since 1960 "of, by, and for the Wesleyan community.
north CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE ROPKY
' KOCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804
May 3, 2007
raduating Seniors Reflect on Time at Wesleyan
M M T-Tl 11 \171 C cfl l/^QM+O II ..
J
ly Jessica Bowen
Icree Managing Editor
walbusiness leader Kel Landis
,i,erthecommencement address
North Carolina Wesleyan College as
, set to graduate May 5.
„i„ the Minges Auditorium in the
,„Center with 185 students from
■adultdegree and traditional day
—having applied for graduation.
jeWalaureate service will be
djFndayMay,4at6;30p.m. mthe
liiges Auditorium.
i=reparing for graduation has been
rtscaiy and exciting for Business
Mjor Megan Barrett. She said, “I
^nervous about graduating but will
*glad to get it over with,” Although
jtrett will miss the interesting
tonversations in Accounting, she will
otmiss late night papers or group
lojects. Banett advises students to
Bist procrastination and enjoy the
Es they have in college. Barrett’s
ilajs are to go into the work force after
jraduation.
English major Jennifer Evans
dl cherish her time at Wesleyan;
wever, she will not miss exams,
papers, midtenns, or the dorms. I
lavehad many excellent experiences
tere and they outweigh all the stressful
mes” said Evans. She added that she
will miss many professors as well as
her time as a staff member at the Dunn
infer.
Evans said her advice to Wesleyan
liiients is “if you can pass Senior
Stminar nothing is impossible.” After
pduation Evans plans to work for a
w before pursuing the Creative Arts
pduale program at the University of
North Carolina-Wilmington.
Business major Martin Hill
Wieves that the leadership positions
lie has held on campus will benefit
Win when he enters the “real world.”
3ugh Hill, the vice president
ofSGAand a member of Phi Beta
Sigma, believes his college years at
NC Wesleyan have been a struggle he
silmiis (hat students get an “in-depth
education and a few understanding
professors.”
Hill wishes that students were
required to participate in an internship
upon graduating to secure “a good
paying job.” He plans to move to
Atlanta and become a “successful
black man in the corporate world.”
Hill’s fraternity brother, Donterio
Perkins overcame major setbacks
to reach graduation day. A native of
Bethel, Perkins noted that his mother
incurred a serious illness during his
second semester, leading him to “lose
focus. I was placed on academic
probation, which led to my suspension
from the college. I was blessed to
have the suspension lifted and given
a second chance to prove to myself
and the college that I was a very good
person and student. During my last
two years. I’ve become comfortable
and focused in pursuing my degree.”
Perkins is grateful for the
encouragement and support he
received from faculty and mentors
such as Dr. Vann Newkirk, Rachel Dix
and Doretha Chichester, as well as his
brothers at Phi Beta Sigma. “I will
forever remember the friends that 1
made here,” he said.
The Justice Studies major said
that he may attend graduate school
at East Carolina University or North
Carolina Central University and
he looks forward to a career in law
enforcement or, perhaps the CIA.
Rowland “Tripp” Evans, a Rocky
Mount native, transferred to NCWC
last spring from College of Charleston
to complete a degree in business. He
said that he liked the size of NCWC.
“College of Charleston had around
11,000 students and a larger campus,”
Evans remarked. “Here the centralized
campus and smaller classes facilitated
more interaction with fellow students
and professors.”
Another local student, Blake
Rice, noted that he was first attracted to
Wesleyan by the opportunity to pitch
for Charlie Long and the Bishops
baseball team. A math major, a member
of the Honors Program, and winner of
student-athlete awards. Rice said that,
like Evans, he enjoyed the small class
sizes. “I liked the small campus, being
personable with the teacher. You’re not a
number here. You’re a student, you’re a
person,” Rice said. “I came for baseball,
but stayed” because of the personal at
tention provided at a small college. “It’s
been the greatest four years of my life.”
Rice tossed two no-hitters for the
Bishops and led the team to a place in
last year’s Division Three World Series
tournament. He intends to take a year
to pursue his dream of playing profes
sional baseball, with tryouts scheduled
with a number of Major League teams.
If he fails to catch on with a team.
Rice plans to enroll at Georgia Tech’s
engineering program.
Once again, the Business
Division accounts for more than half
of the graduating seniors. Here’s
a breakdown of majors: Business
Administration (90), Accounting
(28), Justice Studies (28), Computer
Information Systems (25), Psychology
(24), Exercise Science (8), Biology
(5), English (4), History (4), Sociology
(3), Mathematics (1), Pre-Med (1),
Religion (1), Middle Grades Education
(1). Thirty-seven students will graduate
with double majors.
According to President Ian
Newbould, Landis was selected to
deliver the commencement address,
because he’s a dynamic local leader.
Landis, 50, held the position of chief
executive officer of RBC Centura
Banks, Inc. and RBC Centura Bank
from 2001 until his retirement in
2004. He is currently a Principal of
Plexus Capital; an $80 million private
subordinated debt fund which is
headquartered in Charlotte, with an of
fice in Raleigh. Plexus Capital invests
in companies needing growth capital
in the southeastern United States
President Newbould pointed out
that Landis has been quite active in his
community. He has served as Senior
Advisor to the Governor for Business
and Economic Affairs; immediate past
chairman of the North Carolina Bank
ers Association and the Rocky Mount
Area Chamber of Commerce. He has
been a director of the North Carolina
Citizens for Business and Industry;
DonorsChoose NC; and the Carolina
Gateways Partnership. He has served
as co-chairman of the Foundation of
Renewal for Eastern North Carolina
and a trustee of Elizabeth City State
University. He sits on the Board of
Visitors of the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill (chairman
2004-2005), the Kenan-Flagler
Business School and North Carolina
Wesleyan College.
Landis holds a B.S. in Business
and an M.B.A. from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Courtney Tucker, first baseman
for the Bishops softball team,
was named NCWC's "Female
Athlete of the Year" as well as
a first-team All Conference. For
complete sports coverage, turn
to pages 3 and 4.
Group Recommends against Wesleyan Joining UNC System
By Jessica Bowen number of high school graduates in “I think local leaders were position than it has ever been, and our
' ° . j! • —nlan^ for prowtn and develODment
Decree Managing Editor
For the majority of the school
year there has been discussion of NC
Wesleyan becoming part of the UNC
school system. After careful review,
a study commission determined
that it could not justify the move,
a recommendation accepted by
President Erskine Bowles' and the UNC
administration.
According to NCWC President
Ian Newbould, the commission con
cluded that there were an insufficient ■> ^
Turmoil Continues in Student Activities
Mecree Staff
As of May 15, NC Wesleyan will Student leaders said they enjoyed
working with Ashworth, but felt that
number of high school graduates
northeastern North Carolina. This find
ing, together with the high anticipated
costs associated with converting the
Wesleyan campus, led the commission,
headed by Chancellor James Leutze, to
recommend against the move.
President Newbould said that
the college had not taken a position
in regards to the UNC study. Rocky
Mount business and political leaders
have been the driving force behind the
proposal, believing that a state school
would rejuvenate the economy.
* missing two key administrators in
fte area of student life.
Sarah Ashworth, director of
Went activities, resigned in early
feh after six months on the job. She
Weeded Gabe Raynor, who resigned
® the DSA office in September.
In mid-May Dr. Peter Phaiah will
- Us post as Dean of Students fol
ding his resignation from the college,
fding to President Ian Newbould.
Raynor’s departure still rankles
*y students. “When he was here, the
morale was high,” said Martin
We president of the Student
*«mment Association, who added
i* related well to students and
P* raise retention. “Gabe was a great
He was for the students.”
SGA Treasurer William Boyd
"Wented that Raynor’s resignation
J' and the entire student
J angry and confused. We all
"n and he understood us. His
Arew the entire community
w ack, leaving only anarchy.”
a dad that the move “brought
^ notion between the college’s
""“istrationand students.”
she was put in a difficult position as the
successor to the popular Raynor.
“Sarah’s hiring was a Band-Aid on
a gash,” Boyd said. “The students did
not know her, as she did not know them.
So we all had problems finding and
reaching a goal for the semester; then
during spring break, when were just get
ting used to each other, she resigned. So
once again we were left unrepresented.
The DSA supports organizations such
as the Student Government Association
and helps coordinate programs at the
Hartness Center, among other duties. After
her resignation, Ashworth continued to
serve as assistant lacrosse coach.
The recent upheaval has agitated
students who saw disruptions in the
functioning of the student government
and various student programs. “There
was a lack of advising and proper
protocol,” said Hill. “Paperwork got
mishandled,” and there were frequent
miscommunications.
Hill questioned many decisions
that were made during the past year.
While many popular programs were
canceled or scaled back, the college
approved substantial funding for the
new Cinematography Club. “And we
have yet to see a major production”
from the club, Hill groused.
SGA President Tina Sirois
expressed similar frustration. When
Raynor and Ashworth resigned, she
noted, there was “an enormous strain
on SGA.” Programs were canceled, she
added, and “the resignations have af-
fected...the basic foundations of SGA.”
Sirois cited numerous instances
when the current leaders have been
expected to know and understand
different functions and procedures
within the SGA. “Although SGA does
have a constitution, like all other docu
ments, it’s subject to interpretation,”
she said. “Without effective guidance
from a stable advisor, there has been
a significant amount of unsteadiness
within the SGA.”
Sirois, a member of the college s
Honors Program, a former cheerleader
and past president of the local Habitat
for Humanity, said that the college
needs to pay more attention to life
beyond the classroom.
See TURMOIL on pg 8
disappointed and many wonder if this
is possible in the future,” President
Newbould said. “My own inclination
is that it’s doubtful.”
If the commission had endorsed
the plan, backers would then have
sought the approval of President
Bowles and his administration and
then the state Legislature. Many
observers questioned whether the state
would have approved such a move,
because it would have led many other
college communities to ask for similar
entrance into the state system.
In light of the commission’s
decision, the college will continue
to address the educational needs of
eastern North Carolina, the NCWC
administration said in a statement
posted on the college’s webpage.
‘Our college is in a stronger
position t
plans for growth and development
continue,” the statement said, adding
that applications have increased by 25
percent since last year, and noting that
NCWC plans to break ground over
the summer on an expansion that will
double the size of Elizabeth Braswell
Pearsall Library.
President Newbould added that a
recent agreement with the Hyvinkaa-
Riihimaki Educational Region of
Finland should lead to the overall
expansion of the international student
population.
“The College enters its second
half century with optimism and op
portunity,” the president said. “We’re
proud of our achievements and look
forward to continued service to the
citizens of eastern North Carolina and
beyond.”
NCWC Students Organize
Gay-Straight Alliance
By Amanda Landi
Decree Staff Writer
Students have organized a campus
chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance.
The group received the approval
of the Student Government as an
official campus organization in April.
“The GSA is students coming
together and raising awareness of
different lifestyles,” said sophomore
Julianne Cyr, one of the group’s
founding members.
She stressed that members of
all lifestyles—whether gay, straight,
lesbian, transgender, or bisexual are
welcome to join. The group plans to
organize activities both on and off
campus, bringing in guest speakers and
taking field trips, or in Cyr’s words,
“adventures.”
Dr. Fred Sanborn, assistant
professor of psychology, was invited to
serve as the group’s advisor.
“I thought it was a great idea
for the Wesleyan campus,” said Dr.
Sanborn. “As I teach in my courses,
professional psychologists don’t con
sider homosexuality a mental disorder.
And I have a strong personal belief
in equality when it comes to sexual
orientation. So I thought I should put
my money where my mouth is.”
Dr. Sanborn believes the group
will benefit NC Wesleyan. “First of
all, whether it’s known or not, there
are many gay, lesbian, and bisexual
students on this campus,” he com
mented. “And there are many straight
students who are friends of sexual
minority students. So a GSA has the
potential to be a source of support and
See GSA on pg 8