The luncheon opened with remarks from NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff and Vice President of Advancement Mark Hinson, who expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s continued support. Both emphasized the vital role GLF plays in expanding educational opportunities and advancing the university’s mission.

Four-year Golden LEAF Scholarship recipient Benjamin Sellers ’26 reflected on his journey at Wesleyan, sharing how the scholarship shaped both his academic and personal growth. He credited NCWU and GLF for his success, including publishing two articles and graduating debt-free this May. Sellers noted that while he initially planned to pursue a career in chiropractic care, the connections and opportunities he discovered at Wesleyan opened doors to new possibilities.

Leah Hill, NCWU’s Director of Financial Aid, recognized and introduced the scholarship recipients, offering personal thanks to GLF members for their generosity. As a token of appreciation, the university presented gifts to Foundation representatives. Scholarship recipients in attendance included Benjamin Sellers, Finnegan Allen, Joseph Cooper, and Malachi Hayes. Other recipients include Nyasia Jones, and Amanda Layton.

The program concluded with remarks from GLF President Scott Hamilton, Scholarship Program Manager Arlena Dongilli, and President Duff, each reaffirming the strength and impact of the partnership. Hamilton shared, “We love watching our scholarship recipients grow. These scholarships are about more than education—they support the transformation of rural communities, and the impact students make when they return home.�

Through this ongoing collaboration of 23 years and counting, NCWU and the Golden LEAF Foundation continue to empower students, foster academic achievement, and invest in the future of North Carolina’s workforce.

Â鶹ԭ´´ Golden Leaf Foundation

mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to receive a portion of North Carolina’s funding from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers. For 25 years, Golden LEAF has worked to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

Golden LEAF has provided lasting impact to tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural areas of the state by helping create 68,000 jobs, more than $780 million in new payrolls, and more than 98,000 workers trained or retrained for higher wages.

Governed by a board of directors appointed by leaders of NC’s legislative and executive branches, Golden LEAF has focused on critical issues facing North Carolina communities including bringing jobs and building industry by providing resources to communities, awarding scholarships to local students and administering the state’s relief efforts following natural disasters.

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Â鶹ԭ´´ (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.

NCWU offers a best-in-class value and a personally tailored private higher education experience.  We invest in each and every student we accept by providing individualized awards, scholarships and grants. Wesleyan is YOUR hometown University that is Personal. Practical, and Purpose-Driven. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. In addition to its educational mission, NCWU serves as a vital economic engine for the region, contributing over $209 million to the local economy.

To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on , , and .

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The report highlights NCWU’s role in job creation, business development, and workforce readiness, supporting 2,316 jobs across Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Pitt, and Wilson counties. The university employs 244 faculty and staff, with payroll expenditures of $16.3 million circulating throughout the local economy. Additionally, NCWU serves as both an employer and buyer of goods for its day-to-day and construction operations.

NCWU’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in its spin-off companies, which include MBM Corporation, FullSTEAM, Taylor Financials and Stroud Company CPA, generating $18.1 million in regional income. These companies, founded and nurtured by university programs, faculty, and alumni, have strong ties to NCWU and continue to create economic opportunities in the region.

Out-of-region visitors attracted to North Carolina activities at Wesleyan brought new dollars to the economy through their spending at restaurants, gas stations, and other regional businesses. Visitor spending from university events contributed an additional $413,000, while student spending added $4.9 million. Around 47% of students attending Wesleyan originated from outside the region. In addition, some retained students would have left the Central and Eastern NC for other educational opportunities if not for NCWU. These relocated and retained students spent money on groceries, rent payments, and other living expenses at regional businesses.

NCWU’s alumni play a significant role in the regional economy. Former students currently in the workforce generate $156.8 million in added income, supporting approximately 1,640 jobs. Whether the impact is evident once in a lifetime or a million times a day, it is a lasting impact.

Students experience a strong return on investment, gaining an estimated $4.90 in higher future earnings for every dollar invested in their education. In return for their investment, students will receive a stream of higher future earnings that will continue to grow throughout their working lives. For example, the average NCWU bachelor’s degree graduate from FY 2022-23 will see annual earnings that are $29,900 higher than a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in North Carolina.

The university’s presence also provides substantial benefits to North Carolina taxpayers, generating $48.5 million in increased tax revenues and reducing demand for government-funded services. Over the course of students’ careers, NCWU’s contributions to the state economy are projected to reach $461.1 million, yielding a social return of $38.4 million in social savings.

Beyond economic contributions, the education provided by NCWU leads to significant social savings in areas such as healthcare, the justice system, and income assistance. A more educated workforce results in lower healthcare costs, reduced crime rates, and decreased reliance on government supported programs, yielding an estimated $38.4 million in social savings.

Overall, the social benefits of NCWU amount to a present value of $499.5 million, encompassing $294.3 million in added student income, $135.5 million in additional business income, $31.5 million from university activities, and $38.4 million in social savings.

NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff emphasized the university’s impact, stating “This study reaffirms NCWU’s role as a catalyst for regional economic growth, workforce development, and social mobility. We are proud to contribute to the prosperity of North Carolina and remain committed to providing high-quality education that fuels individual and community success.�

Wesleyan continues to create value by equipping students with the skills necessary for career success and economic mobility. The university’s influence extends beyond its classrooms, shaping the lives of its students and strengthening the broader regional economy. It offers a best-in-class value and a personally tailored private higher education experience.  Wesleyan invests in each and every student by providing individualized experiences that are Personal, Practical, and Purpose-Driven.

To read more about this report, click here!

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