Bishop Beat, October 2019

A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Wesleyan College

North Carolina Wesleyan celebrated Homecoming on Saturday, October 12 playing its first ever football game on campus. Activities began Friday afternoon with alumni golf, a Homecoming Social at the President's House, the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and a student bonfire. The entire campus was abuzz Saturday morning with various activities and sporting events prior to the 12 noon football kickoff. Alumni gatherings, alumni reunion softball and baseball, tailgating, the 2nd Annual Chili Bash, and a Homecoming Golf Parade preceded the exciting football game between the NC Wesleyan Battling Bishops and Greensboro Pride. The Bishops defeated Greensboro 44-7 before a large Homecoming crowd in the Vernon T. Bradley complex. Following football, fans walked over to Scalf Field where the Men's and Women's soccer teams both had matches recognizing their Seniors before each contest. Between matches, the 1994 NCAA Final Four Women's Soccer Team was honored on their 25th anniversary. Saturday evening alumni and friends ended Homecoming 2019 by gathering at Rocky Mount Mills for fun and fellowship.

From beginning to end Homecoming 2019 was one for the history books....a HOMECOMING WHERE WE BELONG!

Happy Fall! It's been a busy time at NC Wesleyan the past month. Here are some highlights.

Judge Phil Carlton will be our Founders' Day speaker on October 24. He is a former chairman of the board of trustees for NC Wesleyan College and has a long and rich history with the College. I could not think of a better Founders' Day speaker. I hope to see you all there on October 24.
We recently received notice that Wesleyan is the recipient of a $300,000 Lilly Foundation grant over the next four years. This grant will help to further our efforts with the Youth Theology Institute known as Connect on our campus.
Wesleyan has now hired its first Director for the RN-to-BSN program. Dr. Brittany Bass holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has over 10 years of clinical experience and instructor experience at Nash Community College.

Edwards' Generosity Provides Athletic Improvements

Jonathan "Nathan" Edwards, a graduate of the Class of 2001, continues to assist North Carolina Wesleyan College Athletics with his generosity. The former Bishop baseball player and his company, Edwards, Inc., are responsible for improvements to baseball, football, soccer and softball. He is pictured here with his family and John Brackett, Head Softball Coach, on the newly renovated "Brackettville" softball complex. Nathan earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from NC Wesleyan in 2001. Bishop Athletics thanks you for your support!

Rocky Mount Rotary Club Presents Scholarship Funds

The Rocky Mount Rotary Club #6122 recently presented North Carolina Wesleyan College scholarship funds of $27,000 from proceeds raised by the Fourth Annual Tackle the Tar. Tackle the Tar is the Rotary Club's 5K mud run and fun day held to fund scholarships for local colleges. In four years, the Rocky Mount Rotary Club's Tackle the Tar has given $234,000 to Nash Community College , Edgecombe Community College and NC Wesleyan College.

Left to right Lyn C. Brown, Rocky Mount Rotary Club; Mark Hinson, Marshall Leonard, Tammy Robinson, Dr. Evan Duff, Eddie Coats, North Carolina Wesleyan College and Kristen Brabble, Rocky Mount Rotary Club

Wesleyan Reports Increase In Returning Students

North Carolina Wesleyan College welcomed 373 new and 734

returning students to campus kicking off the 2019-

2020 academic year. The College is pleased to report that retention rates are trending higher than last year by approximately 4% and the College's residence halls are at 94% capacity. Recruitment efforts for this class emphasized local recruitment, a diverse representation, and building upon the College's academic programs.

Local Focus

There has been a concerted effort to recruit local students from area high school and transfer partners. Seventy-one percent of the Class of 2023 comes from North Carolina, which is an increase of 5% over the previous year. Wesleyan admitted 112 students from Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Halifax and Franklin counties accounting for nearly 30% of the incoming 2019 student body. According to Paige Price Wells, Assistant Director of Recruiting for Admissions, "It is important that we continue to serve and provide for the educational needs of our community, whether a student is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate education."

A Diverse Representation

While Wesleyan places a focus on serving local high school graduates, the incoming class also consists of students from 203 schools, 10 states and 20 different countries around the world. Thirty-three new international students now attend North Carolina Wesleyan college spanning the globe from Argentina to Japan.

NC Wesleyan's Director of International Recruitment, Alex Rodriguez, states "Wesleyan hopes to sustain the recruitment success of international students. The College assists international students through scholarships, academic support and cultural activities. Read more.

Earn A Degree In Logistics

Earn your degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management through evening or online classes. Classes start every 8 weeks. Learn more today at https://ncwc.edu/academics/adult-professional-studies/.

NCWC Lunch 'n Learn Series November 12th

Prevention & Care of Injuries 101

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM

Carlton Board Room

The Dunn Center for

the Performing Arts

Our next seminar, "Prevention & Care of Injuries 101," will be presented by Ms. Kelly Bly, Associate Athletic Trainer at NCWC. Bring your lunch and come learn about what you need to know about injury prevention and treatment!

This "brown bag" seminar series is sponsored by the Departments of Health Promotion and Exercise Science, in partnership with the Exercise is Medicine on Campus Initiative and Wesleyan Wellness, and is open to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. These are brief (~ 30 min) informal seminars designed to provide quick and easy to understand information about relevant health topics.

Upcoming Shows At The Dunn Center

Elisabeth Von Trapp

Friday, October 25, 2019

7:30 PM

The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts

Meet the granddaughter of Maria and Baron von Trapp, who escaped Austria in 1938, and whose story inspired The Sound of Music. Continuing the family's musical passion, she employs her own artistic style. With a voice described as "hauntingly clear" and "joyfully expressive," as well as "simply beautiful," you can bet the evening will be oh, soooo fun!

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

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 (25) 985-5197 or purchase tickets here.

Mims Art Gallery

Evening with a

World War II P.O.W.

Chris Larsen

WWII POW of the Japanese

in the Philippines

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

7:00 PM

Powers Recital Hall

The Dunn Center for the

Performing Arts

Hear Chris share his story of how three days turned into three years of constant fear, misery, starvation and death in a Japanese civilian prisoner of war camp.

From The Vault

NC Wesleyan Homecoming over the years....

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

Richard "Dennis" Schulze '64 is now in his 54th year of the ministry. Dennis retired from being a full-time pastor in the United Methodist Church in 2008. He has remained in part-time ministry since retirement and is now serving four churches in Baltimore County, Maryland. Dennis was in the first graduating class at North Carolina Wesleyan College graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion.

Amy D. Smith '10 was promoted recently to the position of Veterans Services

Director for the Wayne County Department of Veteran Services. Amy is a

native of Wayne County and has been employed by the County for two years as the Assistant Director of Veterans Services. She is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is trained to help veterans with their claims within the VA System. Amy graduated from the Goldsboro campus of

North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice

Studies AD.

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].

Captain Robert (Bob) Francis Kane '85 , U.S. Marine Corps, Retired, died Thursday, August 22, 2019 at his residence. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1955 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1966 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Flight Equipment Officer and Infantry Officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat "V" for his courage and composure under fire. He worked for the NC Department of Labor and Department of the Navy as a Safety Officer. He graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is survived by his daughter and granddaughter.

Angela B. Price Carter '07 passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at her home. She was a long time resident of Louisburg, NC. A native of North Carolina, Angie graduated from Craven Community College with an Associate in Science degree. Later she continued her education and graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She enjoyed helping and making new friends wherever she went. She is survived by her parents, four children, twelve grandchildren, one brother, one niece and one nephew.

Gertrude "Trudy" H. Lynn '99 passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at Vidant Medical Center. She was born in Halifax County and retired from Edgecombe Community College after many years of service. Trudy graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is survived by her husband of forty years, Donnie Lynn, one brother and sister-in-law and one niece.

Richard "Dick" H. Barnhardt died September 15, 2019 at the Stewart Health Center at The Cypress of Charlotte after a prolonged period of decline in general health. Dick was president of Thomas & Howard Company of Rocky Mount and chairman of the board of the Anheuser Busch distributorship in Hickory, NC. He was active in his church and community. He served as

trustee emeriti for North Carolina Wesleyan College and was the recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from the College for his many contributions to the school. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, his five children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a brother.

James F. Potts '81 age 62, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2019. He worked in the field of information technology with Planters Bank, Hardee's and QVC. Jim will be missed by all who knew him. He graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is survived by his sister and her husband, two nephews and one niece.

John J. Ferebee, Sr., age 89, passed away Monday, October 7, 2019. John was a visionary who devoted his life to helping to promote positive change for those around him. He was a 1952 business graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and a veteran of the United States Navy. He started his first business in the 1950's and evolved into real estate development in the late 1970's. He formed Ferebee Properties specializing in multi-family community development. He was Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for NC Wesleyan College. He was the recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. He is survived by his wife, children, step-children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and step-great grandchildren.

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.

October
2019