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William Carey University has stepped up its campus life game with the promotion of Dr. Wesley Dykes to vice president for student engagement. This newly created position expands his earlier role leading the recruitment of potential students to include enhancing the “Carey Experience” for current ones.
“My life changed in college and that’s what fuels my motivation to reach students. I’m a recruiter at heart. I believe when we bring students to Carey, we impact their lives with the gospel. In turn, they can learn their craft and go out to change the world,” Dykes said.
“I want campus to be a place where students feel at home. Where they feel people care for them, where they feel valued by their community. I want them to feel the same way about Carey that I do.”
CULTURE CHANGE
Dykes joined William Carey in 2012. By 2018, he was dean of the Winters School of Music. At that time, there were 108 music students. Enrollment is expected to surpass 300 this fall, making WCU’s school of music one of the largest in the state.
In the same six years, Winters School launched three new online graduate degrees and two bachelor’s degrees, including worship technology. The new degrees recognized the rise of bi-vocational church leaders and the growing need for technical skills in worship services.
Under Dykes, 18 new musical ensembles sprang up, including the Spirit of Carey, Symphonic Winds, WCU Orchestra, Carey On, Knights of Jazz, and Carey Worship Choir. The newest ensemble is Thomas Hall, a rock group named for the music building where its members spent most of their time.
“Dr. Dykes has a natural ability to create a culture of high energy and achievement, where students feel supported and respected as they mature into adults who will pass on those lessons in their own lives,” said WCU President Dr. Ben Burnett.
In spring 2024, Dykes added “associate vice president of recruitment” to his duties – a precursor to his most recent promotion to vice president for student engagement.
BIGGER PICTURE
The promotion of Dr. Dykes is part of a larger process.
Over the last several years, Dr. Burnett and the WCU Board of Trustees have completed a number of infrastructure projects to improve campus life for students.
- King Student Center: With its open spaces and modern interior, its looks like no other building on campus – and students helped design it.
- Student Success Center: Provides resources for students that include career preparation, tutoring, counseling and workshops.
- Wilkes Dining Hall: Gutting and redesigning the space resulted in one large, high-ceiling room with an open layout. It seats about 500 people.
- The Shield: A covered outdoor stage, the Shield hosts musical and theatrical performances on Tatum Lawn.
- In process: Large social and gathering plaza in the center of campus.
- In process: Top-to-bottom renovation of one of WCU’s older dorms.
- Up next: Residential housing and full-service cafeteria for WCU-Tradition campus.
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