Featured article featured on written by our very own Dr. Evan D. Duff.
This pandemic has given the liberal arts the time and space to begin building upon and traditional models and innovating new methods to deliver the education and skills that employers are looking for…
New Indoor Sports & Education Facility at Wesleyan Takes Shape
Inflation Begins This Week
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Over the course of the past week, Hayden Bay, the company responsible for installation of the dome of the new Indoor Sports & Education Facility at NC Wesleyan, began mounting and assembling the mechanical systems for the building. This is the first step in an estimated two week process which will be completed with the inflation of the facility鈥檚 dome. The crew hopes to finalize inflation by Friday, July 31.
Crews broke ground on the project in early February 2020. The state-of-the-art, approximately 48,000 square foot, air-supported structure was designed by , engineered and produced by , and built by . Phase I of the facility, including the design and construction of the air supported structure, two squash courts and four indoor tennis courts, was fully funded by anonymous donors, along with a grant from the Nash County Tourism Development Authority.
Broadwell Air Domes is an industry-leading air dome manufacturer that produces the highest quality, longest lasting and most technologically advanced air dome in the world. Wesleyan鈥檚 new facility will be unlike any in the area. The software-driven, climate-controlled 鈥渟mart鈥 building automatically adjusts to changing weather conditions. The software allows for full control over temperature, humidity, pressure and air quality, which can all be controlled from a smart phone. The shell of the structure is evenly covered with a square woven cable harness system that allows for superior strength and corner protection creating unmatched structural durability.
Recently, an additional anonymous donor committed funds to outfit the Exercise Science and Health Promotion area within the facility. This gift will provide these faculty members with new laboratory and office space, as well as new equipment to offer state-of-the-art learning to Wesleyan students. NC Wesleyan continues to seek donors to contribute to the success and development of various amenities and services provided to the campus, as well as the community, by the addition of the Indoor Sports & Education Facility.
鈥淭his process has demonstrated how Wesleyan faculty and staff, generous donors and the community can come together to enhance the learning and health of our students in a considerable way. This facility will have a major impact on the community as well by affording opportunities for physical activity, health research and tournaments that will bring additional revenue to Nash County area businesses,鈥 stated NC Wesleyan President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
The facility has potential for future growth academically and athletically, specifically within the College鈥檚 Exercise Science and Health Promotion programs. The leadership team of NCWC, along with the faculty and staff associated in these areas, desire collaboration with the local community to improve and enhance the well-being of its citizens. The sports and future educational pillars of this facility鈥 athletics, scholarship and research鈥 have vast potential to develop training, mentorship and tutoring programs for area youth. The facility will also offer training and education for students and local citizens concerning prevention and management of diseases and injuries, as well as facilitating proper and enjoyable physical conditioning measures.
A time-lapse video of the inflation of the facility will be posted to the College鈥檚 website, ncwu.edu, and social media accounts in the coming weeks.
Harper Joins NC Wesleyan Admission Team
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 NC Wesleyan welcomes Kerri Harper as Admissions & Advising Coordinator for its Wilmington and Brunswick campuses. In this role, she will be responsible for participating in recruiting events and presentations, advising and counseling students on major and minor requirements, and promoting the Adult Studies Program at community colleges, churches, civic organizations and businesses.
Kerri is an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in theatre education. After graduation, she worked abroad in Shanghai, China as a drama instructor and English teacher. After returning to the United States, she obtained a Master of Arts in Education from Baldwin Wallace University.
鈥淲e are very excited to have Kerri join the NC Wesleyan team. Kerri brings a wealth of experience that will positively impact the students she recruits and advises,鈥 said Katie Farrell, Associate Dean of Adult Studies.
Kerri鈥檚 teaching experience in both the K-12 setting, as well as higher education, has equipped her with a well-rounded set of skills to welcome future Bishops. She states: 鈥淚 am excited to join the Wesleyan family and look forward to assisting the citizens of our community with achieving their educational goals.鈥
NC Wesleyan Puts Vision Into Action
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 North Carolina Wesleyan鈥檚 vision is to provide students with opportunities to make meaningful connections through innovative teaching approaches. The distinctive Wesleyan experience equips graduates to make a positive impact on the world.
NC Wesleyan continues to carry out this vision despite the contemporary challenges facing our global community. One example of this is that the Admissions Office is waiving ACT/SAT admission requirements, and in some cases, waiving student enrollment fees for the fall 2020 semester. In addition, Wesleyan鈥檚 Financial Aid Office has set aside funds to assist with the financial needs of current and prospective students that have been impacted by COVID-19.
The Advancement Office has also joined in the College鈥檚 efforts by creating the S.O.S. (Support Our Students) Fund. This campaign will provide financial assistance to meet the unexpected needs of Wesleyan for a wide range of emergency situations.
鈥淕aining acceptance to college is but one step toward achieving a degree. NC Wesleyan understands that students may need support, whether it be to gain acceptance, enhance academic abilities, or secure financial aid,鈥 stated Michael Drew, Dean of Admissions & Adult Studies. 鈥淥ur leadership team believes in supporting any range of student needs, and it is the foundation of our vision to equip graduates to make a positive impact after NC Wesleyan.鈥
The College appreciates its community relationships and stands steadfast in its commitment to students completing an undergraduate or graduate degree program(s) through NC Wesleyan. For more information on degree options for traditional and adult students, visit ncwu.edu/admissions. For those who would like to support the College鈥檚 S.O.S funding campaign, additional information can be found at ncwu.edu/cares-act.
NC Wesleyan joins RN-to- BSN Articulation agreement with Community Colleges
NC Wesleyan University has signed an agreement that will make it easier for registered nurses to transfer their community college credits to Wesleyan in pursuit of a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing.
NC Wesleyan University is the 13th private college in the state to sign the RN to BSN articulation agreement between and the NC Community College System. The agreement was established specifically to address the growing need for highly qualified nursing professionals.
Learn More about our RN to BSN Program >
President Duff to Participate in Educational Panel
Join us on a Webinar learn about the impact of COVID-19 on our local education systems and find out what the next steps will be for the Fall 2020 school year. All proceeds are going to Tackle the Tar which will support our local students for scholarships at Edgecombe and Nash Community Colleges and 麻豆原创.
Webinar Panel Featuring:
Dr. Valerie Bridges, Superintendent,聽
Dr. Evan Duff, President聽
Dr. Steve Ellis, Superintendent,聽
Dr. Lew Hunnicutt, President聽
Dr. Gregory McLeod, President,聽
NCWC Board Announces Duff as College President
Contract Extended Through 2023
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Dr. Evan D. Duff has been named the eighth President of 麻豆原创. The announcement came early this month from Dr. Dan Crocker, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the College.
Duff was appointed as Acting President by the Board of Trustees on June 10, 2019 and later accepted a two-year contract as Interim President. Following recent discussions with faculty and staff, a consensus decision was made by the Board of Trustees in their May 29 assembly to appoint Duff as President and extend his contract for an additional two years. The extension positions Duff as President for the College through May 31, 2023.
In his statement to faculty and staff, Dr. Crocker, Chair of the Board, noted 鈥渢he remarkable manner in which Dr. Duff took the reins since last summer, leading both efficiently and effectively.鈥 He also mentioned 鈥渢he extraordinary financial turnaround [of the College] in just one year with Evan at the helm.鈥
Over the last year, Dr. Duff has worked diligently with the Provost and faculty to develop new academic programs, namely Wesleyan鈥檚 new RN to BSN Program, set to begin this fall. In collaboration with faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees, he has been instrumental in developing a new vision, core values and a comprehensive strategic plan for the College, while providing significant leadership in the College鈥檚 efforts to finalize the educational space of Wesleyan鈥檚 new Indoor Sports and Education Facility, currently under construction.
The Executive Advisory Committee of the Board agreed to complete a yearly formal presidential assessment, which is currently in-process under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Stern, Chair of NC Wesleyan鈥檚 Faculty Council. Critiques from this assessment will be a valuable resource for both the Board of Trustees and Dr. Duff as he continues to lead the College.
鈥淚 am humbled by this opportunity that the Board has granted me, and I look forward to serving the faculty, staff, students, alumni, area churches and the community as we all continue to ensure the mission of the College is met. There is no greater time than the present to ensure our students are informed and educated citizens who are passionate about being positive change agents,鈥 said Dr. Duff.
Wesleyan Welcomes New Admissions Counselor
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 continues to build upon its already robust Admissions Team by welcoming new Admissions Counselor, Ashley Anderson. Ashley began on June 1 and will represent the College in the local territories of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Franklin and Halifax counties, as well as Wake county private schools, starting in August 2020.
Ashley is from Wilson, North Carolina and an alumna of NC Wesleyan. She graduated magna cum laude in 2018 with degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. As a student, she gained invaluable experience in the Admissions Office as a Tour Guide and Student Ambassador. Upon graduation, she went to work for Truist (formerly BB&T) as a Retirement & Institutional Services Support Specialist. In this role, she was cross-trained in multiple positions allowing her to obtain various skills in customer service through interacting with a variety of clients daily.
鈥淲e are excited to welcome Ashley back to NC Wesleyan! During the interview process, there were many worthy and qualified applicants; however, her experiences and passion for the College add great value to our office, as she will be a significant resource for prospective students,鈥 stated Paige Price Wells, Assistant Director of Admissions-Recruitment. NC Wesleyan looks forward to welcoming students back to campus this fall and having the Class of 2024 join the Bishop Family.
NC Wesleyan Offers RN to BSN Conditional Acceptance Policy
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 is working through the COVID-19 pandemic and meeting the needs of May 2020 graduates with an Associate Degree in Nursing who apply for Wesleyan鈥檚 new RN to BSN Program. The College recently received approval for a conditional acceptance policy, allowing graduates to be able to enter into the program in the fall without delay.
Due to COVID-19, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has made changes to protect the safety of those taking the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), as well as the staff working in testing centers. Therefore, students may be unable to obtain an NCLEX-RN test date prior to the August 2020 enrollment into Wesleyan鈥檚 RN to BSN Program.
NC Wesleyan recently received approval for a conditional acceptance policy for May 2020 RN graduates due to these changes. Graduates from a regionally accredited ADN program will receive conditional acceptance to NC Wesleyan鈥檚 RN to BSN Program. The conditional acceptance will only be given to those students who graduated in May 2020 and have applied for the fall 2020 start date. Applicants will be required to submit all other admissions criteria, including their transcripts, documenting the RN degree conferral.
Applicants who receive conditional acceptance will be required to submit RN verification and successfully complete the NCLEX-RN exam prior to starting NUR 330. Students who do not pass the NCLEX-RN exam will not be able to register for NUR 330 and may be required to reapply to the program.
Wesleyan鈥檚 100% online RN to BSN program is designed to help registered nurses achieve the education necessary to broaden their skill set and advance their careers in nursing. This curriculum integrates new and innovative knowledge into daily nursing practices and includes 34 credit hours. In this program, professional baccalaureate nursing practice will focus on population health, nursing leadership and management, informatics, healthcare policy and evidence based research opportunities that will facilitate professional growth. RN to BSN students will be required to complete clinical practice experiences that will allow them to implement new knowledge into their nursing practice. The program features multiple start dates so students can begin when they are ready and finish in as little as 12 months.
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NC Wesleyan Planning for Fall Reopening
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 announced on March 23 that the College would not resume face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic and transitioned to online classes. On April 9, the College went into lockdown to protect its faculty, staff and remaining students, which meant that traffic in and out of the main campus would be closed except for essential employees. Now, the College is making plans to reopen for face-to-face instruction this fall.
鈥淎lthough our spring semester abruptly moved to remote instruction, Wesleyan stood tall against a global pandemic and emerged stronger,鈥 stated President Evan D. Duff. 鈥淎s we transition our focus to the fall, we will implement what will be known as 鈥榃esleyan Wise,鈥 adding 鈥淭ogether we are strong, together we are wise and together we will rise.鈥
Wesleyan Wise means that the College will:
- Intend to welcome returning and new students back to campus this fall, while being wise in its decisions, practices and procedures.
- Start the semester on August 19, forgo a fall break, finish the semester just before Thanksgiving holiday and hold Winter Commencement on December 5 at the Rocky Mount Event Center.
- Implement enhanced cleaning practices, utilize smaller class sizes, practice social distance between the students and faculty/staff, offer more hybrid and online options, create effective guidelines for students, and provide available face masks and hand sanitizer for all students, faculty and staff.
New procedures will be implemented within almost every office on campus, dining facilities, and office hours with faculty; however, the level of care and commitment for Wesleyan鈥檚 students will never change. More comprehensive details will be shared in the coming weeks about how the College will be Wesleyan Wise this fall.
