since 1960 ‘ of, by, andfor the Wesleyan community.
October 4, 2013
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804
Campus Green, Other Improvements Impress NCWC Community
By Katie Beeman
Decree Staff Writer
Wesleyan students have been flock
ing to the new Southern Bank Green.
Over the summer, the college
underwent three renovations that cost
around $3.5 million. These include
adding the green space, improving
the Hartness Center, and renovating
Edgecombe Resident Hall.
The three projects were completed on
time and on budget, according to Presi
dent James Gray. “The reason behind all
of the new renovations is to enhance the
current student experience and compete
with other colleges,” he said.
The Southern Bank Green was
added in place of the parking lot in
Increases Seen in Traditional
Enrollment, International Focus
By Jonathan Winchester
Decree Staff Writer
Returning North Carolina Wesleyan
students will see 283 new faces this fall.
With a haul of 223 freshmen and
60 transfers, new-student enrollment
increased by 6.4 percent compared to
last year. There are now 652 traditional
students attending NCWC, resulting in
a 2.2 percent increase overall.
Provost Michael Brown is optimistic
about the continued growth of Wes
leyan’s student population, and would
like the traditional program to reach
1,000 students by expanding steadily
each year. “We offer a lot of good
things for their educational experience,”
said Dr. Brown. “We need to continue
to renovate, to bring things up to where
students would like them to be.”
One factor that may be affecting
enrollment at NCWC, or any col
lege or university, is the uncertainty
surrounding the economy. Logic would
suggest that financial hardships deter
educational pursuits, but Dr. Brown
disagreed and added, “The economy
causes stress for families and students,
but seeking higher education leads
to better careers and job skills that
employers are looking for.”
The total number of residential
students is 476, occupying 82.9 percent
of the 578-student capacity and leaving
98 total beds available. Residence
halls Boddie and Centura, as well as
Wesleyan Village, are all at maximum
capacity. According to Jessie Langley,
associate dean of students, the two
female-designated floors in the Nash
building have 25 vacant beds, while the
newly renovated Edgecombe building
has 44. Comparable statistics from
Robert Kjellberg, left, and Johan
Ljungdahl captured the regional
doubles title in a recent tourney
in Tennessee. See story page 3.
SI Photo
back of Braswell. The project cost
$250,000 with $100,000 donated by
Southern Bank. The new red-brick-
and-concrete area includes four picnic-
style tables with umbrellas, five round
tables with umbrellas, nine chairs, six
benches, seven lounge chairs, and two
trash cans with recycling. Five plant
holders feature red Begonias and white
impatiens, and trees have been planted
around the space. At night the area is
illuminated by antique light posts.
One student, Gene Vincent, loves
the new space. “On a scale of 1 to 10,
it’s a 30,” he said. “Everybody uses
it. We didn’t have anything like this
before.” Senior Jennifer Fowler had a
previous years were not available.
This year’s class enters with virtually
the same academic scores as last year’s.
The average SAT combined math and
verbal score is up nearly 20 points at
869, but the average GPA dropped from
2.94 last year to 2.92 this year.
North Carolina Wesleyan’s newest
students have a similar gender break
down as the 2012 additions, as the
male/female ratio has hovered around
2:1 for the past two years. According to
senior Hazel Boomer, the gender ratio
is not particularly problematic. “I don’t
know, maybe we could advertise more
towards women,” said Boomer. “It
doesn’t really bother me, but the guys
don’t seem to like it.”
Directly affecting the male/female
totals is the number of student-athletes.
Although exact numbers were not
available in late September, Dr. Brown
estimated that one-half to two-thirds
of the new enrollees are involved in
athletics and those figures were typical
of the past few years.
Transfer and Campus Visit Coordinator
Felicia Lynch was pleased with the 60
transfers, but expressed the need for more
focus in that department. When asked if
transfer students are underrepresented
compared to their peers, Lynch responded,
“That’s what we’re trying to change.
We’ve also been trying to get a transfer
page on the website.” Lynch would like a
more aggressive approach in the transfer
program. “Transfers are a goldmine,” said
Lynch. “We need to tap that resource.”
In addition to the modest gains in
enrollment, the international program
continues to flourish. The freshman class
boasts 26 international students from
all over the world. The new students
represent Central and South America
(11), Africa (4), Europe (6), and Asia (5).
Wesleyan’s international program now
features 53 international students hailing
from 26 nations over 5 continents.
After spending the past year travel
ling in Europe and teaching English in
Slovakia, former NCWC Director of
Music Gene Heavner has returned to
serve as director of International Student
Services. It is his responsibility to help
internationals feel at home in a different
culture by assisting with language
difficulties, as well as basic tasks like
banking and shopping. “This freshman
class is very outgoing, energetic, and
serious about studies,” said Heavner.
“They’re open and flexible when facing
difficulties and changes.”
While athletics have been a driving
force in international recruitment,
there is an increase in non-athlete
enrollment. Heavner attributes this to
word-of-mouth, suggesting “Students
go home and tell others about their
experience at Wesleyan, and then
get others to come.” He would also
like to see the program double, if not
triple, in the future. “I like having a
mix and enjoy the viewpoints of the
international students. It’s a positive
experience for the school, students, and
community.”
similar feeling. “It’s a chance to have
our own fellowship,” she said. “Eve
been waiting for something like this.”
Though the consensus seems positive,
there has been some criticism. Senior
on to say that the college renovated
Edgecombe specifically to appeal to
potential female students.
The residence hall received a
full renovation. “The building was
Irakliy Marutyan likes the green space but
wishes that it had been put somewhere else,
with more shade. “I’m glad that something
completely gutted,” said Edwards.
According to Edwards, Edgecombe
now has a new heating and air s.ystem;
Jennifer Fowler relaxes at Wesleyan's new campus green while enjoying
a sunny September day.
K. Beeman Photo
is happening,” he said. Sophomore Kyrie
Ozmore added that taking away the parking
lot behind Braswell has decreased the
number of library parking spaces.
President Gray said that there is
a plan to add more furniture as it is
needed. The Rocky Mount Garden
Club has adopted the green space and
will be planting flowers.
The Hartness Center received a
facelift this summer with renovations
that cost $190,000, with $80,000 of
the total coming from donations. In the
center there are now four refurbished
pool tables, a new ping pong table, a
ping pong ball dispenser, new light
fixtures, fresh paint (a bright blue
and orange), new floors (carpet and
laminate), and new windows, according
to Hartness Center Student Manager
Phillip Wester.
There is a separate cyber lounge
within the existing building for watching
TV, playing video games, and working
on group projects. According to Vice
President of Finance & Administration
Jason Edwards, the cyber lounge has a
new heating and air system as well.
Wester approves of the new
renovations, but had a few suggestions.
“I love all of it, but there should be a
second TV in the cyber lounge and a
new foosball table because the one we
have is missing a lot of its parts, which
makes playing it difficult. But all in
all, it’s an awesome improvement from
what it was last year.”
Sophomore Tommy Nakamura
agreed. “It’s a lot nicer and the grill is a
lot nicer,” he said, adding that he likes
the separate zone for watching TV.
Edwards explained that there is a
plan to continue renovating the Hart
ness Center. Phase two will include
expanding the grill area and adding
new cooking equipment. There will
eventually be a desktop computer and
a few laptops for rental in the Hartness
Center, according to Edwards. And
there is a plan to create a separate study
or television area, said President Gray
The Edgecombe Residence Hall was
renovated at a cost of $3 million, with
Sodexo’s construction company handling
the renovations. “They were given a tight
deadline, May 6 to August 6, and they
delivered,” said President Gray.
Noting the skewed male-to-female
ratio on campus, the president went
new wiring, cable and plumbing; as
well as new floors (vinyl in the rooms,
tile in the bathrooms, and carpet in the
hall), new paint, doors, and furniture.
The building is more handicapped
accessible and has a new sprinkler
Advice Offered for Freshmen
By Amanda Gauthier
Decree Staff Writer
With the beginning of a new year,
Wesleyan welcomes the arrival of a new
freshman class. Some have come from far
and wide while others find themselves
close to home. Being a college freshman
can be exciting, but it can also be stressful
or even frightening and intimidating.
Upperclassmen, staff and faculty have
offered advice for helping freshmen to navi
gate the transition to college. Many stressed
the importance of regular class attendance.
“Go to class!” stated Alex Kane, adding
that poor attendance can hurt a student’s
grade and even result in withdrawal from
the course. This could delay a student’s
graduation by an extra semester or two.
Matthew Richardson said that his fresh
man mistake was sleeping in, instead of going
to some of his morning classes. He said that
attending all classes, makes a huge difference
in a student’s performance. In some cases, if
you miss one class day, you can end up off
track and it can be hard to get back into gear.
It’s critical that students attend class,
but it’s just as important that they become
engaged in the learning process, in
and outside of the classroom. Dr. Lee
Templeton, assistant professor of English,
pointed out that “how much effort you
Drew Thompson, son of Athletic Director John Thompson, and Evie Hunter pass
through the "Freshman Tunnel" at the opening of the fall semester. Photo by s. Best
system. Edgecombe is now more
energy efficient, according to Edwards.
“Overall, Edgecombe is beautiful,”
said resident adviser Nikki Liette.
The sophomore added that the resi
dence hall has completely changed in
look and quality. And the students have
changed along with the new dorm.
“I’ve noticed that students are treating
the new building with much more
respect, and trying to keep it cleaner
and in nicer condition,” she said.
Residents did report a few negative
aspects. The closets are smaller and
some students still do not have cable,
according to Liette.
Freshman Neryzza Calo said that
the new dorm is similar to the ones at
colleges she considered in her home
state of Alabama. “The only thing that
I don’t like is that the beds were really
awkward to rearrange and not very
comfortable,” she said.
Edwards stated that the college will
next undertake a similar renovation
project at Nash residence hall. This will
include re-doing the first floor, which
was renovated several years ago.
“If we perform an extensive renova
tion of Nash similar to what was done to
Edgecombe,” Edwards said, “then we’ll
have to replace all of the plumbing and
electrical and data wiring, and install
a fire sprinkler system, etc. That will
affect the 1st floor cosmetic upgrade that
was done previously. It will result in
repairs and finishes to the first floor that
will need to be touched again.”
The college will continue with its
ambitious program until every building
is updated, officials said, with most
work occurring during the summer.
Along with donations, the college
is funding its renovation projects with
money obtained in a loan from PNC
Bank, according to Edwards.
put into your classes is how much you get
back.” He added, “Take ownership of your
education. You’re not here to get a piece of
paper; you’re here to get an education.”
For freshmen, another key is “management.”
Richardson said that students need to learn to
manage money and advised fieshmen to find
a weak study job to help with their finances. He
added that it’ important to get an early start in
searching for the right job, noting the limited
number of appealing positions on campus.
Along with the ability to budget their
money, freshmen must develop strong
time-management skills, upperclassmen
said. It helps students to balance work
and fun and keeps them from getting
too stressed out and behind in classes.
Anastassia Battle is one who stressed the
importance of good time management,
explaining that it allow students to enjoy
fun activities and social opportunities,
while still reaching their academic goals.
As a college student, one begins to plan
for the rest of his or her life, and upperclass
men underscored that academics should
become number one on your to-do list.
Kayla Nall suggested that freshmen figure
out their major as soon as possible and then
use all the available resources, such as the
career services office. Noting that she
see ADVICE pg 4