Bishop Beat, June/July, 2018

A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Wesleyan College

Wesleyan Team Tackles The Tar

The third annual Tackle the Tar 5K Obstacle Course Race and Family Fun Day was held Saturday, May 19. Hosted by the Rocky Mount Rotary Club, proceeds from this fun, mud-run event benefit three local colleges...NC Wesleyan College, Edgecombe Community College and Nash Community College. Congratulations Team Wesleyan!

Universal Leaf Establishes Business Scholarship At Wesleyan

Lindsay Efird and Robert Covington, of Universal Leaf present a check to Wesleyan President, Dr. Dewey Clark, Tammy Robinson, Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship and Eddie Coats, Vice President of Advancement

Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc. presented North Carolina Wesleyan College with a check for $10,000, representing the first installment toward the company's commitment of $20,000 to establish the Universal Leaf North America Endowed Business Scholarship.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a first-year student seeking a degree in Business Administration or Accounting. To qualify, students must have a 3.5 or higher grade point average and be actively involved in the community. Preferential consideration will be given to students whose parents are involved in the agronomic industry.

Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc., headquartered in Nashville, NC, is a subsidiary of Universal Corporation, with global headquarters located in Richmond, VA.

Sheila Martin Appointed To Serve On NC Commission

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper recently appointed Sheila P. Martin, Executive Director of The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts to serve as a member of the License to Give Trust Fund Commission.

The License to Give Trust Fund Commission, comprised of 15 members, was established in 2004 and is a division of the NC Department of Administration.

The Commission awards grants to non-profit groups to be used to increase organ donation and advance care planning education.

Sheila understands first hand how organ donation can save a human life. She donated her kidney to her son, Jim Pittman, a Wesleyan alumnus, more than 20 years ago to save his life.

Martin and Pittman have organized the Pitt Charity Golf Tournament each year for the past 15 years as a fundraiser for causes related to educating people about organ donation and making people aware of the importance of making their wishes about organ donation known to their families and on their driver's license.

Four years ago, Martin and Pittman organized a dodgeball tournament event, Duck, Dodge, Donate, as another fundraising event for the cause.

Sheila and her husband, Jim, are long standing Wesleyan Society members.

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/.

Colonial Dames Enjoy Afternoon Tea At The Bellemonte House

The Colonial Dames of the 17th Century dressed in their finest to enjoy an afternoon tea and tour of the historic Bellemonte House Bed and Breakfast recently. The ladies enjoyed hot tea and delicious party food served on china patterns as of a time in history now past. Dr. Dewey Clark, Wesleyan President, gave a comprehensive history of the College and Tammy Robinson, Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, conducted a tour of the Bellemonte House. "It was truly a delightful experience in the elegantly restored home" the ladies remarked.

The Colonial Dames are a group of women who have proven their lineage to a colonial patriot who lived before 1701. The group honors their ancestry by supporting their communities through giving scholarships, the marking and preservation of historic sites and promoting education. The Eleanor Dare White Chapter, Colonial Dames XVII Century has sponsored the Laura Elizabeth Boice Scholarship for a history major at NC Wesleyan since April 27, 2001. Janice Cutchin is the Scholarship Chairman and Meg Barnes Cooke is the Chapter President.

For more information on reserving the Bellemonte House Bed & Breakfast for your group or organization, contact Denise Wilkie at (252) 955-2054 dwilkie@ncwc.edu or visit https://www.thebellemontehouse.com.

Connect: YTI Presents Summer Worship Night

Join Connect - YTI for a wonderful night of worship and praise with students and churches from all over eastern North Carolina. It is a gathering for primarily high school and college students. Bring your youth group, college group or friend group.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Time 7 PM - 9 PM

Chapel at NC Wesleyan College

Doors open at 6:30 pm

The event itself is totally free!

Water and a light snack will be provided.*

* Webby's Shaved Ice will be available for purchase before and during intermission.

Author Gray Basnight '75 Names Leading Character In Upcoming Novel After Favorite NCWC Professor

Gray Basnight graduated from NC Wesleyan in 1975 with a double major in English and Theatre. Basnight is currently deeply immersed in his third career, fiction writing, after almost three decades in broadcast news as a writer, editor, producer, and reporter, preceded by a few years pursuing an acting career.

When asked about his Wesleyan experience, Gray wrote, "

Today's NCWC students likely don't know of Dr. Jack Teagarden, Chairman of the English Department in the 1960's and 70's. I'm not even sure if any of today's faculty would recollect him. But as a graduate from the class of 1975, I surely do. He was a tall man with a square jawline and gray hair who wore silk cravats instead of neckties. He walked with the determined air of an abbot, and everything about him radiated scholarship.

The first time we met was 1971, after I had taken the freshman test to assess writing skills. I was called into his office, which was nerve-wracking. But upon arriving, I could tell he seemed pleased. He said he was impressed with my writing skills, that I had fundamental writing talent, and that I should major in English. It was a wonderful moment that validated my desire to write.

Later on, the Shakespeare course I took with him turned out to be the best class of my academic life. Studying the Bard with Dr. Tea equipped me with skills of thought and literary insight that I've valued for more than four decades.

When it came time to name the protagonist in my third published novel, a political thriller called Flight of the Fox, I wanted something that sounded professorial and would radiate with tones of pedigree. Then I remembered Dr. Tea. The name was perfect. Thus, my fictional math professor at Columbia University was born. His name is Sam Teagarden. I hope Dr. Jack Teagarden would approve. "

Gray's upcoming novel, Flight of the Fox is set to be released on July 23, 2018. The political thriller sets readers on edge when "college professor Sam Teagarden stumbles upon a decades-old government cover-up

when an encoded document mysteriously lands in his inbox, followed by a cluster of mini-drones programmed to kill h im. Teagarden must outfox teams of hitmen...while a fugitive, he races to deco de the journal, only to realize the dreadful truth..."

Prior to Flight of the Fox, Gray's other published novels include, The Cop with the Pink Pistol, a modern NYC-detective mystery; and Shadows in the Fire, a Civil War historical novel about two young slaves on the edge of freedom as Richmond falls in April 1865.

Gray lives in New York with his wife Lisa, and their golden retriever Tinta. When not writing, he's thinking about writing while walking Tinta, watching movies, and all other daily activities. He has lived in New York City long enough to consider himself a native, though he grew up in Richmond, Virginia. For more information about Gray and his writing, visit www.GrayBasnight.com.

Brooke Simpson, The Voice Finalist, Coming To The Dunn

North Carolina native and NBC's The Voice finalist, Brooke Simpson will be taking the Dunn Center stage on December 14, 2018! From recording her first song at the age of two years old, to being a part of NBC's The Voice, Brooke Simpson's life story is one with her music. She is a powerhouse vocalist who is passionate about songwriting and people. This past winter she received a four chair turn on The Voice, with Miley Cyrus as her coach, charting on the iTunes top 10 week after week, and ultimately getting third place on the show's 13th season.

For tickets click here.

Earn Your Degree While You Work

Prepare for the future today! Don't miss that promotion or new job opportunity. Earn your degree while you work full-time. Our next term starts June 25. Contact us today. www.ncwc.edu/believenow.

Earn Your Master Of Science In Criminal Justice

Earn your fully accredited Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree 100% online. Cost of books for the entire program will be less than $200. Finish your degree in 12 months. Our next cohort starts August 20. Email Michael Drew at mdrew@ncwc.edu or call (252) 985-5200 to learn more or visit www.ncwc.edu for curriculum, admission requirements and to apply.

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

Alumni Gatherings were held in May for alumi in the Raleigh/Durham and Wilmington areas. Great food, fun and fellowship with fellow Bishops!