28th Annual Day for Wesleyan Fundraiser

Rocky Mount, N.C.—North Carolina Wesleyan College will hold its 28^th annual Day for Wesleyan fundraiser on Tuesday. In support of the event, Rocky Mount Mayor David Combs has officially proclaimed September 15 as Day for Wesleyan throughout the city. 

The event attracts more than 70 local volunteers who call on area businesses and individuals to ask for gifts and pledges that help support ongoing needs of the college. These include scholarships for deserving students who otherwise could not attend Wesleyan, new technology, library materials, support for academic and athletics programs and more.

Former Rocky Mount Mayor Fred Turnage and his wife, Norma Turnage, have volunteered to serve as this year’s Day for Wesleyan community chairs. “For more than 50 years, our counties and towns have been partners in every adventure and every success of NC Wesleyan College, because we know the entire community benefits as this institution flourishes,” Fred Turnage said.

On the Wesleyan campus, Dr. Molly Weise, assistant professor of sociology, is serving as the chair for fundraising among faculty. Patricia Holloman of Wesleyan’s accounting office is chair for staff fundraising.

Day for Wesleyan continues the long tradition of support for the college from the greater Rocky Mount community. Wesleyan was founded in 1956 with financial assistance from the United Methodist Church and area citizens who recognized the need for a four-year college in the area.

As a result of generous community support, Wesleyan first opened its doors in the fall of 1960 with 92 students. Today the college is proud to claim almost 10,000 alumni.

Enrollment for the fall semester increased five percent over last fall’s enrollment. Close to 800 students currently take classes on the Rocky Mount campus, with nearly the same total number in Adult Degree Programs on the main campus and in the Triangle and Goldsboro. Residence halls are full, with additional demand.

Wesleyan has added an international flavor to the campus over the past few years. This fall’s enrollment of international students has reached 74, who represent such places as Russia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Cameroon, Turkey, Kenya, Guatemala, Gambia, Germany, Spain, Malaysia, Mexico, France, and the Bahamas.

This year, Wesleyan ranks at the top of U.S. News & World Report’s list of the most racially diverse small colleges in the South.

Day for Wesleyan will conclude on the Wesleyan campus with a celebration for volunteers at the Wesleyan president’s home. There the total amount of support generated by the fundraiser will be announced.