Category Archives: University Updates

University Updates, Wingate University

Campus Dining Welcomes Changes for 2018

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Aaliyah Parson, Staff Writer

W.T Harris Dining Hall welcomes new and returning students after making several new improvements over the summer. The caf has made renovations that not only improve the quality of service to students but the dining experience as well. Accommodations were also made during the renovations for the large influx of new students.

One of the many noticeable changes is the relocation of the pizza station. A new salad prep and fresh fruit station were also added as well as a new Yogurt and Dessert station and two new beverage stations.

David Penny, general manager of Aramark, stated his goal when making improvements was, “To overall improve dining. The goal is long reaching. I have a five-year plan of continuously improving.”

While making these improvements Penny’s biggest challenge was time, “Never enough time where students aren’t on campus. Everything has to be done in short time periods.”

Many students occupied campus over the summer during summer camp and training. While returning students have watched these changes unfold, what Penny has in store next is sure to be a surprise.

Penny exclaims, “The amount of improvements we have planned over the next five years will not be recognizable to anyone right now!”

Edited by Rachael Robinson

Graduation, student, University Updates, Wingate University

Wingate’s Graduation season marks the beginning and end for many students

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I’Dajha Harris, Staff Writer

To many at this time, May is the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one, for graduation season is upon us.

Wingate University will be having two Commencements. The first one is for the graduate/professional school graduates which will be held at 6 p.m. Friday. The  undergraduate graduation will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday. Both ceremonies will be held outside on the Academic Quad.

Options for those who are unable to attend include a live feed of the graduation. The link is on the Wingate University commencement page under the hyperlink: livestream. If weather conditions are poor, the graduation will be held in Cuddy Arena. 

The speaker for the graduate class will be Dr. Maria Pharr, president of South Piedmont Community College, who has worked with a vast number of other community colleges such as Pitt Community College in Greenville, both in admissions and as a faculty member and administrator. 

Stein, the state’s 50th Attorney General, sponsored the 2013 School Safety Act as a N.C. state senator.

The Baccalaureate service will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the McGee Theater. Speaker will be Rev. Amy Jacks Dean, co-pastor alongside her husband, Russ Dean, at the Park Road Baptist Church in Charlotte. It will follow a Farewell Celebration from 9:30 to 10:45 on the Batte Center lawn. 

With the graduation season rapidly approaching, so is the joy of the many graduates reaching their last leg of the semester. They are ending one chapter and opening a brand new one once the commencement comes to an end.

Wanting to get an insight from a graduating student, Amanda Alling offered an interview about her thoughts on graduation! “I am so excited to graduate! I have loved my four years at Wingate, and have made so many great memories, met so many amazing people and have learned so much. I have excelled not only just in the classroom but in my personal and professional life as well. I will always be grateful to Wingate for making me who I am today.” Alling expressed in our email interview.

amanda alling

Her parents, brother and his girlfriend will be coming from New Jersey to celebrate her big day along with her closest friends being in the audience and cheering her on. After graduation, Alling mentioned her upcoming pursuits for the next chapter of her life. “After graduation, I will be pursuing my MBA in either Marketing or Data Analytics. I am excited for this next step in my life, as well as putting to use everything my Communications major and minors have taught me. I can’t wait!”

Her excitement was prevalent and shined through in her all of her responses. Her time at Wingate University was well worth it for her and helped her reach the goals that was needed for her future

So, with that, she left the upcoming graduate classes with some words of encouragement. “Take every single opportunity presented to you. Whether it be a class excursion to Charlotte, or attending those extra study sessions. There are so many transferable skills you will gain from stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing everything that this Wingate life has to offer you.”

Edited by: Brea Childs

academics, Graduation, student, University Updates, Wingate University

Graduation List for May 2018

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Bachelor of Arts Sp/Su 2018

Ana Ruth Acosta

Human Services

 

Amanda Marie Alling

Communication Studies Public Relations

magna cum laude

 

Naomi Denise Askew

Music Performance

 

LaDejia Tenille Bittle

Music Performance

 

Katie Powers Deese

Religious Studies

 

Hunter Neal Edwards

History

cum laude

 

Mariona Medina Espinalt

Marketing

 

Alexandra Leigh Ferro

Music

 

Jessica Lynn Grant

Psychology & Criminal Justice

cum laude

 

Amber Nicole Harkey

Psychology

cum laude

 

Shana Nicole Hayes

Biology

summa cum laude

 

Mary-Kate Kinsey Hill

English and Education

cum laude

 

Alycia Marie McDaniel

English

 

Katlyn Thamara Montoya Urrea

Human Services

 

Laurel Hope O’Connor

English

 

Stephanie Dawn Palmer

Human Services

 

Matthew Christian Reese

Music Performance

 

Kamery Lawing Reynolds

English

University Honors

 

Maryann Ruiz

Psychology

 

Lauren Nicole Russell

Music Performance

 

Kathryn Ariel Sain

Church Music

Kelton Lane Stone

Music

 

Macy Brianne Stutts

Criminal Justice

magna cum laude with University Honors

 

Justin Theodore Traxler

Music Performance

 

Rachel Moyer Truslow

Biology

cum laude

 

Andrew Thomas Vann

English

University Honors

 

*Ana Maria Vásconez Carrera-Andrade

Political Science

 

Anne Marie Wall

English

 

Whitney Marie Wood

Criminal Justice

 

*Graduated December 2017 or expected to graduate August 2018.

 

Bachelor of Music Education Sp/Su 2018

Bruce McKinley Boorman

 

Jessica Lyndon Daniel

cum laude

 

Kimberly Margaret Gilbert

magna cum laude

 

Bachelor of Science Sp/Su 2018

*Kanosha Shine Adams

Criminal Justice

 

Kori Blaine Adams

Communication Studies Sports Broadcasting

 

*Jordan Faye Adcock

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

*Jessica Nicole Allen

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Samantha Angella Allen

Accounting

 

Jonathan Patrick Almond

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Ty Alan Andrus

Criminal Justice

summa cum laude

 

Isaac Yeboah Aning

Biology

cum laude with University Honors

 

Samantha Jo Apple

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Amanda Rose Aversa

Elementary Education

cum laude

 

Flavia Lorena Baies

Human Services

 

John Allen Bangle

Environmental Biology

 

*Jason Matthew Barbee

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

*Tiffany Nichole Barbee

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Michaela Lynn Bates

Psychology

 

Cameron Todd Baucom

Sport Management

 

Cecilia Ann Baumgardner

Chemistry

cum laude

 

Blair Lindsey Beaman

Environmental Biology

 

Ghada Ali Bedwan

Biology

cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

Ian Michael Bergmann

Management

 

Adam Landon Berry

Biology

 

Madelon Sydney Berryhill

Psychology

cum laude

 

Katie Marie Bludau

Marketing

 

Jessica Nicole Boursiquot

Sociology

 

Christopher Charles Ervin Boykins

Sport Management

magna cum laude

 

Akela Donyell Branch

Human Services

 

Garrett Lee Bridgewater

Sport Management

 

Susannah Grace Brower

Mathematics & Human Services

cum laude

 

*Bradley Jerred Brown

Management

 

Kiara Bryniah Bullock

Psychology

*Bricesen Dylan Burton

Sport Management

 

Lillian Michaela Burton

Biology

summa cum laude

 

Randel Renee Caldwell

Sport Management

 

Haley Nicole Camp

Marketing

 

Rory Michael Casey

Mathematics

summa cum laude with University Honors

 

Katie Dianne Cates

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Brandi Nicole Celia

Biology

cum laude

 

*Maria Paula Cepeda

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Karina Elizabeth Chavez

Accounting

 

Filipe Massoni Checco

Sport Management

magna cum laude

 

Brea Marie Marcellus Childs

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

cum laude

 

Devarious Natwan Christian

Sport Management

 

Rachael Anne Claxton

Management

 

Cheyanne Amanda Clouse

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

McKenzie Jacumin Conner

Psychology

 

Cameron Paul Conover

Psychology

 

Mateo Correa

Human Services

cum laude

 

Levi Lucas Cummings

Sport Management

cum laude

 

Joshua Michael Cutlip

Sport Management

 

LaShana JeNai Davis

Human Services

 

Patrick Logan Deese

Athletic Training

 

Jerome Desrosiers

Finance

 

*Manichau Rebecca Devi

Management

 

Nikolas Ramos Dos Santos

Chemistry

University Honors Chemistry

 

Andrew Simon Dowds

Marketing

 

*Daniel James Dunning

Finance

 

Katie McCall Edwards

Human Services & Criminal Justice

 

*Nkenge Octancia Ruth Edwards

Biology

 

Jessica Anallely Escutia Miranda

Human Services

 

David Richard Fairgrieve

Marketing

summa cum laude

 

Mary Fakhori

Accounting

 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Fletcher

Sociology

magna cum laude

 

Tyrone Austin Fleurizard

Psychology

cum laude with University Honors

 

*Preston Lee Flowers

Political Science

 

Daniel Atlas Free

Chemistry

*Crystal Nicole Fuller

Communication Studies Sports Broadcasting

 

Shannon Irene Futrell

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Sarah Elizabeth Gainey

Psychology

summa cum laude with University Honors

 

*Abbey Jeannette Gantt

Biology

 

Pablo Damian Gaona

Biology

 

*Maria Fernanda García Herrera

Sport Management

 

*Crystal Arlene Gatling

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Christopher Albert Gazzio, Jr.

Finance

 

Nataly Yasmin Gomez Geng

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

*Micah William Wenzel Goodwin

Criminal Justice

 

Devyn Breanne Gowan

Management

 

Grace Elizabeth Gregory

Accounting

summa cum laude

 

Valerie Griesche

Biology

summa cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

Veronica Rachel Griffin

Chemistry

cum laude with University Honors

 

*Seth Grimwood

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Kaitlyn Marie Halbrook

Elementary Education

 

*Mikayla Amelia Hannah

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

*Lindsey Nicole Hapeman

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Samuel Joseph Heda

Marketing

 

Haley Brooke Hedrick

Psychology

 

William Graham Heisner

Human Services

 

Chandler Mark Helms

Criminal Justice

 

Tony Cale Helms

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Zachary Helms

Marketing

 

Shekinah Glory Henderson

Psychology

 

*Morgan Brooke Hendrix

Human Services

 

Asherel Bernice Herman

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Cody Steven Hicks

Biology

cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

Beau Hunter Hildebrand

Accounting

magna cum laude

 

Brandon Chase Hill

Sport Management

 

Nathaniel Robert Hinderer

Athletic Training

magna cum laude

 

Nicole Taylor Hinkle

Sport Management

 

Allison Taylor Hinson

Human Services

 

Sebastian Bengt Holmberg

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

cum laude

 

Maury Olando Holt

Sport Management

 

Gabrielle Faythe Hooker

Finance

 

Courtney Taylor Hopkins

Criminal Justice

 

Taylor Brook Hoskins

Human Services

 

Zeb Cline Hull

Environmental Biology

 

Brandon R. Hunt

Sport Management

 

Vincent Xuan Huynh

Biology

 

Amy Mary Jackson

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

summa cum laude

 

Marc Draven James

Sport Management

 

Danta Cameron Jarrell

Management

 

*Kimran Jean Jacques

Finance

 

John Victor Jensen

Psychology

 

Jobie Andrea Johnson

Human Services

 

Alexis Rochelle Jones

Biology

 

Kayla Delores Jones

Psychology

 

Christoffer Alan Joyce

Mathematics

 

Leah Cohen Joyner

Communication Studies Public Relations

cum laude

 

Jordan Caleb Kendrick

Sport Management

 

*Dustin Taylor Kiggins

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

 

Tammy Jo Kimrey

Environmental Biology

cum laude

 

Sierra Belle Kincaid

Environmental Biology

summa cum laude

 

Lauren Elise Kiser

Elementary Education

 

Preston Collin Klesat

Marketing

 

Madison Ann LaBarbera

Sport Management

 

Kasara Marie Lear

Accounting

 

*Bryson Rhett Lee

Management

 

Gregory Jordan Lee

Athletic Training

 

*Isaiah Monquel Lee

Human Services

 

Olivia Anne Lee

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

 

Amanda Brooke Lemacks

Psychology

 

Taylor May Leyble

Psychology

 

Katelyn Michelle Lliso

Athletic Training

 

Rachel Christine Lods

Communication Studies Public Relations

Zeriq Andrés Lolar

Communication Studies Sports Broadcasting

 

Timothy Deon Longmire

Sport Management

 

Zachary Thomas Griffin Lord

Marketing

 

Auntrell Joseph Mack

Management

 

Ryan Joseph Francis Mackintosh

Sport Management

 

Tevita Finau Mafi

Mathematics Business

 

Brittany Elizabeth Mangum

Elementary Education

 

Kelly Marie Manning

Biology

 

Hailey Leigh Manns

Biology

 

Ilyen Macedonia Marban Figueroa

Elementary Education

 

Jalen Anthony Marlowe

Psychology

 

Lindsay Kirschner Martin

Psychology

 

*Paula Martinez Ponce

Environmental Biology

 

Meagan Alexandra Martucci

Psychology & Sociology

summa cum laude with University Honors

 

Kaylan Hannah McCain

Biology

 

*Leander McCall IV

Mathematics

 

*Jacob Myles McEwen

Biology

 

Samuel James McGee III

Human Services

 

Kara Elizabeth McHouell

Athletic Training

 

*Ashley Joann Meer

Human Services

 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Meyers

Athletic Training

magna cum laude

 

Akera Janea’ Miller

Biology

 

Brock Alexander Miller

Chemistry

summa cum laude

 

Rosemary Paige Miller

Middle Grades Education Science

magna cum laude

 

Ryan Daniel Miller

Psychology

 

Jennifer Reyne Mills

Elementary Education

magna cum laude

 

Philip R. Mink

Management

 

*Marta Krista Miscenko

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Bryan Austin Mitchell

Sport Management

 

*Taziya Tynajwa Moody

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

*Shalon Makiba Moore

Criminal Justice

 

Shannon Rose Moore

Middle Grades Education Mathematics

 

Erika Paige Morelock

Psychology

Melissa Marie Morgal

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Hunter Michael Morgan

Sport Management

cum laude

 

Kamel Amjad Muhyeddin

Mathematics

 

Erika Morales Mullis

Management

cum laude

 

Vicente José Muñoz Reyes

Mathematics Business

 

Timothy Ralpheal Myers II

Sport Management

 

Tyler Gregory Napierala

Sport Management

 

Haley Marie Newton

Psychology

Charles Tai Nguyen

Sociology

 

Tab Rollins Oakley

Marketing

 

*Nahashon Nathaniel Ogutu

Human Services

 

Nícholas Santos De Oliveira

Finance

 

Shannon Duprey O’Neal

Psychology

 

Hannah Paige Overcash

Elementary Education

Jordan Ann Elizabeth Owens

Psychology

 

Jordan Caroline Owens

Human Services

 

Raj Narendrakumar Patel

Biology

 

Shivani Jayesh Kumar Patel

Biology

 

Nathanael Romario Patterson

Accounting

 

Carsyn Beth Patton

Biology

cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

James Kemper Patton

Political Science

magna cum laude

 

Miranda Morgan Paul

Human Services

Hannah Brooke Payne

Human Services

 

*Emily Katlyn Littrell Penny

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Elizabeth Philachanh

Chemistry Business

 

Brittney Leigh Pierce

Human Services

 

*Jacob Lee Plyler

Criminal Justice

 

Mackenzie Carson Ponds

Human Services

 

Meghan Brittani Pope

Sociology

cum laude

 

Stephen James Potter

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Brittney Jewelle Powell

Mathematics

 

*Olivia Anne Price

Management

 

Marinela Procopii

Psychology

 

Derrick Allen Proctor

Management

 

Emily LouAnne Pruitt

Chemistry

magna cum laude with University Honors Chemistry

 

Lennart Queiss

Management

Arianna Jo Reichardt

Biology

 

Allie Katelyn Reitzell

Elementary Education

cum laude

 

Bryan Kenneth Rial

Sport Management

 

Lauren Marie Robinson

Environmental Biology

 

Moneico Voshawn Robinson, Jr.

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Rocio Aracely Robles Rodríguez

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

Shannon Anne Roche

Health and Physical Education

 

Justin Tyler Rodgers

Political Science

cum laude with University Honors

 

Makayla Jo Rudisill

Human Services

cum laude

 

Caitlin Hope Russell

Athletic Training

 

José S. Moris

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Juliet Marie Salgueiro

Management

magna cum laude

 

Emily Rose Scully

Marketing

Miranda Dare Seegars

Human Services

cum laude

 

Joshua Weston Shelton

Psychology

 

William Ike Sheridan

Criminal Justice

 

Somer Nicole Sherrin

Marketing

 

Kelly Jessica Shiverdecker

Elementary Education

cum laude

 

Robin Christian Siegel

Finance

magna cum laude

 

Mary Elizabeth Simpson

Psychology

 

*Zachariah Cole Singleton

Community and Commercial Recreation

summa cum laude

 

*Matthew Slover

Criminal Justice

 

Emily Lauren Smedek

Biology

 

Briyah Cierra Smith

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

magna cum laude

 

*Maria Frances Sofia

Biology

 

Kristen Marie Speight

History

Gordon S. Sprague IV

Human Services

summa cum laude

 

Kacey Elisabeth Stephenson

Biology

 

Takoreyia Shauné Stevenson

Management

 

*Courtney Erin Stewart

Human Services

 

*Sierra Lynne Stubblefield

Marketing

 

Joshua Dakoda Suddeth

Sport Management

 

Carolyn Julie Sullivan

Environmental Biology

 

Jeremy Strauss Sullivan

Biology

 

Joshua Robert Tarlton

Finance

summa cum laude

 

Taylor Sinclair Tarte

Biology

 

Mason Rusty Teague

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

cum laude

 

Halie Michelle Terry

Human Services

 

Melody Elizabeth Terry

Biology 3+1

 

*James Colin Thatcher

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Taylor Nicole Thompson

Psychology

 

William Alexander Tidwell

Biology

 

Isaac Orlando Tilghman

Management

 

Katrice Alisa Tolbert

Environmental Biology

 

Jesus Torres

Management

 

Stephen Christopher Tresslar

Finance

 

Binita Tripathi

Biology

 

Abigail Lois Valenta

Psychology

magna cum laude with University Honors

 

*Kelly Mai See Vang

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Nicholas Woodson Vaughn

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Caitlin Marie Villela

Criminal Justice & Psychology

 

*Marissa Nicole Vittorio

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Steven Dylan Williams

Finance

 

Anna Lee Wilson

Psychology

 

Joseph Banks Wise

History

Danielle Marie Wolfe

Athletic Training

cum laude

 

Taylor Elaine Wolfe

Biology

 

Robin Oroma Womeodu

Political Science

 

Cody Garrett Wood

Mathematics

 

Kenneth Wayne Wright III

Communication Studies Rhetoric Performance

magna cum laude

 

*Trent Langdon Wynn

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Anna Moseley Youssef

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Mounika Atef Zakaria

Biology

 

*Graduated December 2017 or expected to graduate August 2018.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Sp 2018

Jalleah Jamilia Chapman

 

Maranda Michelle Duncan

cum laude

 

Morgan Dair English

 

Jamie Lynne Forester

 

Trenton James Gregg

 

Josué Guevara

 

Alyssa M. Handley

cum laude with University Honors Nursing

 

Hannah Irene Helms

 

Jonathon Charles Helms

 

Meagan Brooke Littlefield

 

Marina Maystruk

 

Anna Brooke McCollum

 

Morgan Blair Peninger

 

Daisha Danae Phillips-Wynn

 

Ashley Nicole Riley

 

Morgan Lynn Rorie

 

Vitaliy Svarishchuk

 

Andrea Huneycutt Wilber

 

Caroline Elizabeth Zwick

 

Bachelor of Liberal Studies Sp/Su 2018

Lynne C. Bowler

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

Rajni Manvendra Chanshetty

Organizational Communication and Management

magna cum laude

 

Marcus Taekwuan Clyburn

Human Services

 

*Jennifer Arlette Corbett

Organizational Communication and Management

cum laude

 

Irish Nichole Danner

Human Services & Organizational Communication and Management

 

*Debbie O. Farrell

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

Laurel Alexandra Fortwengler

Human Services

 

*Odessia Lindsey Houston

Organizational Communication and Management

 

Koneish Lotharp

Human Services

 

William Roger Maye

Organizational Communication and Management

 

Kimberly Anne Moreno

Organizational Communication and Management & Human Services

 

*Korey Garnet Randall

Organizational Communication and Management

 

Luisa Tejeda

Organizational Communication and Management

 

*Agatha Shanel Threatt

Human Services

 

*Luming Wang

Organizational Communication and Management

Edited by: Brea Childs

monroe, school shootings, Social Media, student, University Updates, Wingate University

Wingate makes changes to the safety protocol in reaction to the campus lockdown

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Mariah Anderson, Staff Writer

“Wingate University has issued immediate lock-down procedures for the main campus. Please lock all doors and windows and await further instruction.” With this 11:35 a.m. text, Wingate University instituted a lockdown on Monday, February 26, 2018.

Rumors of an active shooter on campus caused students in the dining hall to race to their dorms since they had no place to hide in the open hall.

Students and faculty in classrooms immediately moved to lock the doors, but some rooms had no locks. The people in these rooms used chairs and tables to barricade the entryway as they awaited further instructions and details from the university staff.

During the lockdown, students and faculty were notified that the shooting had happened across the street from campus on Jerome Street earlier that morning. However, Wingate took precaution and placed the campus on lockdown to ensure student safety.

After the lockdown, the question at hand became: Was Wingate University prepared for a lockdown, and how could they better prepare for similar events in the future?

One possible way to prepare for the future would be to ensure that proper communication occurs with everyone: faculty, staff, students, and parents. Professor Karen Dunn stated that she was unaware that there was a lockdown until a student told her because she was busy teaching when the message was sent out, and the alarm was not audible from the classroom.

Another professor, Dr Jim Coon, stated that he did not receive the text alerts because he had mistakenly subscribed to the weather alerts.

Both professors were uncertain about what procedures to follow, with Professor Dunn stating, “As a professor, I felt that I should have known what to do, but I didn’t know what to do.” In fact, she found herself asking her students, “What should we do?”

The students and professor jumped into action, but overall the classroom felt unprepared for such an emergency, suggesting that one area of improvement Wingate might pursue would be to have mandatory training for faculty and staff on how to handle emergency protocols.

Some parents expressed reservations at the lack of communication in place, with one parent stating, “I think they could have been a little more forthcoming with the fact that the students were following safety protocol. It was not until I was contacted by my daughter that I found out that a safety protocol was not in place or worse had not been previously practiced by Staff and Students.”

One student, Cameron Smetak, criticized the amount of time it took to alert the students, “We should have been informed that there were shots fired across the highway right when it happened, not an hour later like we did.” An immediate alert system in the future might save lives.

Wingate University has already started instituting changes. A recent email to the campus community stated that the university was working on the doors without locks, posting lockdown guidelines in each room, improving communication with Union County, planning to conduct drills for each emergency, and adding additional sirens on campus.

However, this email was not sent to parents of students, so some parents are unaware of these upcoming changes, with one parent stating that he was “not aware of any improvements since the incident.”

However, students have noted that Wingate University is already implementing the promised changes, with new deadbolts being installed on doors that previously lacked them.

The faculty have noted positive changes as well. Dr. Coon stated, “We have gotten a couple of emails as faculty and staff, they are going through all of the procedures and looking at what worked and what didn’t. They’ve gotten feedback from lots of people, too.”

Although the recent lockdown was frightening for the campus community, it helped Wingate identify strengths and weaknesses in its emergency system. One parent, commenting on the success of this lockdown, suggested, “Simply have a plan. Practice it as well. The campus is a simple one that makes security in such an event more possible.”

With the improvements in place, Wingate will become a safer community, one that is fully prepared for emergencies and able to respond in a timely fashion in order to prevent tragedy.

Wingate University is advising all students to update their contact information on WUSync so that future alert systems can reach the entire campus community.

Edited by: Brea Childs

school shootings, Social Issues, student, Town of Wingate, University Updates, Wingate University

Homicide across from campus causes schoolwide lockdown

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Keyana Daye, Staff Writer

Wingate students started their Monday afternoon just like any other until the sound of a siren was played from the bell tower. A lockdown had begun. Earlier that morning the Union County law enforcement had responded to a report of a shooting on Jerome Street, which is across from Wingate University.

Once Campus Safety was notified, the University Crisis Management Team mobilized and the University initiated lockdown procedure. All students were notified to seek shelter to the closest building. The lockdown lasted an hour long until the University was advised by law enforcement to resume normal operations while law enforcement remained on campus. On Tuesday morning the suspect, Douglas Cleveland Colson, turned himself into custody of the Wingate police department.

The homicide that prompted a lockdown on Wingate campus happened shortly after 10am, Monday morning. The victim, Prentis Robinson, was live streaming on Facebook Live after leaving the Wingate Police Department from reporting cellular theft.

On his way back to his home, Douglas Colson appeared who he then exchanged a few words with. There are reports that Robinson had suspected Colson of drug dealing. Shortly afterwards shots were fired and a few minutes later he was pronounced dead on the scene. This all took place less than a mile away from Wingate University.

While the homicide took place approximately at 10 a.m., the lockdown on Wingate campus didn’t take place until a little after 11 a.m. Some students reported that they thought it was odd since they had been seeing helicopters in the sky over campus.

And there were some students, like Jessica Daniels, that had heard Wingate Elementary School was on lockdown around 11 a.m. When Daniels heard about this and saw helicopters outside, she decided to call Wingate Campus Safety to check on things.

She reported that a woman answered the phone but reacted as if it were the first time she had heard of there being an shooting. After a few minutes of being on hold, the woman said, “So, someone was shot in the area, but it’s not like there is a killer on the loose.”, and according to Jessica Daniels it was less than 10 minutes later that the lockdown was called for.

As soon as the siren was played, it would be expected that everyone who heard the siren would move into the nearest building and turn off all the lights. However, according to most students, nobody knew what to do or even knew what the siren meant.

Some students reported that people kept walking around as the siren played and that even 10 minutes into the lockdown some professors were still lecturing. And according to most students, the general census was that nobody knew that the lockdown had started until they received text alerts from Wingate Campus Safety. Also during the campus-wide lockdown, many students reported that they were in rooms that did not have locks.

Many students expressed concern and were confused as to why it took so long from the initial incident to initiate the lockdown. In response to these questions, Chief of Wingate Campus Safety, Michael Easley, stated that Wingate Campus Safety was currently in the process of testing new locks and that by the end of next week they should have more locks to test.

And in response to the confusion of the wait in between the incident and the lockdown he stated, “I was not made aware until approximately 11 a.m. by the Wingate police department. I, then assembled the Crisis Management team and we analyzed the situation and sent out the first request for a lockdown at 11:30.”

He also reported that the public was able to know about the incident before Campus Safety and the police because the victim was live streaming on Facebook. Once the incident was analyzed, the Crisis Management team and Wingate police department was able to initiate action.

In response to the incident, an email was sent out to students on Tuesday afternoon detailing that the suspect was in custody and summarized the lockdown procedure that took place that Monday afternoon.

The Crisis Management team and Campus Safety are assessing their response and are currently accepting feedback from students, faculty, and parents. A listening session for students was held with the SGA forum and individual training will be held for Wingate employees in response to the incident.

Edited by: Brea Childs

Photo credit: Flickr

Advertising, SGA, University Updates, Wingate Clubs, Wingate University

SGA looks foward to a better future for the Wingate campus

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Shane Rich, Staff Writer

While the new semester is kicking into gear, Wingate’s Student Government Association shifts focus on bettering student experiences on campus. Even though in past years SGA has done much for the student body, they look to build on that momentum to make campus life even better for the future.

According to the President of SGA Amanda Alling, “some of the things SGA has planned for this upcoming semester includes our weekly Coffee in the Quad events from 9-10 am every single Tuesday, located in the Academic Quad. We do this to provide a quick bite to eat and engage with some students on campus. We [also] hold a portion of a meeting called, ‘#WUVOICE’ which is a time for students to give their own announcements and ask questions.” Alling also spoke about how she is excited to see what the future holds for SGA, especially when it comes to the development of underclassmen.

When asked about how SGA will be run differently this semester as compared to past semesters , Alling responded, “Things are not going to be done super differently, but we are placing more of an emphasis on engagement this year. We want everyone’s experiences with SGA to be meaningful and impactful. One of our most important missions is to ensure that this happens and that every single student feels valued and important at Wingate University,” which is something SGA has done and continues to do for many years.

“As far as becoming an actual member, elections are held at the end of the school year for Executive Board positions and senator committee positions.” Alling said. 

SGA also has a summer planning retreat, in which they take the time to outline their goals for Wingate and the student body. These goals as well as the SGA mission statement are outlined below.

Goals:

Create and utilize a marketing and communication plan to efficiently and effectively promote and connect students with SGA.

Enhance the student experience through increasing involvement in SGA and campus activities, while creating avenues to promote and cultivate Bulldog Spirit.

Using effective and efficient planning to better define and delegate SGA roles, expectations, and engagement within committees and events.

Mission Statement:

We are devoted to developing a student-powered organization that effectively directs the student’s vision into reality as well as reflecting the standards and values of Wingate University. SGA also strives to serve as an organization that aims to create unity and pride in the community.

Edited by: Brea Childs

academics, University Updates

WU Looking for New Orientation Coordinators

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By Stephen Fisenne, Staff Writer

A meeting was held at Wingate University to find new orientation coordinators and leaders last Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Student Director of Orientation Taylor Rodier said, “It’s a great opportunity because it’s a good summer job and gets you connected to the incoming students.”

In order to get the right staff to welcome the students coming to Wingate next school year, Rodier held a meeting to meet new orientation leaders and coordinators. It was very important to Rodier that they exemplify Wingate in a positive way. The goal of the orientation staff is to welcome the students and make them feel at home.

Apart from making these students feel at home, these positions of leader and coordinator are satisfying for those who fill them. Zac Ezzell, an orientation coordinator from the previous year, said that “the orientation experience, while busy, was one of the most fulfilling parts of my summer.”

Ezzell said that they look for candidates that are energetic and knowledgeable about Wingate so that they can answer questions that the new students may have.

Bryon Ecker, a former orientation leader, talked about the Speak About it program. “I had to help a student through a crisis after the presentation, and it was very rewarding to me that I was able to help them through this difficult time,” said Ecker.

The primary role of a coordinator is to facilitate the new student experience through the orientation leader. Each coordinator has several leaders under them that they manage and guide.

The orientation leaders are the face of the operation that each group of students meet. These leaders are usually the first upperclassmen that the incoming students get to know. It is very important that they are organized and able to take charge in a situation.

The meeting happened in Hayes 209. Look for future opportunities to join the orientation coordinators and leaders.

Edited By Harrison Taylor, Dustin Kiggins, and Cierra Smith