A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Wesleyan College
October 2020
Despite a global pandemic, Wesleyan must carry on! For over 64 years, because of our donors, Wesleyan has persevered and remained strong. Donors – people like you – have been the common thread woven through the fabric that is North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Traditionally, for nearly four decades, we hold our annual fall giving campaign. Formerly known as A Day for Wesleyan, we now call it The Wesleyan Promise since your gifts go towards helping the College to fulfill and exceed her commitments to the students attending North Carolina Wesleyan. Now more than ever we need your help to keep our mission alive and thriving.

Please, we respectfully ask that if you are able, consider making a gift to the Wesleyan Fund before October 31, 2020. The Wesleyan Fund allows the College to proactively respond and react to circumstances quickly in order to sustain our mission and provide for our students.

Rather than have our students remember 2020 as the year they dealt with a pandemic, we hope they will witness and remember the generosity of a community coming together to support Wesleyan and the students’ educational dreams. With your generosity and help, we can make it happen and continue impacting lives for many more generations to come.
Five New Members Join NC Wesleyan Board of Trustees
North Carolina Wesleyan College’s Board of Trustees recently approved five new board members to join the Wesleyan family: Leslie Hall, Janice Bryant Howroyd, Kevin Jones, Melvin Mitchell and Constance Williams. These new members come from a variety of backgrounds and industries joining 19 others that serve on the North Carolina Wesleyan College Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Dan Crocker.

“This incoming class of Board members will add value to our existing Board through their rich life experiences, connections beyond Rocky Mount, diversity and the ability to resonate with our students,” stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff.

NC Wesleyan Homecoming Postponed
In July, North Carolina Wesleyan College and the USA South Athletic Conference announced the postponement of the College’s conference football games for fall 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Homecoming will also not happen in an official capacity this fall. The College’s Student Activities may plan some events for students on campus with appropriate guidelines in place and alumni groups may get together, but there is no “official” Homecoming event planned. If the College is able to resume its football season in the spring, there may be a similar type of Homecoming experience at that time. NCWC values the health and safety of its faculty, staff, and students; therefore, the College does not want to risk having larger-scale events at this time.
Our Board of Trustees elected new Board members to join the Wesleyan family. I am excited about the talents and life experiences these new members will bring to the College. Together we will serve our students as well as our community to reinforce dynamic learning, enhance experiences, and to create world citizens that bring forth positive change.

NC Wesleyan was recently the recipient of a $17,000 scholarship made possible by proceeds raised from the 5th Annual Tackle the Tar event. More.

October has officially been designated as Exercise is Medicine on Campus Month at NC Wesleyan. Wesleyan was recognized earlier this year by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise is Medicine® initiative for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.

North Carolina Wesleyan College celebrates its 64th year with its annual Founder's Day on Thursday, October 22. This year's celebration will emphasize the College's founding and the need to sustain Wesleyan's future. Our yearly Founder's Day celebration pays tribute to our rich Methodist heritage, our liberal arts foundation and the community who dedicated immense time and resources to make North Carolina Wesleyan College the institution it is today. We also acknowledge those who are currently selfless with their guidance and financial contributions, raising our beautiful College to the next level.
NC Japanese Embroidery Guild Exhibit
The North Carolina Japanese Embroidery Guild's extraordinary artwork was the 2020-2021 Mims Gallery season opener. The extraordinary artworks rendered in the detailed thread work of traditional pictorial color and gold by this group of artisans was magnificent. If you missed the exhibit, enjoy some of the beautiful work captured on video.
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 or complete the Alumni Update Form here. Photos are welcome.
Corey Williams '18 was recently named the 2020-2021 Gaston Middle School 6th Grade Teacher of the Year and the Northampton County Teacher of the Year. Corey is a product of the Northampton County Schools and is a 2018 graduate of NC Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education.
Hannah Huls '19 recently accepted a job as Financial Analyst with Significance, Inc. In her position, Hannah supports the Department of Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Control HQ Financial Management Team. Her main focus is working with the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants/Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization Program. Hannah graduated from NC Wesleyan in 2019 with a degree in Accounting. She was a member of the Volleyball team.
Remembering Our Bishop Nation
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.
Howard T. Parsons, Jr. '74, age 68, of Charlottesville, VA, died October 4, 2020 following an extended illness. He graduated in 1974 from NC Wesleyan with a major in Biology. It was at NCWC he met fellow student and future wife Judith Lyn Vilagos Parsons '75, who survives him. He worked as an independent consultant while writing the Young Adult fiction series, "Tales from Colony Island". The first book was published in 2015, with a second anticipated for release in Spring 2021. He is survived by his wife, brother and two cats.
Albert Lawrence Stallings Jr. '67, died May 20, 2020 at his home in Atlanta, GA. An Eagle Scout, Al graduated from NC Wesleyan in 1967 with a degree in Mathematics. He completed graduate work in Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. A Captain in the US Air Force, he was the youngest commander ever of a weather unit. When he left the Air Force, he became a financial advisor with EF Hutton and later managed the A.G. Edwards & Sons office in Columbia, SC. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, son, daughter, son-in-law, five grandchildren, three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
Royce Earl Everette '73, age 83, passed away at his home on September 11, 2020. He graduated from NC Wesleyan in 1973 with a degree in Political Science. Royce was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and worked for more than 20 years for Union Carbide. In addition, he was owner/operator of Part-Time Tree Service which is still in operation today. He is survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, seven grandchildren and one brother.
Richard Earl Barbour '99, age 68, went home to be with his Lord and Savior July 31, 2020 at UNC Rex Hospital. He earned his Business Administration degree from NC Wesleyan College in 1999. Richard retired from Progress Energy after 25 years of service. His interests included guitar picking, singing, ham radio, photography, woodworking, blacksmithing and he earned his pilot’s license. He is survived by his wife, mother and father-in-law. two brothers and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Michael D. Kells '70, age 72, passed away November 12, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Before retiring in 2015 he was the transportation manager for the former Woodland Terrace at the Oaks for 15 years. Prior he was president of Coal Heat in Alburtis. Michael enjoyed gardening, hunting and especially spending time with family. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, daughter, 2 stepdaughters, and 5 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 Advancement 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 and 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 Spotlights Wanted
NCWC Alumni, if you would like to be spotlighted on Social Media (Facebook, Instagram), click here to complete your Alumni Spotlight Questionnaire. We love putting you in the spotlight!
Important NCWC Links
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