The Decree
since 1960 “of, by, and for the Wesleyan community- ”
March 19, 2021
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804
Bishops Commemorate
By Amanda Lucci o f t | 16 Q v y Rights movement in today’s
& Decree Staff
When she was a child, junior
Caitlin Leggett said, her teachers
short-changed her in their lessons on
Black history. The Durham native said
the material was made “digestible.”
"Teachers breezed through slavery and
touched on MLK Jr only by having us
watch ‘My Friend Martin," but that was
about it,” she said. “Slavery was barbaric
and MLK Jr. was impactful, but that’s
not the end of our history. Our accom
plishments should be taught with pride
because of their influence on our future.”
Sophomore De’Asia Clark expressed
similar frustration with the educational
system. "We learn about the same three
people every year,” she said.
Black History Month took on more
prominence in 2021 following the death
of George Floyd and other events of the
past year, said Leggett, who finds echoes
Wesleyan Urged to Continue Covid
Protocols as Staff Begin Vaccinations
Wesleyan reported 20 active Covid
cases among students and none among
employees as of March 12. Since the
beginning of spring semester, there
have been a total of 70 students and
two employees who have tested posi
tive for the virus.
The Decree interviewed Jessica Brys-
Wilson, Director of Health Services,
about recent Covid-related develop
ments on campus and around the state.
Q. The college has changed its ap
proach to testing since last August. Could
you update us on what you’ve been doing?
A. For most of last semester students
had to get tested off campus. We first
tested on campus in November with the
surveillance tests that were offered right
before students left for break. We continue
to use these rapid antigen tests on campus.
The new tests have been helpful in limit
ing the number of students who need to
quarantine. This has helped minimize the
students’ time out of class. Antigen testing
has helped prevent spread on campus by
allowing us to catch positives before the
students have had a lot of direct contacts.
With assistance from the athletic trainers,
we’ve conducted 811 tests since January 21.
Q. Compare the number of Covid
cases so far this spring to last fall.
A. Sixty-four students tested positive for
all of last semester. Because we’ve done
an increased number of testing, this has
resulted in a higher rate of positive cases.
Q. Have there been any Covid-related
hospitalizations among NCWC staff and
students since January 21?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. How does this winter compare so far
in terms of the incidence of flu, strep throat
and stomach virus, etc.? Are you seeing
many cases of illness other than Covid ?
A. We’ve had a decrease in cold and
flu cases on campus. We’ve had a stomach
virus and conjunctivitis going around, but
the cases are lower than what I normally see
this time of year. I attribute this to increased
hand hygiene and mask use.
Q. Are there plans to give earlier Covid
vaccinations to college-age students with
underlying health problems (e.g., diabe
tes, obesity, asthma)? If so, when?
Myrayna Watkins and the women's basketball team
won the East Division title. See story page 3. si photo
of the Civil Rights movement in today’s
community activism. “Black History
Month is more significant this year
because people are listening,” she said.
Jason Buel, assistant professor of com
munication, agreed that events of the past
year have given Black History Month
added urgency in 2021. He pointed to the
“momentum generated by Black Lives
Matter protests" over the summer.
Abigail Shah acknowledged that
recent civil unrest has heightened interest
in Black history, both in schools and
among the general public. She sees this
as a positive. "Black history is important,
and it should be taught accurately be
cause Black people make up a large part
of the population,” she said. “Everyone
deserves to know their ancestral history.”
Sophomore Hannah Golden believes
the pandemic has prompted more Ameri
cans to spend time on social media, whose
posts on race and social justice issues have
A. They should be eligible begin
ning on March 17. That’s when the state
moves to Group 4.
Q. When can students without underly
ing health issues expect to get vaccinated?
A. Likely in very late March or April.
Q. The governor moved the date for the
vaccination of college employees to March
4. And the college has arranged for the Nash
County Health Department to give injec
tions. What would you tell employees who
have expressed reluctance to get a jab?
A. Employees need to weigh the risks
versus benefits of the vaccine. We don’t have
long-term data about the vaccine, but we
also don’t have long-term data about Covid.
Current indications are that having a Covid
infection may increase your risk of heart or
lung problems in the future. I would recom
mend the vaccine in most situations.
Q. Are all college employees eligible,
or only those 50 and older?
A. All college employees are now eligible.
Q. There are now three vaccines available in
the US. There have been reports that the newest
one, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, was less
effective in trials (around 66 percent vs. 90-95
percent for Modema and Pfizer). If given the
chance to get the J&J shot, should one get it?
A. Though the data indicated a 66
percent effectiveness in preventing moder
ate to severe Covid infection, it was 100
percent effective in preventing hospitaliza
tions and death from Covid. It’s worth not
ing that this shot is a one-time dose, which
will help with compliance when it comes to
being fully vaccinated.
Q. Will the on-campus protocols (e.g.,
mask wearing and social distancing) remain
in place all semester, even after faculty and
staff have gotten two shots (or one with
Johnson & Johnson)?
A. I don’t anticipate a change in the mask
mandate or social distancing protocols.
We’re going to be conservative with preven
tion measures, as our first priority is always
the safety of our students, faculty, and
staff. We have about 150 employees being
vaccinated this week (March 1-5), but most
students have not been vaccinated yet. Also
keep in mind that one is not fully vaccinated
(and protected) until about two weeks after
their second dose (or first with J & J).
Q. What other mes
sage would you like to
impart to members of
the campus community
regarding Covid and
their overall health?
A. Hang in there!
Our county numbers are
looking better and, as
a campus, we’re doing
quite well. Keep wearing
your masks. Wash your
hands with soap and wa
ter as often as possible.
Keep social distancing
and get your vaccine as
soon as you’re eligible,
unless your provider has
advised against it. We
will get through this.
Black History in Their Own Ways
led to greater awareness of Black History the history of Blacks and other minority considers it a time to reflect on the many
Month. She expressed the hope that the
new Democratic administration would
help foster better race relations in the U.S.
At Wesleyan, Black History Month
is a time of reflection and celebration of
Black Americans throughout our history.
Though the campus activities were limited
or altered by the pandemic, the college con
tinued its BHM traditions by presenting an
array of programs, which included an art
show in the Dunn Center, the “I Am 400”
exhibit in the Hartness Center, the Black
Student Association’s trivia night, and the
Ebony Ball. During February, President
Evan Duff sent out weekly emails that
highlighted notable Black historical figures.
While some Bishops participated
in on-campus events, others took part
in celebrations that occurred in their
community or even online.
Leggett, a published poet, said she
honored BHM by speaking at middle
schools and high schools. “I use poetry
as a medium to educate students on
Black history,” she said.
College switchboard operator Gail
Fields said she likes to watch documen
taries about the contributions made by
Black Americans. She added that her
church holds a Black History program
each year, presenting poetry readings,
musical performances and skits.
Senior Chasadie Searcy tries to honor
her forebears not just in February, but
year-round. She reads and posts impor
tant information about the richness of
Black history and Black empowerment
on social media. She also volunteers her
time at her church and helps preteens and
teenagers in her hometown of Detroit.
Shah said she seeks to find ways to sup
port Blacks in her community. "On any
normal day if I see on my Instagram page
that there’s a Black-owned small business,
whether it’s a coffee shop, barbecue place
or boutique in my area, I’m sure to visit
and support it,” she said. “If I see a book
written by a Black author or a biography
about a Black historical figure that I
admire, I’ll read it. If I see a charity that
supports the Black community or a school
that might need fundraising, I donate.”
During February many Bishops paid
tribute to particular Black historical figures.
Clark said that Billie Holiday has been
on her mind. The jazz singer is the subject
of a new film “The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday.”
Clark cited Holiday’s “amazing voice,”
which changed American culture with
landmark songs such as “Strange Fruit."
Fields opened up about prominent
Black historical figures that stand out to
her. She said that Martin Luther King Jr
is the first. “I see him as a man who loved
God, his family and all mankind," she
said. “He wanted a beautiful Godly world
for all. I appreciate the peaceful methods
he used to attain his goals.” She lamented
that Dr. King was assassinated on her 16h
birthday. “It was not so sweet,” she said.
She also cited the contributions of four
African-American women featured in the
novel and film "Hidden Figures.” Work
ing for NASA in the 1960s, the women,
Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson. Kath
erine Johnson, and Christine Darden,
blazed the trail for others to follow in
mathematics and engineering, Fields said.
Dr. Buel singled out Fred Hampton,
Lucy Parsons, Angela Davis, Ben Fletch
er, Kwame Ture, and Barbara Smith. “All
have fought for justice,” he said, “and
most have been generally forgotten.”
There was a consensus among many
members of the Wesleyan community that
Black history should be taught and recog
nized year-round, not just in February.
Clark noted that "Black history is Amer
ican history,” adding, “We should learn it
in school along with the rest of the history.
Black history shouldn't just be celebrated in
February but every day of the year.”
While she thinks Black History Month
is important, Searcy concurs that the
promotion of Black heritage should not
be limited to one month. She added that
she's pleased that "more Black people
are educating themselves and becoming
more self-aware of their place in society.”
Shah also believes that we should honor
the history of Blacks and other minority
groups year-round. The daughter of an
Indian father, she said she does not observe
Asian Pacific American History Month (in
May) either. “I never thought a large ethnic
group’s history should be narrowed down
to only a month of recognition,” she said.
Golden maintains that Black History
Month fulfills an important purpose. She
Graduating Seniors Express
Concerns about Job Search
In Wake of Covid Pandemic
By Chasadie Searcy
Editor-at-Large
In fight of the Covid-19 pandemic,
seniors have high hopes of graduating in
the spring. However, job scarcity is raising
concerns for many.
Maria Padron
Caracas native Maria Padron, a psychol
ogy major, is still weighing her options.
As an international student, she’s limited
when it comes to finding a job after college.
She is seeking optional practical training
(OPT), which is temporary employment
related to the student’s major. That way
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school. She’s
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opportunity,
just as long as it’s in her field.
Last year she enjoyed an intern
ship at Tarboro Pediatric Psychology,
where she provided psychotherapeutic
services for children and adolescents.
The internship enabled her to strengthen
her research and writing skills, but, due to
the pandemic, she worked remotely for
part of the time, robbing her of the oppor
tunity to interact more closely with patients
and sharpen her communication skills. "I
really hope I gain those skills while doing
OPT or in graduate school before I work in
the clinical psychology field,” Padron said.
So far Padron has identified work op
portunities by perusing sites like LinkedIn,
Indeed, Glassdoor, and SimplyHired. She's
aware that as an international student, she
can only work in the states for 12 months
unless her employer decides to sponsor her.
"Whatever job I find.” Padron said, “I
hope it allows me to prepare well for my
career as a clinical child psychologist.”
Kneciya Tripp
Kneciya Tripp, a criminal justice ma
jor, plans on getting her master's degree
sometime in the near future. “I wasn’t
planning on looking for a (job) just yet.
I was going to try to attend grad school
first,” Tripp said, noting that she’s looking
at Bowie State University in Maryland.
The Edenton native expressed con
cerns about the number of jobs that will
be available to her after graduation from
Wesleyan, but that's not because of the
pandemic. “I do think it would be difficult
(to find a job) because in criminal justice
you need a lot more education than a
bachelor's degree to be making a good
amount of money.” Tripp said, adding that
she believes there is a “who-you-know”
factor involved in securing employment.
Instead of stressing about the long-term
future, Tripp remains encouraged. Her goal is
to gain as much knowledge and experience as
possible. She also wants to make sure the job
she finds is enjoyable rather than just a way
to make money. "Really my expectations are
just to be happy in what 1 do,” Tripp added.
"That’s it, to be happy and successful.”
Over the summer, Tripp plans on
working as an investigator as part of a
paid internship with the Department of
Transportation.
Jerrian Arnold
Business major Jerrian Arnold antici
pates that it will be a tough job market
considers it a time to reflect on the many
impediments that African Americans
have faced throughout our country’s history.
"They deserve to be recognized for the
battles they’ve been forced to fight, and
for the obstacles they’ve overcome,” she
said, expressing the wish that such reflec
tion would “bring us a step closer to
unity in this country.”
for her, but not because of the pandemic
or insufficient education. She’s concerned
about her lack of job-related experience.
“It’ll be difficult looking for a job right
now because of the little experience I have
in my field,” she said while acknowledg
ing that a four-year degree gives her an
edge over other applicants.
Instead of jumping right into the job mar
ket, Arnold has applied to Wesleyan's new
MBA program and hopes to enroll next fall.
The Roper (NC) native knows that
she must be on top of her game for the
future. She explained that she’s taking
advantage of her educational opportu
nities before she launches her career.
Timothy Marinos
Timothy Marinos hopes to begin a
career in psychology right after col
lege, but fears the pandemic and its
aftermath will complicate his search.
In recent years the Clayton resident added
a second major in criminal justice to comple
ment his studies in psychology and better
prepare him for a career. Then after taking
courses from Dr. Chad Ross and Dr. Jonathan
Sarris, he decided to add history as a third.
“The educational resources were so great that
I didn’t want to pass them up." Marinos said.
Marinos sees the job market as com
petitive even in non-pandemic times.
“Not only are there not a lot of jobs
open, but there are so many candidates
applying for a finite number,” he said.
He sees the military as a potential
way to serve his country while using
his knowledge and skills. “I would like
to help soldiers with PTSD,” he said.
“It seems like the best of both worlds.”
Yazline Santiago
A native of Bridgeport. Connecticut,
Yazline Santiago hopes to find a job in
criminal justice.
Her job search is well under way.
She’s begun to prepare her mind for
her life once she leaves Wesleyan.
“I’m hopeful that an opportunity will
become available,” Santiago said. "It
just takes faith and a lot of prayer."
Since she believes there’s a surplus of
opportunities
in the criminal
justice field,
Santiago is
confident she
will find a job
soon. Remain
ing optimistic
despite the
pandemic, she
said she’s been
actively looking
for a position. Yazline Santiago
She would
like to begin as a police officer, with the
ambition to rise to higher positions in
the criminal justice system. She plans
to relocate to North Carolina from her
home state, she said.
As she ponders her new career,
Santiago said she’s become concerned
about racial tensions in our society.
“I want to go into this field and feel as
though I can make a difference,” Santiago
said. ‘‘For me, this is more than just money. I
could have picked a different major for that.”
Santiago wants to become a role model
for young Americans who come from
similar backgrounds. "I want people that
look like me, people that grew up in com
munities with so little promises, to see that
there are endless opportunities,” she said.
“You just have to work hard against all
the obstacles placed against you.”