Rocky Mount, N.C. – North Carolina Wesleyan College raised a record amount of $510,560 from the Rocky Mount area and Wesleyan alumni on September 12, a day officially proclaimed “Day for Wesleyan” in Rocky Mount by City Mayor Fred Turnage.

This year’s Day for Wesleyan marked the 25^th year for the annual fundraising event and was held during the 50^th anniversary year of the College.

President Ian Newbould said, “The support this college has had for 50 years is amazing. The community has made this college what it is, and Day for Wesleyan is a reflection of that support.”

Tom Maze, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, said, “Tuition and fees cover only about 70 percent of the cost of educating students. This additional funding is vital to the College and helps provide scholarships, library resources, computers, and many other ongoing needs.

“This important day is a great start to our Annual Giving campaign, which lasts through May 31, 2007.”

During the Day for Wesleyan, nearly 100 volunteers from the community visit or contact more than 500 area businesses and individuals to ask for their support. In keeping with tradition, this year’s Day for Wesleyan began with a breakfast for volunteers in the College’s Dunn Center for the Performing Arts, where helpers received instruction packets before heading out to make their calls.

Advance gifts to Day for Wesleyan also are included in the grand total, which was announced at a celebration at the Dunn Center attended by volunteers and members of the Wesleyan community and the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce.

Three community co-chairs for this year’s event were Dennis Marsh, local community and public affairs manager for Embarq; Steven McIntosh, a 2002 Wesleyan graduate and a senior systems analyst with Hospira in Rocky Mount; and Michael Pratt, a 1966 Wesleyan graduate who is headmaster at the Rocky Mount Preparatory School, the state’s largest charter school.