since 1960 “of, by, and for the Wesleyan community.”
May 10, 2012
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804
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Student Sarah Livesay was one of more than 100 members of the
Wesleyan community to participate in the Stop-the-Hunger service
project earlier in the semester. The group assembled packages of
food for the disadvantaged.
C. Lewis Photo
Graduating Seniors Look
Forward to Next Step
By Sara Sims
Decree Staff Writer
Graduation is what all seniors are
anxiously waiting for this spring.
Mackenzie Tmgie, one of 186 set to gradu
ate, is anxious for the May 5 ceremony at
the Dunn Center. ‘Tm ready to start the next
chapter of my life, but I know there’s more to
do here and to get ready to move on,” she said
a few weeks befcre the end of the semester.
Of the 186 students, 79 come fiom the
Rocky Mount traditional program and 107
from the three ASPIRE sites: 47 from the
Triangle campus, 26 fk)m the Goldsboro
campus, and 34 from Rocky Mount.
A lot of seni(*s plan to further their studies
in a graduate program. Tingle, a Winchester,
Vuginia native, is a sociology and psychol
ogy double-major with aspirations to be an
occupational therapist NCWC’s Female
Athlete of the Year, she plans to use her
education this summer while in an internship
at Womack Hospital in Fayetteville. She
intends to apply to three graduate programs.
Tingle reflected on her time at Wesleyan
as a memba of the volleyball team all four
years. “One of my favorite memories was
winning rookie of the year, 1 st team all
conference and fieshman athlete of the year,”
she said.‘1 was so suipised and hmored
to receive all of those awards and I couldn’t
wait for volleyball seasMi next year.”
A couple of Maryland seniors, RJ Bass
and Justin Wolf, share the same favorite
memory as Battling Bishops on the men’s
soccer team. “It was ft«shman year when
we beat GNU at home, 3-2, to win the
conference,” Bass said.
The pair shares a second great memory
ftom a Vugjnia Wesleyan game. “When we
came back to tie VA Wesleyan in the final
minute, that was a great game,” Wolf said.
Bass, an exadse science m^, hqies to fday
njgty after graduation. He win be living with
Wdf in Myrtle Beach for a while befrae liying
to [day ru^ in New Zealand “Since ru^ is
only sarfrpiD here, I coukin’t make it a carea;”
he saki “If I was dfeed a ^ over thae, I
woukl accept in a heartbeat” Ifnot, Bass plans
to ga his masteis in exercise science and wouki
like to be a strength-and-conditraning coadi
Wolf, a business major with an account
ing minor, said he would like to pursue a
job in banking. “But my dream job would
be a professional poker player,” he said.
Dani Abbey also plans on attending grad
school and has applied to Virginia Gom-
monwealth University. The Dinwiddie (Va)
native is completing an exercise science
degree and hqjes to work as a f^ysical
therapist technician until she completes her
graduate program. Abbey then wants to be a
fiiysical therapist for wounded soldiers. She
admitted the same nervous feelings about
graduation as other seniors. “I’m exdted to
move on with my life,” she said, “but I have
so many memories here and I’m nervous
about grad school and what will ha{pen
next”
Devin Nichols views graduation
with a sense of urgency. “I’m happy
Cain, Hooks Elected to Lead NC
Wesleyan Student Government
to graduate but reality is setting in
that it’s really time to grow up,” the
Fayetteville native said.
A Westeyan hooper, he is flying to law
school at NG Gaitial and Eton and is graduating
with a m^ in criminal justks and sock>k)gy
minor. Nkhols is also caisidaing joining the
militaiy to he^ pay fcr his educatim. His fevaite
memory was traveling to New Yak Gity with
the men’s baskdball team‘Tt was my first time
grang to Time Square,” he said, “and it was
bagga" and moe exciting than I was expecting.”
April Pfeiffer is planning on taking
some time off after graduation before get
ting her master’s degree. Hie Goldsboro
native’s number-one choice for graduate
school is North Carolina State University.
As a psychology major, she is still unsure
what to study if she does attend a graduate
program. But first she plans to move to
Raleigh and begin searching for a job.
Many of the Wesleyan seniors found
themselves reflecting on their years here
as a Bishop. Nichols offered some advice
that he will also be using during his post
graduate education. “Don’t procrastinate
when it comes to school work!” he said.
Likewise Tingle offered some words
of wisdom for underclassmen; “Stay on
top of your work and have fun. These
four years flew by for me. You should
enjoy every minute.” Bass provided
similar guidance: “Make the best of
every day you have ‘cause it flies by.”
Besides the U.S., six foreign countries
will be represented amraig the graduates:
Canada, Russia, England, Finland, Sweden
andlcelarxl From the United States there
will be 165 fiom North Carolina, lOform
Vuginia, nine fiom Maryland, and raie fiom
New Ycsk State.
The commencement speaker will
be Chancellor Holden Thorp from
UNG Chapel Hill. Thorpe is the 110th
Chancellor for Chapel Hill and has
many accomplishments that will help
him to inspire the Wesleyan graduates.
Athletes of the Year: Robert Kjellberg,
men's tennis, Mackenzie Tingle,
volleyball, seen here wtih AD John
Thompson. si Photo
By Anna Hart
Decree Staff Writer
Rebekah Gain has been elected Student
Govemment Association president, while
Terrance Hooks, a fellow junior, was
elected vice president in recent student
balloting held at the Blue and Gold Cafe.
Other new officers include Secretary
Rajon Ward, Treasurer Deontae Swain, and
Senior Class President Samantha Urquhart.
The official vote tallies were not made
available by SGA election coordinators.
SGA is a student-based committee at
Wesleyan organized to give the students
an opportunity to communicate directly
with the administration. Members of
SGA are responsible for addressing
student concerns, allocating funds, and
supervising the association’s committees.
“Rebekah will make an amazing SGA
president for many reasons,” said senior
Jesse Southerland, a fellow member of
Refuge, who added that Cain is one of the
most self-motivated people he has ever
met. “She is very encouraging, respon
sible and organized in all she does.”
Cain said that one of her main goals is
to improve communication between the
student body and the administration. She
also plans to work closely with her fellow
officers, students, faculty, and staff to
make everyone’s time at Wesleyan count.
“We’re beginning to create a stronga route
of communication by utilizing new methods,”
Cain slated, adding that, “if someone has a
problem oe sees an area that needs irrpiove-
ment, they should have two well-thought-out
suggestions for such improvement” Cain
hopes this fresh outlook will result in a
fieallhier and more productive student body.
Cain intends to achieve her goals as
SGA president by continuing the work that
has already been accomplished by previous
leaders, while bringing new ideas to the
table. “I want to see everyone's experience
at Wesleyan become brighter through
more service, school spirit and academic
activities,” the new president said.
Hesitant about joining the association at
first, Cain said she is now glad she decided
to run for president. “Initially I wasn't
positive about SGA but after several fellow
students asked me to consider running, I
decided to do it” Gain believes her previ
ous leadership positions at Wesleyan will
help her effectively serve die student body.
“I feel that I can leam and adapt pretty
well, but with the help of my peers and the
faculty, staff and administration, we can all
help create a more efficient SGA and have
a great impact,” Gain said.
As president. Gain plans to represent
the student body by having direct
and honest meetings with the college
administration, the board of trustees,
department chairs, and leaders of campus
organizations. Through these meetings.
Gain recognizes that she will have the
Student Costs to Rise
3.37% Next Year
Ncsth Carolina Wesleyan’s price tag will
rise 3.37 percent for the 2012-13 school year.
President James Gray has announced.
The increase will cover tuition, books, and
room and board, the president said.
Last year, the fiist fcr its bod(s-in-tuilkin program,
tiie coll^ raised total costs by 6.88 percent
Resident Gray said that this year’s hike is shrilly
kwff than the inoeases announced most rf
MIWCs smalkx)Dege con^Ktitots in Virginia and
North Cadina'We ae eqxciaDy [tosed that we can
include all cf a students bods in this tawer-than-
average increase in tuition, roan, and boad,” he said
“1 puts us in a good conpetitive poation with our peer
schocte and it’s reflective rfthe concern we have for
the finarces rfour students and Iheir families."
Lcjhi Loomis HubbeH, vks president of
Finance, explained the 337 percent hike wID cova
an acioss-lhe-boaid rise in expenses, but that next
year’s budget includes pioviskms for financing of
some new initiatives andfar moderate increases in
^xjiding for the foDowing areas: studait sifporl/
advising, fkulfy and academic prpgramming, coach
ing and the alhletk: program, administrative servkss
to ASPIRE students, and admissionsAnaiketing.
opportunity to be the voice of the student
body. “I promise to be honest, respectful
and dedicated to represent our sttidents,”
Gain stated.
In an attempt to keep students involved
with SGA, Cain would like to see aware
ness rise through other clubs. Cain thinks
it is important for students to recognize
the vital role that SGA has on the campus
and student life, in general. “I feel like
students should know how important their
opinions are and how they need to be
heard,” she said. “If they have dreams and
aspirations for what they want out of their
college experience, SGA meetings are the
perfect time to share.”
Gain shared her excitement about
being elected president. “1 am honored
goals he wishes to fulfill. “I’d like to
bring religion back to the campus,”
Hooks stated, stressing that it is crucial
to get more students involved. “It’s all
about having a voice,” Hooks said. “I
want every student involved.”
Not a stranger to being involved with
school oiganizations. Hooks is a member
of the Psychology Club. ‘Terrence has
a very positive presence,” noted Dr. Fred
Sanbom, the club’s advisor. “He’s good
at connecting with all kinds of different
students. He genuinely cares about people.’’
Another goal for Hooks is to
elevate use of the Hartness center “The
Hartness is a recreational building that’s
supposed to draw in students,” Hooks
stated. “I want to improve it.” Hooks
New SGA President Rebekah Cain and Vice President Terrance
Hooks
6. Wallace Photo
that my peers chose me to represent
them,” Cain said. “I understand that there
is a lot of responsibility that comes along
with this position but I’m very excited to
work with the other SGA officers. It will
be an adventure for everyone!”
Although she will be very busy, Gain
is looking forward to serving the student
body as SGA president. “Big things are
coming for our campus,” Gain stated.
“Morale is picking up and it will continue
to exceed expectations. We're only here
for a short time and we need to have the
best Wesleyan experience possible.”
As the new VP, Hooks has similar
plans on revitalizing the Hartness by
organizing more social events there.
To keep students engaged and aware
of SGA activities. Hooks intends to send
out mass e-mails, texts, and Facebook
messages about upcoming meetings
and events. In his new position, he
oversees the residence life, security, and
food committees of SGA and openly
welcomes all complaints or suggestions
from the students.
As vice president. Hooks hopes to
bring the Wesleyan community together.
“As a leader. I’d like to unite students so
we can come together as a family.”
Police Investigating Thefts,
Five Ex-Students Charged
By John Kostet
Senior Staff Writer
Rocky Mount police arrested and chaiged a
former Sodexo employee and five former NC
Wesleyan students in connection with several
thefte on campus dating back to October
The culprits were identified by police while
fliey were investigating the latest saies of thefts,
which stnick the Collins residence hall during
spring break City police are CMitinuing to investi
gate the spring bi^ thefts, according to Randy
Williams, vice pesident of Student Affairs.
‘Thefts aren’t sometiiing new on our campas,
and unfortunately it’s a problem m most coUege
campuses,” Williams said, as he explained how
the spring break thefts wae unique. ‘They wae
done without force and clustered”
While Dean Williams woukl not disclose the
names of the students who had been charged, he
did acknowledge tiiat four students have been
expelled in the wake of the earlier incidents.
In its March 24 edition. The Rocky Mount
Telegram reprated fliat the following individuals
had been anested: Malcolm Dwayne Swinson,
20, ChristopJier Dan Gutienez, 20, Jimmie Lee
Glaspie Jn, 23, Steriing Armand Smith, 20,
Quinton Lamont Joyner, 21, and former Sodexo
employee Jared Blake Elliot, 24. According to
The Telegram, Gutienez, Glaspie, Smith and
Joyner were each chaiged with felony heaking
and entering, fekxiy larceny after breaking and
entering, and fekmy obtaining poperty by false
pretenses. Swinson was charged with felony
possession of stolen goods and misdemeanor
breaking and entering, while Elliot, the former
Sodexo employee, was chaiged witii two
counts of second-degree trespassing and one
count of misdemeanor larceny.
The college registrar’s office confirmed that
Swinson, Glaspie, Smith and Joyner were not
enrolled as of April 15. It said that Gutierrez
was enrolled last fall, but fliat he had withdrawn
during the first week of classes in January.
The most recent thefts occurred during
spring break in Collins Hall. Dean Williams
reported that three rooms were hit on the
second floor, and three on the third.
One of flie victims was fieshman Noah
Huff, who was traveling with the baseball team
at the time of flie incidents. “There was nofliing
we could have done to pevent it. The door was
locked,” said Huff, who said he lost an Xbox,
two controllers, two hard drives, tiiree games,
as well as several textbooks. “Our room was
completely trashed when we got back.”
Paden Dietrich, Huffs roommate and
baseball teammate, said that they returned to
his residence hall on March 1 around midnight
He found his room locked When he entered,
he said, “the drawers were pulled out and
fliere were clothes all over the place, and my
blankets were thrown anaund. I lodced around in
disbelief I’m thinking ‘Really What the F.’”
Dietrich estimated that he lost $2,000
worth of belongings that included an Xbox,
See Thefts on pg 2