24 Hours to Make A Lifelong Impact


ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – On March 26, friends and alumni of NC Wesleyan will have an opportunity to show their Bishop Pride and support the University during its fifth annual, 24-hour day of giving campaign, A Day for Wesleyan. This is a day when all NC Wesleyan University supporters, particularly alumni, celebrate the University through donations to support its vision and its students. In a short period of time, donors to the campaign can help advance the educational experiences for all students, help invest in new technologies for learning, create more scholarship opportunities, allow students to grow into their purpose, and help build Wesleyan’s future in the region.

“The A Day for Wesleyan campaign this year is focusing on the emerging needs for the University. Supporting the Annual Fund, also known as the Wesleyan Fund, gives the university the flexibility to grant more scholarships and financial aid to students in need, create more internships within our business community, invest in relevant technologies for the library and classrooms, and provide more co-curricular activities for all students,” said Mark Hinson, Sr. Executive for Philanthropic Engagement. “All gifts on March 26, regardless of size, add up to make a huge impact!”

When asked about the importance of A Day for Wesleyan, NC Wesleyan President, Dr. Evan Duff, stated; “We hope that our alumni and the community will join us in showing their Bishop Pride and support this campaign on Tuesday, March 26. When alumni and friends of the University unite to share their passion for Wesleyan, amazing things can happen for this entire community.”

Help Wesleyan continue impacting this community while also providing its students with a personal, practical and purpose-driven education. Donors can learn more and participate in A Day for Wesleyan by visiting the secure giving website, dayforwesleyan.com, or by calling 252.985.5581.

Wesleyan Competes in Ethics Bowl Competition


ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Eighteen teams from NCICU campuses participated in the competition this year. The 2024 theme was, “Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.” Students had to consider several complicated cases involving both artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, then make their arguments about their position on the case.

Final scores were tallied, semi-finalists were announced, and the two matches set: Queens University and High Point University were paired, as were St. Augustine’s University and Montreat College. Queens and Montreat met in the finals, where Queens University prevailed.

North Carolina Wesleyan lost close matches to Pfeiffer, Mars Hill, High Point, and Montreat. The Battling Bishops ethics team included Landon Duff, Fabio Felli, Amanda Modlin, Matthew Tiller, Noah Larkin, and Clarence Alex Sanderford who where led by Professors Jason Buel and Shane Thompson.

“We are so proud of our excellent Ethics Bowl Team as well as their coaches, Dr. Buel and Dr. Thompson.  These young people have taken the time and initiative to generate a considerable body of research on one of the pressing ethical dilemmas of our times.  Although we think they probably deserved to win more matches than they did, we know they represented us well and demonstrated the power of a North Carolina Wesleyan education in their presentations”, stated Provost Dr. Joe Lane.

“This year’s teams were exceptional,” said NCICU President Hope Williams. “It was clear they had done extensive research on the complex topics and developed well-organized, cohesive arguments to present to the judges. I was very impressed with all the teams.”

This was NCICU’s 13th Ethics Bowl. Williams believes it provides unique, important opportunities for the students. “By participating in the Ethics Bowl, students learn research and presentation skills that will serve them well in their careers,” Williams said.

But the most valuable opportunity, she noted, may have been interacting with the more than 70 professionals who volunteered their time as judges or moderators and who represent many networking opportunities and careers, from law, architecture, engineering and cybersecurity to banking, nonprofits, and state agencies.

Clark Dudek, a Triangle entrepreneur and AI expert, was keynote speaker at the dinner on Friday night at the North Carolina Museum of History. He discussed how society has adapted to emerging technologies. “AI is new and may be scary,” he said. “But we are working on how to connect with this new tool and learn how it can complement the rest of our tools.”

Exercise Science Program Reaccredited


ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan’s Exercise Science program has received full reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)CAAHEP’s Committee on Accreditation of Exercise Sciences (CoAES) conducted a comprehensive review of all of the program’s academic offerings, facilities, and faculty qualifications and recommended a ten-year reaffirmation.  The Exercise Science program’s next comprehensive review will take place in 2034. 

exercise science students and professor

This recognition comes in a year of exciting growth and expansion for NCWU’s programs in the exercise and public health fields. NCWU launched a new Masters of Public Health program in August 2023, and in October 2023, a transformative gift from Wayne Souza (Class of 1973) greatly expanded the teaching, training, and research spaces in Wesleyan’s new (2021) Indoor Sports & Education Facility (ISEF). The undergraduate degree in Exercise Science now accounts for NCWU’s second most popular major among traditional, incoming first-year students, and the program has added new faculty members and recently passed plans for a second Masters level program that will soon be submitted to the University’s regional accrediting body.

white male exercise science professor
Dr. Meir Magal, Souza Professor of Exercise Science and Director of Exercise Science Program

“I am extremely excited and humbled to have the opportunity to direct a CoAES-accredited program, continue providing quality education, and train the next generation of exercise physiologists,” commented Dr. Meir Magal, Souza Professor of Exercise Science and Director of the Exercise Science program.

NCWU Provost Dr. Joe Lane noted, “North Carolina Wesleyan students are very fortunate to study in a CoAES and CAAHEP recognized program.  Few schools our size can boast of such accreditation.  This recognition, along with the remarkable upgrade in our facilities and equipment over the last several years, demonstrates that NCWU’s Exercise Science program is one of the very finest in our region, and we looking forward to being a leading educator of exercise science professionals well into the future.”

North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Exercise Science program welcomes students interested in a wide range of disciplines, from exercise physiology and strength and conditioning to athletic training and physical therapy, to tour our upgraded equipment and facility.

Wesleyan Works Program Expands to Johnston Community College


North Carolina Wesleyan University partners with JCC to expand student transfer options and employee educational benefits

ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – March 2024–North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) and Johnston Community College (JCC) have signed an agreement which expands the educational opportunities of students who graduate with an Associate Degree through the Wesleyan Works program.

Wesleyan Works is a transfer program designed for community college students who plan to continue their education at NCWU. Students who earn an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate of Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP), Associate of Science in Teacher Preparation (AATS), Associate of Engineering (AE), Associate in Applied Science (AAS), or Associate of Nursing (ADN) will have generous transfer credit of 75 hours and a clear definition of the courses that are transferrable from JCC to NCWU.  

These students will also have access to academic advising and financial aid counseling through NCWU. Students also have the option to participate in an accelerated Associate to Master’s degree program.

“Transfer programs are critical to our mission here at JCC and are the pathway to an accessible four-year degree for many students,” says JCC President Dr. Vern L. Lindquist.

“We are look forward to the opportunities this partnership opens up for our students and employees.” Lindquist adds.

“North Carolina Wesleyan University has had a long-standing focus on supporting community college students further their education. Because Johnston Community College seeks only the best opportunities to benefit their students and alumni, partnering with them made sense. We both value pathways to support student’s educational journeys that is affordable, practical, and purpose-driven,” says NCWU President Dr. Evan Duff.

The agreement also extends discounted tuition to employees of Johnston Community College who would like to pursue an advanced degree.

Exercise Science Team Attend 2024 SEACSM Conference


Zach Marquis, Victoria Farji, and Gustavo Rivas (left to right), represented the university at the 2024 SEACSM Student Bowl

On February 21 and 22, three NC Wesleyan’s Exercise Science faculty members, Dr. Meir Magal, Dr. Tim Dornemann, and Coach Vanessa Batchelor, and eight students attended the American College of Sports Medicine regional conference (SEACSM) in Greenville, SC. The students and faculty members attended presentations and tutorials on exercise science, sports science-related data analytics, physical therapy, and athletic training. Further, three students, Zach Marquis, Victoria Farji, and Gustavo Rivas (left to right), represented the university at the 2024 SEACSM Student Bowl.

The 2024 Annual Meeting had over 470 presentations including 6 invited speakers, 2 preconference sessions with 8 presentations, 17 tutorials, 15 symposia, 35 oral presentations, 48 thematic posters, 299 poster presentations, 24 posters in the Student Award session, and 9 lectures and 9 case presentations in the Sports Medicine Physician Track program. The event had close to 1,000 attendees again this year, the majority of whom are students, many attending their first conference or making their first presentation.

U.S. News & World Report Ranks NC Wesleyan Among Best Online MBA Programs


ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) has been ranked among the 2024 Best Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) by U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News assessed schools in the Best Online MBA Programs category based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, as well as services and technologies. According to their website, NC Wesleyan University was among more than 1,800 programs surveyed and only regionally accredited institution whose programs are offered mostly or entirely online were evaluated.

Professor Dr. Paul Ewell, Program Coordinator for the MBA program states, “Our MBA is more than a degree. It’s a gateway to the future of business.

“You’ll learn from the best and brightest in the field, and apply your skills to real-world challenges. You’ll also enjoy the flexibility and convenience of a program that fits your lifestyle and goals”, stated Ewell.

NC Wesleyan’s Master of Business Administration program is one of the most popular graduate programs at the University and was recently is one of the only private, non-profit universities currently offering an online MBA degree in the eastern NC region. The program is very affordable and offers many benefits including: rolling admissions with 100% online classes starting every eight weeks, finish in as little as 12 months, one-on-one mentoring, supportive faculty who have real-world experience offering applied assignments and career assistance. The program offers concentrations in Information Security, Executive Leadership, and Supply Chain Management. The program was also named by Forbes as One of the 10 Best Online MBA Programs of 2023! To learn more about admission requirements and curriculum information, visit ncwu.edu/mba.

Prospective students can see how NCWU compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

New Single Released Through NCWU’s 301 North Records


Raleigh area band, Soul Chatter (featuring artist Lonely Boarders) released their newest single titled, “Mr. Inside” through 301 North Records today! Tony Sawyer, Assistant Professor of Music Production at NC Wesleyan University helped with production and worked as the mixing and mastering engineer on the project. The single is now available on all streaming services including Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, iTunes and many others. 

301 North Records is the record label of NC Wesleyan University. Please visit the 301 North Records playlists on Spotify and YouTube Music to hear all our artists’ music.

soul chatter man in suit sitting in chair

NCWU Welcomes Ronald Cotton


North Carolina Wesleyan University will welcome Ronald Cotton of Burlington, North Carolina on Thursday, February 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Powers Recital Hall at The Dunn Center. Serving 11 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Cotton was falsely accused of raping Jennifer Thompson. At the time, Thompson was an Elon University student. Cotton’s wrongful conviction was largely based on faulty eyewitness identification procedures. Following his exoneration, Ms. Thompson and Mr. Cotton became friends and advocates for criminal justice reform.

Considered among the most famous DNA exonerations in U.S. history! Watch a two-part 60 Minutes episode about this case by clicking here.

Attendees of this event will witness the type of interaction an educated populace should demonstrate, but more importantly, how to engage in issues that sometimes divide us as a nation.

Open to the public. This event will provide students with the experience of interacting with their social community beyond what they read in textbooks. Discussing delicate issues of this type is both educational and engaging for our students and the community at large.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Cotton during a reception immediately following at 8:00 p.m. in the Powers Hall lobby.

NC Wesleyan Placing Students’ Finances First


outdoor classroom with students sitting

ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University is proactively addressing FAFSA financial aid setbacks to meet the needs of our students and families. The University has announced it is moving forward and investing in its students in the midst of the continued federal delays.

“It is our commitment to provide students with a transparent and affordable financial aid package shortly after they are accepted. To uphold this commitment, we have developed a plan to help bridge the gap” stated President Duff.

The U.S. Department of Education announced, “The Department will begin transmitting batches of FAFSA information—known as the Institutional Student Information Record or ISIR—to these colleges in the first half of March.”

In an effort to be proactive, North Carolina Wesleyan University will be providing estimated financial aid and award packages starting in February. This initiative will streamline tuition and award packages, providing students assurance to financing their education, so they can make informed decisions. If students qualify for additional aid once the FAFSA is finalized, NCWU will adjust those student’s packages accordingly. 

Visit the Department of Education website for more details: studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support

Information for students that have already been accepted and deposited

If you have already committed to attending NC Wesleyan, complete our 2024-2025 SAI Information Form to apply. You’ll need your NCWU Student ID to complete the form. An email will be sent from the Office of Financial Aid within 48 hours of receipt of your completed form.  An estimated award letter will be emailed starting mid-February.

Information for prospective students

For prospective students who are considering NC Wesleyan, APPLY TODAY and take advantage of this financial aid opportunity. Don’t wait on FAFSA, choose the University that takes care of their students NOW!