since 1960 “of, by, and for the Wesleyan community.”
November 6, 2009
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT. NORTH CAROLINA 27804
NC Wesleyan Inaugurates James Gray as 6th President
By Decree Staff
President James Gray was installed
as Wesleyan’s sixth president October
23 in a ceremony that underscored the
changing face of the college.
In his speech, delivered to a gathering
of several hundred in the Dunn
Center, the president struck an upbeat
tone, noting the college’s improved
financial standing and the increasing
diversity of the student body. He touted
recent accomplishments such as new
two-and-two agreements with local
community colleges, the establishment
of the International Student Services and
Admissions Center, and an arrangement
that will bring 25 Chinese students to
Wesleyan’s campus in January.
Borrowing from the writings of
Atul Gawande, Gray said that success
at Wesleyan will require diligence,
, “integrity to do right,” and a passion for
continual betterment. And he acknowl
edged that the challenges ahead will test
the college community’s resilience.
“Many of you have heard me
and others say that North Carolina
Wesleyan College has the ability to
be ‘America’s Next Great College,’”
he said. “We can do it. I believe—and
I see by your presence and support
today you believe—that this is our
destiny. We can do it. We will have that
rendezvous with ow destiny, and it will
be a glorious day indeed.”
Before his speech. Gray was wel
comed by a series, of speakers from the
college community, as well as Rocky
Mount Mayor David Combs and
leaders from the Methodist Church. Vel
Johnson, chair of the college’s board of
trustees, conducted the swearing-in of
Gray as he was surrounded on stage by
his wife, Beth, and three children.
Dr. Michael Lomax, president and
CEO of the Untied Negro College
Fund, gave the keynote address. He
Board of Trustees Chair Velma Johnson (left) conducted the investiture of new president James Gray, who
was joined by his wife, Beth. PRPhoto by Garry Hodges
asserted that education must be more
than preparation for careers. “Education
is about citizenship and service too,”
he said. “Education has to enable new
generations to see the world as it is and
inspire them to help make the world
what it can and must be. At its best, edu
cation instills a discontent with things as
they are and gives each generation the
capacity to make change.”
Dr. Lomax and Gray have known
each other since 1974 when Gray was
a reporter for The Atlanta Journal -
Constitution and Dr. Lomax, a former
English professor, was on the staff pf
Atlanta’s first black mayor, Maynard
Jackson. Of President Gray and his
wife, Dr. Lomax said, “I cannot think
of a more dynamic and thoughtful
pair to take on the leadership roles
you have invited Jim and Beth to as
sume here at the college. I know they
are enthusiastic, energized and deeply
committed to the work ahead.”
The day’s festivities began with
a procession that featured 17 of
Wesleyan’s student organizations and
a contingent of international students,
each of whom carried his or her native-
flag. Representing 30 countries and six
continents, the flags were then arrayed
on stage to serve as a colorful backdrop
to the festivities.
Seventeen regional colleges and
universities sent representatives to the
inauguration. Among the group were
the presidents of Louisburg College,
Methodist University, Mt. Olive Col
lege, Edgecombe and Nash community
Homecoming Celebrated as Bishops Win
Menhan Herd ^ JL
Meghan Herd
Decree Staff Writer
Homecoming is the tradition of
welcoming back alumni of the college; it
is a time full of tail-gating, barbequing and
receptions, all to celebrate the common
passion for Wesleyan.
A football game, a Ford’s Colony Golf
Qassic, an alumni baseball
and softball game, a carni
val, and an alumni block
party were some of the
activities that highlighted
this year’s event.
Homecoming activities
todc take place fiom October
23rd through October 24th.
Homecoming weekend
was used to connect current
students with alumni
The career and internship
center oiganized a career
mentor dessert social which
allowed students to interact
with alumni and gain
information on prospective
career paths.
Ford’s Colony held
Wesleyan’s Golf Classic
which included 18 holes of golf, range
balls, box lunches and awards.
The Dunn Center was also involved in the
hcmecoming festivities with their seasoial
show. TPC Band and 4ie Fabulous Cnxmer
performed music fiom all different decades.
Friday night Wesleyan students
gathered in the student union to open the
weekend with performances by Visions
of Beauty, Voices of Triumph, and the
King Laqwan Brodie isiPhotoi and Queen Gloria Moore (Photo by C. Thomas)
NCWC cheerleaders who led the pep rally.
Saturday’s activities started with an
open house for prospective students while
an alumni breakfast was served under the
big tent on the north lawn of the Dunn
Center. Student ambassador Ben LiUey
described the open house as a success. “I
really enjoyed the fact that we were able to
iiKorporate open house with homecoming
weekend. It allowed alumni, faculty, staff
s and the prospective student
to interact with each other,”
Lilley said, adding that most
of the prospective students
attended the football game.
Before the game, Wes
leyan hosted a carnival in the
parking lot of the Northern
Nash Stadium. It consisted
of blow-up games and other
activities and entertainment
for children, and there were
booths sponsored by differ
ent organizations. Many fans
tailgated in the paridng lot.
More than 1200 fans
came out to support the
Bishops as they defeated
Maryville, 51-14. At half-
time, junior Laqwan Brodie
and senior Gloria Moore
were announced as homecoming king and
queen. Other members of the homecoming
court included senior Malynda Jones,
sophomore Jamie McClease, and junior
Donte Mack.
NCWC women’s soccer team tied its
homecoming game 1-1. Senior Helen
Lettieri said she enjoyed her time at the
game. “I think it was a great homecoming
game,” she said. “The girls played well and
it was fun having the graduates come back
and reminisce about Wesleyan.”
Alumni got the chance to diallenge eadi oth-
a in baseball and soflball games at Bauer and
Edge fields. Tte bookstore hosted “Afiiaids of
fliebodcstorearidpostQffice’’ieunic«i “ftwas
really cocJ seeing so many alumni come back
and hearing all cf their stories,” saidbocicstDre
anf^yeeAmandaMoss.
At rri^ “A Celdaation of ExceUaxs” din
ner lock ftoce to pay tribute to tte adiievements
of the North Carolina Wesleyan Cdlege alumni
The men’s and women’s badcdball teams
hosted their annual “Late Night Blue &White”
game on Satmday evaiing in the Eveiat
Gymnasium Many students came out to
si^jpott the athletes. “Compared to prevkxis
years, the gym was packed with studaits and
&1S,” said senicr Earnest Richani “I think it
had a very good turn out and it was fim.”
Mory Fadiga echoed Richard, saying
“It was good to see a lot of different sports
teams come out to support the basketball
team. It was over all a good atmosphere.”
Wesleyan Kicks Off Service to the Community
By Rodney Holley
Decree Staff Writer
The Day of Service saw Wesleyan
students, student oi^anizations, alumni,
faculty, and staff participate in community
service events October 10 in the Rocky
Mount community.
There were a total of 75 volunteers,
including 59 students, who participated
in the Day of Service. Cara Cox-Steiner,
Wesleyan’s AmeriCorps Vista coordinator,
deemed the Day of Service a success.
“Everyone involved seemed to have a good
time,” she said, adding that the help was
appreciated by the community.
This community service event had
volunteers working on projects conducted
by Historical Preservation of Rocky Mount,
the YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Winstead
Elementary school. Keep America Beauti
ful Art Center, the Bassett Center, and the
Down East Festival, which provided a fiee
barbecue to all volunteers.
Cox-Steiner planned the event, which
was tied to the inauguration of NCWC
President Gray and titled “Service Beyond
the Serpentine Wall.” She went on to say
that the Day of Service is part of Gray’s
overall service initiative and that this is the
“kick-off event” as Wesleyan becomes
more involved in the Rocky Mount
community.
The Student Alrican American Brother
hood, a student organization on campus,
woriced with Habitat for Humanity.
S.A.A.B performed maintenance work
and repairs on one three Habitat homes.
Lorenzo Whitley, a member of S.A.A.B,
said that‘This was a great opportunity for
Wesleyan to make an impact in the Rocky
Mount community. I’m glad that this
opportunity was available to student oigani-
zations and hopefully student oiganizations
will have more opiportunities to go out into
the Rocky Mount Community this year.”
Other participating student organizations
included Ladies of Character, Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, and NCWC’s baseball
team. President Gray and his wife, Beth,
worked at the Keep America Beautiful
designated site.
Volunteers cleaned up trash at the
YMCA and as part of a Keep America
Beautillil project, while others completed
painting projects at Winstead Elementary
See SERVICE pg 2
colleges, as well as the chancellor of
Elizabeth City State University.
Wesleyan’s student choral groups
were showcased during the festivi
ties, with Voices of Triumph and
the Wesleyan Singers each giving
performances that included an
original piece composed by Nicole
Louisius. Gregory Spence read an
original poem on the topic of col
lege service. After the ceremony,
attendees were treated to a lunch
on the Dunn Center lawn.
Internationals
Increase, Gender
Imbalance Remains
By Jarad Brown
Decree Editor
Wesleyan qxxts teams arai't the mly thing
that have the college in top rankings thLs year.
Acccsding to Gary Sherman NCWC has been
named' The most divase small coll^ in the
South”by US News and WoridRqxat
"Intemational lecruitment has brought a new
dimoTsion of diversity to campus,'' said Sher
man, NCWC’s vice presidait of enrollmenL
This is, in laige part, ccmplimaits of a 2009
fieshmen class that includes lepresentation fioTi
18 countries. The class includes 39 international
studaits, or 12.9 pacent
‘The combanatwn of being able to play
^xxts and study at the same time is a Hg deal,”
softanraeAntti Saari said “It’s not Uke that
in other countries, so I think that brings a lot of
peq)le (to Wesfcyan).”
Besides spots, international studaits are
attracted by the chance to team a new language
and the qipotunity to study in a tBW country.
‘ The language barrier is difficult, but I
calainly don’t legiEt coming here,” junior
Dennis Kommol said “I’m meeting new
people, and making new friaidsh^. Learning
Ihe language as I strxiy is great too.”
Intanationa] students arai’t the only additiai
fiom Ihe 2009 class. Hitler quality students
have beai brought in as well
The class txMsis seven valedictorians, and
the average GPA of the class is a 2.93. This is
iqjfimiaZSl last fellTheavaage SAT scores
rHnained the same, thou^ averaging an 885 on
both the math and verbal portions.
One of the most telling statistics that shows
improvanent in the quality of stiKlents is the
simultaneous increase in studaits who are a part
of the honois program and a decrease in students
in Reshman Advantage.
The honors prpgram now includes 60 stu
dents, while Freshman Advantage expaienced a
six pocait decrease fiom 32 pacent in 20C8 to
this year’s 26 pacaiL
Freshman Advantage is a q)edally designed
pnogram to assist qualifying Wesleyan fieshmai
to fintha their academic skills arxlbeflerthar
diances at Wesleyaa Qualification indicatoR
include hi^ schocd GPA, SAT scores and an
“at-fisk” commitlBe assessmaiL
The program admits under-qualified
students to Wesleyan on the condition they
actively participate in the program to fintier their
opportunity for success.
‘ “Our move two yeais ago to focus cn GPA
as the best predictor for success at Wesleyan
is showing vay pnanjsing results,” Shaman
said “Although numbers are hokling steady, the
number of studaits in the rrud-academic range
has increased”
Mae than just studaits who perform at
higji acadanic levels, recruitmait has focused
on attracting students who will conplae their
academk career at Westeyan. The2009 class
consists of305 new students, making this the
third consecutive year of an incoming class of
300 or more.
“The push to attract students who are
a good fit with the college has helped to
drive up the retention rates,” Sherman
said, adding that Wesleyan is moving
toward more electronic recruitment, with
a new website, email marketing,
the use of Facebook and Twitter to betta
communicate with students.
While improvements have been made
to the student body via the 2009 freshmen
class, the imbalance in gender on campus
still remains.
see DIVERSITY pg 2