Hundreds of students, staff, and faculty filled Huff Concert Hall on Monday, Sept. 12 as Wearden and a panel of six students sat on stage together – a fresh look for the annual convocation.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – With the 66th year of Methodist University in full swing, President Stanley T. Wearden ensured current students were the focal point of the 2022 Fall Convocation.
Hundreds of students, staff, and faculty filled Huff Concert Hall on Monday, Sept. 12 as Wearden and a panel of six students sat on stage together – a fresh look for the annual convocation.
Before diving into a Q&A session, Wearden highlighted some of the top stories involving the University as of late, including the grand opening of One Stop and MU being ranked as the No. 1 most diverse university in North Carolina. He also delivered a note of encouragement for students.
“Our students are better citizens in society because you learn to listen and debate topics in ways that are constructive,” said Wearden. “You learn that the methods many of our politicians use to attack one another does not work. You learn how to tackle the big topic of why you are here. As a Methodist University student, you have a greater understanding of ethics.”
Wearden went on to ask the panel of students – senior Kobe Praylow, sophomore Rebecca McGaughnea, graduate student Zahra Asif, graduate student Raymond McCall, sophomore Asemahle Mgayi, and sophomore Zachary Butrite—a variety of questions about their experiences at MU. Each student provided words of wisdom to their fellow students in the audience.
“Remember, be kind and respectful,” said McGaughnea, a Biology, Chemistry, and Forensic major from Pittsboro, N.C. “Sit somewhere central on campus and say hi to someone you don’t already know. If you don’t say hi, chances are they will say hi to you. Also, be sure to build relationships with your professors and show up to their office hours.”
When asked about some of their most challenging times on campus, many of the students pointed to the lesson of needing to improve their time management skills. However, they also stressed the need for students to pay attention to their mental health.
“A year ago, I thought about quitting the football program because I was so overwhelmed with everything that was going on with school, football, activities, and life,” said Praylow, a Sport Management major from Pamplico, S.C. “But I decided to reach out to faculty and staff like Dr. Quincy Malloy who helped me get my life back on track.”
Students wrapped up the convocation by answering the most captivating question of the event: What motivates you every day at Methodist University?
“My parents are my why,” said Asif, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student from Old Bridge, N.J. “They immigrated here and presented so many opportunities for my siblings. I’m also the oldest sibling in my family so I wanted to be able to provide my younger siblings with someone they can look up to.”
McCall, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy student from Erwin, N.C., continued the theme of working hard for a larger purpose.
“At the age of 41, I’m doing my absolute best to represent my wife, two children, and parents because I want to be able to provide for them. But I’m also on a mission to be able to represent other Black people since there typically aren’t a lot of Black people in the profession.”