Tag Archives: Students

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

NCAA DII, Sports, student

Student Athlete Spotlight: Hannah Hinson

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Mason Teague, Staff Writer

A ton of athletes across different sports tell about how they have always loved playing their sport ever since they were a little kid. In the case of junior women’s track & field student-athlete Hannah Hinson of Suffolk, Va., being a thrower began during her freshman year in high school.

At a football game her freshman year, Hinson was approached by a P.E. teacher, who encouraged her to come out for throwing on the school’s track & field team that spring.  She decided to take the chance and try out, which proved to be one of the best choices she ever made.

“I immediately fell in love with throwing when I started,” says Hinson.  “It felt really natural from the beginning and I knew that it was something that I wanted to get good at.”

Hinson threw discus and shotput all four years of high school at Kings Fork High, and decided her senior year to pursue her passion at the collegiate level at Wingate.  The transition from throwing in high school to college, however, was a lot more difficult than she anticipated.

“It was definitely a big change in terms of the different training styles between high school and college, as well as how much more the coaching staff at Wingate demands of you than high school coaches,” says Hinson.“But the coaches at Wingate have pushed me to be better every day since I’ve been here, which really helped me to get used to everything very quickly.”

Hinson throws hammer, discus and shotput for the outdoor and indoor Women’s Track & Field team, and has had a large amount of success in the two years she has participated.  She broke the school record for indoor hammer throw, also known as weight throw, at the JDL Fast Track Meet in 2016, as well as winning All-SAC honors for hammer throw (2016, 2017) and discus (2017).

As she continues to challenge herself each season, Hinson has created two personal goals for herself during her junior season.

“I want to be the first thrower in Wingate history to make Nationals for indoor this year,” says Hinson.  “I also want to win discus and hammer throw in the SAC for outdoor this year.”

As the new season begins, Hinson sees a lot of potential for her team as they compete against other schools in the SAC conference.

“We challenge each other every day by competing against one another to be the best at our sport out of the entire team,” Hinson says.“I believe that this healthy competition is going to help us when we compete against other throwers because we will already have that competitive edge that we give one another on the team.”

 

Edited by Brendan Shriver

student, VITA, Wingate Clubs, Wingate University

VITA club students are helping those in the community to file their taxes

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Savanna Harris, Staff Writer

It’s always refreshing to hear that the people in your community are helping those in need. What’s even better is when those volunteers are coming from your very own college campus.

Part of the Wingate University mission statement is to take advantage of opportunities to go beyond the campus itself and make a difference, and that is exactly what the students of VITA are doing.

IMG_0686
Photo Credit: Savanna Harris

VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, is a nationwide program that offers free income tax preparation not only to low-income families, but to people with disabilities, people who speak limited English, and to the elderly, as well. The Wingate University branch of the program was started in 2008 by Dr. Bob Threatt, Assistant Professor of Accounting. His goal was to apply the knowledge of the Business School in a way that would make a significant impact and comply with the service component of the Wingate mission statement.

One of the most surprising aspects of this program is that there are no prerequisite requirements to be a volunteer. If a student desires to be apart of the program, they must only pass three online IRS tests. Before the tests, they are given IRS booklets to study over the holiday break.

The entire process also counts as a three-credit course and a ninety hour internship. Students must put in approximately fifty hours of studying and preparation, and approximately forty hours of doing the actual tax returns.

It is very student friendly due to the fact that the volunteer hours are not demanding. The volunteers simply send in a schedule to the VITA headquarters in Monroe stating the days and times that they are available.

It is no surprise that this program has been remarkably successful during its ten years of operation. According to Dr. Threatt, all of the feedback he has received has been positive, and Union County particularly enjoys having Wingate students volunteer.

During our interview, he recalled a time when the IRS sent an agent to come review the overall performance of the student volunteers, as well as how well our branch of the program was running. The agent went as far as to say that this was one of the best VITA locations he had ever visited, and that he was greatly impressed at how the students interacted with their clients.

Pictured: Luis Aguilar Submitted Photo
Pictured: Beau Hildebrand Photo Credit: Savanna Harris

Luis Aguilar, finance major, and Beau Hildebrand, accounting major, both of whom are seniors and VITA volunteers, reflected on how VITA has changed their own lives, as well as the lives of those they have helped.

Aguilar described feeling humbled, and called to mind a specific memory with a client of his. “I remember helping one lady who had two little kids. Her family was very cute and you could definitely see the unity.”

Hildebrand gave a different perspective, going on to say, “I haven’t officially started working yet, but so far I’ve had a great experience learning about the tax process, and I look forward to getting to know the people I work with better.”

All in all, there have been sixty-eight Wingate University students who have participated in VITA, completing an average of forty tax returns each, equalling around 2,700 tax returns throughout ten years.

Our volunteers have gotten a total of $6,646,160 in tax refunds for their clients. In the fine words of Dr. Threatt, “It has been much more than I ever dreamed it would be.”

Edited by: Brea Childs

Football, NCAA DII, sports, Wingate University

Wingate football beats Pembroke to remain undefeated and advances in AFCA ranking

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Sarah Thurman Staff Writer

After a big win at home on Saturday against UNC-Pembroke,  the undefeated Wingate Bulldogs will be on the road for their next two football games.

Wingate, 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the South Atlantic Conference, will travel to Salisbury to play Catawba on Saturday and to Mars Hill on Oct. 21. Both games will kick off at 1:30 p.m.

The next home game will be against Newberry at Irwin Belk Stadium on Oct. 28, at 6 p.m.

The Bulldogs are one of only two undefeated teams playing NCAA football in North Carolina (the other one is North Carolina A&T) after taking a 31-28 victory over UNC-Pembroke (1-5).

Wingate is ranked No. 24 nationally in this week’s  AFCA/NCAA Division II Coaches’ top 25 poll. It’s the first time we’ve been in the rankings this season

Wide receiver Jay Hood scored the winning touchdown on a 14-yard pass from quarterback James Whitaker with 1:34 left in the game. Senior running back Lawrence Pittman ran for 165 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries.

It was the first time the two teams had played each other since the 2014 season. Wingate leads the all-time series 6-3.

The game was the first for the Bulldogs since a 22-14 win at Lenoir-Rhyne on Sept. 23.

In that game, Pittman rushed 37 times for 127 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt senior place kicker Freddy McCollum made a career-high three field goals for Wingate.

By the end of first quarter Wingate led 3-0 with McCollum scoring a 19-yard field goal. At halftime L-R got the lead with a 9-yard touchdown run. But Wingate regained the lead at 10-7 on Whitaker’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Malik Bledsoe.

In the third quarter, McCollum kicked a 21-yard field goal for a 13-7 lead

During the fourth quarter Pittman got a 3-yard touchdown run and with 3:12 on the clock, McCollum scored a 31-yard field goal, making the score 22-7.

L-R’s Nelson Brown got a 1-yard touchdown run for the final 22-14 score.

Edited by: Brea Childs

Photo Credit: Wingate Athletics Website

Lyceum, Politics, Wingate University

Dreamers of Wingate share their stories 

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Savanna Harris, Staff Writer

DACA has been a hot news topic in recent weeks since the Trump Administration announced that the policy will be allowed to expire. But, what exactly is DACA?

Simply put, DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that was put into place by President Barack Obama in 2012 to protect children of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

It also allows them to acquire important documents, such as work permits and driver’s licenses. Not only that, DACA is the reason that many of these children, who have been dubbed “dreamers,” are able to attend college. This includes students right here at Wingate, who are currently faced with possibly having to return to their birth countries in the midst of obtaining a  college education.

Affected students on campus knew that more people needed to be made aware of what is happening to them and many others, so the Latino Club sponsored a Lyceum last Wednesday, appropriately named, “Dreamers of Wingate.” The event also was supported by the Modern Languages and History and Political Science departments.

At the event, political science faculty member Dr. Steven Hyland, who was the host; the pastor of a local church; an immigration lawyer; and three of our DACA students all came together to tell their stories.

Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Monroe, began by giving an emotional perspective. He said, “We want to maintain a vision of people, not numbers,” in reference to many viewpoints on immigration being based on the number of people who come here instead of why they come here. His speech paved the way for the informational portion of the program.

Following Father Roberts, Cynthia Aziz, an immigration lawyer who works out of Charlotte, provided details about the specific conditions and requirements of DACA, and gave insight into how it is being handled in Washington D.C. “DACA has become a political football, and it shouldn’t have. It was meant to be a humanitarian act,” she said.

She also went on to say that she has clients from places all over the world, such as Canada and even Lebanon, contrary to the stereotype that most or all of DACA recipients come from Central America or Mexico. The audience listened with great interest, but when the students began to recount their own personal experiences, all eyes were on them.

Alicia Rubio Gomez, sophomore, was the first of the students to speak. She described in great detail how it constantly feels as though she is up against a great opposition. “Regardless of the support, the thing that hangs in the backs of our minds are those who hate us,” said Alicia, whose parents brought her to this country from Mexico and settled in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Despite her struggles, the main one being unable to apply for colleges in Georgia, Gomez was able to come here thanks to a full scholarship designed specifically for DACA students.

Cristo Carrasco, from Charlotte, shared a similar experience, and said it has pushed him to do better. “DACA has personally influenced me to work harder, because I have been forced to carry the weight of being a ‘dreamer’ on my shoulders,” he said.

Maria Perez, freshman from Gainesville, Ga., closed out the Lyceum with the heartbreaking story of her father being deported, and went on to say that ultimately, she was not discouraged even through the heartbreak. “We will fight for a permanent solution,” she said.

Dr. Hyland said that recent polls indicate that a great majority of Americans support the right for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children to become legal residents.

He said  he was pleased with the turnout of about 320 people for the event, which included students, faculty, staff and community members.“I think it was an important display of interest in DACA and its impact on Wingate and of solidarity on the part of our students for their fellow classmates and peers,” he said.

Edited by: Brea Childs

sports, Uncategorized, Wingate University

Wingate’s Pep band prepares to bring more excitement to the new athletic season

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Ryan McKeel, Staff Writer

Wingate University’s Pep Band gears up for the first home game of the 2017 season on Saturday, September 16 at 6:00 PM at Irwin Belk Stadium.

The Pep Band, Wingate’s premiere athletic performing ensemble, has been under the direction of Dr. Dawn Price, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Wingate University, for ten years.

With performances at select Volleyball games as well as all home Football games, the Pep Band strives to bring Wingate spirit to any game they attend. “My favorite Pep Band activity, besides playing music, is helping engage the crowd in cheering on the sports teams,” said Junior Dariyhn Lee.

A common theme in both rehearsals and games amongst the band members is the excitement for the game. With their music ready to go and instruments in hand, the band members are often the loudest ones in the stands cheering on their fellow bulldogs.

The band hasn’t always dominated a section in the stadiums, says Dr. Price. “The band has grown from 17 members in 2008 to now 47 members. The overall ability of the group has improved as well.”

Dr. Price strives to give every band member an opportunity to gain something from their time in the stadiums. “[Pep Band] gives students, both music majors and non-majors, an opportunity to play their instruments in sports and entertainment events,” she said. “The band also provides a wide variety of music intended to promote spirit at the various athletic events at which we play.”

Other key game day members have noted the, no pun intended, pep that the band brings. Head Football Coach, Joe Reich commented on the “special energy” that the band provides. “That is college football, having the band playing and the crowd cheering. That’s good stuff.”

The Pep Bands partner in crime, The Wingate University Cheerleader’s, have built a bond based on excitement and cheer with the musicians. “I think that the cheerleaders and pep band have been growing a relationship over the past few years,” said head cheer coach Kelly Sheppard. “We love the energy that the band gives us… I literally have to tell the girls to stay calm when the band starts up.”

Several of the Pep Band members have commented on the importance of their halftime shows.“I love performing for the people in the stands and hearing them sing along,” said junior Taylor Eudy. “It is exciting to be out there on that field and give the folks in the stand a chance to hear some tunes that they are familiar with.”

Other students in the stands have also felt the excitement that the band brings when their on the field. “It kind of stops you in your tracks. You can’t help but turn around and watch their show,” said senior Naomi Askew.

Athletes at games always find a way to show their support to the band members. Whether it’s a salute or shouted “Thanks!” from the football players celebrating a victory on the field, or a line of volleyball players after their win inside Cuddy Arena, most come together in some way to thank the band either at the stadium or in passing on campus.

When asked about their favorite tune, 12 of the 15 respondents listed Mark Ronson’s & Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”.

Edited by: Brea Childs

Photo credit: Wingate University Athletics