forest, NC after a 30-year battle with Parkinson's. He graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College with honors in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill where he earned his MBA. He started his banking career at Fidelity Bank in Lynchburg, VA and worked his way up to become President of Huntington National Bank in Columbus, Ohio. He later served as Vice Chairman of Huntington until he retired to Fort Myers, Florida. Carl served on the NC Wesleyan Board of Trustees and was generous in his support of the college. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995. He is survived by his son, daughter-in-law and one granddaughter.

David George Barbin Sr. '66, age 77, passed away on November 7, 2019 of natural causes in Charlotte, NC. He was in the company of his loving family. He was born May 30, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated in 1966 from North Carolina Wesleyan College, where he played on the basketball and golf teams. For all the fond memories, friendships, and the sports that Dave managed to pack into his 77 years, there was no greater love than that which he had for family and friends (too many to mention). He is survived by his daughter and son, four adored grandchildren and one sister.

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.

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