WILSON, N.C. — May 21, 2025 — Barton College is pleased to welcome its newest members to the Board of Trustees. These distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience and leadership across various fields, from marketing and healthcare to sports management and business operations, and will play a key role in advancing the College’s mission. 

“This group of accomplished leaders join an already strong and dedicated board, and their collective expertise and insight further expand the intellectual capital and experience guiding Barton’s future,”  shared Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president.  “Our new trustees not only enhance the profile of the College across the region and the nation, but—most importantly—they share a deep commitment to our students, our mission, and the continued growth of both Barton and the Wilson community. Their leadership and investment will help advance the forward momentum of our institution and our hometown.”

About the Newly Installed Members of the Board of Trustees — 

Mark Hillard received his business degree from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in 1981. He began his healthcare career in California in 1984, relocating to Arizona in 1990, and continuing in healthcare administration until retiring in May 2022. Mr. Hillard held various positions in healthcare administration early in his career in California and Arizona.  Most notable is his Chief Executive Officer position at Maricopa Integrated Health System (the Maricopa County health system now Valleywise Health), and Chief Operations Officer of University Physicians Health Plans in Tucson, Arizona.  He served as Chief Financial Officer with the parent companies of St. Luke’s Health System and Maricopa Integrated Health System. Mr. Hillard has served on several boards, including Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Mercy Care Health Plan, Phoenix Area Medical Education Consortium, and Arizona Care Network.  He and his wife Julie live in Scottsdale, Arizona and have two sons.

Rebecca Howard is an alumna of Barton College, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in English with a Drama minor in 1993. She currently serves as Vice President of Marketing for FCI Brands in Nashville, Tennessee, and is responsible for directing the company’s national marketing and sales initiatives. Prior to this appointment in 2008, Ms. Howard served as the Assistant Director for Marketing, Statistical Analysis, and Training for the American Red Cross Regional Blood Services in Norfolk, Virginia and was the recipient of the National Tiffany Award for Outstanding Leadership.  Ms. Howard lives in Huntersville, North Carolina with her wife, Chrisy.

Elmer Polite is the President of Lifepoint Health’s Eastern Division and Duke-Lifepoint Joint Venture. In this role, Mr. Polite provides operational oversight for Lifepoint’s acute care hospitals in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Prior to his interim president role, he served as chief financial officer of the Eastern Division, overseeing financial operations for 26 hospital campuses located in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Mr. Polite earned his Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and also in Agribusiness and Economics from South Carolina State University.  He also completed a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from DeVry University.  Mr. Polite has three children and lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife, Tonya.

Rick Schlesinger is President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team. He is in his 22nd season with the Brewers and sixth in his current position after being promoted in 2019. He has previously held roles with the organization as executive vice president of business operations (2003-10) and chief operating officer (2011-18). Prior to joining the organization, Schlesinger spent five seasons (1998-2002) as vice president of business and legal affairs/assistant general manager for the Anaheim Angels. He previously worked for Walt Disney Pictures and Television in motion picture development and production (1993-1998) and at the Los Angeles law firm of Latham and Watkins (1986-1993).  Mr. Schlesinger is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, and received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School (cum laude) in 1986. A native of Bayside, Wisconsin, he currently resides in Hartland, Wisconsin, with his wife, Kate. They have five children, Bradley, Sam, Caitlin, Molly, and Mathieu.

Corey Taylor is a graduate of Barton College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Psychology with a concentration in Management in 1994. A member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, he was also a four-year starter on the Barton Soccer Team and was inducted into the Barton College Soccer Hall of Fame in‬ 2011.‬‬ Mr. Taylor currently serves as the Director of Client‬ Relations for Corporate Payroll Services and is responsible for the Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, and Philadelphia offices. He lives in Monroe, North Carolina with his wife, Sherri, and they have two sons, Cameron and Nicholas.

Sheila Wiggins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities at East Carolina University. Now a retired educator, Mrs. Wiggins’ professional career included teaching appointments in the Vance County and Nash County School Systems, as well as Nash Community College and Barton College. She has served on a number of Boards of Directors, including the Arts Council of Wilson, the Barton College Alumni Board and Board of Advisors, as well as the Auxiliary Board of the Wilson Medical Center, the Parents Council at Meredith College, and the Weekday School Board for the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson. The Wiggins are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson, where she has served as chair of the Christian Education Ministries, deacon, elder, and Clerk of Session. Mrs. Wiggins is married to Jack and they have two children, Farrell and Barker.

END

Albizu University is proud to announce the launch of Intercollegiate Athletics with men’s and women’s soccer teams at its Miami Campus, with competition to begin in Fall 2025. The university initiated the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) Pathways to Membership process, enhancing student life and furthering its mission to promote academic and personal growth through inclusive excellence.

“This is a transformational step forward for our Miami Campus,” said Dr. Yianni Vassiliou, Chancellor of Albizu University’s Miami Campus. “Adding intercollegiate athletics—beginning with men’s and women’s soccer—supports our commitment to expanding student engagement, enhancing campus vibrancy, and growing enrollment in a mission-aligned and sustainable way.”

The proposed program anticipates recruiting an initial cohort of 30 student-athletes, supported by a targeted scholarship program and athletic director and coaching staff, with plans for expansion in subsequent years. The initiative complements Albizu’s degrees and academic focus in psychology, health, education, and community-centered professions, drawing from South Florida’s strong soccer culture and demand for mental health, education, behavioral sciences, and culturally responsive education.

Albizu’s administration has identified local field partnerships and a clear implementation timeline, including coaching staff and launching outreach this spring. Juan Carlos (JC) Gonzalez has been hired as the Athletic Director and Men’s & Women’s Head Soccer Coach. The university projects significant enrollment growth from the program, with expectations to double the impact through future athletic offerings.

To request additional information, please contact Athletic Director Gonzalez at jcgonzalez@albizu.edu or fill out the online form at www.albizu.edu/athletics. 

About Albizu University

Proud of its roots and commitment to excellence in program offerings, Albizu University is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning with campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Miami, Florida, and a University Center in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.  It was the only regionally accredited secular University in the continental United States named in honor of a Hispanic, the distinguished Puerto Rican psychologist Dr. Carlos Albizu-Miranda. To date, over 9,000 graduates call Albizu University their Alma Mater—a university that prides itself on educating culturally competent individuals capable of serving the diverse populations of our global community.  Albizu University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology, education, speech-language pathology, and human services, as well as an ESOL program, taught by a diverse, expert faculty. Total enrollment is over 2,000 students representing 65 countries.  Albizu University’s Miami Campus was recently recognized as the top institution for Best Online Master’s in Organizational Psychology Programs 2020 by BestColleges.com.  For more information, visit albizu.edu. 

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WARDSVILLE — The Fatima Lady Comets ended their season Tuesday with an 8-0 loss to the Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science Owls in the quarterfinals of the Class 1 District 1 Tournament.

The Owls led 7-0 at the half before finishing off the mercy rule with a goal in the final half.

Fatima, the No. 9 seed, ended its season with a 2-15 record.

Top-seeded Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science (13-3) will take on the winner of fourth-seeded Bishop DuBourg and No. 5 seed Gateway Science Charter, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. today, in the semifinals at noon Saturday.

EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ women’s soccer team is set to host an ID Clinic Friday, August 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. to noon at Lions Stadium.
 
The ID Clinic is for female soccer players in grades 9 and up who are interested in being evaluated by the Lions’ coaching staff. The clinic is limited to 30 field players and six goalkeepers, and includes an optional campus tour led by current TCNJ players.
 
The cost of the clinic is $125, and registration is available through this link: http://www.tcnjsportscamps.com/womens-soccer/camps.php
 
TCNJ finished its 2024 campaign with a record of 18-1-2 under second-year head coach Danny Blank, winning a second consecutive NJAC title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

By Russ Hodges, Sports Editor

ROCHELLE — Fernando Diaz experienced both physical and mental growth throughout his four years with the Rochelle Hub soccer program. Playing all four years at the varsity level, Diaz saw his confidence and his physicality on the field increase as he gained more valuable experience.

That growth resulted in Diaz earning a key leadership role as a starting forward during his senior season, when he posted a career-high 16 goals while serving as a team captain for the Hubs, who won 12 games during the fall. Diaz, who concluded his four-year varsity career at RTHS with 33 goals and 13 assists, will continue his academics and athletics at Kishwaukee College.

“I chose Kish because it’s close to home and I will develop into a more confident and intelligent player,” Diaz said. “Playing soccer at Rochelle taught me to be confident in my decisions and to always push to be better. I’d say I improved in being more physical during my time at Rochelle because I always felt smaller than my opponents, so I had to adjust and be more physical.”

Diaz, whose twin brother Francisco also played four years of varsity soccer at RTHS, scored his first career varsity goals as a freshman in 2021. Diaz, who played midfield and forward during his time with the Hubs, enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2022, when he scored nine goals (third most on the team) and dished out four assists (tied for third most). Diaz said he intends to earn his associate’s degree at Kish and pursue a career as a physical therapist.

“I’m looking forward to making more connections with not only the people around me, but hopefully other universities to play for because it’s a dream of mine,” said Diaz, whose two older brothers, Alexis Bueno and Sergio Magallon, both played soccer at Kishwaukee College. “What swayed me to Kish was my brothers’ experiences with the program. I’m hoping that I can help and improve in the midfield and possess the ball. I want to get better at playing with IQ.”

Diaz scored seven goals and led the Hubs with seven assists during his junior season, when he became a team captain for the first time in his career. Diaz kept the captain’s badge as a senior in 2024, helping Rochelle bounce back from a five-win season in 2023. Diaz, who earned an Interstate 8 All-Conference award in 2024, will reunite with teammate Alberto Casillas at Kish.