ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 The 麻豆原创 Teacher Education Program received a $10,000 grant from the Longleaf Fund Foundation. This is an anonymous donor advised fund at that provides grants to organizations in the Carolinas to support capital projects for at-risk youth. The grants are intended to help communities create opportunities for a brighter future for their youth.
Dr. Kelvin L. Spragley, Director of Teacher Education, shares 鈥淲hat this Longleaf Fund Grant means to a Teacher Education student is that s/he will learn needed skills required to be successful as an educator when implementing parent, school, and community partnership efforts.鈥
How this grant will be used
Beginning Fall 2024, proceeds from the grant will be used to support the K-12 public school students who receive tutoring via the NC Wesleyan Award-Winning After-School Program. Dr. Spragley will utilize funds 鈥渢o purchase 10 laptops (with software) and 10 hotspots (for students who do not have home internet). These materials will be used to aid the K-12 students, who have IEPs and are tutored by students in the NC Wesleyan Teacher Education program, with their work in the primary content areas of Reading, Math, and Science/Biology.鈥澛
The critical steps involved in this project are as follows:
- Students will complete as much school work as possible while receiving tutoring at the once-each-week after-school program.
- Students will be allowed to sign out laptops and/or hotspots to complete work at home
- Students will continue with Zoom sessions with tutors between tutoring sessions
- Students will return equipment and NC Wesleyan will track student progress while working in conjunction with parents and building-level teachers.
Dr. Spragley believes 鈥淚nstruction emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, reading, writing, speaking, making informed ethical decisions, and using new information technologies.鈥 Providing necessary resources for 30+ students will make a lasting improvement on Wesleyan鈥檚 Teacher Education Program, but also in the students鈥 lives.
Maryhelen Willhite Endowed Scholarship Established
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Bishops are often asked, 鈥淲hat makes Wesleyan different?鈥 or 鈥淲hy Wesleyan?鈥 The answer is simple. It is the people, the community. This is proven once again by another generous donor, Maryhelen Willhite Jones.
Maryhelen is the daughter of the late Dr. W. Lyle Willhite who was a professor at NC Wesleyan from 1976 to 1984. Her dedication and commitment to Wesleyan runs deep and in 1996, she was able to assist one of Dr. Willhite鈥檚 former students, Rick Bradham III, 鈥81, in establishing The Dr. W.L. Willhite Endowed Scholarship.
Because of her late father鈥檚 influence, Maryhelen made her first contribution in the spring of 2024 to establish The Maryhelen Willhite Jones Endowed Scholarship, her own Second Generation Legacy Scholarship. This award will be given to undergraduate students majoring in Marketing who have excelled in academic and extracurricular accomplishments at NCWU.
Dr. Willhite instilled in Maryhelen to be bold and give with purpose and passion. Now she has been able to 鈥渂ring that 鈥榗an do鈥 boldness to NCWU through another endowed scholarship with the Willhite name.鈥
Maryhelen says 鈥淚 believe in not only paying things forward, but also paying them inward.鈥
Although her background is in the Arts, International Relations, and Information/ Library Sciences, she has a passion for all things Marketing: brands, products, companies, non-profits, social causes, innovations, and ideas. Maryhelen states, 鈥淚f I had to do it over again, I would go into the field of Marketing. What I can do instead is to help support those who decide to do just that.鈥
Maryhelen knows that Wesleyan鈥檚 undergraduate marketing degree involves research skills, critical thinking, demographics, collaboration, creativity, communication, persuasion, information, observation, social, economic, and cultural considerations, and yes, sometimes playfulness!
鈥淢y ultimate focus is on the students, who no matter what their career fields end up to be, are ethically grounded and have a strong moral self-compass,鈥 says Maryhelen Willhite Jones.
鈥淭he Dr. W. L. Willhite Endowed Scholarship has been financially supporting Wesleyan students for over 27 years. To have a scholarship established by his daughter, Maryhelen, that will impact lives in the same way is a grand gesture. We are grateful for the ongoing support from the Willhite family, which will continue to make a difference for future Wesleyan alumni. The relationship developed has been meaningful and of great significance.鈥
NCWU receives Global Funding for Swale Development and Student Engagement
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 (NCWU) anticipates the Fall 2024 semester as their start date for beginning a project highlighting sustainability, improving biodiversity and water quality, as well as erosion prevention on its campus. The project is generously funded by a global logistics company that offers comprehensive shipping solutions. The campaign鈥檚 focus is developing a vegetated swale in an urban ditch. This green infrastructure will improve stormwater runoff management, reduce erosion, and use native plants.
鈥 has been a sponsor with NC Wesleyan over the last several years. Through campus beautification projects and event sponsorships, we鈥檝e partnered to establish a greener and more sustainable campus鈥, states Nichol Ally, President and Managing Director of the Americas. 鈥淭he Earth Day 2023 Project at NC Wesleyan provided a natural and beautiful outdoor sitting and mediation area supplemented with unique trees.鈥
Earth Day 2024
The company鈥檚 Earth Day 2024 donation is funding a project referred to as 鈥淭he Swale鈥. It will be completed by students in Wesleyan鈥檚 biology classes and overseen by Dr. Daniel Elias who states 鈥淭his project showcases both 贰补蝉测贵濒测别谤蝉庐 and Wesleyan鈥檚 commitment to environmental stewardship. Using native plants, we can reduce some of the impact of urbanization on our ecosystem. We are grateful that 贰补蝉测贵濒测别谤蝉庐 want to make earth sustainability projects a priority and allows Wesleyan to assist in these efforts.鈥
Students at NCWU will actively participate in this project through site preparation, plant selection, and maintenance. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to conduct water quality assessments and monitor ecosystem health as part of courses like Global Water Issue (BIO330), Agroecology (BIO226), and Environmental Science (BIO324).
Dr. Elias emphasizes this project’s educational value, “Having our students involved in every part of this project will promote a deeper understanding of environmental science and develop a sense of responsibility towards sustainable practices.”
Further, the university plans to conduct regular monitoring to ensure the vegetated swale’s long-term success. Data collected by student-led monitoring and inspections will contribute to addressing the efficacy of green infrastructures as a solution to urbanization.
Local Company Awards Nursing Scholarships to NCWU
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 , Inc., a Rocky Mount based, family-owned company for over 100 years, recently established the SE&M Constructors, Inc. Annual Nursing Scholarships at 麻豆原创. 鈥淭here is such a high demand for quality nursing in this region and NC Wesleyan is doing a great job of trying to fill that need. As a local company, we care about the communities we serve, so helping Wesleyan students further their education and careers in nursing seems like a tremendous benefit to all of us,鈥 states Harry Bynum, Chairman of SE&M Constructors, Inc. and member of NC Wesleyan鈥檚 Board of Trustees.
The , Inc. Annual Scholarship will be awarded to NCWU nursing students enrolled to receive their Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The number of recipients may vary annually depending on the number of nursing students applying for the scholarship. NCWU鈥檚 BSN degree prepares experienced registered nurses for advanced leadership, management, clinical, research and nurse educator positions. Dr. Evan D. Duff, President of NCWU, states 鈥淭his is another example of how our community benefits from organizations who believe in the mission of 麻豆原创. These funds will directly impact nursing students who will further their education to meet the needs of our local hospital and medical practices. It directly impacts the public health of Nash and Edgecombe counties.鈥
The scholarships will be awarded with a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $2,500. Applications for the scholarship will be administered through the Financial Aid Office. Students interested in applying for this scholarship may contact the NCWU Financial Aid Office by emailing FinancialAid@ncwu.edu.
New Scholarship Opportunities Announced
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 (NCWU) has announced three new scholarships that will accept applications starting Fall 2024. Each scholarship was generously offered in memory of a loved one and aligns with Wesleyan鈥檚 beliefs of being personal, practical, and purpose-driven.
The Charles Randall Ranke Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Stephen Ranke (Infrastructure and Systems Administrator with NCWU), in memory of his father, Charles Randall Ranke. Charles Randall Ranke was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, and an Eagle Scout with the B.S.A. The scholarship will be available to any student with preference given to an Eagle or Gold Scout with the next consideration being any Veteran student. The student must be of good character, remain in good standing with the University, maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and have a financial need. In the event no student meets the aforementioned preference, it will be awarded to a worthy student according to the Universities鈥 general financial aid criteria. This will become available Fall 2025.
Gail B. Fields Annual Scholarship is established by Keiya Fields McKoy and Denikee Fields Davis (Student Affairs Administrative Assistant for Wesleyan) in memory of their mother. Gail Fields was not only Wesleyan鈥檚 loyal and dedicated receptionist, but friend and family. The scholarship is open to students majoring in Religious Studies to fund research, tuition, and educational expenses in furtherance of their degree. The recipient should be a sophomore, junior, or senior with a GPA of 2.5 or greater. Student selection will be determined by the Financial Aid Office and the Religious Studies Department.
Howard Parsons Biomedical Endowed Scholarship is established by Judith Vilagos Parsons 鈥75 in memory of her husband, Howard T. Parsons 鈥74. Judith Parsons established an annual scholarship in 2022 that honored her late husband, but she wanted a scholarship that would remain even after her memory. Mrs. Parsons shares, 鈥淭he quest for knowledge is a lifelong pursuit and for Howard and me, Wesleyan was pivotal in shaping not only our lives and careers, but also our understanding of how we can best serve others. Our hope is that this gift will assist students in their own journeys, and allow the same wonderful experience of learning Wesleyan provided us.鈥 Primary consideration will be given to Biomedical Science students or other areas of science to fund research, tuition, and educational expenses in furtherance of their degree. Scholarship recipients will be selected by the Biomedical Science faculty, with preference given to those who would most benefit academically and financially. Recipients must be a U.S. citizen of good character, remain in good standing with the University, maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the sciences and 2.5 overall GPA.
For more information about Wesleyan鈥檚 scholarship opportunities, please visit /scholarships/ or information about donating for a cause you are passionate about, visit /give/.
Dr. Janice B. Howroyd Named as NCC Commencement Speaker
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Dr. Janice Bryant Howroyd, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of and a native of Tarboro, will give the keynote address during Commencement at on Friday, May 10. To learn more about NCC鈥檚 Commencement, visit .
Howroyd is a wonderful partner for both NCWU and . She joined NCWU鈥檚 Boards of Trustees in 2020 and also established The Janice Bryant Howroyd Endowment that allows eligible students an annual scholarship opportunity. NCWU also established a partnership with Howroyd鈥檚 company The to provide extensive career development services for current students and alumni.
Through a partnership with NCWU鈥檚 Adult and Professional Studies Program, students who graduate from NCC have automatic acceptance and can take advantage of our transfer friendly policies, competitive transfer scholarships and tuition breaks, as well as the 2+ Wesleyan Grant Program.
The is a multi-billion-dollar, award-winning, international talent and talent technology enterprise with multiple divisions that serve all areas of employment. Founded by Howroyd in 1978, it now operates in over 35 countries and offers staffing services via Apple One, A-Check Global and AgileOne, among other platforms. The organization also aggregates some of the world鈥檚 best technologies and systems that support worldwide staffing and HR needs.
Her leadership style stems from her experience in a segregated educational system during her youth. Her leadership style is framed on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion values, while providing transparency and accountability for her organizational and philanthropic culture.
Howroyd is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including Black Enterprise鈥檚 coveted 2022 Woman of the Year award. She was the first-ever BET Honors Entrepreneur of the Year. She has been a presidential appointee to several committees, including Barack Obama鈥檚 Presidential Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, an appointment to the Federal Communications Commission鈥檚 Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE), and continues to serve on the ITAC 10 (International Trade Advisory Committee – Professional Services). She is the newly elected Chair of the Women鈥檚 Leadership Board at Harvard University and supports inclusive programs for women and minorities as the first African American to gift $10 million to the University of Southern California, as well as millions to other institutions that include her Alma mater, the nation鈥檚 largest HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Howroyd uses her presence as an innovator and as a connector for humanity, saying, 鈥淣ever compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally!鈥
NCWU Receives Grant for Digital Humanities Teaching & Learning
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 recently received a $60K grant from . Over the two-year grant period, NCWU will expand the Digital Humanities Lab, create a new course (Introduction to Digital Humanities), improve faculty knowledge of the digital humanities, incorporate local history into digital humanities projects, and promote undergraduate student research projects using digital humanities tools and methods. The proposed expansion of NCWU鈥檚 digital humanities programming is aligned with the institution鈥檚 mission and commitment to the eastern North Carolina region and its emphasis on innovative teaching approaches to use new information technologies.
Project co-directors, Dr. Jason W. Buel (Communication/Media Arts) and Dr. Shane M. Thompson (Religious Studies) established NCWU鈥檚 first Digital Humanities Lab as a physical space on campus to raise the profile of the University鈥檚 humanities, with the goal to make them more exciting, accessible, and modern to the general student population.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joseph H. Lane, Jr., states 鈥淲e are very excited that Dr. Thompson and Dr. Buel have received this grant. Their work in the area of digital humanities is the perfect example of the ways that North Carolina Wesleyan enriches our students鈥 lives with innovative teaching approaches that take advantage of the amazing new tools that can enrich our classrooms and our contributions to the community.鈥
The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 created the as an independent federal agency. The law identified the need for a national cultural agency that would preserve America鈥檚 rich history and cultural heritage, and encourage and support scholarship and innovation in history, archaeology, philosophy, literature, and other humanities disciplines. The Endowment awards grants to top-rated proposals examined by panels of independent, external reviewers.
麻豆原创
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: .
University Recognized by ACSM鈥檚 Exercise is Medicine庐 Program
NCWU among 145 Campuses Honored Worldwide
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 is one of only 145 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on its campus. Faculty/Staff Personal Training, Wesleyan Wellness initiatives, the Walk with the President, the Lunch and Learn Series for Health, and other physical activity events conducted by the NCWU Health and Movement Science Club helped NCWU earn Silver level designation from the Exercise is Medicine庐 On Campus (EIM-OC) program. Exercise is Medicine is a community-impact initiative of the .
鈥淲e are thrilled to recognize these campuses鈥 commitment to make movement a part of daily campus culture and give students the tools to cultivate physical activity habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,鈥漵aid interim CEO Katie Feltman, CAE. 鈥淭hese campus programs are nurturing future leaders who will advance a key tenet of Exercise is Medicine: making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in health care.鈥
鈥淲e are excited to have received the EIM-OC Silver distinction for the fifth year in a row! This distinction was made possible by the collaborative efforts of our students, faculty, staff, and administration, who continue to support our efforts to promote the health benefits of physical activity on campus,鈥 said Dr. Shannon Crowley, Associate Professor of Public Health, and Exercise is Medicine on Campus program advisor.
Of the 145 campuses recognized this year, 83 received Gold, 44 received Silver and 18 received Bronze. All Gold, Silver and Bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on May 29 at the EIM recognition ceremony at ACSM鈥檚 Annual Meeting.
EIM-OC calls upon universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health and encourages faculty, staff and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the campus community.
EIM-OC launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools earn Gold, Silver or Bronze status based on their activities. Gold level campuses have created a referral system where campus health care providers assess student physical activity and refer students as necessary to a certified fitness professional as part of medical treatment. Silver campuses engage students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and make movement part of the daily campus culture while Bronze level campuses promote and generate awareness of the health benefits of physical activity.
麻豆原创 Exercise Is Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) co-launched Exercise is Medicine庐 (EIM) in 2007 with the American Medical Association. ACSM continues to manage the global health initiative, which seeks to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care, connecting health care with evidence-based physical activity resources for people everywhere of all abilities. EIM is committed to the belief that physical activity promotes optimal health, is integral in the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions and should be regularly assessed and included as part of health care. Visit for additional information.
麻豆原创 the American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. More details at .
Exercise Science Program Reaccredited
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 North Carolina Wesleyan鈥檚 Exercise Science program has received full reaccreditation from the .听 conducted a comprehensive review of all of the program鈥檚 academic offerings, facilities, and faculty qualifications and recommended a ten-year reaffirmation.听 The Exercise Science program鈥檚 next comprehensive review will take place in 2034.听
This recognition comes in a year of exciting growth and expansion for NCWU鈥檚 programs in the exercise and public health fields. NCWU launched a new Masters of Public Health program in August 2023, and in October 2023, a transformative gift from Wayne Souza (Class of 1973) greatly expanded the teaching, training, and research spaces in Wesleyan鈥檚 new (2021) Indoor Sports & Education Facility (ISEF). The undergraduate degree in Exercise Science now accounts for NCWU鈥檚 second most popular major among traditional, incoming first-year students, and the program has added new faculty members and recently passed plans for a second Masters level program that will soon be submitted to the University鈥檚 regional accrediting body.
鈥淚 am extremely excited and humbled to have the opportunity to direct a CoAES-accredited program, continue providing quality education, and train the next generation of exercise physiologists,鈥 commented Dr. Meir Magal, Souza Professor of Exercise Science and Director of the Exercise Science program.
NCWU Provost Dr. Joe Lane noted, 鈥淣orth Carolina Wesleyan students are very fortunate to study in a and CAAHEP recognized program. 聽Few schools our size can boast of such accreditation. 聽This recognition, along with the remarkable upgrade in our facilities and equipment over the last several years, demonstrates that NCWU鈥檚 Exercise Science program is one of the very finest in our region, and we looking forward to being a leading educator of exercise science professionals well into the future.鈥
麻豆原创鈥檚 Exercise Science program welcomes students interested in a wide range of disciplines, from exercise physiology and strength and conditioning to athletic training and physical therapy, to tour our upgraded equipment and facility.
U.S. News & World Report Ranks NC Wesleyan Among Best Online MBA Programs
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 (NCWU) has been ranked among the 2024 Best Online Master鈥檚 in Business Administration (MBA) by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News assessed schools in the category based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, as well as services and technologies. According to their website, NC Wesleyan University was among more than 1,800 programs surveyed and only regionally accredited institution whose programs are offered mostly or entirely online were evaluated.
Professor Dr. Paul Ewell, Program Coordinator for the MBA program聽states, 鈥淥ur MBA is more than a degree. It鈥檚 a gateway to the future of business.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l learn from the best and brightest in the field, and apply your skills to real-world challenges. You鈥檒l also enjoy the flexibility and convenience of a program that fits your lifestyle and goals鈥, stated Ewell.
NC Wesleyan鈥檚 Master of Business Administration program is one of the most popular graduate programs at the University and was recently is one of the only private, non-profit universities currently offering an online MBA degree in the eastern NC region. The program is very affordable and offers many benefits including: rolling admissions with 100% online classes starting every eight weeks, finish in as little as 12 months, one-on-one mentoring, supportive faculty who have real-world experience offering applied assignments and career assistance. The program offers concentrations in Information Security, Executive Leadership, and Supply Chain Management. The program was also named by Forbes as One of the 10 Best Online MBA Programs of 2023! To learn more about admission requirements and curriculum information, visit聽ncwu.edu/mba.
Prospective students can see how NCWU compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on .
麻豆原创 U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
