Iiiic Decree
since 1960 “of, by, andfor the Wesleyan community.”
May 10,2013
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804
Graduating Seniors Have Big Plans
By Emily Bower
Senior Staff Writer
Now that graduation has passed, the class of
2013 is anxious to get out into the real world.
Career plans, graduate school, and
student debt are all challenges that
seniors around the country face after
they take off their cap and gown.
Interviewed in April, Ashley Marks,
James Cheatham, Sarah Whittaker,
Marcelo Prata, Timaine Moore and
Rebekah Cain chipped in with their
worries, plans and memories.
Marks, a criminal justice major,
plans on going to basic law-enforce
ment training after graduating and
will continue her journey into her job
field, working two years at a detention
center. “My professors kept me in the
loop for job opportunities that would
best interest me,” she said.
Whittaker, a psychology major,
hopes to work in human resources
back in her native Maryland. “I’ll
miss all the free time I had to hang out
with my friends,” she said,” but I’m
ready to get established with a career.”
Cheatham wants to implement
his exercise science major and work
in cardiopulmonary rehab, personal
training, physical education or com
munity wellness. He’ll remember his
professors, especially Dr. Magal. “He’s
an excellent teacher and friend,” he
said. “He’s approachable and knows
what he’s talking about. He made an
effort to get to know me personally.”
He also plans on remaining active
in his religious community.
“I want to spend more time teach
ing others the truths of the Bible,”
he said. “As a Jehovah’s witness, the
preaching work I do is all volunteer
and done out of love for others.”
Prata, an exercise science major
from Brazil, plans to stay in America
to attend graduate school.
“I’m looking for a grad assistant
position with tennis, soccer, or strength
and conditioning,” he said. “If that
doesn’t work, I have a few job opportu
nities back in Brazil.” If Prata returns to
Brazil, he will study sports nutrition.
Moore, a business administration
major, plans to work as a sales
representative in restaurant equipment
liquidation and eventually open his
own store in Wilson. “Wesleyan has
given me the knowledge and structure
to succeed and excel because of all the
hands-on business courses,” he said.
Outgoing SGA President Cain, an
New SGA Board Hopes to ‘Continue the Momentum’
by Katherine Crickmore
Senior Staff Writer
After her opponent unexpectedly
withdrew a week earlier, Chelsea Laurens
was voted Student Government Associa
tion President during an election that lasted
from March 18 to March 21.
Along with Laurens, Sarah Olsowski
was voted vice president, Deontae Swain
was reelected treasurer and Bruce Morgan,
an ASPIRE student, was elected secretary.
All four candidates were unopposed.
Laurens’ opponent, Jennifer Oster,
announced her withdrawal shortly before a
debate was scheduled to be held between the
candidates. In the wake of Oster’s decision,
the debate was transformed into a question
answer panel for the remaining candidates.
“I’m extremely honored and grateful
to be put in such a position,” Laurens
declared upon her election to office.
“I’m looking forward to a great year!”
Laurens, a member of NC Wesleyan’s
Honors Program, is majoring in exercise
science and psychology, and is planning
to graduate in May 2014. She serves as
the president of Rotaract Club, president
of the Student Athletic Advisory Com
mittee, secretary of S.L.A.P and captain
of the soccer team, though Laurens
stated that she plans to resign from most
of her positions as soon as possible.
“I want to focus on SGA completely,”
Laurens declared during the panel on
March 15 in the Blue and Gold Cafe.
exercise science major, plans on pursuing
a career in her field. “Exercise science
is the best major here,” she exclaimed,
“although I might be a little biased.”
Student debt is a problem faced by
many grads. Marks said she’ll need to
repay $20,000, while Whittaker claims
$10,000 in student loans.
Other seniors expect to pay between
these two figures, with one student owing
around $13,000. Moore rounds out the
higher end with around $40,000 in loans.
The graduates also reminisced about
their favorite memories while at Wesleyan.
Whittaker hopes to keep her friendships
alive after moving back home. “My
favorite memories all include the times I
hung out with my friends,” she said.
Moore enjoyed his time with teammates
on the football team, but will also
remember the times he spent helping oth
ers. “Some of my favorite memories are all
the charity work that I participated in, from
food drives to toy donations,” he said.
Marks will remember her time spent
with the women’s soccer and lacrosse
teams. “All my memories with the
soccer and lacrosse teams made these
past four years fun and exciting,” she
said. “I’ll miss playing collegiate sports
and the simplicity of being a student.”
Prata also will miss his athletic career
here at Wesleyan. “My favorite memories
are with the tennis team,” he said. “They
were my second family. I’ll miss playing
soccer and tennis for Wesleyan.”
The small campus community is
something else that Prata will miss. “I
got to know a lot of good people here
that I would like to keep in touch with.”
Cain agreed with Praia, stating that she en
joyed the small community here at Wesleyan.
‘My professors are amazing,” she said. “One
of the best things about going to a smaller
school is the fact that you can be invested in by
your professors, and I’m so thankful for that”
She also enjoyed the family atmosphere.
“I have so many memories, it’s hard to pick
a favorite,” she said. “But I will miss my
Bishop family, going to games and events
and being able to chit-chat with everyone.”
Unlike the others, Cheatham’s
favorite memory hadn’t happened just
yet. “My favorite memory will be made
shortly after 10 a.m. on graduation day
when I finally walk across the stage
and receive my diploma,” he said.
He added: “I’ll also miss room 106
in the Taylor Center. All the main
exercise science classes are taught
there, and I’ll miss the people I started
and finished my college career with.”
During the panel, the junior praised Re
bekah Cain, the current SGA President, and
the quality of her work, while commenting
that she wishes to continue the progress.
“Rebekah Cain has done phenomenally
as SGA president and I could not have
asked for a better role model to follow,”
she said. “I want to keep the ball rolling, as
far as improvement goes.”
Cain had similarly flattering
words about the new president and
expressed her confidence about
Laurens’ leadership qualities.
“Chelsea is a wonderful leader,”
Cain said. “I am so excited that she will
be taking the reins and leading NCWC
to the next level. She’ll be a wonderful
representative for the student body.”
Laurens’ work through Rotaract Club,
whose goals are service and professional
development, have led many to believe that
she will be more than ready to take on the
challenge of the SGA presidency.
Patricia Smith, the associate profes
sor of business administration, listed
various projects that Laurens headed,
including a “Peace Table” in the
cafeteria, and said that the junior did a
wonderful job leading the organization.
“Her guidance has made a difference to
Wesleyan and the Rotaract Club,” Dr. Smith
said. “Our club has more members than ever
and it’s accomplishing more goals because
Chelsea has been a dynamic leader.”
Olsowski, a freshman majoring in
After spending their undergraduate
career here at Wesleyan, these six seniors
offered advice to the underclassman.
“Just have as much fun as you can
while maintaining your good grades, because
the time goes by so fast,” said Whittaker.
Prata echoed Whittaker’s sentiments.
“Make memories. Make friends,” he
said. “Remember that time is short, so
don't hesitate to be yourself.”
Along with making memories and
spending time with friends, Marks also
offered quality advice for the real world.
“Accept any job opportunity that will get
your foot in the door,” she said. “Even if
you don't like it, you might grow to love it.”
Cheatham wants underclassmen to
know that time may change things, but
“that doesn’t make the truth false. If you
Cliff Sullivan, ‘Consummate
Battling Bishop,’ Dies at 57
Campus life came to a halt on the
afternoon of April 24, as hundreds filled
the Dunn Center to remember Cliff
Sullivan—34-year Wesleyan employee,
former Bishop student-athlete, bibliophile
and beer aficionado,
and devoted friend
and family man.
Sullivan, the
college’s registrar for
more than 30 years,
died April 21 at his
Rocky Mount home
after a courageous
battle with brain
cancer. He was 57.
The hour-long
memorial service
included eulogies by
family, co-workers
and college friends. As
tributes were given, a
slide show flashed on
a background screen,
chronicling Sullivan’s
time at Wesleyan and
his love for his family.
NCWC Store
Manager Rachel Dix, a
long-time colleague and
Cliff Sullivan
Sullivan family friend, helped to organize
several fund-raisers with Wesleyan students
to benefit the Sullivan family. In opening
remarks, she said Sullivan would be watching
the ceremony with some amusement “Cliff
would want us to be positive,” she said.
Dix joked that Sullivan could sometimes
be “Mr. Grumpy Grump.” She lauded his
dedication to the college and his generous
accounting and business administra
tion, is also a member of Rotaract Club
and the soccer team. She was the SGA
secretary during the past two terms.
"Student body government has always
been a passion of mine,” she said, “and
I can't tell you how excited I am to lead
the student body for yet another term.”
Bev Biancur, head women’s soccer
coach, had high praise for both of the
women on the team.
“Sarah is a very passionate and driven
individual,” the coach said. “She will be a
great addition to the student government
and will work with Chelsea to make
Wesleyan the next ‘Great College.”’
Biancur spoke of Laurens’ leadership
qualities in athletics and academics and was
confident of her future potential. “Chelsea is
a leader through and through,” Biancur said.
“She is determined to leave her footprint at
North Carolina Wesleyan College and help to
move our campus community into the future.”
Laurens listed the recent changes with
campus security and the cafeteria as examples
of improvements that she hopes to continue.
The newly elected members of SGA
discussed several goals for their term
during the panel. Laurens stated that she
wants to focus on enhancing the nutritional
value of the cafeteria food, while Olsowski
wants to explore possible arrangements
with local restaurants for students to use
flex dollars at their facilities.
See SGA pg 3
question something, don’t be afraid to
investigate until you find the truth,” he said.
Along with his words of wisdom, he
provided a warning. “Senioritis is very
real. Pace yourself and finish the race.”
Moore gave practical advice, urging
students to “begin putting together your pro
fessional portfolio and start an internship.”
Cain gave a mixed answer, urging students
to “do your best in everything. Take every
opportunity you can,” she said. “Volunteer,
make memories and make friends. Wesleyan
is so diverse. Get to know those around you
and gain a perspective on life.”
Academics are also important, and
Cain wants students to realize that “you’re
setting the stones for future opportunities,
so do your best. That’s why you’re here.”
spirit. An avid gardener, Sullivan would
often present Wesleyan staff members with
roses that he had raised in the yard at his
Rocky Mount home, Dix said. She conjured
an image of Sullivan often seen by his
colleagues: “gym bag
on his shoulder, apple
in hand, headed to the
Taylor Center” for his
lunch-time workout.
Incoming Board
of Trustees Chairman
Dewey Clark, a
Wesleyan alum and
a colleague back in
the 1980s, described
Sullivan’s meticulous
record-keeping as reg
istrar, while noting that
he “set a standard of
excellence in his profes
sion.” He remembered
playing with Sullivan in
a noon-time basketball
league on campus
and said he enjoyed
Sullivan’s sense of
humor. ‘He could give it
as well as take it,” he said,
but added that Sullivan
“was always gentle,” with
“not a bad wad about anybody.”
Dr. Steve Ferebee, professor of English,
worked with Sullivan fa almost 30 years.
In his eulogy, he said they shared a love of
gardening, books and music. Speaking fa
many Wesleyan faculty members, Dr. Ferebee
highlighted Sullivan’s encyclopedic knowledge
of college policies and curricular matters
and his indispensable presence or faculty
committees. “‘Ask Cliff 5 must be the most
repeated sentence or campus,” he said, adding
that Sullivan was “protective of students.”
His voice choked at times with emotion, Dr.
Ferebee recalled the many kindnesses Sullivan
showed him when he was enduring a tough
time, such as the deaths of family members
and his partner. ‘He was a good friend,” said
Dr. Ferebee. ‘He was honorable. He lived a life
of verve and joy. Well done, Cliff.”
Several classmates spoke at the memorial.
One, Pam Watson, said that when she began
at Wesleyan, she was somewhat shy, but that
Sullivan introduced himself and befriended
her. Sullivan possessed an “inherent ability to
reach out to others and make connections,”
she said. Watson marveled at Sullivan’s ability
to keep in touch and bring friends together
over the years. “Cliff lived life with purpose
and integrity,” she said, and faced cancer with
“grace, strength and dignity.”
During the service Jake Swartout, a
senior pitcher for the Bishops, presented
a baseball to the family of Sullivan, who
played catcher for Wesleyan in the 1970s.
Swartout placed the ball, signed by members
of the current team, into one of Sullivan’s old
gloves, which rested on a table on stage.
It has been announced that a scholar
ship will be established in Sullivan’s
name for Wesleyan student-athletes.
Bom April 17,1956 in Gamer, Charles
Clifton “Cliff” Sullivan came to Wesleyan
in 1974 to play baseball. Along the way, he
joined the soccer team, though he had never
before played the sport According to an
obituary in the Rocky Mount Telegram, Sul
livan was so well liked on the soccer pitch
Philip Heavner, a Rocky Mount ASPIRE
student, was selected to receive the
Presidents Cup for his outstanding
academic performance (See story p. 2).
Rebekah Cain won the Algernon Sydney
Sullivan Award for her contributions to
the campus community. G. Arizpe photo.
that coaches took to calling him “Hustle.”
In 1976, he was named the college’s Male
Athlete of the Year.
Sullivan majored in history and
political science, receiving his BA in
1978. While employed at Wesleyan, he
earned an MA in education from East
Carolina University in 1990.
He joined the college staff as an admissions
counselor in 1979 and by 1980 he was director
of academic advising and registrar. Prom 1993
affairs, and from 1996 until his death, he was
registrar and veterans affairs coordinator. In 1992
he was given the Distinguished Staff Award.
Active in his community, Sullivan
was on the boards of the Twin County
Education Foundation and the Children’s
Education Foundation. He served on com
mittees at Halifax and Nash community
colleges. Besides gardening and reading,
Sullivan’s interests included cooking,
beer-brewing and auctioneering.
Sullivan is survived by Ellen Sullivan,
his wife of 34 years; a son, William Duff
Sullivan of Kill Devil Hills; a daughter,
Shannon Sullivan Miles of Rocky Mount;
five grandchildren; and his parents, Charles
and Faye Sullivan of Kinston.
NCWC Chaplain Barry Drum concluded
the memorial service by calling Sullivan “the
consummate Battling Bishop.”
Student Arrested
On Gun Charge
By Decree Staff
A North Carolina Wesleyan student was
arrested and charged with gun possession after
an early-morning incident April 22 in Petteway
Residence Hall.
Matthew Price, 22, of Stantonsburg, was
charged by city police, who allege that he was in
possession of three guns and a machete, which
were found during a search of the student’s room
and vehicle. Price was released on $10,000 bail,
according to various media reports.
The Rocky Mount Telegram reported that
Price was charged with three felony counts
of possession of a firearm on education
property and one misdemeanor for possession of
a weapon on education property.
“We will not tolerate the possession or use of
guns a any weapons or this campus,” said Dean of
Students Randy Williams in a statement by the college.
He told The Decree that one of the
weapons, a .40-caliber handgun, was found
with Price in his room.
Police were summoned after Price was
reported to be intoxicated and acting in a
threatening manner, college officials said.
Media outlets and the college indicated,
without elaboration, that there were racial slurs
inside the student’s room.
The incident drew intense media coverage.
WRAL a Raleigh TV station, and other news outlets
came to campus and the stay was reported by
various news web sites around the region.
Emily Bower, a Wesleyan junior, was interviewed
by a WRAL repater, who had camped at the Sheetz
store on Noth Wesleyan Boulevard “It’s scary that
something like this occurred on campus,’ ’ Bower said.
‘The racial slurs are going to make people mad”
Courtesy police officer Tamika Locke, a
resident of Petteway since last fall, responded to
the incident, with backup from city police, who
took Price into custody without incident or
injury, college officials said.
The college said that Price has been
banned from campus.
(Rebecca Staylor contributed reporting.)