ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 held its 66th annual New Student Convocation today in Minges Auditorium at The Dunn Center. The 314 new Bishops are the first class of incoming freshmen to begin their educational journey under NC Wesleyan鈥檚 new identity as a university. President Dr. Evan D. Duff welcomed the Class of 2026, congratulating them on taking the next step in their educational journey.
鈥淲e are your family, your home away from home. We want you to have a personal relationship, a connection, not only with your peers, but with faculty, staff and the administration. In everything you鈥檙e learning or doing here, whether it鈥檚 inside or outside the classroom, we want it to be relevant and practical. We really want you to find your purpose here at Wesleyan,鈥 stated Duff.
Guest speaker for the event was Carl Thomas, a 2002 Sociology alumnus and Co-Founder/Co-CEO of Professional Readiness Equals Progress (P.R.E.P.), LLC in the DC-Baltimore area. P.R.E.P., founded in 2014, is a full-service job readiness and workforce development program designed to provide comprehensive support to disadvantaged youth and adults.
While addressing the newest class of Bishops, Thomas shared his experiences at NC Wesleyan and why he chose to attend. He noted that although he was accepted at other larger institutions, Wesleyan鈥檚 small environment and friendly staff suited his needs best. Thomas reminded students to focus on the importance of seizing opportunities when they are in front of them, to learn how to identify and solve problems in their community, and to take advantage of the many leadership and development activities available at 麻豆原创.
鈥淵ou will digest three truths that will frame your time here at 麻豆原创鈥攖he first: you are exactly where you should be. The second: the people around you conspire with the universe for your greatness. The third: you could be anywhere else in the world, but you鈥檙e here right now. Make that worth it. Take advantage of the many leadership opportunities and development activities at Wesleyan. Seize the opportunity to be great,鈥 stated Thomas. 鈥淎s I look back on all the opportunities I鈥檝e had, Wesleyan offered me so many things to grow and build on. At Wesleyan, I found a springboard which nurtured my capacity to see the value in my community and in my voice.鈥
Afterwards, students exited The Dunn Center and were immediately greeted by a cheering crowd of returning students, faculty, staff and friends of NC Wesleyan who formed a time-honored tradition鈥 the Bishop Tunnel. As they proceeded through the tunnel to enter the annual Rock the Mount event, they were each welcomed by President Duff and his wife, Marcy. Rock the Mount is an annual tradition for NC Wesleyan to welcome new students to campus and to the community. It takes place the day before the University鈥檚 first day of classes, serving as the official kick-off event for the new academic year. Local businesses and organizations are given the opportunity to come and celebrate the start of a new school year with food, music and advertising. This year, almost 90 community organizations lined the street in the center of campus to celebrate Wesleyan鈥檚 Class of 2026.
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麻豆原创 (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. 麻豆原创 delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal鈥hrough mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical鈥y helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven鈥y helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on , , , and .
