North Carolina Wesleyan University

Aerial view of campus from the early 1960s

On May 14, 1956, the North Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church met in Goldsboro and approved a petition from the citizens of the city of Rocky Mount to locate a college in their community. The college was officially chartered by the State of North Carolina on October 25, 1956. Capital investments totaling approximately $2 million made possible the construction of the main buildings on the 200-acre site donated by the M.C. Braswell heirs of Rocky Mount, and four years later 92 students enrolled in the first class at North Carolina Wesleyan College. In 1964, 33 students received their degrees at the college's first Commencement. Nearly 9,000 students have earned bachelor's degrees in the arts and sciences and selected professional disciplines since its founding.[4]

In 2015, the college added its first two master's programs. Seven years later, the college changed its name to "university" in 2022.

Aerial view of campus

Students at the Bishop Bistro

The 200-acre (81 ha) Rocky Mount campus includes six residence halls, nine academic and administrative buildings, the Everett Gymnasium, The Dunn Center, and outdoor athletic facilities, including a soccer field, baseball field, tennis courts, Indoor Sports & Education Facility, artificial turf field, intramural fields, and softball field. There is also an on-campus Starbucks attached to the Pearsall Library. In addition to a residential campus, Wesleyan has developed a strong multi-campus Adult & Professional degree program with locations in Brunswick, Durham, Goldsboro, Greenville, Manteo, New Bern, Raleigh, Washington, Wilmington and Winston-Salem in addition to the main campus in Rocky Mount.[5]

The university offers 33 undergraduate programs, 34 minor programs, four graduate degrees and four certificate programs.[6] It is a member of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of The United Methodist Church, the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, the National Association of Colleges and Universities Business Officers, and the American Council on Education. Women graduates are eligible for membership in the American Association of University Women.

The Roger G. and Gaile Davenport Taylor Honors Program

NCWU honors students

North Carolina Wesleyan University offers a select group of students the opportunity to complement their degree program with a series of challenging and rewarding courses. Freshmen take special courses in composition and humanities. Honors Program students then take one honors course each semester during their sophomore and junior years. As seniors, students complete an Honors Project in some area of interest. The Honors Program offers students the opportunity to develop a close community of learning and to take courses from some of the best faculty members at the university. Being in the Honors Program does not add to a student's course load, but it does add variety and depth to her or his higher education experience. Transcripts of Honors graduates include recognition that they completed the Honors Program.[7]

Students enjoying the annual end of year block party

As of fall 2022, 1,337 students were enrolled.[8] Wesleyan has a growing international student population from 40+ countries. The university community includes people from diverse religious, cultural, and racial backgrounds.[9] All students receive free parking on campus, admission to regular season athletic games, and access to the student health center. In addition, books are included in tuition and there is no application fee. There are more than 25 student clubs and organizations on campus.[10]

North Carolina Wesleyan is a member of NCAA Division III and the USA South Athletic Conference. They are known as the Battling Bishops with 16 Division III sports teams:

Men's

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Football
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Golf
• Cross Country
• Track & Field

Women's

• Soccer
• Basketball
• Softball
• Volleyball
• Lacrosse
• Tennis
• Cross Country
• Track & Field

6 USA South Athletic Conference Championships in 2020-21

120 Total Championships

14 Consecutive USA South Athletic Conference Men's Tennis Championships

• Mamadou Danso, professional soccer player

• Natalie Edwards, former senior official with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and important whistleblower
• Jordan Grantz, college soccer player
• Marc Harris, Panamanian accountant who was convicted in the United States on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
• Damariscotta Helm, World Whistling Grand Champion of 2011
• Jaine Lindo, professional soccer player
• Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, feminist economist, academic, and founder and current president of the Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race

• Official website
• Official athletics website

36.017482°N 77.7761614°W / 36.017482; -77.7761614