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SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 SPRING SPRING 2013 2013 SPRING SPRING 2013 2013
CONTENTS CONTENTS CONTENTS CONTENTS CONTENTS CONTENTS
President President Philip P. Kerstetter, Ph.D. President President Philip P. Kerstetter, Ph.D. President President pkerstetter@moc.edu pkerstetter@moc.edu Philip Philip P.P.Kerstetter, Kerstetter, Ph.D. Ph.D. Philip Philip P.P.Kerstetter, Kerstetter, Ph.D. Ph.D. pkerstetter@moc.edu pkerstetter@moc.edu pkerstetter@moc.edu pkerstetter@moc.edu President ViceVice President for for Institutional Advancement Institutional Vice Vice President President Advancement for Vice Vice President President for forfor Blackwell, Ph.D. Institutional Institutional Advancement Advancement JohnJohn Blackwell, Ph.D. Institutional Institutional Advancement Advancement jblackwell@moc.edu jblackwell@moc.edu John John Blackwell, Blackwell, Ph.D. Ph.D. John John Blackwell, Blackwell, Ph.D. Ph.D. jblackwell@moc.edu jblackwell@moc.edu jblackwell@moc.edu jblackwell@moc.edu
2|Realizing |Realizing Realizing Realizing the the the Dream, Dream, Dream, Securing Securing Securing the the Future Future 2 2|2|2|Realizing Realizing the the the Dream, Dream, Dream, Securing Securing Securing the the the Future Future Future Gala Gala Gala Event Event Event Kicks Kicks Kicks Off Off Off MOC MOC MOC Capital Capital Capital Campaign Campaign Campaign Gala Gala Event Event Event Kicks Kicks Kicks Off Off Off MOC MOC MOC Capital Capital Campaign Campaign 8|In |In In In the the the News News News 8 8|8|8|In the the News News News |Apartment |Apartment |Apartment Apartment Apartment Complex Complex Complex & 1212 12 |12 |12 Apartment Complex Complex Complex && &&& Assembly Assembly Assembly Hall Hall Hall Named Named Named for for for Byrds Byrds Assembly Assembly Assembly Hall Hall Hall Named Named Named for for for Byrds Byrds Byrds 13 |Ribbon |Ribbon |Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon Cut Cut Cut at at at New New New Jacksonville Jacksonville Jacksonville Location Location Location 1313 |13 |13 Cut Cut Cut atat at New New New Jacksonville Jacksonville Jacksonville Location Location |Alumni |Alumni |Alumni Alumni Alumni Set Set Set Sail Sail Sail to to to Bahamas Bahamas Bahamas 1414 14 |14 |14 Set Set Set Sail Sail Sail toto to Bahamas Bahamas Bahamas
Editor & Writer Editor & Writer Rhonda E. Jessup Editor Editor &&Writer Writer Rhonda E. Jessup Editor Editor &&Writer Writer rjessup@moc.edu rjessup@moc.edu Rhonda Rhonda E. E.Jessup Jessup Rhonda Rhonda E.E.Jessup Jessup rjessup@moc.edu rjessup@moc.edu rjessup@moc.edu rjessup@moc.edu Director & Designer Art Art Director & Designer Matt Stevens Art Director Director &&Designer Designer Matt Stevens Art ArtArt Director Director &&Designer Designer mstevens@moc.edu mstevens@moc.edu Matt Matt Stevens Stevens Matt Matt Stevens Stevens mstevens@moc.edu mstevens@moc.edu mstevens@moc.edu mstevens@moc.edu Contributing Writers Contributing Writers Rudy Coggins Contributing Contributing Writers Writers Rudy Coggins Contributing Contributing Writers Writers Gianea Bennett Rudy Rudy Coggins Coggins Gianea Bennett Rudy Rudy Coggins Coggins Carolyn Hill Carolyn Gianea Gianea Hill Bennett Bennett Gianea Gianea Bennett Bennett Carolyn Carolyn Hill Hill Carolyn Carolyn Hill Hill Contributing Designer Contributing Designer Mandy Hensley Contributing Contributing Designer Designer Mandy Hensley Contributing Contributing Designer Designer Mandy Mandy Hensley Hensley Mandy Mandy Hensley Hensley Photographers Photographers Mandy Hensley Photographers Photographers Mandy Hensley Photographers Photographers Matt Stevens Mandy Mandy Hensley Hensley Matt Stevens Mandy Mandy Hensley Hensley Matt Matt Stevens Stevens Matt Matt Stevens Stevens Website Website www.moc.edu www.moc.edu Website Website Website Website www.moc.edu www.moc.edu www.moc.edu www.moc.edu www.moc.edu/rss www.moc.edu/rss www.moc.edu/rss www.moc.edu/rss www.moc.edu/rss www.moc.edu/rss www.moc.edu/facebook www.moc.edu/facebook www.moc.edu/facebook www.moc.edu/facebook www.moc.edu/facebook www.moc.edu/facebook www.moc.edu/twitter www.moc.edu/twitter www.moc.edu/twitter www.moc.edu/twitter www.moc.edu/twitter www.moc.edu/twitter www.moc.edu/youtube www.moc.edu/youtube www.moc.edu/youtube www.moc.edu/youtube www.moc.edu/youtube www.moc.edu/youtube To receive publication To receive thisthis publication To To receive receive this this publication publication electronically to unsubscribe: ToTo receive receive this this publication publication electronically or toor unsubscribe: electronically electronically to to unsubscribe: unsubscribe: nwestfall@moc.edu or 919-658-2502 electronically electronically orortoor toor unsubscribe: unsubscribe: nwestfall@moc.edu or 919-658-2502 nwestfall@moc.edu nwestfall@moc.edu or or919-658-2502 919-658-2502 nwestfall@moc.edu nwestfall@moc.edu oror919-658-2502 919-658-2502 PRODUCTION PRODUCTION Th is publication is produced three PRODUCTION PRODUCTION ThPRODUCTION isPRODUCTION publication is produced three Th isis publication publication is produced three times per byisproduced the Offi cethree of Th Th isTh ispublication publication is produced three times per yearyear byisproduced the Offi cethree of times times per year year by bythe the Offi Institutional Advancement. times times per perper year year by bythe the Offi Offi ceOffi ceofce ofceofof Institutional Advancement. Institutional Institutional Advancement. Advancement. Institutional Institutional Advancement. Advancement. GREEN! GOGO GREEN! GO GO GREEN! GREEN! Please recycle magazine GO GO GREEN! GREEN! Please recycle thisthis magazine Please recycle this magazine or pass itthis on to amagazine friend. Please Please recycle recycle this magazine magazine orPlease pass itrecycle on to athis friend. or orpass itit on on to a afriend. friend. ororpass pass itpass itonon to to ato afriend. friend.
©2013 ©© 2013 2013 Mount Mount Olive Olive College College ©©© 2013 2013 Mount Mount Olive Olive College College 2013 Mount Olive College Mount Olive College
|At |At |At At At the the the Heart Heart Heart of of of Winter Winter Winter Glitz Glitz Glitz 1818 18 |18 |18 the the Heart Heart Heart ofof of Winter Winter Winter Glitz Glitz Glitz |Behind |Behind |Behind Behind Behind the the the Scenes: Scenes: Scenes: People People People Pay Pay ItForward ItForward Forward Forward 2020 20 |20 |20 the the the Scenes: Scenes: Scenes: People People People Pay Pay Pay ItItIt Forward Mandy Mandy Mandy Hensley Hensley Hensley ’11 ’11 ’11 Mandy Mandy Hensley Hensley Hensley ’11 ’11 ’11 |Athletics |Athletics |Athletics Athletics Athletics News News News 2222 22 |22 |22 Athletics News News News Coaching Coaching Coaching Milestone Milestone Milestone Humbles Humbles Humbles Lancaster Lancaster Lancaster Coaching Coaching Coaching Milestone Milestone Milestone Humbles Humbles Humbles Lancaster Lancaster |Athletics |Athletics |Athletics Athletics Athletics News News News 2424 24 |24 |24 Athletics News News News Dream Dream Dream aaNew aNew aNew New Athletics Athletics Athletics Facility Facility Facility Dream Dream ofofof of aof aof New New Athletics Athletics Athletics Facility Facility Facility |Alumni |Alumni |Alumni Alumni Alumni Features Features Features 2626 26 |26 |26 Features Features Features |Alumni |Alumni |Alumni Alumni Alumni Updates Updates Updates 2929 29 |29 |29 Updates Updates Updates |Help |Help |Help Help Help Support Support Support the the the MOC MOC MOC Capital Capital Capital Campaign Campaign 3333 33 |33 |33 Support Support Support the the the MOC MOC MOC Capital Capital Capital Campaign Campaign Campaign
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Mount Olive College Alumni and Friends,
Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday that we were welcoming new students to Mount Olive College; here we are with the end of the academic year just around the corner. Needless to say, however, much has happened in between! Where we work and where we study matters, so it is important that our facilities provide the optimal space for our students, faculty, and staff. Not only do facilities enrich the collegiate experience, facilities also convey the rich heritage of Mount Olive College. Two important events occurred recently at Mount Olive College. First, the recently acquired Mount Olive School Apartments on Wooten Street, which was once Mount Olive High School, was renamed in honor of President emeritus Dr. J. William Byrd and his wife, Marcy. This complex, including both the apartments and historic Assembly Hall, was named to recognize the many years of service to the College by both Bill and Marcy. It was made all the more special because Dr. Byrd was the valedictorian of the class of 1955 from that high school. In 2009, Mount Olive College opened its doors in Jacksonville, which became our seventh location. It was a smaller facility compared to our other locations, but it was all that was available at the time, and it was important to get into the Jacksonville area. Over the past four years, the program had grown to the point where we were unable to accommodate the demands and needed a bigger facility. Just last year, we broke ground for a new facility in Jacksonville, and construction progressed rapidly. In February, we had a wonderful celebration of the opening of our new facility and proudly cut the ribbons to our new Mount Olive College @ Jacksonville location. The College is very appreciative of the efforts of Eddie Rose to make the space available to Mount Olive College, and we look forward to a long partnership. I encourage you to drive by this new facility; as you do so, I also encourage you to recommend our programs to family and friends who may benefit from attending one of our fine programs in this fine facility! What could be better than transforming the Alumni Dining Room in the Murphy Regional Center once a year? How about two times a year! Each year, the Mount Olive College Alumni Association sponsors The Winter Glitz. It is a magical night with incredible decorations, a lavish meal, and great items that are auctioned off to raise funds to support the alumni scholarship program. This year was no exception, as the dining room became the center ring of a circus, complete with a ringmaster, clowns, tumbling, and a great deal of fun! More than $25,000 was raised that evening, and the College is grateful to its alumni who worked so diligently to sponsor and present such a special event. But we also witnessed another exceptionally important event at Mount Olive College this winter: the Kick-off Dinner for the Mount Olive College Capital Campaign, “Realizing the Dream, Securing the Future.” Through the hard work of a special committee led by the Institutional Advancement staff, it was a wonderful evening that featured former Governor Jim Hunt as the keynote speaker. Please read the article about the dinner and about the campaign, as this is an incredibly important step in the life of Mount Olive College. It is the opportunity for each and every one of us to support this campaign to help our students – both present and future – have necessary facilities, programs, and financial assistance available to them to achieve their dreams. It represents who we are and what we value; it reflects those hopes and dreams that created Mount Olive College. Please be a part of this endeavor. Before we know it, the year will be wrapping up and we will be in the midst of preparing for yet another year in the life of Mount Olive College. I hope that you will stop by any of our locations as your travels take you around the state. Mary and I consider it an honor to serve Mount Olive College, a college that truly understands the transformative power of education. May God bless you, and may God bless Mount Olive College. Sincerely,
Philip P. Kerstetter, Ph.D. President
1 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
Dream Securing the Future Realizing the
T H E C A M PA IG N F O R
Mount Olive College Article by Rhonda Jessup | Photography by Matt Stevens & Mandy Hensley
During a gala event held Thursday, January 24, Mount Olive College launched a comprehensive $20 million, five year capital campaign. The Lois K. Murphy Regional Center was decorated to reflect the blue skies of boundless dreams in coordination with the campaign theme, “Realizing the Dream, Securing the Future.” All around the room were illuminated pictures of some of the College’s students with statements about their hopes and, most importantly, their dreams. In his remarks, President Philip P. Kerstetter urged attendees to talk with the students at the event. He said, “As you get to know them, you will understand why Mount Olive College is so important: we transform lives by allowing people to dream, and by empowering them to realize their dreams.” Kerstetter went on to state, “Mary and I came to Mount Olive College because what we do best together is empower others to fulfill their hopes and dreams. We give others - students, faculty, staff, the church, and the community - permission to dream, to imagine the possible, as we commit ourselves personally and as an institution to help them realize those dreams. For all of this to happen, our infrastructure must be sound, so that our programs and services to all of our students - with a particular emphasis now on those for our traditional students – are able to propel them to future successes. We know that the campus here in Mount Olive needs to grow, and as it does, it needs to be that model good neighbor. Further, it must
“To see where the Institution has been and where it is going is a dream come true. My prayer is that God will continue to use Mount Olive College to brighten the lives of all people who come into its doors, to equip and help them fulfill their dreams, and to lead them to a fruitful and prosperous life.” - Johnny Sullivan, ’83
3 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
The Honorable Jim Hunt
“As I sat here tonight, I thought of a way to describe this College... there is no more worthy college in America than Mount Olive College. I really believe that. You’re supporting it and building it further— that’s what we’re here about tonight, and what a great work and opportunity it is.” – The Honorable Jim Hunt
(L-R) Mary Kerstetter, Milford Quinn, Wendell Murphy, George Kornegay, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hunt, and Philip Kersetter. In memoriam of Milford Quinn 11/12/24–3/22/13.
serve as not only an educational institution but as an engaging, enriching entity to the region as well. But above all, together, we must build upon the original dream that caused the creation of Mount Olive College; in doing so, we enable our students to realize their own dreams.” Kerstetter went on to talk about six major initiatives of the fundraising campaign listed on page 7. “The ‘Realizing the Dream, Securing the Future’ capital campaign is a bold and ambitious effort to ensure a strong destiny for this College,” Kerstetter said. “The funds we raise will result in modernization and beautification of our entire campus. It will add space to accommodate our increasing enrollment. And, it will transform our campus to reflect the high quality of education we offer our students. The Campaign is designed to increase the engagement of students, alumni, friends, and leaders in the work of the College and to ensure a firm financial foundation for its work now and in the future.” The Honorable Jim Hunt, former four-term governor of North Carolina, was the keynote speaker at the event. He was introduced by his longtime friend and a member of the Mount Olive College Board of Trustees, Wendell Murphy, Murphy Family Farms chairman emeritus. In his address Hunt said, “As I sat here tonight, I thought of a way to describe this College, this wonderful College, and I believe it
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“The funds we raise will result in modernization and beautification of our entire campus. It will add space to accommodate our increasing enrollment. And, it will transform our campus to reflect the high quality of education we offer our students...” – President Philip P. Kerstetter
The fundraising goal for the Realizing the Dream campaign will support: Enhancing Henderson Building and residential housing
$8 Million
Expanding and enhancing Rodgers Chapel
$3 Million
Creating a vibrant Fine Arts Center
$3 Million
Expanding and preserving our athletics programs
$3 Million
Creating landscaping that will enhance the academic environment
$1 Million
Increasing the Annual Fund
$2 Million
$20 Million 5 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
Bill Byrd and Burt Lewis exchange a handshake.
Mr. & Mrs. Grey Morgan and Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Kornegay
(L-R) Mr. & Mrs. Ray McDonald and Jean Ackiss
Woody McDonell leads the Mount Olive College Chamber Choir
(L-R) Brian Martin, Colby Conway, and Hilda Watkins
Wendell Murphy
to be the truth: there is no more worthy college in America than Mount Olive College. I really believe that. You’re supporting it and building it further—that’s what we’re here about tonight, and what a great work and opportunity it is.” In the College’s campaign case statement, Hunt was quoted as saying, “As Mount Olive College seeks to educate the next generation of innovators, leaders and responsible citizens, it will need your support. I personally believe there is no better investment in the future than investing in the lives of students. A gift to Mount Olive College is a gift to benefit not only the Mount Olive College students of today, but also future generations of alumni who will transform the communities where they live and work.” After Hunt’s heartwarming speech, Bill Bryan, president of Mount Olive Pickle Company and co-chair of the Mount Olive College capital campaign, came on stage and announced that donors have already reached 79% of the goal by making gifts and/or pledges in the amount of $15.8 million. The room erupted in applause.
Following the event, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. John Blackwell said, “When I came to Mount Olive College, it wasn’t long before I realized that the College has enjoyed enormous success over the years because a large number of people not only recognized that Mount Olive College is a treasure, they were willing to commit time and resources to build this College. The result is that Mount Olive College is not only a treasure, it is unique. There is one College of the Original Free Will Baptist Church that is situated in eastern North Carolina. The College has culture and traditions that are priceless. The beauty of our campaign, ‘Realizing the Dream, Securing the Future,’ is that we are building on success. We are strengthening the commitments of all those who have gone before us. In that sense, we are stewards of a dream; we have an essential role to play. It is an honor to serve on this campaign team.” Blackwell went on to say, “Several people have asked me if, as the campaign unfolds, there will be naming opportunities. The answer is yes: there will be many, and we hope that people will take advantage of these opportunities.”
The Honorable Jim Hunt gives the keynote address to a packed house at Mount Olive College.
Will you join us by making a gift to help students achieve their dreams? Complete the form on page 33 or give online at www.moc.edu/givenow.
7 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
IN THE NEWS
By Rhonda Jessup & Gianea Bennett
SprINg SEMESTEr HAS SuCCESSful STArT New and returning Mount Olive College students began classes on Tuesday, January 8. Approximately 40 new students enrolled in the College’s traditional programs for this spring, bringing the traditional student enrollment to 857. Nontraditional enrollment for the College’s seven locations throughout eastern North Carolina is also steady at around 2,175. The spring semester will end May 4, with the College’s 59th commencement • Photo by Matt Stevens
rECrEATIoNAl THErApy MAJorS
blACk HISTory
ATTENd ANNuAl CoNfErENCE
MoNTH CElEbrATIoN
Twelve recreational therapy (RT) majors recently traveled to Western Carolina University to attend an annual Student and Professionals Issues Forum put on by the North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association (NCRTA). While there, students engaged in networking, heard keynote addresses by two national leaders, met the executive director for their national certification, and attended professional sessions. Dr. Albers stated, “It was a very rich learning experience for the students, both professionally and personally.” • Photo Submitted
The Mount Olive College Campus Activity Board and the Office of Campus Ministry co-sponsored a Black History Month Celebration on February 21, 2013, in Southern Bank Auditorium. MOC students and faculty gave presentations honoring significant blacks in history including sports stars, poets, activists, saints, and artists. • Photo Submitted
STudENTS ATTENd AMErICAN fArM burEAu yf&r CoNfErENCE Eight Mount Olive College students studying agriculture education and agribusiness recently attended the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The group attended workshops that focused on various agricultural topics including being advocates for the agriculture industry, developing resources for educating elementary age students about agriculture, and understanding how policy impacts agriculture. Students were also given the opportunity to attend the national level Collegiate Discussion Meet competition. • Photo Submitted
groWINg food, groWINg fAITH, groWINg CoMMuNITy Mount Olive College hosted the Third Annual Faith and Rural Life: Down to Earth Ministry Conference on March 4. The theme for this year’s conference was “Growing Food, Growing Faith, Growing Community.” The Reverend Dr.Will Willimon was the keynote presenter. When asked about the conference, Dr. David Hines, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said, “Those of us who live in eastern North Carolina know something about connections. While we may worship in different churches, we face similar concerns about how to best serve our communities, how to be good stewards of the land God has given us, and how to be faithful to the Gospel. This conference explored and celebrated the connections and concerns we all share.” • Photo by Matt Stevens
8 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
Dr. Will Willimon
IN THE NEWS
ovEr 300 grAduATEd AT dECEMbEr CoMMENCEMENT Approximately 320 students were graduated at the College’s 59th fall commencement on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Carl Kasell, judge and scorekeeper of National Public Radio’s weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, was the keynote speaker. During the ceremony, Carl Kasell, Darrell Horne, Kasell was awarded an honorary Philip Kerstetter doctorate degree, in recognition of his North Carolina heritage and his distinguished career in service to the field of broadcast journalism. Preceding graduation, Dr. Alexis Poe Davis, Quality Enhancement Program director at MOC, was the speaker for the College’s traditional baccalaureate service. • Photos by Matt Stevens
rTp ANd MoC CollECT 900 lbS. of food Mount Olive College in Mount Olive and at RTP participated in a food drive that garnered 900 pounds of food that went to a local RTP Food Pantry and to Helping Hands Mission in Mount Olive. Many people participated along with several clubs and organizations including Campus Ministry, CFFA, and Southern Wayne FFA. Pictured are Mount Olive College at RTP participants.
purduE pHArMA AWArdS $15,000 for SuMMEr rESEArCH progrAM Mount Olive College has been awarded a $15,000 grant from Purdue Pharma. The money will be paid out in $5,000 increments over the next three years and will provide financial support for biology, chemistry, and math majors involved in the summer undergraduate research program entitled “Mount Olive Research Experience” (MORE). The program is expected to start this summer on a small scale and grow over time. Dr. Robert Watson, assistant professor of mathematics at Mount Olive College, said, “This grant will provide the critical funding needed to get this program off the ground. It will fund the endeavors of its first students and help us grow MORE into a program that can serve the College and the region for years to come.” Purdue Pharma L.P. is a privately held pharmaceutical company founded by physicians more than 60 years ago. The company has a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging, and distribution facility located in Wilson, NC.
pIE-IN-THE-fACE for A CAuSE
Dr. Brenda Cates, and Dan Sullivan
The StudentAthlete Advisory Committee (SACC) at Mount Olive College recently held a pie-in-theface fund-raiser. A good time was had by all, and all proceeds went to MakeA-Wish Foundation®. • Photo by Rhonda Jessup
THoMpSoN SpEAkS AT HArrISoN lECTurE The Reverend Marjorie Thompson was the guest speaker for the 23rd Annual Vivian B. Harrison Memorial Lecture on March 18-19. Thompson, an ordained minister of The Reverend Marjorie the Presbyterian Church, Thompson has served as adjunct faculty for several seminaries, including McCormick, Auburn, Wesley, and Vanderbilt Divinity School. She authored Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life. • Photo by Matt Stevens 9 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
IN THE NEWS
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS MAKE TREMENDOUS IMPACT The Buildings and Grounds Department at Mount Olive College is at the heart of everything that happens on campus. Thirty employees make up the B & G Department, and combined they have over 280 years of experience. The key functions of the B & G Department are to maintain the College’s facilities and meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students while focusing on life safety, cleanliness and preventative maintenance. They are responsible for 147 acres, 26 buildings, and the setup and take down of every event held on campus. Phil Carden, assistant director B & G, said, “Two words describe our employees as a whole, and those would be team work. We have many responsibilities and our folks work as a team to get the job done. No two days are alike so we never know what’s around the corner. For the size of our department, we accomplish a lot and everyone strives to do their very best.” • Photo by Matt Stevens
Buildings and Grounds Department
FWB CHURCH NIGHT BRINGS IN A CROWD COLLEGIATE FFA CONTINUES The Annual Church Night event was another huge success. In addition to great basketball, at half-time attendees had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. Jackson Heights Free Will Baptist Church was recognized for having the most people in attendance and was awarded a scholarship. • Photo by Mandy Hensley
ETHICALLY SPEAKING Six Mount Olive College students participated in the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Ethics Bowl competition on February 8-9 at Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh. A. Hope Williams, NCICU president, said, “All of the students did an outstanding job of analyzing challenging situations and proposing ethical solutions.” L-R: Dr. Joey Long, Steven Best, Jade Bruce, Jacob Morton, Carrie Duprey, Mikayla Braswell, Kenny Lee, Dr. Hollis Phelps, Dr. Deborah Houston, President Philip P. Kerstetter and Dean Ronald Pressley • Photo Submitted 10 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
TO WARM HEARTS For the eighth consecutive year, the Collegiate FFA at Mount Olive College has provided coats to needy children at Carver Elementary School. This year’s distribution included over 160 coats, hats, and gloves. Over $4,000 in funds was collected, including a $1000 grant from Jessica Hogan poses with a student the CHS Foundation, who received new winter gear a foundation committed to investing in the future of rural America, agriculture, and cooperative business through education and leadership development. • Photo by Jennifer Merritt
FLOWERS FOR A CAUSE The Henderson Science Club raised $300 for the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Olive through their Carnations for Kids carnation fund-raiser for Valentine’s Day. The carnations were sold the week of Valentine’s Day with the help of club members and the amazing support of the MOC faculty, staff, and students. The fund-raiser was a big success and the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Olive will receive all proceeds and donations from the event.
IN THE NEWS
SCubA/SNorkEl Club TrAvEl To florIdA ANd gEorgIA During spring break, the Mount Olive College SCUBA/Snorkel Club traveled to Crystal River, Florida to expand their knowledge on aquatic life and to obtain their Open Water certification. The club visited the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida (the home of Winter the dolphin), and swam with manatee and other aquatic species. Four members (Dr. Mickael Cariveau, Dr. Jason Pajski, Kasyn Sturgill, and Megan Bucek) all became certified. The club also did a community service project by partnering with the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to remove trash from the river. The trip was a huge success!• Photo Submitted
HoNorS ClASSES rAISE MoNEy for HAbITAT Through their fund-raising efforts, the Honors classes at Mount Olive College recently presented a check for $500 to Elizabeth Rutland, Habitat for Humanity Development Coordinator. The money will be used for a Habitat for Humanity home construction project in the Mount Olive Township. • Photo submitted
AMbASSAdorS Tour CHArlESToN During spring break, the Mount Olive College Ambassadors spent three days exploring Charleston, SC. President Philip Kerstetter and Mary Kerstetter, the Ambassador advisor, accompanied the group. The trip included a boat tour to historic Fort Sumter, a “Ghost Walk” through historic Charleston, and shopping in the Market Street and King Street areas. A celebratory dinner was enjoyed at Magnolia’s restaurant. Pictured (L-R): Dr. Philip Kerstetter, Crawford Bolton, Mary Kerstetter,Vanesha Johnson, Zarana Adial, Tyler Daniels, Meredith Keaton, Lindsey Parnell, Evan Davenport and Aaron Norris. Not pictured Jennifer Floyd.
AN ATTITudE of grATITudE The Office of Institutional Advancement launched its first thank-a-thon campaign on January 29, 2013. This effort was held in lieu of the traditional phone-a-thon. “The idea for a specific thank-you calling and letter writing campaign is a new twist to encourage students to keep in touch with annual supporters of the College,” said Melinda Holland, director of the Annual Fund. Holland noted that 12 students have handwritten over 300 thank-you cards to Capital Campaign attendees, OFWB Bridge Builders, and alumni donors.
A “STAr-SpANglEd” WEEkENd On March 8-9, members of Mount Olive College’s vocal ensembles “Free Spirit” and the “Chamber Choir,” accompanied by Dr. Alan Armstrong, professor of music, traveled to Baltimore harbor to visit Fort McHenry, the birthplace of the “National Anthem.” The trip participants have sung the “National Anthem” for many MOCsponsored events, making the trip a wonderful learning opportunity to actually visit the site where it was born. The students actually sang the “National Anthem” during a flag-raising ceremony at the very flagpole site where Francis Scott Key saw his “Star Spangled Banner” majestically waving through the dense smoke of battle. The students also traveled to Washington D.C. and performed the “National Anthem” on the Mall with the Capitol directly behind them • Photo Submitted
11 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
APARTMENT COMPLEX AND ASSEMBLY HALL NAMED FOR BYRDS Photo by Matt Stevens
ARTICLE BY RHONDA JESSUP
O
n Tuesday, November 27, Mount Olive College held the official unveiling of the J. William and Marvis E. “Marcy” Byrd Apartment Complex and Assembly Hall signage and plaque honoring the Byrds for their service and contributions to the College. During the presentation, President Philip P. Kerstetter detailed some of the many accomplishments and contributions made by the Byrds during their years of service to the College. Byrd was the third president of Mount Olive College and now holds the title of president emeritus. A native son of Mount Olive, Dr. Byrd’s academic career included positions at East Carolina University and Appalachian State University. He returned to Mount Olive and became president of Mount Olive College in 1995 and served through 2009. During his tenure as president, the College significantly expanded its service to the region and to its nontraditional students through opening locations of Mount Olive College in New Bern, Washington, RTP, Wilmington, and Jacksonville. Today, approximately 5,000 students are served annually at the seven locations of the College. It was also noted that Byrd led a very successful capital campaign. “As a result of the campaign, notable physical changes have occurred, including the construction
of two academic buildings – Raper Hall and the Communications building, the Pope Wellness Center, which has been an important facility serving both the campus and the community, and the Whitfield and Herring Residence Halls,” Kerstetter noted. “During all of those activities, Marcy played an active role overseeing the interior décor of these facilities. She
Photo by Rhonda Jessup also was an ardent supporter of numerous programs and projects meant to bring together the campus and the community, including designing the Alumni Crosswalk.” In recognition of the Byrds significant contributions to the growth and development of Mount Olive College, the Board of Trustees authorized the naming of the Mount Olive School Apartment Complex after Bill and Marcy. The complex is located on the site of the former Mount Olive High School, where Bill
graduated as class valedictorian in 1955. “Bill and Marcy, on behalf of Mount Olive College, thank you for your service and your many, many contributions to Mount Olive College,” Kerstetter stated. “Congratulations!” Byrd noted that not everything was easy as president, but he acknowledged the faculty and staff for their support. “And for the representatives from the faculty and the staff who are here, I’m grateful to you and all of your colleagues for the wonderful support that I got through the years. When I was struggling, you were struggling, and the Board was struggling to try to find the path, to find a way that was going to make this institution into what it could be. And, it is on the path of being that. It still isn’t what it can be. It will continue to grow. If we ever get to the point that we think that it is what it should be, then we will be on top of the hill and headed toward the slope downward on the other side. I very much believe that. I’ve always been a firm believer that if you’re not willing to take risks, then the progress that you can accomplish is going to be severely limited. You might be able to get there, but you won’t get there nearly as well.” In closing he said, “Thank you for being here. I would like to say a special thank you to the Board and to Dr. Kerstetter for allowing Marcy and me to be remembered in such a magnificent way.”
RIBBON CUT @ NEW JACKSONVILLE LOCATION ARTICLE BY RHONDA JESSUP | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANDY HENSLEY
Government officials, Chamber members, business leaders, and representatives from Mount Olive College’s alumni, students, faculty, and staff were present for the Mount Olive College at Jacksonville grand opening and ribbon cutting on January 20. According to Director of Mount Olive College at Jacksonville Guy Bradbury, the Jacksonville location has grown significantly since its beginning in January 2009 and is now serving around 200 students.
Onlookers watch as MOC representatives and members of the Rose family cut the ribbon at the new Jacksonville location.
“The new location, at 2543 Onslow Drive, will provide students with additional classroom space, a student community area, additional office space, and more parking. These new amenities will allow the College to serve even more citizens of Onslow County and surrounding areas,” said Bradbury. President Philip P. Kerstetter said, “Since its founding in 1951, it has been the dream and vision of Mount Olive College to serve the educational needs of eastern North Carolina. During the past 61 years, we have been doing just that. We have systematically moved into locations beyond Mount Olive so that we can better serve this region, and we are delighted to be here in Jacksonville because this is an optimal spot for us to do so. I know from over 40 years of experience in higher education that great things happen when you partner with other organizations, and our ability to partner with the Chamber and specifically with the Rose family has just been instrumental in making this new building a reality. We are proud to be an educational provider to this great Jacksonville area, and we intend to be outstanding neighbors to you all.”
Guests enjoyed finger foods and tours of the new facility.
Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to tour the facilities, register for door prizes, and enjoy refreshments. Program offerings at Mount Olive College at Jacksonville include bachelor degree programs in Business Management, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Early Childhood Education, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, and an associate degree in General Studies. The one-night-a-week class format is specifically designed to accommodate the career goals and busy lifestyles of working adults.
Guy Bradbury addresses the crowd at the ribbon cutting. 13 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
ALUMNI SET SAIL TO BAHAMAS “Adventures are easy to find; they’re everywhere. What really makes adventures exceptional are the people with whom you surround yourself. I can say that our first alumni trip was exceptional! Everyone that went had a great time. We had some seasickness happening within the group, but there were still smiles on faces. In Free Port we rode on a banana boat, and in Nassau we discovered the lost city of Atlantis. We saw million dollar homes and a grouper fish that was the size of a dog! Dinner was a treat every night. That was the one time of the cruise when we all came together as a big group to fellowship and talk about our days off the boat, our days on the boat, or life in general. I had an absolutely wonderful time doing this and I look forward to our next trip. I hope we will have new alumni and friends join us in 2014!” Hope McPherson Fields ’09 Director of Alumni Relations
Brian Parnell and Hope Fields at Atlantis Resort.
“This was an experience of many firsts for me: first alumni trip, first cruise, etc. Traveling to the Bahamas gave me a chance to experience a relaxing vacation, while forging deeper connections with my fellow alumni. The trip was a blast and allowed me to enjoy everything from an underwater marine habitat, to a hot stone massage, full course meals, a banana boat road, and more. I can’t wait to travel again; sign me up for the next trip!” Matt Stevens ’10 Graphic Designer
Shirley Leggett, Sam Sawvel, and Josh Marquez.
Hope & Ryan Fields play putt-putt.
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Poolside view on the Carnival Fantasy.
“The trip was most favorable…the food was delicious, the weather was warm, and the shopping was great. One of the most impressive things about the trip was the superb service we received from the wait staff. After the first introduction, they recognized and called us all by our first names. This was a real good experience and I highly recommend it.” Stanley Harrell ’60 Trip participants on their way to an evening of formal dining.
A view of the ocean in Freeport.
“Mount Olive College transforms students into an elite group known as alumni. It was not only a pleasure but also an honor to set sail with this wonderful group of alumni on March 5th to the Bahamas. The warmth, fun, and fellowship we all enjoyed was an atmosphere cultivated by merely being a member of this elite group: Mount Olive College Alumni. After a day at sea, we arrived in Freeport for some shopping at Port Lucaya and a little rest and relaxation. Most of the group traveled together by taxi but went our separate ways to enjoy other venues.
Leon Allen, Romey McCoy, and Hope & Ryan Fields.
The following day, we arrived in Nassau. This is a great port city and you do not have to travel to reach the main shopping area; it is all within walking distance from the ship. I think most enjoyed this port of call the most, due to its many shore excursion options. We all took advantage of this lovely port. We departed at 7:00 p.m. for another day at sea to reach our home port of Charleston. This was especially a nice departure in that all were able to be on the upper decks to see the lights of Nassau as we headed out to sea. The alumni that cruised were all different, but we had one common thread that binds us all together; Mount Olive College. We agreed that we were ready to travel again after some marvelous time shared by all. Hopefully, in the future more alumni will want to experience this same feeling.” Romey L. McCoy ’78
Marine life at Atlantis Resort.
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Travelers tour Freeport via a banana boat ride. Marine life at Atlantis Resort.
“This was my first time on a cruise, though I have traveled to other countries in the past. I had been warned that such cruises could be habit forming and I think I may have developed the habit. Food, fun, and above all fellowship with alumni and friends was just the greatest. I was absolutely amazed at the details to which the ship’s crew went to make every day a delight. Pampered we were and especially by the dining room servers who knew our names even before the first meal was over and called us by name wherever they saw us on the ship after that! Hope, you did well planning our first alumni cruise. When is the next one?” Gary Barefoot ’59
Matt Stevens in Nassau.
Sam Sawvel and Josh Marquez at Atlantis.
Nancy & John Blackwell at dinner. Atlantis Resort in Nassau.
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“I had an absolute blast on this trip! The activities that we were involved in throughout the entire trip were once in a lifetime! There was not a moment that I was not entertained! As one of the newer Alumni on this trip, I was very grateful to have the chance to be around other Mount Olive College Alumni! I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and I look forward to more exciting trips in the future!!!”
Brian Parnell, Matt Stevens, Gary Barefoot, and Stanley Harrell at dinner.
Sam Sawvel ‘12
“There were many reasons that I was excited about Hope Fields becoming our director of Alumni Relations. One of those reasons had to do with Hope’s desire to try some things that are new. Hope recognizes that there are important MOC alumni traditions that merit maintaining. She also recognizes that for things to be fresh, we need to create new opportunities. As we talked about this, Hope liked the idea of an overseas trip (we’re planning one for next year). But she wanted to get started right away. She came up with the idea of an alumni cruise. My wife Nancy and I attended. We loved it (actually, I loved it more than Nancy because I seem to be able to avoid seasickness!). There were many things about the cruise that were personally rewarding. First, I did lots of reading! Second, I went parasailing for the first time. It was one of the most gentle, peaceful experiences imaginable—so much so that I even recommend it for Nancy! Third and most important was the fellowship. We had alumni in their twenties, and we had alumni who are, well, older than thirty! I love fellowship, especially when it includes a mix of ages. The fellowship was as peaceful as the deep blue sea, and every bit as joyful. This is the first alumni trip. It was a huge success. There will be more to follow, and I hope more and more people will participate. Hope shares the same hopes! Mount Olive College alumni are a treasure.” John Blackwell, Ph.D. Vice President for Institutional Advancement
The Carnival Fantasy.
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At the Heart of
Winter Glitz
Article by Carolyn Fader Hill ’64 Photography by Matt Stevens “...an event like Winter Glitz is our opportunity to give back to the school that has given to each of us an educational foundation and helped to transform our lives.”
I
n 2007 the vision for Winter Glitz, a Mount Olive College Alumni Association (MOCAA) fundraising initiative, was born. On February 23, 2013, the MOCAA held its sixth successful event to raise funds for student scholarships at MOC. As chair of this year’s event, I can say that we have a dedicated team of alumni from all over North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia that come together to make this event happen. We believe, as alumni of Mount Olive College, that everyone should have an opportunity for an education. This event is our effort to accomplish that goal. I truly feel that an event like Winter Glitz is our opportunity to give back to the school that has given to each of us an educational foundation and helped to transform our lives. Over the past five years we have raised $134,000 for deserving students to attend Mount Olive College. Figures indicate donations collected this year to be approximately $22,000. The theme for this year’s event was Cirque Du Lune (Circus of the Moon), and was the suggestion of committee member and assistant professor in the Tillman School of Business Dr. Norman Crumpacker. Everyone loves the circus and this year’s event certainly revived the child in all who attended. The Lois K. Murphy Regional Center was decorated to resemble a Big Top. Guests were served smoothies and popcorn while they perused more than 150 silent auction items. In the Alumni Dining Room, tables were adorned with a full burst of circus colors – red, purple, orange, and green.
Guests were entertained with performances– including Lindsey Merryfield (left page) and Blair Mozingo (above). Scholarship fundraising took place through a live auction (top left) and silent auction (at right). Carolyn Hill is pictured with Donald Fader (top right).
Donald Fader, pastor of Friendship Free Will Baptist Church in Jones County and my brother, served as Ringmaster of the event. In his sixth year playing for the Winter Glitz, pianist Tom Casey of Raleigh accompanied Former Miss Goldsboro Blair Mozingo. I heard Vice President for Institutional Advancement John Blackwell comment, “When Tom began playing I could hear a pin drop in the room. Everyone recognizes Tom for the high quality musician that he is. It was also wonderful to have a local homecoming performance by Blair Mozingo, who has represented Wayne County so well on the national stage.” Tumblers from The Hunter School of Dance in Wilson delighted the crowd with flips and splits as they tumbled to the tune of “Born to be Stars.” Lindsey Merryfield, a 2012 graduate of MOC, served as clown extraordinaire and had the audience filled with genuine laughter with her unique tricks and skits. Pioneer Caterers served Beef Wellington and all the trimmings complete with gourmet cupcakes topped with circus themed toppers.
This was Hope McPherson Fields first Winter Glitz as director of Alumni Relations, and I asked her what she thought of the event. She said, “I constantly stand amazed at the dedication of our alumni that work so hard to put the Winter Glitz together. Their drive and sole purpose is to help our students. They want to give back because someone once gave to them when they were students. This event was fun from its conception to its culmination on Saturday evening. I enjoyed rolling up my sleeves and getting to know our alumni and donors even more!” In closing, I will borrow a quote from Mother Theresa who once said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” As Mount Olive College alumni, we love this school, and because we do, we give according to the wealth we have to give. Thank you to all who give and do for Mount Olive College! Carolyn Hill (’64) was the chair of Winter Glitz. She currently serves as a healthcare consultant and lives in Raleigh.
Behind the Scenes: People Pay It Forward Mandy Hensley ʼ11
The year was 2009. I was beginning a new chapter in my life: I became a student at Mount Olive College. I came here to play center field on the softball team and to study art. It was August. I grew up with the humidity of Fremont, Ohio. This was a whole new experience. It wasn’t until November that I finally got dry! To make the picture a little clearer, I came to Mount Olive College to major in art and to play center field on the softball team. It’s not that I wasn’t the only one in center field. Full disclosure: Coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham didn’t tell me that center field was bathed in humidity, gnats, and mosquitos. I was in perpetual motion as I fought off the insects. This never-ending motion led to a jersey that was always soaked. I don’t mean damp. I came, I played, and I got soaked. It was that simple. How did I get dry? I went to class. The Art Department is located in Laughinghouse. There, I painted, took photographs, and acquired my education in graphic design. And (sad to say), I barely noticed certain names: Murphy, Raper, Pelt-Grubbs, Williamson, Cassel-Chapman, Britt, Moye, Rodgers, Poole, Henderson, and Kornegay, among many others. But the meaning of those names didn’t really sink in. When I went to the Pope Wellness Center, because I am Roman Catholic, I even wondered if the fitness room was somehow related to the Holy Father in Rome! As a student, I was focused on my studies and on softball, and as a result, I didn’t pay much attention to these and many other names. And because of this, I got my education without realizing that a whole bunch of people who care about education had given their time, energy, and hard-earned wealth so that I and thousands of others could get a fabulous education. I am happy to report that this wasn’t the end of my story. In May 2011, I received my baccalaureate degree from Mount Olive College. It was a wonderful day. Dr. Ellen Jordan, vice president for Academic Affairs, read my name; Mr. Darrell Horne, chairman of the Board of Trustees, gave me my diploma; and Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter, president, offered me the warmest of congratulations. I was proud. My family was proud. And so was the faculty! And (this is so cool!), it turns out that Mount Olive College wasn’t finished with me. Not too long after my graduation, Coach Kylis-Higginbotham called me—this time, not with an invitation to play center field, but to apply for a position as a graphic artist in the Office of Institutional Advancement. I got to keep Mount Olive for my home, and I get to work with some of the most amazing people I know! A 2010 photograph of Mandy Hensley at bat during a softball game (above, photo by Dottie Czerski) and 2011 photo with friend, Brittany Miller, on graduation day (photo Submitted). 20 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
I also got to continue my education. You see, the Office of Institutional Advancement helps President Kerstetter ensure that students who come to study at Mount Olive College have the opportunity to receive a world class education. Our office does many things that, if I may say so, are pretty important, including raising money for the Annual Fund, the Capital Fund, and the Endowment, which provides student scholarships. My learning about these funds opened my eyes to the significance of all of those wonderful names that I had barely noticed as a student. I learned, for example, that Teresa Pelt-Grubbs, after whom
our art gallery is named, was a Mount Olive College Art student who was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Pelt, a professor emeritus of religion, whom I have since had the honor of getting to know, and for whom I have a commission to paint his portrait. I met Mr. Dalton and Mrs. Ruby Proctor, who have contributed so much to the softball program that I enjoyed. I have gotten to know Mr. George Kornegay, who comes to the Office of Institutional Advancement several times a week to help us with our capital campaign fundraising efforts. I met Mr. Judson Pope, a member of our Board of Trustees, who leads the Handy Mart / Mount Olive College Golf Tournament, and who was one of the two Popes behind the Pope Wellness Center (the other is his father, Mr. Buddy Pope). I have gotten to know a Mount Olive College student, Tyler Daniels, after whose grandfather the Moye library is named. And I even met Governor Jim Hunt (the Hunt Presidential Dining Room is named after his father). In Institutional Advancement, I have learned that a lot goes on behind the scenes that students don’t see. There is a large group of people who have worked together to build Mount Olive College. They have invested their lives and their wealth in me and in thousands of students who have the honor of acquiring their education at Mount Olive College. Yes, it is an honor! President Kerstetter recently said that just as faith without works is dead, an education without faith is an incomplete education. At Mount Olive College, thanks to the saints who have cared enough to build this school, I, along with many of my colleagues in Institutional Advancement—Matt, Hope, Ashley, Emily, Dwayne, Nancy, Sharlene and of course, Mrs. Jean—am the recipient of an educational experience that is complete: it involves learning, athletics, worship, and prayer. Nothing else compares. So . . . Last summer, Dr. John Blackwell, our vice president, and Hope Fields, our director of alumni relations, approached me and asked me to give to Mount Olive College. To be quite honest, I was startled. No one had ever asked me for money. And they asked me with such boldness! I promised them that I would think about it. And think I did. And I realized: I need to become one of the people who, like the many names I have mentioned, pay it forward. I would love for students who study here to know how much others care about their education. And if they don’t realize this as students, I hope that when, like me, they become alumni, they will not only know, but will also want to give something back, so that Mount Olive College continues to provide such a great education.
Members of the office of Institutional Advancement (above, photo by Jennifer Merritt) and the newest member of the team: Sharlene Howell, assistant director of Church Support (at right, photo by Matt Stevens).
“In Institutional Advancement, I have learned that a lot goes on behind the scenes that students donʼt see. There is a large group of people who have...invested their lives and their wealth in me and in thousands of students who have the honor of acquiring their education at Mount Olive College.” 21 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
AthleticS NewS
coaching Milestone humbles lancaster Article by Rudy coggins, Goldsboro News-Argus Sports editor | Photos Submitted
Sitting at the dinner table one evening, Jesse Lancaster began naming off players who have put on a Mount Olive College baseball uniform and helped the program achieve national prominence. The names and seasons, admittedly, had run together for head coach Carl Lancaster. Most of the players Jesse ticked off on each finger were a building block in the foundation that has led to the reputation the program has today. The ride has been long, the headaches have been many, and the talent has been rich. But neither Jesse nor his dad will forget Saturday afternoon, February 9, 2013. As snowflakes drifted down and dotted the Scarborough Field grass, coach Lancaster notched career win No. 900 in game two of a double header against No. 24-ranked Le Moyne (N.Y.) College. Left-hander Alex Regan threw a complete game shutout and the No.1-ranked Trojans celebrated Lancaster’s achievement on the pitcher’s mound.
According to the NCAA record books, Lancaster is the 20th coach in Division II history to reach the 900-win plateau. He ranks 7th nationally for career wins at a four-year school and is 16th nationally in winning percentage (.691). The Trojans have won an unprecedented 22 conference championships in regular-season and tournament play combined in the program’s Division II era. MOC has appeared in 11 regionals and advanced to the College World Series on two occasions, including winning it all in 2008. The program has produced 2 national players-of-the-year, 20 All-Americans, and 2 current Major Leaguers—Carter Capps and Tom Layne. Lancaster and his coaching staff—Jesse, Robb Watt and Jason Sherrer—have sustained the mind-boggling success despite working with just five scholarships each season. Lancaster had just 2 ½ scholarships to use during the program’s NAIA days before it moved to Division II in 1996. The coaches recruit quality players who are excellent students in the classroom and meet the stringent requirements set by the admissions office. It’s also not unusual to see junior college players migrate to Mount Olive because of the program’s reputation.
Director of Athletics Jeff Eisen and Head Baseball Coach Carl Lancaster “I never dreamed I would have the career that I’ve been able to have,” said Lancaster, who is 900-403-1 in his career. “I’ve got a lot of people to thank for that, not only administrative people, but by gosh, there’s a ton of talented players who have come through here. There’s no question there has been some headaches, all of us have experienced that. The bottom line is we’ve had more good days than we’ve had bad days.” 22 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
“When we’re sitting in a player’s living room, we make no bones about it with mom and dad that we’re not here to recruit headaches,” Lancaster said. “I think, over the years, we’ve turned out some very good alumni, some very good citizens who are proud they were Mount Olive students and baseball players. That goes a long way in terms of the environment of the college. A lot of people want to come play in our program, and they feel like we give them their best shot to reach the next level. They get a chance to play a bunch of baseball games and possibly get a (championship) ring.” Faded photographs of previous MOC teams hang on the wall in the baseball office. One player, however, sticks in Lancaster’s mind. A former pitcher turned full-time catcher, Steve Mintz joined the Trojans in the early 1990s. The Louisburg College standout had hoped to turn pro, but wasn’t drafted.
The Trojans advanced to the NAIA World Series in 1991. Five years later, they jumped to Division II and school administrators asked Lancaster if Mount Olive could compete on the national stage. The Trojans made consecutive South Atlantic Regional trips from 1996-2000.
“We met, hit it off, and were immediately comfortable with each other,” Lancaster said. “I made it clear we needed a marquee guy in our program, and I told him he was our marquee player. That was the one sign, no doubt in my mind, about when the program began to turn the corner. When he came to us, people were saying ‘something is changing over there,’ and that’s when we started getting a little better quality guys in our program because of Mintz.”
MOC finished South Atlantic runner-up with Layne on the pitching staff in 2007 and completed its magical national championship run one year later. The Trojans tied for third at the 2011 CWS with Capps aboard. “We got guys to help solidify a program that was going to be a consistent winner year in and year out,” Lancaster said. “I’ve never won a game. I give full credit to the (assistant) coaches and all of the players who have come through here.”
TroJAN fANS CAN ENJoy NEW STAdIuM SEATINg The new stadium seating for Scarborough Field, the home of Trojan baseball, features elevated bleachers with 400 chair back seats between the first and third base dugouts, all connected by a walkway. Some of the older bleachers have been relocated to provide seating down the left field and right field lines. This increases the seating capacity at the field to 600 fans. As part of the project, a concrete plaza, featuring the Trojan helmet logo, was installed in the entrance way to the field. Along with new dugouts that were constructed in 2009, Scarborough Field is now one of the top NCAA Division II facilities in the region. These improvements have been made possible by donations from Trojan Club members and other supporters.
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AthleticS NewS
Dream of a New Athletics Facility Article by Rhonda Jessup | Photos Submitted
This issue of the MOC Today magazine has included information about the kick-off event for the College’s capital campaign initiatives. One of the priorities for the campaign is a new athletics facility which would be an important step toward fulfilling the College’s commitment to student-focused education. Intercollegiate athletics at Mount Olive College is all about performance and character – both on and off the field. And great performances are in part inspired by the character of the surroundings in which they take place. Currently MOC does not have an on-campus track and field facility; therefore, meets
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are held off campus. The new facility would serve our varsity track and field team; be used by our soccer, lacrosse, softball and baseball teams; and be beneficial for campus and general community use. The facility would place Mount Olive College at the top of Conference Carolinas in terms of facilities that serve the needs of its student-athletes. A couple of the current track team members weighed in on what they thought the new athletics facility would mean to students. Junior sports management major Alaytra Carswell, a sprinter from Waynesboro, Georgia, said, “A new track would mean a lot
to the track team as a whole. It would be nice to have our fellow classmates support us at home track meets. I feel that as a team, we have the determination and drive we need, we are just missing a track. Once we get the track, the sky will be the limit to what we can conquer next.” Despite not having a track, the Mount Olive College men’s and women’s track and field teams have won two consecutive Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track and Field championships. They used the motto “Back to Back without a Track” to motivate the team to push harder and further. Junior math education major Erasmo Ordonez, a distance runner from Harrells, NC, said, “We used the motto as motivation. It showed our dedication. We did not come up with excuses for not having a track, but instead we worked harder because we knew if we kept winning championships, we could not be denied a track.” “Just imagine what we could do with a track,” said Carswell, who was named Conference Carolinas Women’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year during her freshman and sophomore years, an accomplishment that no other MOC student-athlete in any sport has ever achieved. “Just imagine how much more work we would put into practice every day. Imagine how the track team would be out there running in their spare time. I can just imagine the possibilities.” Growing the athletics facilities to match the growing number of student-athletes at Mount Olive College is the right thing to do. The future of a strong athletics program will involve a high level of commitment from the College, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the community. If you would like to help us make this dream a reality, please contact Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. John Blackwell at 919-299-4938.
Sprinter Alaytra Carswell competes at local tournament.
“‘Back to Back without a track’...we used the motto as motivation...we did not come up with excuses for not having a track, but instead we worked harder because we knew if we kept winning championships, we could not be denied a track.” – Erasmo Ordonez
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ALUMNI FeAtUReS
At the Art of the Matter Article By Gianea Bennett | Photo By Matt Stevens Lesa Mutters of Goldsboro was ready to transform her life when she enrolled at Mount Olive College. “I came to MOC as an older student at a transitional point in my life. I had not been to school in years and was pretty anxious about trying it all again,” Mutters expressed. She quickly found the path she was looking for in the College’s fine arts program. “The Fine Arts Program was incredible,” she said. Mutters made the most of her college experience. “I served on the editorial committee of Trojan Voices, as secretary and president of the Art Club, and worked as the departmental and gallery assistant for the Art & Visual Communication Department.” After receiving her bachelor’s degree from MOC in 2008, she graduated in 2012 with her masters in clinical counseling from Liberty University. Now she works as an art therapist at Cherry Hospital—a role that allows her to use her artistic skills to help others. “As an art therapist at a psychiatric hospital, I have the opportunity to facilitate group therapy and individual therapy, all based on the idea that creative activities can be healing tools,” she said. Mutters is also currently serving as the interim director for the treatment mall program at Cherry Hospital. “I thoroughly enjoy my career and credit a big part of that to Mount Olive College. My time at MOC was an experience that I will always remember fondly.”
"I have the opportunity to facilitate group therapy and individual therapY, all based on the idea that creative activities Lesa Mutters helps a patient during an art therapy session.
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can be healing tools..."
AlUMNi FeAtUReS
Alumnus Benefits from MOC Experience Article By Gianea Bennett | Photo Submitted John Nielsen '98 of Aurora, Colorado, believes the time he spent at Mount Olive College at Goldsboro (SJAFB) was one of the most significant experiences of his adult life. “My experience at Mount Olive College helped to mold me into who I am today,” said Nielsen. “Not only did I get a solid business degree, but the environment and culture of the College have influenced how I view the world.” Nielsen took his educational experience and made a successful career for himself. Last year he was appointed to the prestigious role of citizen trustee for the City of Aurora Police Pension Plan and received a promotion at Great-West Financial, the fourth largest retirement plan provider in the nation. “Today I seek opportunities to give back to my community, my church, and my college because these were lessons I learned early on at MOC,” Nielsen said. Nielsen largely credits his earlier years at MOC at Goldsboro for his current successes. “I can tell you that without my experience and education at Mount Olive College, I would not be where I am today in my career. In fact, since MOC, I have gone on to complete an MBA, but I still go back to MOC as the most important experience of my adult life so far, next to my marriage.” Nielsen was a 24-year old double major in business management and human resource development when he started taking night classes at MOC with his wife, LeAnn, in 1995. He was also on active duty in the Air Force. It wasn’t easy for the young couple, but they made it work. Now, years later, Nielsen is grateful for the opportunities attending MOC has provided. “I have since learned that my degree from Mount Olive College opened doors that would otherwise have been closed to me.”
Bryce, Taylor, LeAnn ’98, and John Nielsen ’98.
"I can tell you that without my experience and education at Mount Olive College, I would not be where I am today in my career. " Now Nielsen is hoping to create a new family tradition. “My sons are very smart and will likely have a myriad of schools they can choose from when the time comes. I would be honored and extremely proud if they choose Mount Olive College. I have complete confidence that MOC will prepare them as well as it prepared me.” 27 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
ALUMNI FeAtUReS
Rising througH the Ranks Article By Rhonda JessuP | Photo By Matt Stevens Teresa Cox, a 2006 MOC graduate, was recently promoted to the rank of captain in the Goldsboro Police Department (GPD). A 20-year veteran with GPD, she is the second black female to attain captaincy in the history of the organization. She is also serving her second term on the board of the North Carolina Victim’s Assistance Network (NCVAN), a position she accepted in 2005 following the murder of her own son, Raymond E. Parker, Jr. After Raymond’s death, Cox was approached about working with the victim advocacy program. She decided it was God’s way of helping her help others who had experienced what she had been through. “When you lose a loved one to murder, you cannot think rationally. Being a police officer and a victim advocate, I can get to the scene right away and talk with the grieving family. Having been through this myself, I think I can better relate to their situation and understand what they are going through.” Cox began working at the GPD in 1993, one day after her 30th birthday. For years she worked patrol duty on eight-hour, overlapping swing shifts. It was exhausting. She knew if she was ever going to rise in the ranks, she would need to get her college degree. She also knew that MOC was the place for her. Her brother, Alfonzo Manley, Jr., and her sister, Patricia Manley, both attended MOC in the late ’70s. And her father, Alfonzo Manley, Sr., graduated from MOC in 1989 after retiring from the military. So in 2002 when Cox decided to earn her college degree, she looked no further than Mount Olive College. “The one-night-a-week programming was made for me,” Cox said. “It was like they had me in mind when they developed the program. It was so doable.” Cox earned her associate’s degree through the Heritage program in 2003 and her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2006. In 2008, she was promoted to sergeant, and in September of 2012 she became the second black female on the GPD to reach captaincy. “Mount Olive College gave me everything I needed to be proficient within my career as a law enforcement 28 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
Teresa Cox, a 2006 graduate of Mount Olive College.
"MounT Olive College gave me everYthing I needed to be proficient within my career as a law enforcement officer. " officer,” Cox said. “I believe that having my degree had a lot to do with my promotions. It showed the pride and determination I had to improve myself while working full-time and being a wife, a parent, and a grandparent. I wanted to make myself very marketable, and I feel that my degree has done just that.” Cox will turn 50 next month, and she can retire from GPD in five years, but before she retires there is one additional goal she would like to achieve…to become the first black female to obtain the rank of major She already has her eyes on schools that offer a master’s in public administration. “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me,” she quoted from Philippians 4:13.
AluMNI updATES
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DONALD H. LEACOTT passed away February 8, 2013. He was 81 years young. He was a retired Air Force chief master sergeant. While in the military, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Omaha and his master’s degree from Troy State University. He worked at Mount Olive College, as director of special programs. Mr. Leacott was one of the founding members of the Alliance of Retired Military, Goldsboro Branch, where he served as vice president. He also sat on the board for Seymour Johnson Federal Credit Union, now NCCFCU, where he was president. Mr. Leacott was a member of the Arts Council of Wayne County, where several of his paintings were judged, and he taught a watercolor class. KATHLEEN DOWD BULLARD WARREN, 94, died February 13, 2013, at Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington after a full life, well-lived. She graduated from Roseboro High School and attended Pineland College and Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. She taught voice at Mount Olive College from 1958-1981. After her retirement, she was appointed Faculty Emeritus. Warren established the Kathleen B. Warren Scholarship Endowment at MOC upon her retirement. Former students might like to remember her by adding to the endowment
1960s PAM WOOD ’68 has been honored by the WayneDuplin Business and Professional Women’s Club as its Career Woman of the Year. The award is presented to a woman at least 35 years old who is employed and has made a contribution to others, her community, her state and /or her nation. Wood was instrumental in assisting the club with adapting to recent changes in the organization’s state and national bylaws. She has served as Mount Olive College’s director of library services since 2002.
1970s BOBBY RUPERT ’73 has published his first book, a collection of fictional short stories with facts and real events in the narratives. The Greater Sampson County Swamp Sheep Hunt revolves around Rupert’s boyhood memories of hunting trips, hunting dogs and “good old Southern boy antics.” Rupert lives in Dunn, NC. TAMMY MUNOZ ’79 has been named Wayne County Public Schools’ counselor of the year. Munoz, a 29-year veteran in the profession, works at Greenwood Middle School. She and her husband, David, have one son, Ben, a senior at Charles B. Aycock High School.
1980s TONY PEACOCK ’82 is a three-time National Hollerin’ Champion. He has lived in all regions of NC and has been a lifelong student of our state’s diverse cultural and literary heritage. A native of Clement, Peacock attended Mount Olive College and UNC Chapel Hill. Peacock was the first MOC alumnus to publish with the MOC Press in the Alumni Series with his novel, Sidney Langston: Giblets of Memory. Peacock has recently served as Writer in Residence at Lacy Elementary School where he has discussed his own stories, NC writers, and elements of a story and providing guidance in story writing.
1990s KIMBERLY KENNEDY ’90 was honored during Wayne Memorial Hospital’s annual recognition service. She was among 10 employees nominated by their supervisors, co−workers and peers based on integrity, honesty, accountability, character, enthusiasm, caring, compassion and competency. Kennedy earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has been with the hospital for 15 years and works as a school health nurse.
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AluMNI updATES COLIN “MARCELLE” WILLIAMS ’91 has joined the Town of Garner’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources department as an administration specialist. His career has also taken him to Goldsboro and Wilson. Williams played basketball during his four years at Mount Olive College. VICKIE STROUD ROBINSON ’92 competed in Stars Dance for the Arts, sponsored by Kinston Community Council for the Arts. Robinson is board chairman of the council. She works with the family business, M.D. Robinson Farms. Robinson, husband Mike, and daughters Ansley and Ashlynn, live in Kinston, NC. ROBERT E. CHAPMAN ’97 of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter, Wilmington, NC. He was born on April 7, 1948, the son of the late Lewis Chapman and Zelma Griffis Chapman. Mr. Chapman attended Barefoot Church in North Myrtle Beach, SC. He was a member of the Toastmasters Club of Shallotte and BNI of North Myrtle Beach, SC. Chapman was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was a residential home builder, real estate broker, and home inspector. MYNECO DANIELS ’98 was married to Jeneene Patterson on September 8, 2012. He is employed with Butterball, LLC. The couple resides in Red Springs, NC. APRIL JOHNSON HOWARD ’98 was a recipient of the annual Kinston Free Press “20 under 40” award. Howard is a CPA/CFO with McConnell Holdings, Inc. in Kinston, NC. She is president of the Pink Hill Elementary School PTA and is active in her church. Howard, husband Paul, and daughters Katie, Caroline, and Blaire live in Pink Hill, NC.
2000s
JAY SHINGLETON ’00 has been promoted to Pitt Community College Police Chief. Shingleton, a captain with the department, has been with the PCC campus police since 2000. A resident of Greenville, NC, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1983 and earned an associate degree from PCC shortly after. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Mount Olive College and also graduated from N.C. State University’s Law Enforcement Executive Program. LARRY ODERS BOYD ’02 died Wednesday, December 19, 2012. Boyd was born in Onslow County on February 24, 1956. He was a graduate of John A. Wilkinson High School in Belhaven, NC. Boyd served his country in the U.S. Air Force, January 1976 to January 1995, and earned the rank of Master Sergeant. He served as a law enforcement specialist and military training instructor. Boyd received a certificate in Aerospace Management and a master of science degree from Central Michigan University. He received a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Mount Olive College. Boyd served as a parole officer for the state of NC and was an instructor of basic law enforcement at Martin Community College. In 2012, Larry obtained his NC real estate broker license. He was a sales broker with Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty in Washington, NC. He was a resident of Williamston, NC.
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NOAH A. EDENS ’02 was married to Chelsey E. Byers of Fremont, NC, on December 8, 2013. Edens has a degree in recreation and leisure studies. The couple lives in Wilson, NC. CHRISTOPHER W. DAWSON ’03 is a special agent with the State Bureau of Investigation. He was honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, by the NC Department of Justice for his work in arresting fugitives in eastern North Carolina. Dawson received the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement from the U.S. Attorney General. He has been an SBI agent for eight years and previously was a Kinston police officer. EDDIE BUFFALOE ’06 has been appointed Elizabeth City’s new Chief of Police. He began his law enforcement career in 1991 as a deputy sheriff with the Northampton County Sheriff Office. He later worked for the Halifax County Sheriff Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant. Buffaloe has also worked for the Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch in Raleigh as the state drug recognition coordinator and assistant director of operations. He and his wife, Assata, have three sons, Bryan, Michael and Aren. Buffaloe holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and is enrolled in a master’s degree program at Loyola University in criminal justice administration. TYLER D. BARWICK ’07 and JONATHAN E. GRAHAM ’06 were married on November 3, 2012. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in fine arts. She is employed as president of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from Mount Olive College with a bachelor of science degree in agribusiness. He is employed as a technical service representative at Pfizer Animal Health. The couple resides in Dudley, NC. Tyler was awarded the Distinguished Service Award during the Seventh Annual Membership Banquet and Awards Ceremony hosted by the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mount Olive Jaycees. TONY KEECH ’07 is the new owner and manager of Plantation House restaurant in Washington, NC. The criminal justice graduate is also a part-time Williamston police officer and U.S. marshal. MIKE L. SHREVES ’07 has joined Pitt Community College to serve as director of human resources. Shreves’ professional background includes more than 26 years of manufacturing and human resources experience. Prior to joining PCC, he spent more than 24 years at NACCO Materials Handling Group in Greenville, NC. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in business management and organizational development from Mount Olive College, Shreves has earned a senior professional in human resources certificate from the Virginiabased Human Resources Certification Institute and is pursuing a master’s degree in human resources through Western Carolina University.
AluMNI updATES MARI FOSTER ’08 has a new job with Moss Hill Elementary School. Foster lives in Albertson, NC. SYLVIA NANCE ’08 has been promoted to assistant vice president of Branch Banking & Trust in Lumberton, NC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and organizational development. DEVINN LYNN GEESON, RDH ’09 was the guest speaker for the 21st annual Lorelle F. Martin Lecture on February 28th at MOC. Geeson is a second year dental student at UNC Chapel Hill. She serves as recruitment committee chair with the Student National Dental Association, whose mission is to increase minority admission and retention to medical and dental school; Delta Sigma Delta as philanthropy chair; and the class of 2015 as social chair. She is also one of the founding coordinators of the SNDA CAARES Clinic, a studentrun free dental clinic in Durham, NC. Geeson serves as a teaching assistant for pre-clinical classes and mentors pre-professional students associated with many of her roles. She was recently appointed by the Dean to the Clinical Affairs Committee and the Clinical Curriculum Revitalization Committee. After graduation Geeson plans to continue to contribute to her community and the world while practicing dentistry in the broadest scope in an underserved area. Her goals for the future are the same as the past; to pay forward the gifts she has received personally, educationally, and professionally to enrich the lives of others. Geeson lives in Chapel Hill and has two children, Tyler and Trista, who are both students at Mount Olive College. WHITNEY BROOKE GOUGH ’09 is engaged to marry DAVID COOPER ’08 of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The bride-elect holds a degree in leisure service management and the groom-to-be has a degree in biology and is working on his master’s degree in business at Columbia Southern University. The couple plan to marry in the fall of 2014. LOU STOUT ’09 won the DuPont Davis Excellence in Workforce Development Award. The recipient is chosen by the Region Q Workforce Development Board. Region Q covers five counties: Beaufort, Pitt, Martin, Bertie, and Hyde counties. The award is given by the Board to someone they feel has made significant contributions to workforce development in their region. To date, it has only been awarded once before. “I am still humbled at the thought of winning such an award. I do not ‘toot’ my own horn much, so to be nominated by my peers, it’s an amazing feeling to be recognized for something that I love doing,” said Stout. “I am reaping the rewards of the education I received at Mount Olive College. MOC has given me a great foundation. I am forever grateful.” Stout currently serves as President for the North Carolina Community College Adult Educators Association. She is also attending the University of Saint Mary as a graduate student, pursuing a master’s degree in business administration with a minor in HR management.
2010s
JANE ALLIGOOD ’10 was named staff member of the year by Beaufort County Community College. Alligood is purchasing coordinator and has worked for the community college for the past 18 years. She has one son, Ryan, and lives in Washington, NC. MIKE BEATTIE ’10 has been accepted into the inaugural class of the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine. A biology major and chemistry minor, Beattie writes, “In my time at MOC, I was very fortunate to have a great educational experience which was influenced heavily by two professors in particular: Dr. Mickael Cariveau and Dr. David Dommer. They saw the potential in me to achieve my goal of getting accepted into medical school and would not allow me to settle for anything less than I was capable of. They went out of their way to push me, guide me, and afford me opportunities such as my Senior Research project which all played a key role in guiding me on the path to medical school. I am beyond fortunate to have been able to build a personal relationship with each of them. They are the true embodiment of what it means to be a college professor and advisor.” ROSE DANIELS ’10 is the in-school suspension coordinator at Ayden Middle School and the coordinator of Dare 2B Different, an after school program held at Straightway Holiness Church. Dare 2B Different has given children the opportunity to travel to historic sites throughout the U.S. She also assists with preparing students for the 2013 Greenville Community Black History Quiz Bowl. Daniels is married to Pastor Clifton Daniels of Straightway Holiness Church and resides in Ayden, NC. CURTIS LIVERMAN ’10 was promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Greenville, NC, police department on December 15, 2012. He will serve as a patrol supervisor on D Platoon in the Patrol Bureau. CHARITY LEIGH RHODES ’10 was married to Johnnie T. Page on November 17, 2012. She has a bachelor of science degree in accounting and is a financial aid assistant at Wilson Community College. The couple resides in Wilson, NC. SARAH ANN BRANDON ’11 was married to Michael James Stephens of Santa Ana, CA, on October 31, 2012. She earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice and is employed by the Craven County District Attorney’s Office as a paralegal. The couple resides in Newport, NC. DAVID COMBS ’11 has been named South Lenoir High School’s varsity head baseball coach. He is a physical education teacher. While at Mount Olive College, Combs helped the Trojans to a top three finish in the 2011 NCAA D-II National Championships and back-to-back Conference Carolinas titles.
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ALUMNI UPDATES
MELISSA HINNANT ’11 has been promoted by the Southport, NC, Police Department from patrol to corporal of the enforcement division. Hinnant, who has eight years in law enforcement and five with Southport, is supervisor of the department’s highway safety program. YOLANDA RHODES ’11 has been promoted to Patient Financial Services Manager at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter. She is responsible for hospice patient accounts and payments to contracted facilities and consulting physicians. Rhodes has worked in healthcare for 18 years. She is pursuing a master’s degree in healthcare administration at Kaplan University and is on the board of directors of the Lord’s Church of Wilmington. DELPHINE HALL ’12 has been named Business Development officer in the La Grange, NC, office of Southern Bank. She has been employed with Southern Bank for the past 17 years, where she has held the positions of teller, teller supervisor, customer service representative, and loan officer assistant. She resides in Goldsboro and has three children. JOSHUA HOBGOOD ’12 was a recipient of the annual Kinston Free Press “20 under 40” award. He is pursuing a master’s degree in Divinity at Campbell University.
EXCLUSIVE
BRANDON WIGGINS ’13 has been hired as Sampson Community College Foundation assistant, a position he has held for a couple of months. Wiggins is an alumnus of SCC and is finishing his bachelor of arts degree at Mount Olive College. He has helped with the ScholarDonor Cookout, the Appreciation Reception, the Campus Drive Kickoff, and the Sampson Classic Golf Tournament. Wiggins resides in Clinton, NC. ANDERSON BARNES ’14 is serving as the Youth Pastor at Antioch Free Will Baptist Church in Pikeville. He leads the Christian music group Velocity, a youth ministry, and is a business and religion major. He is a native of Pikeville, NC. LATONYA SO ’14 is a 35-year-old married mother of two teen sons and a ten-yearold daughter. So has been attending MOC since 2011. Initially she was in seated classes in Wilmington. Her husband’s career led the couple to Arizona and now Denver, CO, where So has transitioned to online classes. She says, “Over the past two years MOC has earned my loyalty. When I was in seated classes, it felt like home. Now that I am away it is nice to know that I am still attached to such a wonderful place filled with people who care.” So is five classes away from earning her associate’s degree and has recently written a book entitled Through the Eyes of a Mother. For more details about the book, visit www.richerlifellc.com.
WEB CONTENT
VIDEO: RODRIGUEZ 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 Josh Rodriguez’s transformational story online.
WWW.MOC.EDU/TRANSFORMATIONSERIES + MORE: 32 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
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