On Saturday, May 2025, 麻豆原创 held its annual commencement ceremony at the . The University celebrated over 360 graduates, marking its 85th graduation.
The event was open to graduates, faculty, the platform party and guests of graduates where over 2000 were in attendance. University Chaplain, Rev. Edwin Ferguson, gave the invocation, followed by a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by alumna, Ms. Latisha Scott 鈥06.
President Dr. Evan D. Duff welcomed the crowd to the momentous occasion and congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments noting, 鈥淵our degree is provided by an institution which seeks not only to dispense knowledge and develop the habits for lifelong learning, but also expects its graduates to be responsible citizens, contributors to the common good and individuals who care about others. As we celebrate together, we acknowledge the obligations all of us have to help bring about a better world.鈥
Commencement Keynote Speaker
The commencement address was given by Mr. Danijel Velicki, Entrepreneur, Financial Educator, and Founder of Opus Wealth Strategies and . Originally from Zagreb, Croatia, Velicki immigrated to the United States in 1995 with just $40 to his name. He worked tirelessly to fund his education, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing and finance from Fairmont State University. Today, Velicki is a thriving business owner and is pursuing a graduate degree in Innovation and Strategy at Oxford University鈥檚 Sa茂d Business School.
Through his financial education platform, , Velicki aims to empower individuals and families with the tools they need to achieve financial stability and success. The platform offers online lessons and personalized support to help users develop smart spending habits and make informed financial decisions for to support a prosperous life. Velicki鈥檚 philosophy is deeply rooted in his belief that the 鈥淎merican Dream鈥 is attainable for everyone with the right support and determination.
Velicki addressed the graduates stating, 鈥淪uccess is not about comfort. Growth does not happen when you play it safe. The secret to success is passion, conviction, and discipline. Don鈥檛 be a gray speck on the wall. If you walk into a room, be heard, be seen, and be remembered. And most importantly, ASK! Most people are afraid to ask, but here鈥檚 what I know for certain 鈥 鈥榶ou miss 100% of the shots you don鈥檛 take鈥 as Michael Jordan once said.鈥
He went on to offer the Class of 2025 three key relationships for a lifetime of growth: a mentor, a peer, and a mentee. A mentor is someone who has walked the path before you. A peer is someone who grows with you, challenges you, pushes you and celebrates with you. A mentee is someone you help lift up because the best way to learn is to teach.
Velicki ended with 鈥淵our life is a blank canvas. You may be the first in your family to earn a degree. You may have changed careers to get here. You may have doubted whether you鈥檇 even make it to this moment. But here you are. Be bold in your dreams. Be relentless in your pursuits. Be kind in your interactions. The world is waiting for the unique imprint that each of you will leave- and I have no doubt it will be extraordinary鈥.
Students and Teacher Awards
After Velicki鈥檚 inspiring speech, Dr. Lane, Provost and Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented the Exemplary Teacher Award to Dr. Doreen Thierauf, Associate Professor of English. This award recognizes excellence in teaching and promotion of student learning, civility and concern for students and colleagues, commitment to value-centered education, service to students beyond the classroom and service to the larger community beyond campus. During her eight years on our faculty, Dr. Thierauf has published more than a dozen articles, edited volume chapters, and reviews, and she averages more than four publications and more than four newly presented talks or papers each and every year. She further creates a dynamic and energized classroom space in which students are invited to share their own thoughts and feelings on some of the most challenging concepts you can possibly discuss, and in spite of, or perhaps because of, the heavy subjects that Dr. Thierauf asks to students to reflect on, her students routinely rise to the occasion.
Andrea Belen Rizzo received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, which honors a senior who best exemplifies excellence in character, leadership, service to the community and a commitment to spiritual values. This humanitarian award is meant to recognize those who have selflessly given to others or served others in some way. The recipient is chosen by the Honors Awards Committee.
Ms. Rizzo is a Biology and Environmental Science graduate from Argentina who has distinguished herself on the Wesleyan campus and in the community by her leadership of the Worldwide Welcome Team for international students at North Carolina Wesleyan and is a member of S.E.A.T., Science Club, NSLS, Phi Beta Sigma Honor Society, President of IBA, id on the President鈥檚 Honors List, and both Homecoming Princess and Queen. She will be continuing her education at Texas A&M as she was recently accepted into their Ph.D. Marine Biology program.
The President鈥檚 Cup Award was presented to Anna Elizabeth Ray, a senior who best exhibits those characteristics considered most desirable in a graduate. Of particular importance is the attainment of the highest standards of academic performance as demonstrated by the overall grade point average at 麻豆原创. The recipient is also chosen by the Honors Awards Committee.
Ms. Ray is from Richlands, North Carolina. She graduated with a major in Psychology, and was a member of the Cross-Country Team. She became an active student leader, serving as a member of S.E.A.T. and a Resident Advisor. Graduating with honors, she plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in Human Resource Management.
Upon the recommendation of the Honorary Degree Committee and the approval of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Danijel Velicki was honored with the degree of Doctor of Humanities Honorary Degree from NC Wesleyan University.
Clemmons Family Honored
This commencement ceremony was especially moving as Wesleyan honored Matthew Clemmons, who passed away September of 2021, with a Posthumous Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. Matthew was a student-athlete and part of the NCWU football team. He was on the Dean鈥檚 List and was soon to be inducted into the Student Leadership Society. Twelve of his family members, friends, and former coach were in attendance to receive the degree in his memory.
The event was live streamed and recorded so family and friends who were not able to attend in person could celebrate with their students virtually. The recording can be viewed at ncwu.edu and the University鈥檚 page.
Photos can be viewed at .
Station 4 Embraces Bishop Branding
In a powerful celebration of community and school spirit, has partnered with 麻豆原创 (NCWU) to proudly brand their firetrucks with a unifying theme: 鈥淕uardians of the Bishops.鈥 When challenged to choose a theme reflecting something meaningful in their area, the station found its inspiration in the heart of Wesleyan.
The partnership is more than a creative design. Station 4 has fully embraced its role as protectors of the campus and community. Firetrucks now display the 鈥淕uardians of the Bishops鈥 motto on their windshields, while axes and tools are painted in Wesleyan鈥檚 signature navy and gold. The latest touch鈥攁 custom mud flap at the rear of the truck鈥攃ompletes the transformation, turning essential equipment into a living symbol of pride and unity.
For Fire Chief Darvin Moore, this connection is deeply personal. A proud NCWU Class of 2016 alumnus, Moore鈥檚 Wesleyan roots run deep, making this partnership a true reflection of his journey.
The students couldn鈥檛 be more excited to see their local heroes embrace the Battling Bishop spirit. What began as a branding project has grown into something far greater鈥攁 visible bond of support, community, and shared pride that strengthens both the campus and the city it calls home.
Youngest Bishop Alumni Est. Scholarship
麻豆原创 (NCWU) is proud to announce the establishment of the Gregor Baum Annual Scholarship, created by Gregor Baum, Class of 2024, the youngest alumnus in the university鈥檚 history to launch an annual scholarship. Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, Baum graduated with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Leadership. His vision for this scholarship is to attract more international students to NCWU while supporting their academic and personal growth.
The Gregor Baum Annual Scholarship will benefit traditional international students who are active members of a sports team, campus club, or Greek life. Recipients must exhibit good character, maintain good academic standing, and achieve a minimum 3.70 GPA. Two scholarships will be awarded each semester, providing essential financial support for high-achieving students.
Baum鈥檚 journey to NCWU began on a tennis scholarship. However, a career-ending back injury brought him into a period of personal hardship and depression. With the guidance of a compassionate school counselor, Baum discovered new passions and founded a Rotaract Club at Wesleyan with a focus on mental health. Together with his team and counselor, he co-created a wellness journal to support student mental health, which has since been adopted by schools nationwide. This pivotal experience inspired Baum to establish GH Inner Performance, a company dedicated to promoting mental health and inner well-being.
鈥淚 want this scholarship to support international students who face challenges similar to what I experienced when I first came to the U.S. and Wesleyan,鈥 shared Baum. 鈥淚t鈥檚 meant to help high-achieving students by providing them with the financial support they deserve.鈥
Baum also expressed his deep gratitude to NCWU, saying, 鈥淲esleyan helped me grow and supported me on my journey. The experiences I gained at Wesleyan were invaluable and played a significant role in the success of GH Inner Performance. It鈥檚 only because of this success that I am now able to give back to the university that has given me so much.鈥
A quote by John Wesley has been a guiding principle in Baum鈥檚 life: 鈥榃ork as much as possible, earn as much as possible, give as much as possible.鈥 This mindset is reflected in his commitment to giving back to the Wesleyan community.
We are incredibly proud of Gregor鈥檚 story and the legacy he is building at Wesleyan. This scholarship is a testament to his resilience, compassion, and dedication to helping others. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the lives of future Bishops.
NCWU Alumnus Heads to Duke University
麻豆原创 (NCWU) proudly congratulates alumna Isabel 鈥淚zzi鈥 Neall on her acceptance to Duke University鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, where she will begin her studies in Fall 2025. Izzi graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2023, earning a B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology.
During her time at Wesleyan, Izzi was a standout both in and out of the classroom. As a key player on the Women鈥檚 Soccer Team, she earned the MVP Award, Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award, and Scholar-Athlete Award. Beyond athletics, she excelled academically as a member of the Taylor-Crocker Honors Program and took on leadership roles as the Social Media and SGA Representative for the Health and Science Movement Club and President of the Student League of Academic Prestige.
Respected by her peers and professors alike, Izzi鈥檚 academic journey was marked by excellence and dedication. Dr. Meir Magal, Inaugural Souza Professor of Exercise Science and Math, Chair and Program Director, shared his admiration:
鈥淚nteracting with Izzi was always a pleasure. She was an exceptional exercise science student, excelling both academically and athletically. During her time at Wesleyan, she successfully earned the rigorous American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist certification and completed an honors project she presented at both regional and national conferences.鈥
Reflecting on her Wesleyan experience, Izzi said, 鈥淭he connections! I was able to build relationships with my professors and classmates that provided me with so many opportunities to learn and grow. Wesleyan and the Exercise Science Program challenged me, but also created a supportive environment where I could thrive.鈥
This August, Izzi will move to Durham, NC, to begin her next chapter at Duke University. NCWU is incredibly proud of Izzi and looks forward to cheering her on as she continues to achieve greatness!
NC Wesleyan Alumna Establishes New Endowed Scholarship
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Nancy S. Parker, a 1970 graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan, has fully funded the new Nancy S. Parker Endowment at NCWU. The scholarship will be awarded to NCWU students, preferably majoring in Math or Education, from Halifax or Northampton Counties in North Carolina.
After graduating from NC Wesleyan with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Math, Ms. Parker went on to become a middle school and high school Math teacher with the for 30 years. When asked why she established the Nancy S. Parker Endowment, she responded, 鈥淏ack in 1966, I couldn鈥檛 afford to attend college. However, I arrived at NC Wesleyan because of the financial aid and other scholarships I received. I was able to fulfill my dream of attending a four-year college.鈥 She further emphasized, 鈥淭his is my way of paying it forward. I wouldn鈥檛 trade my time at Wesleyan for any other experience. I was able to live a very good life and I want to help other students have the same opportunity.鈥
In the event there are no students majoring in Math or Education, the Nancy S. Parker Endowed Scholarship will be available for other incoming freshmen and upper-class students to apply. The recipient should maintain good personal character, as well as an overall 2.5 GPA.
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 .
