April 2020
NC Wesleyan to Celebrate Graduating Seniors with Virtual Celebration

North Carolina Wesleyan College's spring commencement ceremony was originally scheduled for April 25. With ongoing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the College announced on March 23 that the ceremony would be postponed until December 5, 2020. Graduate candidates for April, August, and December will be able to participate in the December 2020 ceremony. In lieu of a ceremony on April 25, Wesleyan has created a virtual celebration which will be published on the College's website and social media that day.

The virtual celebration on April 25 will include a welcome by President, Dr. Evan D. Duff, baccalaureate address by College Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Barry P. Drum and will recognize each graduate. The virtual celebration can be viewed on April 25 at www.ncwc.edu, as well as the College's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube accounts. More
Cares Act and Charitable Giving - Take Advantage of the New Tax Deductions for 2020

In response to the health crisis facing our nation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act became law in March of 2020. Most of the reporting surrounding the Act has focused on the economic relief that will be coming to individuals and businesses, but there are provisions contained in the Act that impact charitable giving options for individuals who are interested in supporting NC Wesleyan College during these unprecedented times.

Ways to support North Carolina Wesleyan College during the COVID-19 crisis

Faculty Opportunity Fund
The Faculty Opportunity Fund will provide support for our faculty's most immediate needs as they
transition to the on-line environment.

S.O.S. Fund
The S upport O ur S tudents Fund will provide financial assistance to meet unexpected needs of
Wesleyan students for a wide range of emergency situations.

Wesleyan Fund
The College's largest source of unrestricted funds to meet pressing needs and priorities such as
financial assistance and general operating support.
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In spite of our current global circumstances, I hope you are all able to find some peace, joy, and happiness. I am grateful that so many people care about our students, the College, and our community. I have seen the community and the College lift each other up time and time again.
With the help of nearly ten local churches and organizations, Wesleyan provided care packages on March 20 to approximately 200 students remaining on campus to finish the semester via remote instruction. The packages included snacks, drinks and other food items for students to take back to their residence halls.

Our faculty and staff always show up in a big way to support our students. They donated food, snacks, hygiene products and other items for a "student resource" table to support our on-campus students.

With the dwindling supplies of protective masks nationwide, NC Wesleyan mobilized an effort to make homemade face masks to help local providers protect against COVID-19. Led by Dr. Brittany Bass, Director of the RN to BSN program, as of April 17 a total of 368 face masks have been donated.

The support received from our local community, alumni, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees for our annual day of giving, A Day for Wesleyan, will help to provide immediate resources for our students.

Nash-Rocky Mount Rotary Club, Fred's Food Club, and Rocky Mount Radiator and Air Conditioning sent lots of snacks and goodies to our students still on campus April 16.

The NC Wesleyan College Volleyball team and head coach, Vicky Gentile, put together a short video thanking first responders and health care workers during this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic.

Stay Safe. Support Local. Show Kindness.
#WesleyanStrong
SAT/ACT Waived For Fall 2020
North Carolina Wesleyan College remains committed to our community by offering educational opportunities despite the challenges influencing our nation and world. Our core values of Kindness and Empathy require NCWC to be a good faith partner to our service area. In furtherance of these values and in order to afford an opportunity to make an investment in our community, NCWC has amended the admissions policy to waive the ACT/SAT for students who have not had an opportunity to take these national tests. This test optional admissions waiver will be effective immediately and will remain in effect until the Fall 2020 admissions cycle is complete. Read more .
Grant to Benefit College's Teacher Education Program
North Carolina Wesleyan College recently received a CREATE grant from the National Education Association (NEA) Center for Great Public Schools Aspiring Educators Program. The $2,000 grant is to benefit the Students Helping Students Afterschool Program for Social Justice.

Led by Dr. Patricia Brewer, NCWC's Professor and Coordinator of Special Education, Students Helping Students is a service learning project within the College's Teacher Education program. The initiative provides after school services to K-12 children with learning differences in the Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. The program has received statewide recognition and is designed for education students to provide individualized instruction in math and reading. Read more .

UPCOMING
EVENTS



Virtual Celebration
April 25


Connect YTI
June 14-19


Shane and Shane
September 19






































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Alumni Class Notes

Keep Wesleyan and your fellow alumni informed of your news of marriages, births, job changes, awards, and other activities. Email your Class Note to alumni@ncwc.edu. Photos are welcome.
Mario Andrade '17 was recently hired as an assistant coach for men's and women's soccer at Shaw University. He previously served as an assistant at Wake Tech Community College and a graduate assistant coach at NC Wesleyan. He has played at the semi-pro level in Iceland and the US. He graduated from NC Wesleyan in 2017 with a degree in Sports Management. During his time at NCWC, he was named All-Conference Second Team, earned the Sportsmanship Award and helped lead the Bishops through the NCAA DIII East Division Conference Tournament.
Justin Griffith '12 has been hired as the new assistant men's basketball coach at North Carolina Wesleyan College. Griffith was assistant men's basketball coach at Lander University for the 2019-2020 season. Prior to Lander, Griffith spent six seasons at the University of Mount Olive, where he was in charge of recruiting, scouting, and on-floor player development. Griffith graduated from NC Wesleyan in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He was co-captain of the men's basketball team.
Jason Letchworth '16 has recently joined North Carolina Wesleyan College as an Admissions Counselor. He will be responsible for working with incoming transfers. Jason received his Associates of Applied Science in Biotechnology from Pitt Community College in 2012. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2016 with a BS in Business Administration. Jason is a US Air Force Veteran and an NC certified Firefighter and EMT.
David J. O'Neill '93 has been named the 11th President of Mass Audubon, the largest nature conservation organization in Massachusetts. For the last five years, he has served as the Chief Conservation Officer and Senior Advisor to the CEO of National Audubon Society (NAS). He previously served as Vice President at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Exec. Director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Director of Land Use Policy and Outreach for the Urban Land Institute. He graduated from NC Wesleyan in 1993 with a degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Biology.
Stephanie Stallings '18 recently returned to North Carolina Wesleyan College as an Admissions Counselor. Stephanie will work primarily with students from Virginia, Florida to Texas, and the western region of North Carolina. Stephanie graduated from NC Wesleyan in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology, and was a member of the women's soccer team. She is currently pursuing a Master's of Science in Criminal Justice at NC Wesleyan.
Lloyd T. Watts '87 was recently promoted to Senior Vice President of Retail Delivery at Sharonview Federal Credit Union. Lloyd joined Sharonview in January of 2018 from Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union. He graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Lloyd was a member of the men's basketball team and was named to the 1st Team All-Dixie Conference squad in 1986-87.
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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 alumni@ncwc.edu.
Benjamin Mayo Boddie , 90, passed away peacefully at home, March 31, 2020. He will be remembered as the ultimate entrepreneur and co-founder of Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Inc. which today operates nearly 350 Hardee's restaurants, BNE Land and Development and other ventures. Mayo was active in his community and the state of NC throughout his life and served in a variety of capacities on numerous boards, including the Board of Trustees of North Carolina Wesleyan College. He served many years both as a chairman and volunteer for the Day for Wesleyan campaign. Mayo was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2001. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, three sons, nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, four nieces and two nephews.
Beverly Markham Small of Elizabeth City, NC died at home on March 7, 2020. She graduated from Duke University in 1949 and was an active member of United Methodist Women until the end of her life. She served on the Boards of Trustees of North Carolina Wesleyan College and Duke University Divinity School, and on the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Board of Education. She and her late husband, Gaston, established the Beverly and Gaston Small Scholarship Fund to give students an opportunity to earn their undergraduate degrees at NC Wesleyan College. She is survived by two sons, one daughter, ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Dr. Jon L. Wiggs of Cary, NC died April 6, 2020. Jon earned a B.A. in history at UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Political Science, M.S. in Sociology, and Ed.D in Adult and Community College Education at NC State. He led strategic planning and taught at numerous colleges, including North Carolina Wesleyan College, where he was an adjunct faculty member from 2006-2016. Jon also served NC Wesleyan as the Director of Institutional Research from 2007-2009. He was a Jaycee, Rotarian and Kiwanian. He received two Orders of the Long Leaf Pine. He is survived by his wife, his children and their families, one uncle and one aunt.
Carol Warrington Brinkley '64 , age 78, concluded her earthly journey April 15, 2020 after a long, valiant battle with cancer. She served God by being a devoted and loving mother, sister, aunt, educator and friend. Carol was a member of the first graduating class of North Carolina Wesleyan College, earning a BA degree in French in 1964. She began her scholastic career at Coopers School, later teaching at Southwest Edgecombe and finally at Nash Central Jr. High. She is survived by her daughter, one brother, and a host of other relatives.
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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 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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North Carolina Wesleyan College
3400 North Wesleyan Boulevard
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 985 5266