ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 congratulates Drs. Carl and Jackie Lewis, as well as Dr. Brittany Bass for being the first recipients of its Wesleyan Service Award. Any full-time employee may be nominated in recognition for consistently demonstrating outstanding service to the College or community that is above and beyond their job responsibilities.
Since March of this year, Dr. Jackie Lewis, Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems, and Dr. Carl Lewis, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, have been sewing and distributing PPE (masks and cart handle covers) to members of the Wesleyan community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On almost a weekly basis, they have delivered these supplies to the College for faculty, staff and students to pick up for personal use. They also contributed to Dr. Brittany Bass鈥檚 campaign this spring for PPE collections for local healthcare providers. Dr. Bass, Director of RN to BSN Program, was able to collect and distribute over 500 masks to these providers.
鈥溌槎乖 implemented this service award opportunity in late 2019. Over the last nine years, I have witnessed the generosity and servant leadership activities of our faculty and staff. It was time for them to be recognized for their efforts and being recommended by their peers is an added bonus,鈥 stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff. All Wesleyan Service Award recipients will be recognized at the College’s annual Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony. Wesleyan Service Award nominations can be submitted by the public.聽 If you have worked or volunteered with a Wesleyan employee and would like to nominate that person for going above and beyond, visit .
The Lasting Value of the Liberal Arts
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…
Nonprofit Founded by NCWC鈥檚 Director of Military Studies Fights Hunger Locally
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 The Mercer Foundation, Inc., founded by NC Wesleyan鈥檚 Director of Military Studies, Lt. Col. (Ret) James Mercer, has partnered with Thornes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church , The Alpha Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. and Conetoe Family Life Center to assist Nash, Edgecombe and Rocky Mount communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the current pandemic, Thornes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Alpha Omicron chapter members, volunteers from The Mercer Foundation, Inc. and Conetoe Family Life Center have been committed to serving their communities in various ways. These groups have made it their mission to provide donated food from the Eastern and Central North Carolina Food Banks and Conetoe Family Life Center to those in need and also helping the elderly of their communities.
During these unprecedented times, their members and volunteers have answered the call by assembling, packaging and distributing over 10,000 pounds of donated food to area residents and have helped more than 350 families in the month of July alone.
鈥淪adly, most people believe that hunger only affects people who are lazy, people who are just looking for a handout or people who don鈥檛 want to work. However, many of us who are on the front-lines fighting hunger know that is not true. Here in our community, over one-third of our hungry people are innocent children who are members of households that simply cannot provide enough food or proper nutrition,” Lt. Col. (Ret) James Mercer said.
Mercer, who serves as the Director of Military Studies and coordinates the ROTC program for 麻豆原创, founded The Mercer Foundation, Inc. in late 2017. The organization seeks to create healthy opportunities for children and to provide assistance to disabled veterans. The major goal of the organization is to transform lives. They equip disabled veterans with necessary tools, education and vocational training and provide balanced meals for children in high-risk environments. Knowing well the challenges that face his community, Mercer founded this organization to make a positive impact. Understanding what veterans go through as a retired Lt. Colonel of 31 years, Mercer has firsthand experience in transitioning back into the work force after serving in the military.
2020 Brings New Vision for NC Wesleyan
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Over the past year, 麻豆原创 has been in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan. The plan, recently approved by the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees, will drive the institution鈥檚 priorities, focus efforts and set goals for the next five years.
Credo, an independent higher education consultant, worked with the College鈥檚 Executive Planning Team and President Dr. Evan D. Duff to discuss the contours and timeline for the planning process. The College wanted to develop a planning process through which it could have meaningful input from all constituencies and members of the community. So in December, Wesleyan held a Community Day and Christmas lunch where all faculty and staff were invited to participate in a college-wide planning workshop hosted by Credo. This allowed employees to come together and provide their thoughts and input about NC Wesleyan鈥檚 future.
鈥淲orking with Credo and the entire Wesleyan community to develop our new vision and core values has been an inspirational experience. To see how much our students, faculty, staff and Board care about the College demonstrates our commitment to make 麻豆原创 a place where students can learn about the world, grow their skillsets and develop meaningful relationships,鈥 stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
From this feedback, the College established its new Vision and Core Values:
Vision Statement
At 麻豆原创, we provide students with opportunities to make meaningful connections and learn through innovative teaching approaches. The distinctive Wesleyan experience equips our graduates to make a positive impact on the world.
Core Values
- Knowledge & Understanding
- Integrity & Accountability
- Patience & Respect
- Kindness & Empathy
This new Vision and Core Values will help propel Wesleyan to the next level in the new decade as the College continues to build upon its academic offerings, infrastructure and community relations.
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 Hires New Dean of Students
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 recently welcomed Dr. Jason Modlin as its new Dean of Students. Modlin comes to Wesleyan from Louisburg College, where he previously served as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.
Among his many accomplishments at Louisburg College, Modlin was instrumental in developing a Residence Hall Mentor program, an innovative approach to staffing residence halls with full-time professional relationship-builders. He also led a short-term retention effort that increased fall-to-fall retention by 7% over the previous year.
Modlin holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With a 25-year career in small, private higher education, he brings a wealth of knowledge to NCWC.
In his role as Dean of Students at NC Wesleyan, Modlin will be responsible for overseeing all student affairs operations, including the departments of Health & Wellness, Campus Life, Residential Life, Religious Life and Food Services. He will also serve as the Chief Judicial Officer of the College and the Title IX Coordinator and Adjudicator. Modlin assumes the role of Dean of Students from Dr. Molly Wyatt who had previously taken on the responsibilities of both Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Students.
鈥淣C Wesleyan is fortunate to have brought in a highly-qualified and experienced Student Affairs professional who is both familiar with the small private college environment as well as the Eastern North Carolina region, stated Dr. Molly Wyatt, Interim Provost. 鈥淒r. Modlin is making a big impact already, having had a summer forum with the College鈥檚 traditional students and contributing to reopening plans and retention strategies.鈥 Modlin is a long-time resident of Nash County and currently resides near Red Oak with his wife, Ami, and their three daughters.
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.
Wesleyan Senior To Nationally Represent Eastern NC Democrats
Catherine Leake, a senior political science major, has been selected to represent North Carolina鈥檚 1st Congressional District as a delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention! This is a great honor, as there are only about 4,000 delegates selected nationwide.聽
