Bishop Beat, April 2018

A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Wesleyan College

2018 Spring Commencement To Be Held April 28

NC Wesleyan College will hold its 55th commencement Saturday morning, April 28 on the front lawn of the Braswell Administration Building.

The keynote speaker will be Janice Bryant Howroyd, the founder and CEO of The ActOne Group. According to Black Enterprise Magazine, she is the first African-American woman to operate a company that generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

Forbes recently named Howroyd one of 2017's America's Richest Self-Made Women, and Ebony Magazine placed her in their 2017 Power 100, a list of the most influential African Americans. CNBC named her fourth of fourteen black women who changed business and finance, placing her ahead of Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. Recognized by both past and current Presidential Administrations, Howroyd has been appointed and serves on a number of White House Advisory Commission Boards.

In the event of inclement weather, commencement will be moved to The Dunn Center for Performing Arts.

Men's Tennis Capture 10th Straight Title, 100th Straight USA South Win

A decade of perfection! Sunday, April 8, the NC Wesleyan Men's Tennis Team swept Averett University by a 9-0 score to capture the program's 10th straight USA South Regular Season Championship. The victory over Averett also marked Wesleyan's 100th straight win over league competition since 2009 (including the conference tournament). The Bishops finished league play with a perfect 10-0 record. Perhaps most impressively, Wesleyan did not surrender a single point to any of its USA South opponents this season, out-scoring league foes 104-0 overall.

The team secured the program's tenth straight tournament crown and NCAA berth by winning a 5-0 sweep of 2nd-seeded Methodist University,

The 22nd-ranked Battling Bishops (18-3) will now await opponents and seeding for the 2018 NCAA Division III Tournament slated for early May.

Wesleyan Golf Captures First USA South Title In 45 Years

The NC Wesleyan Men's Golf team overcame an 11-stroke deficit in the final round to post a 2-stroke win and capture the program's first USA South Championship in 45 years on Saturday, April 14.

The tournament win is Wesleyan's third of the season and marks the first conference championship since the Battling Bishops won four consecutive titles from 1970 to 1973. In his eighth year at the helm of the program, head coach Gregg Ripke also becomes the only coach other than the late Don Scalf to lead his team to the title.

The Bishops who are currently ranked 17th-nationally, now will begin preparations for NCAA play.

Champions! Women's Tennis Claim USA South Title

The NC Wesleyan women's tennis team is headed to the NCAA Tournament! Head Coach Albie Brice's Bishops stamped their ticket with a 5-3 win over top-seeded Methodist University in the USA South Tourney Championship! This is Wesleyan's second league tournament crown in program history as the Battling Bishops previously brought home the trophy in 2015.

The Battling Bishops (12-3) will now await opponents and seeding for the 2018 NCAA Division III Tournament slated for early May.

Wesleyan President Recipient Of Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award

North Carolina Wesleyan College president, Dr. Dewey Clark, recently received the Tar River District of the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America 2018 Distinguished Citizen Award. The Distinguished Citizen Award recognizes and honors leaders whose longstanding commitment to youth, community and humanitarianism exemplifies the spirit of Scouting. Dr. Clark was honored at a dinner held on March 28 at Rose Hill Conference Center.

Diamond Bishops Fall To LaGrange In USA South Tourney Championship

NC Wesleyan's run in the 2018 USA South Baseball Tournament came to an end in the championship game as LaGrange ended the Bishops's season by a 12-7 score. Both of Wesleyan's losses came to the Panthers, who clinched their second straight tourney title on their home field. Read more.

The Tackle the Tar race is the area's premier race event. This fun, mud-run event is in its third year with proceeds benefiting three local colleges...Nash Community College, Edgecombe Community College and NC Wesleyan College. The more people that participate, the more money that can be equally distributed to each college.

There will be a "College Heat" at 9:30 am on Saturday, May 19 allowing the three colleges to compete against each other for braggin' rights for the next year. Current students, faculty, staff and alumni are all eligible to participate on the NC Wesleyan team. Click to register for the 9:30 am Local College Heat.

Judge Brenda Branch '94 Challenges Students To Be Lifelong Leaders

The Honorable Judge Brenda Branch recently spoke to the student body at the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony. Brenda graduated from NC Wesleyan in 1994 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice and Public Policy. She worked hard as a mechanic during the day while pursuing her degree in the evenings through the Adult Degree Program at Wesleyan. Click here to hear a portion of Judge Branch's speech.

Brenda has used her Battling Bishop degree to accomplish great things! She went on to receive her Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University in 2001. In 2008 she was named Halifax County's first female, African-American chief district judge for the 6th Judicial District in North Carolina.

NCWC's Cheer And Dance Teams Place In Competitions


	Congratulations to the NCWC Cheer & Dance Teams. They competed recently at Cheer Ltd. Nationals at Canam and the NCA College Nationals.

New Programs To Be Available Soon For Working Adults

Adult learners now have more academic programs to choose from in the form of minors, majors, or concentrations. The following new programs will soon be available for working adults. Learn more today at www.ncwc.edu/believenow

Healthcare Administration
Public Administration
Human Resources
Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Cyber Crime

2018 Spring Alumni Weekend A Success

The rain didn't dampen the spirits at the 2018 Spring Alumni Weekend held April 7th and 8th. Special thanks to Sheetz, The Bellemonte House Bed & Breakfast, The Rocky Mount Mills, The Tipsy Tomato and TBC West for helping make the weekend a success!

Earn Your Master Of Science In Criminal Justice

Earn your fully accredited Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree 100% online, taking just two courses at a time. Finish your degree in 12 months. Our next cohort starts April 30. Email Michael Drew at mdrew@ncwc.edu to learn more or visit

www.ncwc.edu for curriculum, admission requirements and to apply.

Wesleyan Society Members Honored

Members of the Wesleyan Society were honored recently with a reception at The Bellemonte House Bed & Breakfast. Greeted by NCWC students, guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres in the Rose Garden, tours of the newly renovated Bellemonte House and a concert by the Tar River Swing Band.

2018 NCWC Academic Summer Camps

Wesleyan College is offering Academic Summer Camps for rising 9th-12th graders in Exercise Science and Criminal Justice. Students will earn 1 hour of college credit during these week long camps to be held July 30-August 2, 2018.

Time: 9 AM-2 PM (Lunch, Snack and Drink provided)

Where: NCWC Rocky Mount Campus

Cost: $350 ($295 for NCWC Employees' Children)

Credit: 1 credit hour of college credit, special topics course

Deadline to register for camps - Monday, June 26

For registration and additional information, visit https://ncwc.edu/ncwc-academic-summer-camps/.

The Sozo Children's Choir Coming To The Dunn April 23

Click on photo for promo video.

Eight years ago, Christian missionaries from Alabama to Uganda began bringing food to a poorly managed orphanage outside of Kampala, Uganda. The children - part of 2.7 million orphans in Uganda -- were malnourished, some had signs of physical abuse and malaria. A few months later, the two missionaries found a new house and on May 13, 2010, 17 children were moved from the former orphanage to their new home, Sozo Children's Home. In the years since, Sozo Children has become a nonprofit organization and three other Sozo Children's Homes were opened, where some 120 children now reside.

Sozo" is a Greek word found in the New Testament, used often by Jesus, that means "to save," both physical restoration and spiritual salvation. This word captures Sozo Children's vision to provide for children who have been neglected or orphaned while at the same time encouraging them to become disciples bringing glory to God.

The Sozo Children's Choir was formed as a mission to bring God glory through the children's talents and experiences. The lively, energetic and heartwarming performances feature songs and dance of Uganda and more contemporary songs and hymns with dance as well as testimonies from the children who were saved through Sozo.

This is a free event coming to The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, April 23 at 6:30 PM. Sponsored by Hampton Farms Peanuts and Sports Evangelism Mission (SEAM), there is no charge for admission. There will be a cash offering taken at the end of the concert for the SOZO children.

Alumni Directory Project

NC Wesleyan College contracted with Publishing Concepts (PCI) to update contact informatio n

for all Wesleyan alumni and to create a new alumni directory. Per PCI, the directory is scheduled to be shipped mid to late April. If you purchased an alumni directory from PCI and do not receive it by May 15, please contact PCI's Customer Service Department at

1-800-982-1590.

Coming To The Dunn Center May 4 - Wilson Fairchild

Finally here's two dudes you've come to love. Give a hearty Dunn welcome to the Reid cousins, who will perform the entirety of their latest CD, Songs Our Dads Wrote . Their Dads happen to be Harold and Don Reid of the Statler Brothers. Listen to an overview about the album . For more information or to purchase tickets contact the Belk Box Office, the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts (252) 985-5197/1-800-303-5097 www.dunncenter.com

Reserve Your Wesleyan Memorial Brick

Students,organizations, parents, alumni, and community supporters now have the opportunity to inscribe their names at North Carolina Wesleyan College. The Office of Alumni Relations is selling bricks to be placed at the new entrance located at the south end of the Pearsall Library addition, or at the Leon Russell Chapel entrance.

Your brick will be a permanent tribute on the NCWC campus. In years to come, your family members, students, alumni, faculty, and visitors will see your name and recognize your loyalty to the College. Your gift is a special way to support NCWC.

A brick is a wonderful opportunity to honor a mentor, memorialize a loved one, commemorate an occasion or event, or simply make public your support to NCWC. Click here for complete ordering information.

NC Wesleyan Collegiate Insignia License Plate Deadline Extended


Design Under Review

North Carolina Wesleyan College is in the process of applying for a collegiate insignia license plate. This requires application to the NC Legislature with a minimum of 300 paid applications by January 15, 2019.

If you are interested in purchasing a NCWC plate, click here for process details and application. Email your completed form to alumni@ncwc.edu and pay online at ncwc.edu/give. When submitting your online payment you must designate "Other Fund" and note "License Plate" or print and mail application and check or money order made payable to NCWC to:

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Attn: Director of Alumni Relations

3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd

Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Upon receipt of 300 plus paid orders, Wesleyan will forward all forms to the NCDMV with a consolidated check. If 300 plus paid orders are not received, Wesleyan will return or destroy the payments to all applicants according to each applicant's guidance.

Alumni Spotlight

Gloria S. Graham '09 Appointed Associate Vice President For Safety And Security At The University of Virginia

Gloria S. Graham '09 has recently been named the new associate vice president for safety and security at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. She will assume her new position at UVA on

May 7.

Gloria has more than 22 years of service at higher education institutions across the nation. She was assistant vice president for safety and security and deputy chief of police at Northwestern University where she helped to build a new Department of Safety and Security. Prior to Northwestern, she held a number of senior appointments at several universities, including assistant vice president and assistant chief of police at the University of Chicago; chief of police at the University of Tennessee; assistant chief of police at Duke University and public safety captain at the University of Southern California.

She received her bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice studies from NC Wesleyan in 2009 and a master's degree in leadership development from Saint Mary of the Woods College. She is an active member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Faculty/Staff Spotlight

Former NCWC Adjunct Professor To Retire As Artistic & General Director Of The Center For Contemporary Opera

Jim Schaeffer, the Artistic & General Director of the Center for Contemporary Opera in New York, NY has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2018.

Jim has served as the Center for Contemporary Opera's General and Artistic Director since October 2008. Prior to that, from 2005-2008, he was director of Long Leaf Opera in Raleigh, NC, the country's only opera company dedicated to fully staged operas originally written in English. Between the two companies, Schaeffer produced and/or developed ninety operas, the overwhelming majority by living American composers.

Schaeffer holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from Webster University, St. Louis. He was a principal bassoonist of the orchestras of Virginia Beach, Montgomery, Alabama and Cambridge, England. His compositions have been performed at the American Dance Festival among other venues.

For nineteen years, Schaeffer was an adjunct professor at North Carolina Wesleyan College in the departments of business and philosophy.

Contributed

Student Spotlight

USA South Postseason Accolades