There is an exciting new project underway again on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan College! With the first classes in the school's history beginning in the fall of 1960, and the Vietnam War taking place shortly thereafter, many of the members in those first graduating classes were directly affected by the war. Those Pioneer Classes, along with other alumni and friends of the College, are coming together to support a new project to honor both those alumni who served in Vietnam and those who served during the Vietnam War Period.

In 2012 the College erected a Vietnam Memorial marker to honor those Wesleyan Vietnam Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice during that war. This new project, a complimentary addition to the memorial marker, will recognize those Wesleyan Vietnam Veterans who served their country during that time. Those who served in Vietnam will be recognized at a ceremony in May 2021 and those who served during the Vietnam War Period will be recognized at a ceremony in November 2021. As a College, we are honored by their dedicated service and incredible sacrifice to our great nation.

The design of the new wall and plaque will be low-key so as to not distract from the original memorial, but constructed in a way that brings together all Wesleyan alumni who served. On the new wall, barcode scanning technology will quickly reveal additional biographical information about each of the individuals recognized. A draft sketch of the dedication wall is shown in the photo images for you to get a glimpse of what is to come.

We are asking for your help to raise $25,000 to complete this wall project, as well as establish the funds needed to maintain both the existing memorial marker and this new recognition wall. Your support of this project, regardless of the amount, will make a positive impact on so many alumni, family members and friends of alumni, the College, and both current and future students.

The inaugural Vietnam War Veterans plaque will be unveiled during a ceremony on May 15, 2021. The Vietnam War Period Veterans plaque will be presented at the Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, November 11, 2021.

For more information or to ask additional questions regarding this project, please do not hesitate to contact Charlie Long in the Alumni Relations Office at clong@ncwc.edu or 252.985.5219.