Rocky Mount, NC—Representatives from the City of Rocky Mount, the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, and the N.C. General Assembly served as judges for the first annual Student Speakers Symposium held March 26 at Wesleyan’ Dunn Center.

The theme was “Rocky Mount Topics Engaged,” a format for ongoing evaluation of speaking competencies sponsored jointly by Wesleyan’s General Education Committee and the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan team. 

Assistant City Manager Peter Varney and Director of Public Works Jonathan Boone participated along with City Council members Chris Miller and Lamont Wiggins. They were joined by Chamber CEO Eddie Baysden and N.C. Rep. Angela Bryant (D-Nash). 

“The student presentations were outstanding,” Bryant said, “and the topics very timely to the City. In the future I would like this to be done at City Hall where some of our neighborhood leaders could hear their great research. Our future is in good hands with these young people.” 

Miller was impressed with the enthusiasm of the students for their topics.

“It bodes well for our country,” she said. “Their civic involvement here will likely continue wherever they live after graduation. 

“This Speakers Symposium has breathed life into what might otherwise be considered dry academic courses. I certainly hope it will continue, and that it will continue to include topics that get students involved in this community." 

“This was a great ‘town-n-gown’ opportunity for us all,” Baysden said. “Each presenter had his or her unique attributes, whether from research or composure or subject knowledge. I was very impressed with the effort and commitment each student made for this program.” 

Jonathan Boone agreed, saying, “I see a bright future for a joint venture between NCWC and the City of Rocky Mount to explore challenges and opportunities that face our community while simultaneously injecting real world experience into the student curriculum.” 

Dr. John Hartness, a Wesleyan trustee in attendance, observed, “We should have been doing this 30 years ago. These young students gave dynamic presentations. Each was well acquainted with the subject and explained their position eloquently. I am very proud of them. Our great faculty and staff daily create a very positive influence and environment for developing the true potential of these new leaders for our country.”

Kathleen Penrod won the $100 Kiwanis Club prize, presented to her by club members Bryant and Miller, in the presence of Kiwanis President Allen Hinnant. Penrod’s topic was “Environmental Justice in Rocky Mount.” 

“This symposium was wonderful,” Penrod said. “Not only did I get involved with the city through my own project, but I also learned about other issues through the other students' presentations. I appreciate how interested both the students and the city members are in engaging with each other to better our community.” 

Assistant City Manager Peter Varney presented her and four other participants with certificates of participation from the City, and each also received an engraved NCWC keychain donated by Jim Dickens, a Wesleyan trustee. 

“It is great to see community leaders willing to devote valuable time to enhance the educational experience of our students," said Dr. Stanley Caine, Wesleyan interim president. "I was also pleased that the student speakers understood how much the Rocky Mount community has contributed to their education, and how much they wanted to give something back. I hope that this event can become a valued tradition at Wesleyan.” 

Other presenters were Josh Akers, “Determining the Value of Curfews;” Taylor Huffman, “The Effects of Waste Management;” Jacob Strickland, “Implications of Student Government for Local Community Service;” and Juliana Richardson, “Improving Race Relations Through the Younger Generation.”

 “This is the culmination of a year-long plan of activity that began last June with Mayor David Combs,” explained Dr. Jon Wiggs, Wesleyan’s director of institutional research. “David responded to a memo that outlined a potential for mutual cooperation. He passed it along through channels, and Wesleyan professors Dr. Cameron Matthews and Dr. Molly Weise followed up with meetings in City Hall. It took a lot of trust and reciprocity to make this happen.”

 James Parrigin, NCWC’s instructional librarian in charge of the sponsoring Quality Enhancement Plan team, was overjoyed. “I’m so proud that the symposium has grown out of our QEP that focuses on student information literacy skills. It is a perfect example of how professors and students can use information to bridge the divide between academic theory and real-world application.” 

“Simply put,” Parrigin said, “this new research partnership between our students and those in Rocky Mount’s city government represents a much-needed dialogue between the College and the community. It will be the focus of my own presentation when 10 of us at Wesleyan attend N.C. State University’s Undergraduate Assessment Symposium in Raleigh in April.” 

Participants in the Student Speakers Symposium were (from left): Taylor Huffman, Juliana Richardson, Wesleyan Chaplain Barry P. Drum (moderator), Jacob Strickland, Kathleen Penrod, and Josh Akers (not pictured). Photo by Allen Hinnant. 

Kathleen Penrod (left) winner of the NCWC Student Speakers Symposium for her presentation, “Environmental Justice in Rocky Mount,” received a $100 prize from the Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club presented by club members N.C. Rep. Angela Bryant (center) and Rocky Mount City Council member Chris Miller. Photo by Allen Hinnant.