ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Construction recently wrapped up on 麻豆原创鈥檚 new Shaw Learning Center. This facility was made possible by funds the University received from the Nancy A. Shaw Trust. Dr. Shaw was a successful physician with ties to Nash County. Her trust鈥檚 primary focus was to benefit the health and care of cats.
Back in 2020, NCWU announced that it had received an initial $2,500,000 from the Nancy A. Shaw Trust to invest in its science and pre-vet programs. In total, NC Wesleyan received over $4,000,000 from the trust which allowed for the construction of the Shaw Learning Center and the Shaw Environmental Center, currently under construction. In addition, these funds also allowed for endowed scholarships for Pre-Vet students and NCWU鈥檚 first Endowed Professorship was established. The inaugural Nancy A. Shaw Endowed Professor is Dr. Emily Weber who started in 2022 as an Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Weber holds a B.A. in Biology from Augustana University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester.
The approximately 5,000-square-foot Shaw Learning Center is located behind the Welcome Center in the middle of campus and contains four classrooms and four offices. The facility provides students with unique learning opportunities, scientific initiatives and innovative ideas towards the care of felines. A unique feature of the facility is the cat lounge centrally located as guests enter the building.
The cat lounge will house approximately six to eight rescue or endowed cats from owners who have passed away. In addition to offering a serene space for these cats to live, there will also be space for students to study and socialize. Multiple research studies have shown that cats help reduce anxiety, stress and depression.
Over the past 20-25 years, there鈥檚 been a huge explosion in canine cognition research; however much less is understood about cats. There are only a small handful of cat cognition labs in existence. Therefore, the field is ripe for areas of investigation and contributions to animal research.
Dr. Dimitri Blondel, NCWU Assistant Professor of Biology and animal behaviorist, is interested in non-human animals, why they do the things they do and how they perceive their own world. In his second year at Wesleyan, he wants to find ways to expand into different exploration areas, such as human-cat interactions. He also aspires to sponsor student-directed research. Teaching an animal behavior class with a lab opens the door for him to hold these labs in the new cat lounge.
鈥淪ome of the research that I plan to conduct includes student-directed cat cognition studies. Studies such as these look at animal intelligence, how they receive information through their senses, learn and process the information. Can they understand speech and things like sense of fairness? Intelligence tests such as pointing exercises have shown that they can understand human pointing gestures. This means they have the potential for understanding other areas of cognition as well. Do they know their name, can they choose between a toy and food, how independent are they? All of which can help with training, owner interactions and the way we communicate with felines in general,鈥 stated Dr. Blondel.
Another type of research that will take place in the Shaw Learning Center is behavioral endocrinology, which considers how hormones affect behavior. This is the use of fecal hormone assay to detect levels of stress hormones to determine if there is a connection between these hormones and their personalities. This research will allow NCWU students to determine cat IQs by studying how they learn and process information.
Individuals who are interested in endowing a cat, supporting the cat lounge through supplies, toys and food, or for the naming rights of the lounge should contact Mark Hinson, Sr. Executive for Philanthropic Engagement, at mhinson@ncwu.edu or 252.985.5145. NCWU is planning an official ribbon cutting for the new facility later this spring and hopes to rescue their first cat by summer 2023.
To support the well-being of the cats in our Shaw Learning Center Cat Lounge, Click HERE.
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
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 .
Two NCWU Students to Intern at Pfizer
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 and recently formed a partnership that will provide hands-on learning opportunities to NCWU students majoring in science. Through the work of Dr. Daniel Elias, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, and Dr. Molly Wyatt, Associate Provost, Pfizer will establish a new student fellowship program beginning in the spring 2023 semester.
鈥淧fizer鈥檚 purpose 鈥 鈥楤reakthroughs that change patients’ lives鈥 鈥 is best reflected in the people whom we serve. Our success in achieving our purpose can be accomplished only by finding and cultivating the best talent. Pfizer鈥檚 collaboration with NCWU demonstrates both our commitment to our purpose and to community outreach,鈥 stated Kara Price, Ph.D., Vice President, Rocky Mount Site Lead. 鈥淣CWU students gain real-world experience, while Pfizer can continue to source excellent talent. It鈥檚 a win-win for everyone.鈥
NCWU students, Rheanna Wilder and Mauro Infante, will be the first two student fellows at Pfizer through this partnership. Rheanna is a senior, women鈥檚 soccer player majoring in Biology and Environmental Science. Mauro, a sophomore from Uruguay, is also a student-athlete on the men鈥檚 soccer team majoring in Chemistry and Mathematics.
Dr. Joe Lane, NCWU Provost, noted that 鈥淭his partnership with Pfizer demonstrates the power of Wesleyan鈥檚 personal, practical and purpose-driven education. Wesleyan students will have the opportunity to take what they have learned in our lecture halls and labs and apply it to real-world problems with Pfizer鈥檚 professionals. We know that Rheanna and Mauro will be the first of many Wesleyan students to build their network and resum茅s at Pfizer. They will do great work and we look forward to highlighting their experiences.鈥
During their time at Pfizer, both students will have the opportunity to gain experience in multiple areas. This includes regulatory compliance related activities, Lean/IMEx projects, training and instructional design, science-related laboratory activities, employee performance improvement projects and operational excellence support.
麻豆原创 Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients鈥 Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
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 .
NCWU Extends Real-World Experiences Through Practical Skills Academy
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 has instituted a Practical Skills Academy (PSA) to offer life and professional skills to students in areas not typically covered in traditional coursework. Some of the learning opportunities that will be available starting fall 2022 include personal finance, navigating contracts, completing W-4 forms and other HR documents, presenting proposals, professional communication and appearance, work ethic and fine dining.
Learning opportunities will exist within the PSA, as well as demonstrated in some curricula through applied learning assignments. Faculty and staff will guide students as they develop practical skills that are broadly useful, fully transferable, and applicable to any challenge or career. The skills cultivated by our faculty and built into our curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. Through this applied educational approach, faculty will help students connect their learning outcomes to real-world skills they will use in their personal and professional lives.
鈥淎t NC Wesleyan, we demonstrate what it means to be personal, practical and purpose-driven. Through our new Practical Skills Academy, we鈥檙e excited to offer students the chance to learn what it takes to be a well-rounded professional and world citizen. Upon graduation, they can be confident that what they鈥檝e learned both inside and outside the classroom can be applied to their careers and lives,鈥 stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
The University has partnered with , an online financial wellness platform designed to help members reclaim ownership of their finances so they can live a more fulfilled, healthy life. Combining comprehensive financial education with personal support, members always have useful information at their fingertips – no matter what financial decisions they make. Nearly 70 lessons break down key concepts and relevant financial topics for everyday living, along with videos, infographics, worksheets, calculators, resources and curated content. Sqwire has partnered with President Duff to expand its suite of learning modules to include tax forms, employment documents, navigating contracts, and other aspects of everyday life. This complete platform will be available to NCWU students in 2023 at no cost.
The Practical Skills Academy will also offer 麻豆原创鈥檚 newly-developed Resident Expert Program (WES-R.E.P.). This program provides students with an opportunity to work directly with industry leaders through mentoring and workshops. Through on-site and virtual opportunities, these professionals will connect with students to share their industry knowledge. Experts will be chosen in a variety of fields including the fine arts, business, education, healthcare, the sciences and specific professional fields. These high-profile experts are hand-selected by the President and the administrative team.
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
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 .
麻豆原创 Announces New Provost
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 On Wednesday, June 15, 麻豆原创 welcomed its new Provost, Dr. Joseph 鈥淛oe鈥 Lane. Dr. Lane comes to Wesleyan from in Bethany, West Virginia where he held the position of Provost and Dean of Faculty.
As an academic administrator at Bethany, Lane was responsible for a broad portfolio including all of the college鈥檚 academic programs, student success and retention initiatives, career development, study abroad and accreditation. He played a leading role in creating new programs (including three master鈥檚 degree programs), which were connected to admissions and retention strategies. He also led an initiative that resulted in more than a 12% improvement in fall-to-fall retention over a three-year period.
Prior to coming to Bethany, Lane served 17 years on the faculty of Emory & Henry College where he held the Hawthorne Professor of Politics and served as an instructor, department chair and founding director of the College Honors Program. Lane has also held faculty appointments at Bowdoin College and Hampden-Sydney College. He earned his B.A. in Classical Studies and Political Science at Hampden-Sydney and his Ph.D. in Political Science from Boston College.
鈥淒r. Lane鈥檚 extensive background in private higher education, paired with his vast skillset, make him an excellent asset to NC Wesleyan University. I look forward to working with him as we continue to develop personal, practical and purpose-driven initiatives positioning Wesleyan, and our students, with a brighter future,鈥 stated President, Dr. Evan D. Duff.
In his role as Provost, Dr. Lane will serve as Chief Academic Officer overseeing academic and student affairs. This includes Student Life, Residence Life, academic programs, faculty, Registrar鈥檚 office, Elizabeth Braswell Pearsall Library and institutional research. Lane will work with Division Chairs and faculty leaders to maintain appropriate and up-to-date academic programs and curricula. He will also advise the President on all matters concerning University-wide planning, policy and operations, while establishing measures of institutional effectiveness and progress.
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
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 .
NCWC Recognized by Exercise is Medicine庐 for Creating Culture of Wellness on Campus
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 is one of only 156 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Activities such as Walk with the President, Exercise is Medicine庐 On Campus (EIM-OC) mascot challenge, Lunch n鈥 Learn Series for Health and other campus wellness initiatives aided NCWC in earning silver level designation from the EIM-OC program.
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 said Robyn Stuhr, Vice President of Exercise is Medicine. 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 healthcare.鈥
The silver level Exercise is Medicine庐 On Campus award was made possible through combined efforts of the College鈥檚 Exercise is Medicine庐 On Campus leadership team, the Health and Movement Science Club, Wesleyan Wellness and the campus community.
鈥淲e are excited to have received the EIM-OC silver distinction for the third year in a row! This illustrates the continued and substantial efforts of our students, faculty, staff and administration to cultivate a culture of physical activity and wellness on campus,鈥 said Dr. Shannon Crowley, Associate Professor of Exercise Science and Exercise is Medicine庐 On Campus program advisor.
Of the 156 campuses recognized this year, 73 received gold, 60 silver and 23 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on Wednesday, June 1 as part of the 2022 Exercise is Medicine庐 World Congress, held in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine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. Its recognition program launched in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools silver status by engaging students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and making movement part of the daily campus culture.
View a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the EIM-OC program at .
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 .
