i Wi\t VOL. 2, NO. 12 NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. FRIDAY, APRIL 24,1987 President candidate pays visit By TOM RIVERS On April 7, the Presidential Search Committee presented Dr. Les lie Gamer, an assistant professor of business at the University of North Carolina, to the campus community as a candidate being considered for the presidency of North Carolina Wesleyan College. Gamer addressed members of the Wesleyan community in plenary session in room 105 of the Gravely Science Building where he said his main objective in coming to Wes leyan would be to "build an insti tution of distinction." Other goals, he said, are to en hance faculty strength by raising salaries, increase the college's endow ment, increase enrollment, and build a performing arts complex. Gamer was bora and raised in nearby Greenville, where his father is now mayor. He eamed his masters degree and his PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University before be ginning his teaching career at UNC as an assistant professor of business. At UNC, he has been a Morehead Scholar as well as contributed to many published works. Gamer said he likes Wesleyan and hopes to become a part of it. He said he hopes to "build community" and have close contact with faculty, staff, and students. \l' CANDIDATE ON CAMPUS — Dr. Leslie Garner, un der consideration as a potential President for Wesley an College, addresses the Wesleyan community dur ing his recent campus visit. Committee still searching Since October 1985 there has been a presidential search at North Carolina Wesleyan College. Upon the resignation of former president S. Bruce Petteway the search began, which has brought two candidates to campus, and has lasted a longer time than any previous presidential search at NCWC. In 1975, Dr. Tom Collins resigned the president's position as the college was having financial difficulties. His resignation was effective May 1, and the new president (Petteway) was in office by mid-August, according to Dr. Raymond Bauer, Chairman of the Physical Education Department. The current search, which began with Petteway's resignation at Founders Day in October 1985, has thus far been unsuccessful in producing a president for the college. According to Don Scalf, as sistant professor of physical edu cation, the search in 1975 was looking for an individual to im mediately get the school out of financial trouble and Petteway seemed to be the person to do that. "What the search committee is looking for is someone who can pick up some loose pieces, put them together, and give us some long- range stability," said Scalf. A couple of candidates have been brought on campus by the search committee since the search began, the latest being Dr. Leslie Gamer, an assistant professor of business at UNC-Chapel Hill. Jean Edge, assistant professor of physical education, said that this time the committee is looking for Convocation recognizes top students someone with a good liberal arts background that wants to upgrade the quality of the school. She feels the length of this search may be attributed to the committee looking for so many important qualities In one person. Bauer stated that the president is a very vital part of the public relations of the college and attracting money for the college. He said he did not really understand the search committee taking almost 18 months to find a person to fill the position. The search committee is con tinuing their efforts in the search for a president at NCWC and according to Edge, she thinks the committee needs to have someone in place before the 1986-87 academic year ends. By MELANIE BOLLING and SHARON EVANS On Sunday, April 12, North Carolina Wesleyan held its annual Honors Convocation in the cafeteria. The purpose of this convocation is to recognize the accomplishments of the outstanding students at Wes leyan, Following a prelude by the Wes leyan Wind Ensemble and an Invocation by the campus minister. Dr. Mark Ledbetter, Dr. Stephen Fritz, acting president of Wesleyan, welcomed a large, attentive audience of students, faculty, and parents. An address was given by long-time faculty member Dr. Raymond Bauer, chairman of the Physical Education Department. Dr. Marshall Brooks, acting Dean of Wesleyan, presented the academic awards Dr. Carleton Mc- Kita presented the Student Life Awards. The following were honored: Conner Savings and Loan Biology — Lisa Brumble Griffin and Andrea S. Smith Mathematics — Cindy Lou Bovee Chemistry — Bonita Yulanda McClain-Williams North Carolina Institute of Chemist's Award — Bonita Yulanda McClain-Williams Chemical Rubber Company Award — Andrea S. Smith People's Bank Business Admini stration/Economics Award—Jacque Baker Winslow Planter's National Bank and Trust Company awards for Outstanding Academic Achievement: Native — Douglas Lyman Yearwood Transfer — Dixie Blume, Julianne Goodwin, Jacque Baker Winslow Helen Merriam Thorp Music Award — Gay Ann Hendricks W.C. Reid Band Award —James Michael Berry John Paul Jones History Award — John G. Pridgen SNCAE Education Award — Ellen Davis Criminal Justice Award — Douglas Lyman Yearwood Freshman Writing Award (English) — Carl S. Anderson Senior English Award — John G. Pridgen Politics Award — Jackie Walters Physical Education Award — Lori Ann Blackburn Psychology Award — Douglas Lyman Yearwood Religion/Philosophy Award — Joseph L. Bryant (Continued on Page 4) Student Life Dean gets new position By SHIRLEY SMITH Dr. Carleton McKita has resigned as Dean of Student Life and has been appointed campus minister by Dr. Stephen Fritz, acting President of the college. Dr. McKita says that his decision to resign was partly based on the fact that the college is involved in strategic planning and he feels that the college should develop a stronger relationship with the conference. The conference is "look ing for ways in which the church can express its interest in education through Wesleyan," says McKita. Dr. McKita feels that he is very much qualified for the job as campus minister because it is a job that he’s been trained for and one that he's done. McKita doesn't plan to have any drastic changes in the way things have been done religiously on campus. "Mark Ledbetter has been a marvelous example as campus mini ster. He has done a great job here," said McKita. "The only difference will be that I won't have the teaching lead he had. I feel that a minister should serve the students." An ad has been placed in The Chronicle of Higher Education for the position of Dean of Student Life of the North Carolina Wesleyan College. The closing date for applicants as stated in the ad is May 15. Dr. Fritz says that Wesleyan will have a new Dean. "Just as soon as possible, early summer at the latest”