FALL 2012
conTenTs 2 | Meet the Class of 2016 Q&A with the Freshman Class President Philip P. Kerstetter, Ph.D. pkerstetter@moc.edu Vice President for Institutional Advancement John Blackwell, Ph.D. jblackwell@moc.edu
Editor & Writer Rhonda E. Jessup rjessup@moc.edu Art Director & Designer Matt Stevens mstevens@moc.edu Contributing Writers Gianea Bennett David Shulimson Contributing Designers Mandy Hensley Photographers Mandy Hensley Matt Stevens Jay Thomas
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Š 2012 Mount Olive College
6 | FallFest Concert With Gloriana and Casey James 8 | In the News 12 | Student Sets Sights on Vet School April Tucker 14 | Kerstetters Serve More Than a Meal President and First Lady Get to Know Freshmen 16 | A Commitment to Community Service * Students and Alumni Serve Communities 20 | Athletics News 22 | Alumni Updates 26 | Homecoming Weekend 2012 Alumni Reunite Over Weekend Events 29 | Spring 2013 Events *Cover feature. Cover photo by Matt Stevens.
a Message FroM The PresidenT
Dear Mount Olive College Alumni and Friends,
It has been a great fall semester at Mount Olive College, and it is always hard to understand how quickly the semester goes by! We have experienced the excitement of the start of the academic year, the opening of a new residence facility for the campus, the use of Assembly Hall for programs and performances, the introduction of lacrosse as a new intercollegiate sport, and an onslaught of bicycles! Somehow, the bicycles have had such a significant effect on how people engage each other, and they add a sense of activity on campus. All of these have combined to make this a very successful start to yet another year in the life of Mount Olive College. This issue of MOC Today focuses on service, and it is a fitting and proper focus. Our mission statement includes the sentence, “We serve our students, our founding church, and our communities.” Service to others is the heart of our hospitality, of our engagement, and of our faith. The second chapter of James states, “Faith without works is dead.” Therefore, service is an important way of defining just who we are by our faith and by what we do. I am pleased that there are so many fine examples of the ways that Mount Olive College is engaged. Each year, our entering students select various community service projects. It has been exciting to see how many of our clubs, organizations, and athletics teams also have reached out to others through their service endeavors. Service puts our faith into practice, and by doing so, it also enables us to learn more about others and, simultaneously, about ourselves. This fall has also been an opportunity to connect with the congregations of the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. We have made some changes in the dinner programs that help explore the importance of the college-church connection and its relevance today and tomorrow. It is always a joy to talk with the people who faithfully attend those dinners. Our athletics teams this fall have done exceptionally well, and already we are gearing up for the winter sports competitions. I certainly hope that you were able to join us for the recent, annual Pickle Classic/Homecoming weekend. As always, it was an exciting event and a great opportunity to visit with many friends. As we wind down the events of the fall semester, we look forward to the numerous special events, programs, and activities slated for the spring semester. I hope that you will be able to attend any or all of the exciting events that take place at Mount Olive College. It is a privilege and honor to serve Mount Olive College, a college that truly understands the transformative power of education and of faith. Service to others: it defines who we are, what we do, and why we matter as a college. Mary and I look forward to having the opportunity to see you and tell the special story that is the heart and soul of Mount Olive College. May God continue to bless you, and may God continue to bless Mount Olive College!
“Service puts our faith into practice, and by doing so, it also enables us to learn more about others and, simultaneously, about ourselves.”
Sincerely,
Philip P. Kerstetter, Ph.D. President 1 | TODAY | FALL 2012
Article by Rhonda Jessup | Photography by Matt Stevens & Mandy Hensley
Group photo of the freshman class.
This fall Mount Olive College welcomed the class of 2016 to campus. Born in 1994, the freshman class is made up of a group of intellectually curious, athletically gifted, and overall ambitious students. The impressive group includes 60 out-of-state students, 33 international students representing 15 different countries, and 139 North Carolina residents. Fifty-five percent of the freshman class participates in the College’s athletics teams. With almost a full semester under their belts, many of the students in the freshman class were interviewed to get their perspective of what it’s like to be a freshman at Mount Olive College. We asked the questions, and they responded openly and honestly about their thoughts and feelings…
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Though the wording may have varied, the responses to the above question were overwhelmingly similar. Freshmen seem to enjoy their newfound freedom and getting to meet people. •
Jennifer Sickles of Apollo Beach Florida said, “I like meeting all the new people.”
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Davan Draughon of Four Oaks stated, “I like the freedom and being able to set my own schedule.”
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Princeton native Rebekah Fitzgerald commented, “Though my dorm room is small, it’s mine!”
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Madison Biggar of Canada said, “I enjoy the freedom, the responsibility, and the opportunity to grow.”
At move- in, MOC welcomed 250 new freshmen.
This class of freshmen, like all the classes before them and probably all that are to follow, seemed to experience some initial anxiety associated with losing personal space, being away from home, and not having the familiar family support to keep them in check. However, as the semester has rolled on, our students have found that keeping an open mind, learning to communicate and cooperate, and not being afraid to ask for help are the keys to a successful college experience. •
Ashley Pulley of Wake Forest said the hardest adjustment has been “being away from home for the first time and the amount of work.”
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Erin Brogan of Virginia Beach, VA commented that her biggest adjustment has been “living with someone and making the transition from high school work to college work.”
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Heather Lucas of Wilson misses “having my parents to remind me to do everything.”
Students participated in "Welcome Week" events. 3 | TODAY | FALL 2012
Katie Waycaster. Thumbs up from Mount Olive College freshman
With so much going on at Mount Olive College, students are guaranteed to make hundreds of memories to last a lifetime. These freshmen shared just a few of their favorite experiences. •
Brandon Williams of North Canton, Ohio, said, “Being able to drive to the beach and go scuba diving.”
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Savannah Becker of Milford, DE, replied, “Having dinner with the Kerstetters in their home.”
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“Volunteering for the Fall Fest Concert featuring Gloriana and Casey James,” expressed Coats native Melanie Hall.
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Jose Quinteros of Dudley said, “The foam party, because I got to meet most of my new friends.”
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“Going out and gleaning with Dr. Maddox,” stated Mount Olive native Christian Hayes.
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Bailey Sutton summed it up best when she replied, “Every moment is memorable!”
The foam dance party was a hit with new freshmen.
Future students could take some advice from these wise freshmen. •
Tiara Williams of Dudley said, “Be social. Don’t be afraid to go to campus events.”
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“Be ready to work hard! Don’t think it is going to be easy,” stated Roxanne Chouinard of Quebec, Canada.
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“Do not procrastinate and keep your faith,” stated Jason Butler of New Bern.
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“Everything is on Moodle,” shared Carthenia Brown of Pembroke.
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Justin Tejada of Lusby, MD, said, “Going to college is not an easy transition, so make as many friends as you can; go to class, even if you hate it; and don’t give up.”
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“Don’t wait to do your religion essay, and study hard for the midterm,” shared DeQuewnshun Wilson of Goldsboro.
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“Don’t let other people hold you back, and stay on your ‘A’ game,” said Zantonio Chrisp of Benson.
Magician Daniel Martin entertained incoming students.
Dr. Rebecca Francis helps a student during "Welcome Week."
International students at MOC hold flags representing their home countries.
A freshmen ADV100 class poses for a photo.
Students lit candles during the traditional candlelight ceremony. 5 | TODAY | FALL 2012
Fall fest Concert
“It was an amazing concert and I’m not that big of a country music fan, and I still had a blast.” Aaron Adkins via Facebook 6 | TODAY | FALL 2012
“Concert was pretty cool.” Cortnie Riggs via Instagram
“Fifth row seats…such a good performance by Gloriana!” JR Carter via Facebook
2012
Art i c le by R honda Je s sup Pho to s by M at t S te ve ns & M andy H e ns l e y
The 2012 Fall Fest Concert at Mount Olive College featured country music artists Casey James and Gloriana. It may not have been a sold-out crowd, but for the 1,000 or so people in attendance it was a great event. Goldsboro native Teresa Muses said, “I thought the concert was great! Smaller venues like Kornegay Arena provide a better opportunity to meet the stars and see them up close.” Mandy Dubose of Clinton commented, “We heard about the concert from a friend. We love Gloriana and Casey James and were excited to be able to come to a smaller venue to hear them perform.” Justin Roe, assistant director of Campus Life and coordinator for Fall Fest, credits the many student volunteers who help make the event happen, especially CAB (Campus Activity Board) volunteers. “They are involved in everything from helping to select the artists throughout the entire process,” he said. “On the day of the event, CAB members provide all the necessary work needed to host a show including working with hospitality, tickets, security, concessions, etc. Without their hard work, positive attitude, and high energy, Fall Fest would not be the success that it is.” In its second year Fall Fest is attracting attendees from ages 7 to 77. “I heard many community members comment that they never thought something like this would happen at Mount Olive College,” Roe shared. “Fall Fest is helping people realize that great and big things are happening on our campus.” With last year’s event featuring Christian artists Jason Castro and Sidewalk Prophets and this year’s country music line-up, inquiring minds are wondering what is in store for Fall Fest 2013. “When booking the acts for Fall Fest we want well-known musical acts that have an appeal to our students and to the residents of Eastern NC. Right now we are looking at a national pop artist for 2013. We will also toy with the idea of having a pop/Christian crossover act as well. It will ultimately be up to our student body on who they want to see.” Vice President for Student Affairs Dan Sullivan summed it up best, “The Fall Fest concert provides an opportunity for our students, faculty, staff and community members to enjoy a concert featuring nationally known and award winning talent on campus. This shared experience allows Mount Olive College to expand our social and educational enrichment activities on campus and in the community.”
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in The news
By Rhonda Jessup & Gianea Bennett
Music deParTMenT sings Praises For new PracTice rooMs
Mason Carroll on double bass
The Music Department is singing “Hallelujahs” for the recent addition of four practice rooms in the Music Suite. The rooms are sound proof and well ventilated. Three of the rooms are equipped with pianos. One room is larger to allow for ensemble rehearsals. According to Stuart Burnham, chair of the Music Department, students have always been able to practice in the music suite or in the Chapel. However, the recent upgrade provides the opportunity to have three or four people practicing at the same time, while still having the ability to hold class in the next room. “If you watched the London Olympics last summer, you probably saw at least one story about how many hours a day the athletes train in order to compete at that level,” Burnham said. “It is no different in music. God gives some people musical talent, but realizing the potential of that gift requires daily practice, as well as the proper facilities. Our students now have the latter, and many of them are already devoting more time than ever before to improving their technique and polishing their repertoire.” • Photos by Matt Stevens
James Fisher on Cello
243 graduaTe in
sTudenTs receive
suMMer coMMenceMenT
ToP honors
On August 18, Mount Olive College graduated 243 students. Mount Olive Alumnus Robert “Bob” Kornegay was the keynote speaker. In his remarks he said, “College is about connections and discovery. No man is an island. No one knows it all. And no one who graduates from college has done it all. A graduate that has learned about the world realizes there is much more to learn. I congratulate you on your fine achievement today. I challenge you to continue to be passionate Joseph Brown, Kennedy Gray, about life, to become a cheerleader for others, and and Katrina Taylor to connect with many people so that your horizons will continue to be bright. May God grant you happiness, success, and a life filled with love.” • Photo by Mandy Hensley
vega ParTiciPaTes in PresTigious
in Phi BeTa laMBda coMPeTiTion Jessica Pineda of Mount Olive and Martin Brekko of Norway received national recognition at the PBL Awards of Excellence ceremony held in San Antonio, Texas. Pineda brought home fifth place in Business Communications, and Martin Brekko placed seventh in International Business. Mount Olive students Jacob Morton of Beulaville and Efrain Valencia of Louisburg also attended the National Leadership Conference. The students were accompanied by PBL Adviser Sonya O’Brien who served as an event administrator for the public speaking event and an event coordinator for the business decision making event.
Mayo clinic inTernshiP
Laura Vega
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Mount Olive College senior exercise science major Laura Vega completed a prestigious Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP) at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. “The Mayo Clinic was a great experience. Not only did I learn how to collect data and do research, but just being in an operating room environment with the patients was really cool. The best part was being able to watch so many surgeries every day. Learning how to talk to patients and making them feel comfortable is definitely a skill I will be able to use in my career,” she said. Going into her senior year at MOC, Vega has 3.9 GPA and is a member of the volleyball team. She is expected to graduate in December 2013, and plans to continue her education by earning her master’s degree in public health. • Photo by Mandy Hensley
in The news cFFa receives sTaTe and naTional recogniTion Each year the National FFA organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization. The American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of individuals for excelling over a period of years in academic and professional excellence. Four Mount Olive College students joined that exclusive list of awardees this year. (Pictured left to right) Johnathan Parker of Four Oaks, Hannah Singleton of Goldsboro, Melissa Mayo of Smithfield, and Heath Brittain of Catawba received their American FFA Degree at the 85th National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The national FFA convention is recognized as the largest student leadership gathering in the United States. Additionally, Alaina Airheart of Concord and Brian Carter of Clinton attended the national conference and in conjunction with award recipients judged and scored the Farm Business Management Career Development Event. Collegiate FFA President Hannah Singleton represented Mount Olive College during the North Carolina brunch supported by the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center and Mount Olive College Collegiate FFA. • Photo Submitted
Michael MarTin PracTice Fields and locker rooMs suPPorT
TournaMenT Brings in over $50,000
lacrosse PrograM With the addition of Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse at Mount Olive College, the Department of Athletics has developed the parcel of land on the south side of campus into two practice fields for the lacrosse teams. The fields, completed and ready for practices on September 1, have underground irrigation and protective netting to keep lacrosse balls from going into the adjoining women’s soccer practice field. Also in the construction stage is a locker room facility adjacent to the fields that will provide lockers and storage space for lacrosse and women’s soccer. The locker facility is expected to be completed this fall.
Proceeds from the 25th Annual Michael Martin Memorial Golf Tournament topped $50,000, bringing the 25-year total to over $490,000. The event supports student scholarships and the Trojan Club at Mount Olive College. Tournament coordinator Neil Price who works with Friendly Mart, the underwriting sponsor of the tournament, said, “I would really like to extend a special thanks to our vendors and suppliers as they are an integral part of making the tournament the success it is through their monetary support and participation. We also want to thank those who donated to our raffle. Local businesses truly showed their dedication to the community and to the students at Mount Olive College. We couldn’t do it without their support.”
More rooM aT “The inn” With steady increases in enrollment, the College is continually looking for additional space to house residential students. That need has been partially met with what the College is calling The Inn at Mount Olive College, formerly known as the Sleep Inn, located on the corner of Henderson Street and Michael Martin Drive. The rooms have been renovated and furnished with a new line of campus furniture. Roommates share a bathroom so there are no communal bathrooms. There are numerous features including multiple common spaces, an inviting front entrance, and student mailboxes housed inside the building. Traditional amenities include cable, wireless internet and probably the best washer/dryer-to-resident ratio on campus. The Inn enables the College to house an additional 137 residents, and all rooms are currently filled. Photo Submitted
leT us enTerTain you The Assembly Hall, located at 207 Wooten Street, is now open for College and community events. With a gift from Progress Energy, the College now owns the property which is one of only four structures within the city limits of Mount Olive to be listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings. Constructed in 1925, the building features 26-foot ceilings, a wrap-around balcony, and a 28-foot stage. Since acquiring the facility, the building has undergone renovations including painting the interior; refurbishing the stage; hanging new light-blocking curtains and stage curtains; installing new light fixtures and new front doors; and installing new, state of the art sound system, projector, screen, lighting and sound controls. The auditorium has a seating capacity of around 400. For information about usage of the Assembly Hall, contact events@moc.edu. • Photo by Matt Stevens
Charles McDonell directs a music practice. 9 | TODAY | FALL 2012
in The news
Bailey BoardrooM receives Technology uPgrade Walking by the Bailey Boardroom in Raper Hall, a passerby may think they have stumbled across a mini Wall Street. The Boardroom has recently been equipped with a 26’ stock-ticker that provides market data for stock values; four world clocks representing the major stock exchange locations in New York, Tokyo, London, and Sydney; and a smart-board, which is essentially a large, interactive touch screen, projector screen, and white board all-in-one. In addition, two video monitors provide live news feeds as well as graphs and charts for stocks, bonds, currencies, metals, energy, world indices, and agriculture. At any time, the feeds can be modified and customized to include other data. “The technology allows for a much more dynamic teaching and learning experience,” said Dr. Ronald Pressley, dean of the Tillman School of Business. “The students all seem excited, and they have commented that the technology ‘sets the Business School apart’.” According to Pressley, students now have the opportunity to experience their curriculum in a truly dynamic learning atmosphere that will better prepare them for a future career in business. • Photo by Matt Stevens
recreaTional TheraPy Majors aTTend ncrTa conFerence This fall four MOC senior recreational therapy majors traveled with their major professor, Dr. Janet Albers, to Hickory, Cindy Hartsfield, Sarah Dodson, NC, to attend Dr. Janet Albers, the annual Crystal Bennett, and North Carolina Allison Hinson Recreational Therapy (NCRTA) conference. During this conference they attended sessions along with practitioners in the field to learn about the latest trends and issues and techniques in the field. Several of the students also served as moderators for the sessions. Allison Hinson of Clinton was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for NCRTA as the Student Representative. • Photo Submitted
Carrie Duprey, Jordan Williams and Jade Bruce
on The “wriTe” Track September 10 marked the official opening of the Mount Olive College Writing Center located within the Student Success Center in Henderson Hall. The Writing Center was created by Quality Enhancement Program director Dr. Alexis Poe Davis as part of the QEP’s On the Write Track initiative. “The purpose of the On the Write Track program is to improve student writing skills. The Writing Center is a support structure to assist MOC students to become more effective academic writers,” Dr. Davis explained. “Students can expect to receive help with written assignments in any course, in any discipline – not just English classes!”
Dr. Alexis Poe Davis and Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter
The opening of the Writing Center symbolizes a significant effort by Mount Olive College to help its students reach their highest potential. The next step is to extend help to every student, including the ones who don’t have a chance to visit during regular office hours. To schedule an appointment, contact Callie Ayers at writingcenter@moc.edu. • Photo by Matt Stevens
guedes PresenTs research Mount Olive College Senior Patricia Guedes recently completed an internship with the Superfund Research Program at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. She was one of 12 students chosen for the program. Guedes was selected to present information from her internship at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Superfund Research Program Conference in Raleigh. Guedes is expected to graduate in May 2013 and would then like to pursue her master’s degree. “I would like to work at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in the area of bio-remediation of polluted areas, as well as public health,” she said. • Photo by Matt Stevens Patricia Gudes
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in The news The Baroque arTs ProjecT
john Brown
This fall The Baroque Arts Project performed Baroque masterpieces from the courts of 17th- and 18th-century Europe featuring Barry Bauguess on Baroque trumpet. Based in historic New Bern, NC, the group was founded by Baroque dancer Paige WhitleyBauguess and Baroque trumpeter Barry Bauguess to bring the rich musical arts of the Baroque period to life. • Photo by Matt Stevens
jazz quarTeT The Mount Olive College Concert Series presented the John Brown Jazz Quartet on Tuesday, September 18 at the Mount Olive Assembly Hall. Photo by Mandy Hensley
MounT olive college aT jacksonville Breaks ground on new locaTion City officials, Chamber members, and Economic Development representatives were on hand for the ground breaking of the new location of Mount Olive College at Jacksonville in early July. Since that time, construction has been steady on the facility at 2543 Onslow Drive. The project is expected to be completed before the spring semester begins in January. The 10,000 square feet of space will give students an easier location to access with more parking, additional classroom space, a student community area, and additional office space. • Photo by Matt Stevens
MounT olive college celeBraTes Founding During Founders Day Magdiel Fuentes (left) of Magnolia and Jennifer Floyd (right) of Hope Mills were awarded the Founders Leadership Award, a scholarship awarded in memory of the late Dr. W. Burkette Raper, president of Mount Olive College 1954-1995. The award was established in honor and memory of those who with vision and leadership initiated the founding of Mount Olive College in 1951 and those who in subsequent years have provided extraordinary leadership through dedicated services, leadership, and support for the advancement of the College. Both Fuentes and Floyd are senior biology majors. • Photo by Matt Stevens
“uniTy in varieTy” sTudenTs aTTend nirsa Exercise Science Majors (pictured left to right) Ethan Edwards of Jacksonville, Sara Elizabeth Uzzell of Jacksonville, and Will Shearin of Pine Level were chosen to appear at the 2012 NIRSA Region II Conference held recently in Raleigh. The Conference was hosted by North Carolina State University. Students attended a campus recreation and fitness session, mock interviews, and educational sessions discussing topics in their field of study. • Photo Submitted
The Mount Olive College Art and Visual Communication Department is featuring the works of graduating seniors in a show entitled “Unity in Variety.” The show highlights the distinct artistic styles of fine arts majors (pictured left to right) Josiah King of Faison, Dawn Magee of Goldsboro, Megan Jones of Four Oaks, and Brianka Morgan of Goldsboro. The show is in the Teresa Pelt Grubbs Gallery in Laughinghouse Hall. • Photo Submitted
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moc stuDeNt sets sigHts oN vet scHool Article By RHOndA JeSSUP | pHotogrApHy By MATT STeVenS
April Tucker always had a special kind of compassion for animals. “I was that kid who brought baby birds, turtles, rabbits, and strays into the house and asked to keep them, much to my parents’ objection,” she laughed. But, it was a near tragic accident to her beloved cat, Pearl, that really convinced Tucker that she was meant to become a veterinarian. Pearl was accidently run over, leaving the cat with two broken legs. Facing the emotional turmoil of having to euthanize Pearl, Tucker opted for a surgical procedure that would remove one of the cat’s legs and place a plate in the other. “I was devastated at the thought of putting Pearl to sleep since she was perfectly healthy, other than her legs,” Tucker said. “Seeing Dr. Mark Sasser at Waylin Animal Clinic save my cat’s life inspired me. I knew then and there that I wanted to save animals’ lives and be the person that others come to for help in desperate times.” Tucker began her college trek at a four-year university near the coast. “I soon found out that the town was too busy and the school was too large,” she recalled. “The professors just didn’t seem to care about the students, and I didn’t seem to fit into the environment.” In her sophomore year Tucker moved back home to Goldsboro and transferred to Mount Olive College. “At MOC I thought I would be just another college student. I assumed that I would be treated like a number and would receive my diploma by learning the exact same things as everyone else. After transferring, however, I was pushed to determine my strengths and weaknesses and to focus on bettering my strengths. I was told that I wasn’t just a student like everyone else, but that I had attributes that I could contribute to the school as a whole as well as to others. I found my niche in the Mount Olive College community by becoming a peer tutor and research student. These experiences have given me something to be proud of. I now believe that the degree I receive, while being on a sheet of paper like everyone else’s, reflects a college experience unique to me and one that has helped me realize who the real me is.”
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A senior biology major, Tucker is on track to graduate in May. She would like to further her education at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Ultimately, she wants to open an emergencybased clinic. “While I know the importance of routine appointments and preventative care, it’s the excitement of helping emergencies as they come in and saving lives, that otherwise could be lost, that attracts me,” she said. Tucker credits Mount Olive College and particularly Dr. Mickael Cariveau, chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics, for helping prepare her for graduate school. “I do cancer research with Dr. Cariveau which forces me to research answers and problem-solve my own experiments. It’s more than being given material in a classroom and being expected to remember it. I have to come up with my own questions and then go out and find the answers. Dr. Cariveau has also introduced me to veterinarians in the area as a way for me to have other mentors.” Through those connections, Tucker landed a job at Goldsboro Veterinary Hospital. The experiences gained there will be invaluable to her in applying for vet school. Tucker is a self-professed overachiever. In addition to her school work and her part-time job, she goes beyond the call by being a lab TA, taking care of the College’s saltwater fish tank, and helping out the department anyway that she can. Her professors describe Tucker as “very studious and extremely dedicated to making good grades.” “April is an exceptionally gifted young lady. From day one I knew she would excel in our program,” Cariveau stated. “April is the type of student you just like to be around; she’s smart, funny, and naturally inquisitive. She works as hard outside of class as she does in class, and I can honestly say that she has made a lasting impression on me. She has a very bright future ahead of her and I am confident that she will succeed at whatever she puts her mind to.” In response Tucker said, “Transferring to Mount Olive College was one of the best decisions I could have ever made. With the help of supportive and positive professors and staff members, I have gained confidence in myself and my intellect.”
Left, Tucker completes coursework in the biology lab. Top left, Tucker talks with Dr. Kari Obermeyer about medical diagnostics. Above, Tucker gets loved by Cooper the dachshund.
Tucker is excited about the next step in her future. “As I have been finishing up my applications, I’ve had to recollect on the classes, awards, work, and extracurricular activities that I’ve completed in preparation for vet school. It makes me realize that my undergraduate career has flown by, but now I am at the point that I’ve looked forward to for so long. It’s the point where all of my long hours at school, time spent stressing about grades and studying for tests, and occasional sacrifices of my social life are going to pay off, and it’s made me feel truly accomplished and proud of myself. I can’t wait to get started on the next step of my life.” Tucker is the daughter of Joe and Delaine Tucker. Delaine is also a Mount Olive College graduate. 13 | TODAY | FALL 2012
Serve More than a Meal Article by rhondA Jessup | photos by MAtt stevens & MAndy hensley
W
hen the President and First Lady of Mount Olive College welcome students and tell them, “We want you to consider this your home for the next four years,” they mean it! Each fall Phil and Mary invite the freshman class, about 20 at the time, to a homecooked meal in their home. The Kerstetters started this tradition in 2009 after first arriving at the College.
to know them; that there is little food left when the athletes come over; and the list could go on and on. “We enjoy getting to know the students one-on-one, finding out what their majors are and learning what their dreams are. We are just so impressed with the quality of students that we have and how interesting and poised they are,” Mary said.
The reason they do it is simple. “It is the whole issue of hospitality,” Mary said. “We want students to feel comfortable and welcome. Being able to have one-on-one connections with students is the beauty of Mount Olive College. Phil and I want to set the example for that. Students attending most other colleges may have the opportunity to meet the college president, but I’m pretty sure that they would not all be invited to dinner at the president’s home. You just don’t get that kind of interaction anywhere but here.”
“We enjoy getting to know the students one-on-one, finding out what their major is and learning what their dreams are. We are just so impressed with the quality of students that we have and how interesting and poised they are,” - Mary Kerstetter
Hosting 12 dinners in a two and a half month span takes a great deal of organization and pre-planning. There are schedules to coordinate, groceries to purchase, casseroles and desserts to make, and furniture to rearrange. For the final touch Mary sets the tables using cloth napkins and fine china. “We want to make it really special for them,” she said. Mary notes that on many occasions, students offer to come early to help set up or stay late to clean up, but she always refuses. “This is our gift to them. We want the students to just sit back and enjoy themselves.” As for the menu, the couple has gotten it down to a science. To keep it simple, the Kerstetters have a set menu which consists of: Phil’s famous chicken casserole; a vegetarian pasta dish; green beans; garden salad; French bread; chocolate chip cookies; and other desserts. “The favorite seems to be Phil’s chicken casserole and my chocolate chip cookies,” Mary smiled. She also noted that Phil is the better cook in the family. “We have a lot of Sunday night dinners for freshmen, and those are the nicest because Phil is home, and he loves to cook,” she said. Although the menu is the same, each dinner is also very unique. “There’s always something that makes each group memorable and each dinner special,” she shared. “On one occasion we knew that it was one of the students’ birthday, Rebekah Fitzgerald of Princeton. I fixed a cake with candles and we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her. At another dinner, two of the lacrosse players from Maryland, twins Stephen and Aaron Bowlan, arrived late because of practice. Everyone had already left and most of the food was gone, but they sat down and Phil and I just talked with them for about half an hour. That was wonderful. When they left they were talking about coming back one evening to watch football and cook pizzas.” Through the dinners, Mary and Phil get to know the students. With the 2012 crop of freshmen, they have learned that the softball players have a different dynamic than the soccer players; that the lacrosse women tend to be from out-of-state; that the international students are a little reserved at first, but open up freely after getting
For Phil and Mary, who have been involved in education for over 40 years, it all boils down to student engagement. They make it a priority to attend as many student athletic competitions, music performances and art showcases as they possibly can. “Sometimes, people ask us if we really like soccer or volleyball, or whatever that much,” Phil said. “I tell them, ‘Yes, we enjoy that, but it’s the students that we go to see. They are the reason we do what we do. ’ I often say that I have the greatest job that anyone could imagine: I have the opportunity to work at a wonderful college that has the best students, faculty, and staff. That is affirmed every time I see the transformation in our students. It may be a once shy teenager finding her place and her voice by participating in a musical performance; it may be a religion major ministering to a group of underprivileged children during an internship; or it may be a talented student-athlete who couldn’t afford to attend college, who just earned his degree. Having the privilege of being part of students’ transformational experiences is truly amazing.” Mary agreed, “I cannot imagine not doing this, not having the chance to interact with students and see them grow and transform. It’s like after each dinner when we are sitting around talking. We ask students what they want to see happen over their next four years at Mount Olive College. They start telling us that they want a new track, or they want a better performance place for music, or as in years past, they wanted a lacrosse team. Then for them to see that these things are possible, and to encourage them to dream— that’s what our legacy is. Phil and I want to encourage everybody at Mount Olive College to have those dreams and to imagine what we could be. The sky’s the limit! So, that is our legacy - to allow people to dream, and then to create the foundations for making those dreams happen.”
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ount Olive College is committed to engaging students in the kind of service that builds citizenship and communities. The College believes that it has the ability to not only transform the lives of students, but to also transform the lives of those who come in contact with its students. President Philip P. Kerstetter said, “Mount Olive College embraces and support acts of service as tangible expressions of our Mission, Vision and Values statements. To us, service is a lasting engagement with a place, a people, a culture.” One way that the College incorporates service learning opportunities is through ADV 100, a semester-long course required for all Mount Olive College freshmen. A major component of the course is service learning. Typically, students begin by exploring various community service opportunities that the class relates to and preparing for their role as a service learner in the community. Then they spend time using their skills to provide community service. Finally, a reflection component is built into the classroom work, allowing students to process the experience.
Students packed meals for Stop Hunger Now. Photo by Mandy Hensley
“Outreach and service in the cOMMunity are vital cOMpOnents Of the first year experience fOr Our students...” – Dan Sullivan, vice president for Student Affairs This semester alone students wrote letters to troops overseas; gave presentations to middle school students; made stuffed teddy bears for school children; cleaned pens, walked animals and collected money for pet supplies for the local animal shelter; picked up trash; organized a golf tournament to raise money for breast cancer awareness; prepared pre-packaged meals for Stop Hunger Now organization; conducted a canned food drive to benefit a local church food pantry; raised money to help a local church with roof repairs; organized a community walk/run; and the list goes on and on.
Students helped clean up Nelson Park. Photo Submitted
“Outreach and service in the community are vital components of the first year experience for our students,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Dan Sullivan. “The College is very much integrated into our community though personal and business relationships, events, and the experiences we share. It is critical for our students to understand how they each play a role in this community and how important it is to take a leadership role in supporting those around the College. It is our hope that these types of experiential learning opportunities will instill additional leadership qualities that will be transferred back to their individual communities once they graduate from the College.” Community service is not limited to the freshman class. All areas of the College are encouraged to participate in community service. In August of 2011 the Board of Trustees approved a “Service to the Community Leave Policy” which gives full-time staff members four hours of leave time each month to use in service to nonprofit organizations. “In this time of economic distress, volunteers are needed more than ever. Mount Olive College represents an enormous pool of idealism and energy, and through our policies and our actions we are helping tackle some of our communities’ biggest challenges,” Kerstetter said. Service is also an important aspect of many of the clubs and organizations at MOC. Take for example the Collegiate FFA at Mount Olive College. This semester alone they have gleaned over 30,000 pounds of vegetables which equates to 137,842 servings of food for the hungry. Whitley Lovette, a freshman agribusiness major from Stantonsburg, NC, stated, “It was a new experience for me and I got to work with a great team of CFFA members. The fact that the food is donated to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle gave me a ‘good Samaritan’ feeling. Watching the truck drive off and knowing that we helped someone who is hungry means more than anything else.”
Students made stuffed animals and presented them to school children. • Photo Submitted
Freshman Luz Vazquez Rivera of Wilson, who helped organize a “Stop Hunger Now” event to prepare pre-packaged meals for individuals in impoverished countries, said, “I think it is important that we, as students, give back to our community because of the many opportunities our community has given us. Volunteering gives us the opportunity to become more knowledgeable in the world around us, learn important lessons that we can instill into future generations, and learn leadership skills.”
Students gleaned produce for the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. Photo by Matt Stevens
taylOr uses her aniMal instincts tO help Others Margaret Elizabeth Taylor, also known as Magy, is making a difference in the world around her by incorporating her love for animals and her compassion for people. The 26 yearold is a senior in the Management and Organizational Development program at Mount Olive College in New Bern where she currently has a 4.0 GPA. She works as a government contracted data technician for an Alaskan based company. When not working or going to school, Taylor likes to volunteer her time with Safe Harbor Farm, a 60-acre, no kill, nonprofit animal shelter, and with the TeraPaws program at Carolina East Medical Center. “I absolutely love volunteering. It is actually therapeutic for me,” Taylor said. At Safe Harbor Farm Taylor does everything from walking dogs, to building fences, to helping with adopt-a-thons. “I have honestly learned so much about myself working there.” The volunteer work that Taylor does with Zoe, her six-and-a-half-year-old Black Lab, at the physical rehabilitation wing of Carolina East Medical Center is very basic. “I am not a licensed therapist; I am simply a volunteer with a well-trained dog,” she said. “Zoe and I just walk the halls going room to room to see who is interested in meeting Zoe. She gets lots of love. The patients get the benefit of spending time with an affectionate animal.” In the future Taylor would like to expand her volunteer efforts to working with Disabled American Veterans and service members suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For as long as she can remember, Taylor has been interested in psychology and animals. “Honestly, the two things just came together in my mind, and I decided a couple of years ago that I wanted to have my own unique business model integrating the two.” After graduating from MOC in December, Taylor envisions continuing her education so she can open her own small psychology firm specializing in anxiety disorders. She would like to pair it with a large no kill, nonprofit animal shelter. She plans to use the skills and information learned at MOC to help locate funding sources for the business.
Magy Taylor and her dog Zoe cheer up a patient at Carolina East Medical Center. • Photo by Matt Stevens
aluMna has a servant’s heart “I love seeing new places and meeting new people,” said Alison Cook, a Peace Corps volunteer. “You learn so much, not only about the country and the people in which you are serving, but also about yourself. You learn what skills and talents you have and use them in ways that benefit the lives of others. It is an incredible feeling to know that you will be remembered for making a positive impact on the life or lives of other people.” Cook, a 1999 graduate of Mount Olive College, has been volunteering with the Peace Corps off and on since 2002. She’s served two separate tours of duty in Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan, where she taught English and environmental education. In 2010 she went to Granada, Spain, to earn her TEFL International TESOL Certificate through the British Council. The certificate has aided her in writing better lesson plans and with classroom instruction and management. She has also traveled to Belgium, England, Scotland, France, Germany, and Amsterdam.
Alison Cook poses with students in Kazakhstan. • Photo Submitted
Most recently, from April to July 2012, Cook served as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer with the Department of Ministry of Protected Areas in the Republic of Georgia. Her main objectives were to teach English to the staff members at Sataplia Natural Reserve and Prometheus Cave, promote tourism for the areas, and develop Facebook pages for both sites.
aluMnus Organizes prayer Walk Alumnus Terry Jones is heavily involved in his community. The 2003 Mount Olive College graduate works as a health and physical education teacher and director of the boys’ basketball program at Wayne Country Day School. In addition, he is the associate youth pastor at The Place of Refuge Ministries. Recently the Wayne County native helped organize a prayer walk in Goldsboro dubbed “God Belongs in My City.” “The intent was to organize a community effort in response to the violent activity present in our community,” he said. The event, which had more than 1,500 participants, united businesses, schools, churches, families, and others. “The impact and momentum created was the likes of nothing I’d ever seen,” Jones stated. “I had never done anything like it before, but with the favor of God, we pulled together a community team to make the dream reality.”
Reporters interview Terry Jones as he leads “God Belongs in my City” prayer walk. • Photo Submitted
Jones is already looking forward to the next “God Belongs in My City” event planned for September 21, 2013. “This is more than just a series of events. It is a movement impacting and altering our present culture! We are also organizing strategic smaller projects throughout the year in a continued effort to serve our community.” Jones’ community involvement didn’t just begin. As a student and member of the Trojan men’s basketball team, Jones was involved with New Life, a campus Bible study group. He served as a Resident Assistant for two years, and he was named Mount Olive Pickle Classic King and Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. “None of us has the ability to be the answer alone, yet we all are obligated to be a part of the solution,” Jones said of his commitment to community service. Jones is married to alumna Juliet Pender Jones. The couple has two children, Christian Gregery Jones, age 2, and Mason Emery Jones, born October 22. Jones is pursuing his master of divinity degree at Liberty University.
“It is not easy to get into the Peace Corps,” Cook said, “but once you get in, you get opportunities to expand your horizons and work in different places. Where you are sent is based on your education, experience, and languages you speak.” Cook speaks fluent Russian, which she learned in Kazakhstan, and conversational Spanish. “Working with the Peace Corps has helped me better understand people,” Cook shared. “It has given me the opportunity to step back and observe the lives of others and to accept people for who they are. I have learned patience and compassion. I have also watched my students from my first assignment in Kazakhstan grow up. I have watched them change and grow into good students and productive adults.” Cook credits Mount Olive College and Dianne Riley for helping fuel her compassion and drive for helping others. “I think my four years at MOC is what made my experience overseas successful. When I enrolled at MOC in 1995, it had been less than a year since my brother had passed away. My family and I were still having a difficult time with his loss. Dianne knew this and made the decision to take me ‘under her wing.’ She helped me overcome my own self-doubt, so I wanted to give back what I was given.” After the attacks on September 11, 2001, Cook was deeply saddened. She felt a strong desire to do something to help America. “I wanted to find something good out of something bad; to turn anger into compassion,” she said. She chose to apply to the Peace Corps. In January of 2002 her application was sent and she was accepted six months later.
Allison Cook shakes the hand of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton • Photo Submitted
Cook views her contributions to the Peace Corps as a way to strengthen the relationship between America and the countries in which she serves. This belief was recently solidified when Cook met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Batumi, Georgia. “I was so honored to be one of the ones asked to meet with Mrs. Clinton. She was very nice and thanked us for our work with the Peace Corps. She called us ‘working ambassadors’ for the United States of America. That was an amazing compliment. At that moment, a peace came over me. I knew immediately I was doing what God wanted me to do.”`
aThleTics news By David Shulimson
aThleTics TeaMs ParTiciPaTe in coMMuniTy service Just as much of this issue of the MOC Today magazine focuses on service, our athletics teams give priority to community service as well, both in the Mount Olive community and on the MOC campus. At the beginning of the school year, MOC student-athletes participated in a Freshman 15 Panel. The purpose was to help incoming freshmen student-athletes make the transition to college life – in the residence halls, in the classroom, and on the field of play. During the month of October, Mount Olive College continued its participation in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but this time around the Trojans spent the month raising funds and awareness in the battle of various forms of cancer. Along with donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Trojan athletics teams also joined Southeastern Cancer Center’s “Cure for the Colors” campaign. Southeastern Cancer Center is located in Goldsboro, N.C., and provides assistance (financial, transportation, wigs, prosthetics, etc.) for area cancer patients. Trojan student-athletes also did their part to help beautify the Mount Olive community. The Trojan men’s and women’s soccer teams sponsor an Adopt-a-Spot and regularly pick up trash on N.C. 55 between the Mt. Olive Shopping Center and the U.S. 117 overpass. The MOC women’s lacrosse team spent an afternoon at Nelson Park in Mount Olive staining all of the woodwork, as well as getting their hands dirty mulching. The Trojan women’s basketball team was also at Nelson Park, participating in the “Back To School Backpack Giveaway.” The event was chaired by Al Southerland and the Men of FIC - Faith, Integrity and Character. In addition to giving backpacks to kids, the student-athletes helped run games and other activities at the event. • Photos Submitted
Men’s cross counTry naTionals Freshmen Dylan Lafond and Aki Kitagawa placed among the top eight freshman finishers in the nation and the Mount Olive College men’s cross country team capped a record-setting year with its second consecutive national championship appearance, finishing 28th at the 2012 NCAA Division II Men’s Cross Country National Championship November 17 at Joplin, Mo. Men’s cross country became the first team in Trojan history to reach a national championship in back-to-back years, matching a feat previously accomplished by a Trojan individual. Beth Schultz competed in the NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country National Championship in 2002 and 2003. Lafond was the top finisher for the Trojans, garnering 93rd place overall out of 245 runners with a time of 31:25.4 in the 10k race. Lafond’s finish was the highest ever in school history at the National Championship and his time eclipsed his own school record 10k time of 32:07.7, set two weeks earlier at the NCAA II Southeast Regional. Kitagawa also finished in the top half of the overall field in 109th place in a time of 31:37.0, now the second fastest 10k time in school history. Also competing for the Trojans at the National Championship were senior Ronnie Sturgill, juniors Jamar Davis and Erasmo Ordonez, and freshmen Steven Greco and Mike Munoz. “We had higher expectations than where we finished, but much of that has to do with the level of competition we were up against,” said Trojan head coach Matt van Lierop. “Dylan and Aki ran times that would have put them in the top three in our region. I’m proud of our team for getting to the nationals again, and maybe now we have an even better idea of what we need to do and how far we still have to go to be among the nation’s elite.” • Photo Submitted
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aThleTics news
conFerence carolinas cross counTry honors Amber Thompson finished first out of 85 runners and captured the individual title at the 2012 Conference Carolinas Women’s Cross Country Championship. By virtue of winning the individual championship, Thompson was named 2012 Conference Carolinas Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year. In the men’s championship, Dylan Lafond was the top freshman finisher and was named 2012 Conference Carolinas Men’s Cross Country Freshman of the Year after his overall third-place finish. By virtue of Mount Olive winning the men’s cross country conference championship, head coach Matt van Lierop was named Conference Carolinas Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. • Photo Submitted
PaTrice clarke – Four-TiMe all-conFerence Patrice Clarke of Jacksonville, NC, performed the rare feat of earning allconference honors four straight years, as she was named to the 2012 AllConference Carolinas Women’s Soccer Second Team. Clarke also earned All-Conference Carolinas Third Team honors in her freshman, sophomore and junior years. Only five other Trojan student-athletes earned all-conference four consecutive years during the past decade. • Photo Submitted
new aThleTics weBsiTe launched Mount Olive College has partnered with PrestoSports to create a new athletics website, www.moctrojans.com. New features include rotating photo galleries on each team page and on the home page. There will be a greater presence of action photos in game stories, as well as photo galleries for each sport. In addition, a mobile version is available.
acadeMic all disTricT Women’s soccer student-athlete Jen Floyd (pictured left) and women’s volleyball student-athlete Nicole Sparks (pictured right) were named to the 2012 Capital One/CoSIDA Division II Academic All-District 3 First Team. By being selected to the first team, both Floyd and Sparks are now eligible for Academic All-America consideration. A senior from Hope Mills, N.C., Floyd has a cumulative 3.90 grade point average majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. She earned Conference Carolinas All-Academic honors in each of the last two years and was a recipient of a 201112 Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award. A junior from Songtan, South Korea, Sparks has a perfect 4.0 grade point average majoring in biology. She earned a 2011-12 Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award and was named to the 2011-12 Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll. She was also one of six Trojans named to the 2012 Conference Carolinas Women’s Volleyball All-Academic Team. • Photos Submitted
Join the Trojan Club! The Trojan Club is the booster organization for the Mount Olive College Department of Athletics. Now in its seventh year, the Trojan Club is providing more and more support to the athletics program each year. With a minimum gift of $50, the Trojan Club had over 300 members who contributed a total of more than $85,000 last year. Money from the Trojan Club is used to provide Mount Olive College student-athletes with safer and more comfortable transportation, better team equipment and supplies, and enhanced facilities. For more information about membership, visit www.moctrojans.com or call Bill Clingan at 919-658-7759.
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aluMni uPdaTes
whaT’s new wiTh you? Turn yourself in and give us the most up-to-date news about you - including change of address information! Visit www.moc.edu/alumniupdate or call the Alumni Office at 919-658-7822 and an Alumni Update form will be mailed to you. Also, if you have a recent photo, please send by email to ahamm@moc.edu.
DR. KATHERINE ELIZABETH LANCASTER BRASWELL, who taught literature and languages at Mount Olive College, died October 13, 2012 MARGARET ADGER FULTON WALKER, who taught English at Mount Olive College from 1974 to 1980, died October 4, 2012. Walker was an active member of Mount Olive Presbyterian Church. She sang with the Mount Olive Community Chorus, the Wayne Oratorio Society, and the Raleigh Oratorio Society. She was a member of the Wayne County Library Board and the Wayne Community Concerts Association Board.
1970s DOUGLAS SKINNER ’72 is the pastor of Spring Branch Original Free Will Baptist Church. On July 1, 2012, he celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the gospel ministry. He was ordained on July 2, 1972, by the Western Conference of Original Free Will Baptists.
1980s TONY E. PEACOCK ’82 won the 44th National Hollerin’ Contest in Spivey’s Corner, NC, for the fourth time on June 16, 2012. The tradition of “hollerin” dates to colonial times when raftsmen called to one another. The “hollers” can be heard up to 3 miles away. Peacock resides in Siler City, NC.
1990s BRIDGETTE HARE ’92 has written a novel, Lullaby, and is vying for a book publishing contract in an international competition for new authors sponsored by Harlequin and Mills & Boon. Hare is a freelance editor and has been working on Lullaby for the past 2 years as part of a paranormal romance trilogy. She lives in Floyd, VA, with her 2 sons. MORRIS LEE BASS ’92 made a presentation to the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society on the NC Quartermaster system during the Civil War. He earned a bachelor of science degree in history at Mount Olive College. Bass has worked as an interpreter at Bentonville Battleground, Fort Fisher and the Caswell/Neuse Site. He is operations manager at the CSS Caswell Neuse State Historic Site in Kinston, NC. CORTINA MILLER HAMILTON ’99 was selected Duplin County NAACP Mother of the Year for 2012-2013. She was crowned at the annual NAACP banquet on September 22, 2012. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is employed with Duplin County Social Services as a social work supervisor. Hamilton lives with her husband and two children in Kenansville, NC. 22 | TODAY | FALL 2012
KENDRICK VINES ’99 has joined Selma Middle School as a CTE business and marketing teacher. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Mount Olive College and a master of science degree in administration from Central Michigan University. Vines brings over 12 years experience in the financial services industry to his new position. He resides in Clayton, NC. PHILIP MOYE ’94 serves as a hospitalist at Sampson Regional Medical Center, an ER doctor at Wayne Memorial Hospital, and the Wayne County Medical Examiner. He and his wife Jennifer have three children: eight-year-old twins Thad and Seth, and six-year-old Elise. They also are involved in raising cattle and hay. The family lives in Goldsboro, NC. CHRISTOPHER PAUL ’91 has recently published a book to raise autism awareness. The book, titled What’s Wrong with Hannah? is intended to explain autism to younger children. The book is available on lulu.com. Christopher, his wife Stacy and their three children live in Havelock, NC. TERRY NORRIS BRYANT ’98 is the new executive director of the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation. OIMF oversees the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach and Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach. Bryant previously worked with the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and as an education coordinator with Surry Community College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies from Mount Olive College and a master’s from Appalachian State University. She and her husband, RONNIE BRYANT ’98, live in Wilmington, NC. MICHAEL DONOVAN SCOTT ’98 is the e-learning production manager at the AICPA. He and his team create online interactive learning courses for CPAs and other professionals. Michael married Amy Marie Crabtree of Durham, NC, at Thorncrown Chapel on Thursday, July 5th. They live in Durham and designed their new home which was recently showcased on the DIY network.
2000s DUANE THOMAS HOLDER ’02 has been selected Pitt County deputy county manager and finance director. Holder is a former employee of the Pitt County Mental Health Department. He started as a reimbursement officer and was promoted to accounting specialist before serving as business officer/finance director for the county’s mental health department. Recently he served as the chief financial officer for PORT Human Services in Greenville, NC. Holder has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Olive College and a master’s in public administration from East Carolina University.
eXclusive ERIC CHRISTIAN BOURGEOIS ’09 was married to Meagan Whitworth Jackson on July 7, 2012. He earned a bachelor of science in Biology at Mount Olive College and is now attending East Carolina University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy. The couple resides in Goldsboro, NC. JULIET PINDER JONES ’03, TERRY D. JONES ’03 and son, Christian Gregary, welcomed a baby boy, Mason Emery, on October 22, 2012. The new arrival, whom his father describes as “awesome,” weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz. DANIEL BLAKE WOOD ’07 was married to Kristie Danielle Smith. Wood holds a bachelor of science degree in recreation and leisure studies. He is employed by Grifols Biotherapeutics in Clayton, NC. The couple resides in Benson, NC. ALONZO Z. JAYNES ’07 has been promoted to the rank of captain in the Durham Police Department. He will be the commander of District 1 in eastern Durham. After earning his bachelor of science degree in management and organizational development at Mount Olive College, Jaynes completed his master of business administration degree at Pfeiffer College. He has served in the Durham Police Department since 1995. TIMOTHY J. KING ’03 is the director of respiratory therapy clinical education at Edgecombe Community College and has been named recipient of the 2012-2013 Keihin Endowed Faculty Chair. The chair rewards excellence in teaching. King has been an instructor at ECC for 10 years. He holds a bachelor of applied science degree in business management from Mount Olive College and will receive an MBA degree from Fayetteville State University in December 2012. King has served as treasurer and as professional standards committee chair of the North Carolina Society for Respiratory Care. He lives in Roanoke Rapids, NC. JENNA VICTORIA GUDAC ’09 was married to Clifford Scott Bynum on May 5, 2012. The human resource management alumna is employed as a paralegal with Holcombe Bomar, PA. The couple lives in Inman, SC. CHARMAINE E. HARRIS ’09 has been named executive director of the Wilson, NC, Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. Harris, a Wilson native, has been active with the club since her senior year at Mount Olive College when she wrote a paper on her career goals. The recreation and leisure studies graduate has also served as athletic director and program director. The club has seen growth in all of their programs under Harris’ guidance. TIMOTHY DWANE BRINSON ’06 has been appointed Orange County, NC, tax administrator. In addition to a bachelor of science degree in management and organizational development from Mount Olive College, Brinson has received a master of public administration degree from UNC and a master of business administration degree from Campbell University. Most recently, he was the tax administrator in Lee County, NC. PARLEY DALE POTTER ’06 died July 11, 2012, while serving a mission in Russia. He was retired from UPS after 30 years of employment. He and his wife then became missionaries of the Latter-day Saints Church in the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission.
WeB coNteNt viDeo: WilliAms trANsFormeD By mouNt olive college The Mount Olive College tagline “Transforming Education. Transforming Lives.” is more than a fancy marketing message. It exemplifies what truly happens in the lives of our students each and every day. Watch Traycee William’s transformational story online.
WWW.moc.eDu/iNDeX.pHp/trANsFormAtioN-series
pDF: 2012 ANNuAl report WitH HoNor roll oF DoNors Mount Olive College is proud to present our Annual Report and Honor Roll of Donors for the previous fiscal year (July 1, 2011–June 30, 2012). This online PDF report highlights our progress and our supporters. We are eager for you to read and learn more!
THANK YOU!
WWW.moc.eDu/ANNuAlreport
Be sociAl: coNNect WitH us oNliNe! Whether you facebook, tweet, pin, instagram, or more, find us on your favorite social media sites! facebook.com/MountOliveCollege facebook.com/MOCAlumni instagram.com/mtolivecollege twitter.com/mtolivecollege pinterest.com/mtolivecollege 23 | TODAY | FALL 2012
aluMni uPdaTes BRANDI HOLLOMAN BARTLEY ’07 AND NICHOLAS BARTLEY ’08 welcomed new baby girl Leah Bartley on July 30, 2012. JAYNE EDWARDS ROBB ’02 has accepted the position of Economic Developer and Planning Director of Jones County, NC. BRANDON ROBBINS ’05 is the Young Adult Services Coordinator at the Wayne County, NC, Public Library. In 2009 Robbins wrote a grant for $5,000 to implement and bolster gaming initiatives at the library. WCPL was one of 10 winners. Last year he began writing the column “Games, Gamers and Gaming” for Library Journal, a prestigious publication in the library community. He examines how games help people create their own narratives and develop critical thinking skills. He earned his master’s in Library Science from East Carolina University in 2011. Robbins is also working on a novel and the script for a graphic novel. BRANDON K. FAUCETTE ’02 has been promoted to banking officer and sales tracking specialist with the sales department of Southern Bank in Mount Olive. He has been employed by Southern Bank for the past eight years. LINDA TEDDER-JONES ’05 died July 6, 2012. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Olive College and a master’s in Health Administration from Pfeiffer University. She worked in the admissions department of Pfeiffer University. NETIA WILLIAMS ’07, an English and English Communication graduate, devised the alias N. Meridian while in a southern literature course at Mount Olive College. Today, N. Meridian is an editor, ghostwriter, YourTango Expert, author of No Crying For Elena, and freelance writer of various subjects. Her works have appeared on various sites, such as YourTango, BlogHer, Huffington Post, WorkItMom and on her own website. She invites College alumni and friends to follow her at www.facebook.com/#!/inameridian.
2010s LAURA KAY MOORE ’10 was married to Anthony Cecil Penny on March 17, 2012. She is employed as a preschool teacher and assists her husband with his produce farm. The couple resides in Benson, NC. MICHAEL CIAMPA ’10 was married to Vittoria Alessandra Longiotti on August 18, 2012. He is employed as an investigator with the State of North Carolina. MICHELLE COBB ’10 graduated from an accelerated nursing program at Duke University in May 2012. She works in the Duke Birthing Center where she takes care of mothers and newborns. Cobb plans to become a certified nurse midwife in the near future. SCOTT MILES WOODARD ’10 is engaged to marry Brittnie Ann Bates of Cary, NC. The wedding is planned for June 2013.
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CARLEY BRUCE MOORE ’10 is the new children’s and student ministry pastor at Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church. He will develop and supervise a weekly Sunday worship experience for children ages 5-12 and be in charge of the student ministry for ages 1318. Moore is pursuing a master’s degree in Biblical studies through Liberty University. He and his wife, Hannah McArthur Moore ’13, live in Dudley, NC. KELLY MINSHEW ’11 is pursuing a coaching career at Beddingfield High School. She attended Mount Olive College with a softball scholarship while earning her degree in exercise science. She has assisted in junior varsity and varsity coaching of volleyball, girl’s basketball and softball. Minshew was recently named head varsity volleyball coach. She also teaches health and physical education. JACKIE ANDRE HAWES ’12 is the owner of Hawes Funeral Home, LLC in Warsaw, NC. He and his wife, Terra, plan to expand their familyowned business to several southeastern counties in North Carolina. BRITTANI NICOLE SCHULTZE ’12 was married to Kevin Dale Gardner on September 21, 2012. Schultze has a Bachelor of Arts in visual communication. She is employed at Screen It as a graphic designer and runs her own business as a photographer and freelance graphic artist. The couple resides in Goldsboro, NC. PETER W. COFFMAN ’11 presented a lecture on the Civil War Battle of Antietam sponsored by the North Carolina Military History Roundtable and Wayne Community College Foundation. Coffman was honored as the 2010 Mount Olive College History Student of the Year and is studying for his master’s degree in history at East Carolina University. He is a veteran with 28 year’s service in the Air Force. Coffman served with eight combat units, including the Thunderbirds, and worked for the U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. He resides in Goldsboro, NC. ASHLEY HARTSOE ’13 has served on Eastern Baptist Association mission trips to impoverished areas of Haiti, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. She is planning to return to Haiti in the near future. TINA ADKINS ’12 received the NAACP Community Award for her fund-raising efforts to support the Jasper P. Hayes Omega Center. “When the award was announced, I was so shocked and honored,” she said. According to Adkins, the Center was the first gymnasium built in New Bern for African-Americans, making it a historic landmark. The building is in need of many repairs and Adkins has produced two talent shows to raise money for various improvement projects including having several windows repaired and the exterior of the building painted. “My main reason for wanting to give back is for the children. There is very little for the African American young people to do. I am very happy to be able to assist in any way to help our youth to avoid the everyday statistics of crime, violence, dropout rates, etc. I wish there was more I could do and I am constantly trying to think of ways to help.” Adkins will graduate from Mount Olive College in December with a bachelor’s degree in business management. She is currently employed as the editorial assistant at the New Bern Sun Journal.
aluMni uPdaTes MELISSA MAYO ’13 has earned the North Carolina Certified Plant Professional certification from the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association. Mayo is currently one of 2,227 CPPs in North Carolina. JAMES HENRY GANTT ’13 has been selected to be the new planner for the Town of Wallace. He has been working for the town since 2002 in various positions. He has been instrumental in upgrading the town’s computer system and website. Gantt is a certified basic EMT and has completed numerous courses at the NC Justice Academy and in safety and rescue. He is a volunteer with the Union Rescue Squad. ELISABETH PETERSON JONES ’13 is a teacher’s assistant at Selma Elementary School. She and her husband, Junior, live in Pine Level with their 2 children.
degree in business administration which inspired him to pursue his master’s in public administration with a concentration in fire service administration. He will complete the master’s program this December. Flowers and his wife Michelle have one child, Leah. MARION COLLEEN SMITH ’11 married Andrew Warrick on January 14, 2012. The couple resides in Pikeville, NC. BRIAN PARNELL ’10 joined Chick-fil-A of Wilson, NC, as training director. In this role, Parnell will coordinate employee training and business functions. He has a bachelor of science degree in business administration and currently resides in Lucama, NC. KENNEDY GRAY ’12 of Rocky Mount and MARLENA DENISE SMITH ’12 of Warsaw are putting their recently earned college degrees to good use. The former classmates have opened Nash Street Healthcare, an urgent care medical center located in Wilson, NC, that provides walkin services for patients. They offer their clients flexible hours, shorter wait times, and in most cases cheaper healthcare.
ASHLEY ELDORA COUCH ’12 and WALTER BRANDON LANIER ’12 were married on June 23, 2012. Couch holds a bachelor of science degree in clinical psychology. She is employed by JAS Ambulance Service and plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology. Lanier will graduate in December with a degree in management of information systems. He works at Onslow Memorial Hospital as a PC technologist. DORIAN KANE FLOWERS ’10, Fire Chief for the City of Hendersonville, NC, has recently been accepted into the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He also recently completed his Fire Officer IV certification. The Mount Olive College at Wilmington alumnus earned his bachelor’s
YOUR NAME HERE. We’d love to hear from you. Send in your updates by visiting www.moc.edu/alumniupdate or call us at 919-658-7822. Send in your photos to ahamm@moc.edu.
Fields heads aluMni oFFice In July Mount Olive College alumna Hope McPherson Fields ’09 accepted the position of director of Alumni Relations. Fields earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in business management at Mount Olive College. “I am honored to be selected to help lead the Mount Olive College Office of Alumni Relations to a new level of accomplishment and service,” Fields said. “Our top priority is to give our alumni more reasons to get involved and stay involved with the College.” Fields plans to develop programs for mentoring and career networking to ensure that alumni remain engaged with the institution. “I hope to bring a stronger sense of community to the Office of Alumni Relations,” said Fields. “I want all of our alumni to feel that they are part of the Mount Olive College community and family. I look forward to having our alumni participate in not only events together, but alumni trips!” As the contact person for alumni, Fields will be doing more outreach in establishing professional group connections in the cities closest to the college’s seven geographically distributed locations in eastern North Carolina. Other goals include
keeping alumni connected to the College after graduation, improved and greater use of social media, expanding affinity programs, and working to provide more opportunities to engage all students and alumni. “Mount Olive College is committed to investing in and providing service to all alumni, from the time they enter our doors throughout their lives,” Fields said. “By doing so, the College builds mutually supporting and lasting relationships. The payoff is successful and happy graduates who will help advance the mission of Mount Olive College for the next generations.” “I want every alumnus to feel the same connection I feel to Mount Olive College. It is my wish that when an alumnus reads or hears of a transformational story one of our students have that they will swell with pride knowing that this is their alma mater.” Fields is married to Mount Olive College alumnus Ryan Fields ’08. The couple resides in Mount Olive.
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AlumNi golF tourNey The 16th Annual Mount Olive College Alumni Golf Tournament was held at Southern Wayne Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament were placed into the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund which now totals over $77,500. Winners of the Championship Flight were Ryan Fields, Taylor Jones, Heath Whitfield and Jeremy Williams with a score of 59. The second place championship flight went to Bryan DeBose, Dwayne McKay, Tony Hamm and Clark Rose. First place second flight went to Bryant Hines, Joey Long and Brad Evans with a score of 63. Jeremy Jeffers, Brandon Faucette, Kevin Coghill and Jonathan Gardner took home second place in the second flight.
HomecomiNg KiNg AND QueeN Jonathan Tedder of Wilson and Jennifer Floyd of Hope Mills were named as the 2012 Mount Olive College Homecoming King and Queen during the 47th annual Pickle Classic Tournament. Tedder, son of Michael and Kelli Tedder, is a junior biology major. Floyd, daughter of Bill and Kim Floyd, is a senior biology major.
secoND ANNuAl pig picKiN’ Four teams fired up their grills to compete in the second annual Pig Pickin’ Contest during Homecoming Weekend. Participants were judged on taste and showmanship. The CFFA student group won the Showmanship trophy while the CFFA alumni group took home the top taste award.
47tH ANNuAl picKle clAssic Kendall Hargrove led six players in double figures and Dory Hines posted a double-double as Mount Olive pulled away for an 85-66 victory over Fayetteville State in the final game of the 47th Annual Mount Olive College Pickle Classic at Kornegay Arena. Hines, who finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, joined teammate Deshaune Green on the All-Tournament Team. 26 | TODAY | FALL 2012
sometHiNg For everyoNe Activities throughout the weekend included an ice cream social sponsored by Highway 55 following the Friday night Pickle Classic game; an Ultimate Frisbee game with alumni on Saturday; an alumni softball game, the 15th annual Cystic Fibrosis Walk/Run, and the opening reception for “Unity in Variety,” the senior art show.
A Note From AlumNi Director Hope FielDs “This was my first Homecoming Weekend as director of Alumni Relations, and it is always interesting to look at the weekend from different viewpoints. This weekend I saw so many alumni gathering at different activities of interest, sharing past memories, and making plans to get together to make new memories. There were people exchanging thoughts and ideas at the senior art show and young and old singing along to the musical talents of Levi Stephens at the Pig Pickin’. In my book, it is always a successful event when you see these things taking place. My goal for next year is to help create an atmosphere where even more of this can take place!”
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HomecomiNg Weekend 2012
HAll oF FAme By Frank Lamm | Photo Submitted
Merrill Morgan was joined by the 1992 Trojan baseball team and threesport star Valerie Newberne Cox in making up the seventh induction class of the Mount Olive College Hall of Fame. Morgan was a star on the Trojans’ early baseball teams. He was a centerfielder on the 1983 NJCAA District championship team that came up just one game shy of a trip to the Junior College World Series. “We were able to build a tradition here, and Carl has taken it to a whole new level,” said Morgan, who has taken his skills to the coaching scene where he has won three CIAA Coach of the Year awards at Virginia State University. Morgan coached Virginia State to its first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 2007 where he met Mount Olive in the first round. What Morgan and his squad did for Mount Olive baseball was elevated in 1992 when the Trojans made it all the way to the Division II National Finals, the first program of any kind at the school to do so. Current Head Coach Carl Lancaster was in just his fifth season coaching the Trojans as they made the transition to being a four-year school. “These players are largely responsible for the changes you see when you walk out to the field. Back then we had what we needed. Where the batting cages are now used to be thick woods. Where the press box is now used to be an old wooden table,” said Lancaster. “Before then, nobody knew who Mount Olive was. Now they know. We’ll probably be ranked nationally this season because of the reputation these guys started. They put us on the map in 1992.” Mount Olive reeled off nine consecutive postseason victories to claim the Conference Carolinas, District 26 and Area 7 championships. The Trojans finished with a 38-15-1 record, including a 2-1-1 record against Division I foes. “We all had high expectations. We had two great coaches. Coach (Roger) May would get in your face. Then you had Coach Lancaster who spoke sentences without opening his mouth. Sometimes it was with that stare. Sometimes it was with the smile. He was the best players’ coach anyone could ever have,” said 1992 performer Jay Lamm. “We all had a common goal. We didn’t play to play. We played to win.” The 1992 Trojans go into the Hall of Fame as a team -- the way the players say it should be. “What a year we had,” said third baseman/outfielder Mark Chambers. “From game two we took off. We had to beat St. Andrews five times in
22 days to get that far. When we beat Union to advance to the World Series, they treated us like royalty. Everybody was asking us for our autographs. Everybody knew about Mount Olive. We were a family. We always will be.” Seventeen members and both coaches of the team were on hand for the induction ceremonies. Members of the team were: Lorin Booth, Steve Bradshaw, Mike Brewer, Clay Cartwright, Mark Chambers, Mark Davis, Jerry Harrison, Kelly Hill, Leslie Jackson, T.J. Johnson, Johnny Jones, Jay Lamm, Chris Lockhart, Jamie Mabe, Monty Mesimer, Mitchell Moore, Chris Norris, Dana Rice, Russell Stephens, Robert Stroud, Dennis Stutts, Dee Taylor, Richard Tucker, Bryan Tuten and Jim Williamson, along with coaches Lancaster and May. Playing more than one sport is not uncommon, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. Few at Mount Olive enjoyed the success that Valerie Newberne Cox did wearing the green and white. Cox, known as Valerie Williams while in Mount Olive, was a star for the basketball, softball and volleyball teams. In 1993, she was named the school’s Most Outstanding Student-Athlete. “She gave everything she had no matter what sport she was playing and she took that same work ethic into the classroom,” said former MOC Coach Wynelle Weston. “We still had a young basketball program at that time and recruiting was difficult. I thought that if we could get her to commit to Mount Olive, she would be an impact player, and of course she was.” Most of Cox’s awards came on the basketball court where she won almost every award a player can receive in one season. Her 10 steals against St. Andrews in 1993 remains a school record. She helped the Trojans post a school record 17 wins that season, a 14-game improvement from the previous season. She averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds per game. “All the credit goes to God,” said Cox. “I was truly blessed by the people I met here at Mount Olive. I made so many good friends.” Excelling in yet another sport, Cox was encouraged to try out for the United States Olympic Team Handball Team following her collegiate career. She made the team, but chose not to attend to stay with her family. A few years later, she was invited try out for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. During tryouts, she broke her foot. She was a terror for the softball and volleyball teams as well, rarely coming off the field of play. In the first seven years of the MOC Athletics Hall of Fame, 26 former Trojan student-athletes, coaches, administrators and friends of the College, along with a Trojan team, have been inducted.
SPRING
We invite you to join us this spring for any or all of our many events. From student performances to concerts, from art shows to athletic events, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. We hope to see you soon!
JANUARY Campus Visitation Day January 21, 9:00 AM | Lois K. Murphy Regional Center
FEBRUARY Avante Vocal Ensemble February 2, 7:30 PM | Assembly Hall | $10 Nelly’s Echo From NBC’s the Voice February 8, 8:00 PM | Southern Bank Auditorium FWB Church Night Basketball Game February 9, 5:00 & 7:00 PM | Kornegay Arena | $1 Medicinal Plants of the Carolinas February 12, 7:00 PM | Communications Bldg. Video Conf. Studio Black History Month Celebration February 21, 7:30 PM | Southern Bank Auditorium Winter Glitz: Cirque du Lune February 23, 6:00 PM | Lois K. Murphy Regional Center | $75 Lorelle F. Martin Lecture February 28, 7:00 PM | Lois K. Murphy Regional Center
MARCH Faith and Rural Life: Down to Earth Ministry Conference March 4, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM Raper Hall and Rodgers Chapel | $10
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EVENTS
The Matrix Percussion Trio March 14, 7:30 PM | Assembly Hall | $10 Harrison Memorial Lecture March 18-19 | Rodgers Chapel Braswell Lecture March 21, 7:30 PM | Southern Bank Auditorium
APRIL The Piano Performance Team April 2, 7:30 PM | Assembly Hall “Free Spirit” Spring Concert April 11, 7:30 PM | Southern Bank Auditorium Spring Student Art Show Reception April 18, 4:00–7:00 PM | Laughinghouse Hall Symphonic Band Concert April 18, 7:30 PM | Assembly Hall Spring Alumni Weekend April 19-21 | Mount Olive Campus The MOC “Last Lecture” Series by David Dommer April 24, 7:30 PM | Southern Bank Auditorium Concert Choir Spring Performance April 25, 7:30 PM | Assembly Hall
Farm Transition and Estate Planning Conference March 7, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM | Mount Olive Campus | $10
Admissions
Six Degrees: A Discussion on Climate Change March 11, 7:00 PM | Southern Bank Auditorium
College & Community
Literary Festival and Poetry Slam March 12-13, 7:00 PM | Southern Bank Auditorium $1 Entry Fee for Poetry Slam
Arts (Performing Arts & Fine Arts)
All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. For More Info: 919-658-2502 | www.moc.edu/events | events@moc.edu
634 HENDERSON STREET MOUNT OLIVE, NC 28365 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
THE MOUNT OLIVE COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
presents
SATURDAY the 23RD of FEBRUARY 2013 6 O’CLOCK in the evening LOIS K. MURPHY REGIONAL CENTER MOUNT OLIVE COLLEGE PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS