July 22, 1998

Rocky Mount, NC - North Carolina Wesleyan College welcomed the largest number of incoming first-year traditional students and their parents July 10-11, in a summer orientation on the Rocky Mount campus. Attending from as far away as Florida and Rhode Island, 172 students and 255 parents and family members converged at the College for two days of information and a taste of College life. The largest number of students, 73, came from North Carolina, closely followed by the group from Virginia, 39. Other states represented included South Carolina, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. During the orientation students were able to register for fall semester classes, while parents were able to work out last minute details with the Financial Aid office.

Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, NC Wesleyan Vice President and Dean for Student Life, said, "Summer orientation was a positive program and a great way for first-time students and their parents to prepare for the upcoming college experience. We had an enthusiastic group of students and parents who went home with a better understanding of how they need to prepare before they return for fall semester, and who have been reassured that coming to North Carolina Wesleyan was a great decision."

On Friday students and parents toured the campus, met in small groups about residence hall living, academic advising, and college transitions, and enjoyed a reception at the president's house, and dinner in the College cafeteria. After being entertained by comedians in the student center, students spent the night in residence halls, while their families stayed in area motels.

After breakfast in the cafeteria, Saturday morning's student session was devoted to an information session about College 101, North Carolina Wesleyan's new program for first-time freshmen. The aim of the program is to get students connected with each other and with the life of the College. First-year students are assigned to 15-person "cohort" groups who take three classes together for the fall semester. One of their shared classes is College 101, staffed by a professor, a College staff member, and student mentors. In College 101, they will sharpen their time management skills, their presentation skills, their computer skills, attend some performing arts programs, and together they'll perform some community service project. They'll keep a journal and discuss goal-setting.

A Fall Orientation for all incoming first-year students is scheduled for Aug 28-30, before classes begin for the fall semester. During Fall Orientation the students will be assigned to their specific cohort groups and meet together Friday through Sunday. On Monday, August 31, students will be able to finalize their class schedules and prepare for the fall semester.

North Carolina Wesleyan is an independent, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The College offers bachelor's degrees in 22 majors to traditional-aged students on the Rocky Mount campus. Wesleyan also offers an adult degree program geared to working adults, with classes in Rocky Mount, and at additional teaching sites in Raleigh, Goldsboro, and Durham.

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