RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that the university will host its admissions open house for prospective students and families on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a variety of events taking place throughout the day, including a registration and academic fair, parent panel discussion and optional campus tours. Keynote speaker for the event will be Anthony “Spudd” Webb, a former NBA point guard with local ties to Raleigh. In addition, attendees will be invited for lunch and to watch the university’s softball doubleheader and the women’s tennis team as the William Peace Pacers play the LaGrange Panthers. The open house, which is held multiple times during the fiscal year, will conclude with a meet and greet of university coaches as well as appointments with financial aid and admissions staff.

A natural athlete with a stellar high school basketball career, Webb was named Player of the Year during his senior year of high school and was selected as one of 10 players out of 5,000 to participate in the All-State team for Texas. In 1983, he was recruited by NC State University under Jim Valvano and led the team to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Following two years in the United States Basketball League, Webb joined the Atlanta Hawks in 1985 and went on to average more than 10 points and five assists in a game. He won the slam-dunk championships at the 1986 All-Star game, beating out Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan. Now retired, Webb serves as president of the basketball operations for the Texas Legends, a NBA Development League team.

“We always look forward to welcoming prospective students and families to William Peace University for our admissions open house, and we are pleased to welcome Spudd Webb to speak to attendees about his experiences as a college student in Raleigh and our area’s appreciation of higher education,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University. “A plethora of considerations factor into making the decision on which college to attend, and many parents and potential students believe they need to step foot onto campus to help make their final decision. This open house offers parents and students alike a chance to experience in person the unique attributes that make William Peace University a distinctive institution providing educational excellence that prepares students for the careers of tomorrow.”

ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY:
William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all-women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

Four-Year Baccalaureate University Continues Athletic Tradition
In Support Of The Pretty In Pink Foundation’s Fight Against Breast Cancer

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that it will host the 8^th Annual Softball Doubleheader game against Meredith College, an independent private women’s college in Raleigh, on Wednesday, March 20 beginning at 3 p.m. The Pretty in Pink Foundation, a Raleigh-based nonprofit organization serving breast cancer patients with limited or no health insurance benefits, will be the recipient of all event proceeds. The softball doubleheader runs in conjunction with the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association’s (NFPCA) annual Strike Out Cancer event, where the NFPCA partners with the American Cancer Society^® in support of women’s cancer research. Additionally, the event will include dunking booths for students to dunk both Meredith College and William Peace University faculty and staff.

“The annual softball doubleheader against Meredith College continues to be a highlight of our school year as it brings together a longstanding athletic competition while supporting a very worthwhile cause,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University. “We are proud for William Peace University to be hosting and participating in an event that both supports the ongoing fight against breast cancer and honors its survivors. All members of the community are encouraged to attend this fun and inspiring event.”

ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY:
William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that President Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., has been elected to the NCAA Division III President’s Council by a vote from President’s across the country. Founded to protect student-athletes more than 100 years ago, the NCAA works to emphasize the higher education commitment to both athletic and academic excellence. Townsley’s term will begin at the conclusion of the January 2013 Convention and run through 2017.

The NCAA Division III President’s Council consists of 15 members who work to establish a strategic plan as well as direct general policy for Division III colleges and universities. Committee members are responsible for implementing policies adopted by the association’s executive committees, overseeing budgetary needs, approving regulations concerning Division III championships, and maintaining diversity within the membership of the committee and other Division III governance bodies.

“For years the NCAA has proactively worked to ensure that our collegiate student athletes are excelling across athletic and academic platforms,” said Townsley. “It is truly an honor to be appointed as a committee member of the NCAA Division III President’s Council and have the opportunity to work alongside other university leaders to further advance the vision and goals of this division.”

Townsley is also a member of the NCAA Division III Chancellors/Presidents Advisory Group and has served as a mentor within the NCAA Outreach Program for First-Time Chancellors and Presidents.

ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY:
William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all-women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that members of the 2011-2012 women’s softball team finished 48^th out of more than 400 schools ranked in the 2011-2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-Academic Teams & All-America Scholar Athletes list which was recently released. Collectively, university players had a 3.295 GPA, which placed the institution in second place, just behind Piedmont College, among schools ranked from the USA South Conference.

The William Peace Pacers are led by Coach Charlie Dobbins. As the original orchestrator of the William Peace University softball program, Dobbins built the program at WPU from the ground up, establishing the Pacers as a consistent contender in the USA South Athletic Conference. Over the last 14 seasons under his coaching, WPU has won an average of more than 20 games per year while producing 35 USA South All Conference and 10 NFCA All Region selections, as well as 101 Academic All-Conference and 35 Academic All-American members.

“While it can often be a challenge to juggle both athletics and education, I am proud that my players have consistently placed academics as a top priority in their lives as student-athletes,” said Dobbins. “This ranking confirms what I have emphasized since I started the softball program, that at William Peace University, we are committed to developing our players both on and off the field, and they follow that belief themselves.”

“It is cause for celebration to recognize the Pacers softball players for achieving notable academic success,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University. “Our players are committed to their educational pursuits, and our ranking on this list reflects that philosophy. I know our players will continue this devotion to academic excellence in the upcoming season.”

ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY:
William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that Chris Duty has been named the university’s first head baseball coach. In his position, Duty will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment of high school students and junior college baseball players in an effort to build the first baseball team, which will compete in the NCAA Division III USA South Athletic Conference. Additionally, he will attend baseball showcases across the state of North Carolina, meet with local community college coaches and develop the home game baseball schedule, which will take effect in the spring of 2014.

Outside of the university, Duty serves as the athletic facility supervisor for the USA Baseball National Training Complex, located in Cary, N.C. He has coached baseball for more than four years and worked as an associate scout with the Baltimore Orioles prior to joining William Peace University.

“One of the most exciting opportunities you can have as a coach is being able to serve on a college campus and build a team from the ground up,” said Duty. “As baseball is a sport that has encompassed my entire life, I value the opportunity the school has given me to work alongside students and develop the talents of young collegiate athletes who will be participating in William Peace University’s baseball program.”

“As with other college campuses, the athletic programs of William Peace University serve as an opportunity to gather our student body in support of our athletes and show unwavering school spirit, so naturally we are elated to expand that feeling to the baseball field,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University. “Chris’ commitment and passion for the sport of baseball and advancing the talent of young athletes is undeniable. He will serve as a wonderful asset to our university, and I look forward to the program he will build over the coming years for William Peace University.”

Duty graduated from NC State University with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism management. A graduate of the Major League Baseball Scouting School, Duty serves as a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and the North Carolina Recreation & Park Association.

He resides in Clayton, N.C., with his wife, daughter and twin sons.

William Peace University is offering several other men’s sports for the first time for the 2012-2013 school year, including men’s basketball, cross country and golf. To date, women’s sports offered at William Peace University includes basketball, cross county, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. For more information, visit http://www.gopeacepacers.org/landing/index.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced the hiring of Rod Williams as the head coach for the university’s men and women’s cross country teams. In his position, Williams is responsible for recruiting prospective cross country student athletes and monitoring the running techniques of both male and female teams as well as overseeing the development of competitive schedules in preparation for race day training.

Marking the first male cross country team for the university, the men’s team has already begun training for this year’s competition. Williams expects the women’s team to be a contender in the USA South Athletic Conference in the near future, as it is younger and larger than in previous years. Each runner on the women’s team has set new personal bests this season in 5K training, and some have improved their times more than two minutes.

Bringing more than 10 years of cross country experience, Williams has previously served as a distance coach for the Carolina Elite Track Club, where he assisted in the training of high school athletes, a volunteer track coach for South Carolina State University as well as a track coach for St. David’s High School in Raleigh.

“Having the opportunity to serve as William Peace University’s head cross country coach and contribute to the athletic foundation of this institution is truly an honor, as this sport has been an integral part of my life for many years,” said Williams. “It is my goal to develop a platform and environment for our runners that will assist them in achieving their own objectives while encouraging their love of the sport.”

“We are proud to announce Rod as the head cross country coach for William Peace University,” Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University.”More than merely appreciating the sport or having the athletic background, Rod has an undeniable passion for furthering the talent of young athletes. We look forward to the growth and opportunities that lie ahead of our cross country students under Rod’s leadership.”

Prior to joining William Peace University, Williams worked in the telecommunications industry for 10 years, where he served as an IT instructor.

Williams earned his degree in business administration from South Carolina State University.

He resides in Durham, N.C., with his wife and two children.

ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY:
William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that Zane Hill has been hired as the university’s head men’s soccer coach. In his position, Hill is responsible for initiating all aspects of the men’s soccer program, which includes recruiting prospective players, overseeing the training and coaching of team members, and coordinating the development and promotion of the men’s program, which is slated to play its first game in 2013.

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Hill moved to Woodbridge, Va. and attended the University of Virginia where he played varsity soccer and lettered all four years. Upon graduation, he served as a relief counselor in Charlottesville, Va., while coaching soccer and working as an outreach coordinator with Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle. Hill has coached soccer at varying grade levels while simultaneously working as a substitute teacher and school counseling intern across Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C. When he moved to North Carolina, he initially worked as a teacher’s assistant in Wake County as well as a coach for club games of the Triangle United Soccer Association in Chapel Hill. Prior to joining William Peace University, Hill most recently served as the lead soccer coach at WakeMed Soccer Park. He holds the U.S. Soccer Federation National “B” license, which certifies him to coach players age 16 to college level.

“I am extremely honored to be named the first-ever men’s soccer coach at William Peace University, and consider myself fortunate to join such a quality university,” said Hill. “Located in a community with a strong soccer presence and talent pool, the team has great potential for long-term success. Working alongside our administration, the William Peace University athletic staff and the local Raleigh community, I look forward to building a strong foundation for the upcoming 2013 season and beyond.”

“We are proud to announce Zane Hill as William Peace University’s head men’s soccer coach,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University. “He comes to us with a highly experienced athletic background, and he has an optimistic vision for university athletics and how to best position our men’s soccer program for the years to come. We trust that Zane will create and guide our men’s team into a successful program, and we look forward to supporting his efforts.”

Hill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from University of Virginia in 2005 and a Masters of Arts in school counseling from Marymount University in 2011.

William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that its Hermann Athletic Center, which was recently renovated, opened its doors on Thursday, Sept. 20. The Hermann Athletic Center, built in 1963 with a gift from Grover M. Hermann and family, marked the first building upgraded through the university’s campus improvement initiative. The facility includes the gym featuring a new floor, a fitness center, weight rooms, home and visiting locker rooms for both female and male athletes, a field house for spring training and intramural space, a training room and athletic offices. The athletic center was designed to meet the needs of intramural sports participants as well as athletes who compete for William Peace University in the NCAA Division III USA South Athletic Conference.

Along with the standard training and fitness equipment, the university now offers the CrossFit program to students, faculty and staff. A fitness program that has swept the United States, CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for police academies, tactical operation teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and countless elite and professional athletes nationwide. Led by Kevin Daniels, assistant director of athletics and head volleyball coach, the program is designed for universal scalability, making it suitable to all committed individuals regardless of their experience in exercising.

“We could not be more excited to have opened the doors of the Hermann Athletic Center,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University. “The expanded facility offers more programming and activities for our students, including the popular addition of intramural sports. Just as we are approaching and assessing a number of our campus facilities, it is important that we keep our athletic center up to date and aligned with the needs of today’s student body.”

“For nearly all universities, the athletic center serves as a gathering place for students to congregate, work out, train and cheer on our student athletes,” said Daniels. “More than any other generation before, today’s students have a keen understanding of the value that comes from a healthy diet and exercise regiment. The renovated athletic center, along with training programs like CrossFit, will assist our athletic department in ensuring that students are fully equipped with the tools needed to fully execute and customize their training while on campus.”

ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY:
William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that President Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., has been named to serve on the NCAA Division III Recruiting Working Group. The 13-person panel will evaluate alternative recruiting models for participating Division III colleges in the context of work-life balance and competitive equity, with the primary areas of discussion for potential legislative changes involving recruiting calendars and limitations on recruiting at nonscholastic events. Members of the NCAA Division III Recruiting Working Group will consider and recommend concepts regarding these issues throughout the latter half of 2012 and present them for a larger membership discussion at the 2013 NCAA Convention Issues Forum. Any potential legislative changes would be presented to the membership for a vote at the 2014 Convention.

Townsley was one of two college presidents selected for the group along with Barney Forsyth of Westminster College in Missouri. Additional members include:

• Desirai Tongco, National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Mills College in California;
• David Ellis, senior vice president and CFO of enrollment management at Becker College in Massachusetts;
• Fred Pfursich, vice president for enrollment at Whittier College in California;
• Luis Reis, head women’s soccer coach at Wheaton College in Illinois;
• Marci Sanders, head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Texas at Dallas;
• Jerry Boyes, director of athletics and head football coach at Buffalo State College in New York;
• Steve Fritz, director of athletics at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota;
• Mike Mattia, associate director of athletics/senior compliance administrator at John Hopkins University in Maryland;
• Karen Tessmer, associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator/head woman’s basketball coach at Worcester State University in Massachusetts;
• Keri Luchowski, executive director/commissioner for the North Coast Athletic Conference;
• Terry Rupert, vice president of athletics administration/director of athletics/management council liaison at Wilmington College in Ohio; and
• Ellen Mayock, faculty athletic representative at Washington & Lee University in Virginia.

“It is a distinct honor to be asked to serve on this group to determine the changes needed in recruitment policies for Division III colleges,” said Townsley. “Today’s learning institutions are facing increasing competition in recruitment that has led to concerns there might be abuses in the system that do not allow for fair and equal opportunities to meet with students about their college prospects. I understand the challenges our colleges face in this area, and as a member of the NCAA Division III Chancellors/Presidents Advisory Group, I pledge to keep an open mind and search for the best answers for everyone involved while working in consensus with my fellow group members.”

ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY:
William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women’s institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and welcomed its first coeducational class to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.

RALEIGH, N.C. – William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, has announced that Kelly Johnson, director of athletics, has been selected to serve on the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance Advisory Board. The 21-member board is comprised of sports, government, tourism and hospitality officials who play key roles in the sports event industry in the community. Each member will provide strategic guidance for the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA), the new name for the sports marketing department of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. The GRSA will market Wake County for the purpose of attracting sporting events, tournaments, championships and sports-related meetings to the area. Additionally, it will provide support and host services to existing events in order to help those events grow, become successful and ultimately remain in Wake County.

The GRSA Advisory Board will meet quarterly, beginning this fall. Board members serving alongside Johnson include:

• Paul Campion, senior director of sales, Octagon Global Events;
• Al Carter, dean of students, Shaw University;
• William Davis, athletic manager, Town of Cary;
• Alison Edmonds, executive director, Greater Raleigh Sports Council;
• Curt Johnson, president, Carolina RailHawks;
• Chris Kingston, executive senior associate director of athletics, NC State University;
• Joe Kremer, general manager, Carolina Mudcats;
• Brian Maloney, general manager of Capitol Sports Radio, Capitol Broadcasting;
• Jeff Merritt, executive director, Centennial Authority;
• Barry Mitsch, vice president, Pyramid Resource Group;
• Jackie Myers, athletics director, Meredith College;
• Laurie Okun, director of sales and marketing, Raleigh Convention Center;
• Dave Olsen, executive vice president, Carolina Hurricanes/PNC Arena;
• David Perkins, chief operating officer, USA Baseball;
• Larry Perkins, vice president of guest relations, Carolina Hurricanes/PNC Arena;
• Diane Sauer, parks and recreation director, City of Raleigh;
• Charlie Slagle, CEO, Capital Area Soccer League;
• Chris Snow, parks, recreation and open space director, Wake County;
• George Williams, director of athletics, St. Augustine’s University;
• Hotel Representative (one-year term): Michele Bevevino, director of sales and marketing, Raleigh Marriott City Center

“I am honored to serve on the GRSA Advisory Board,” said Johnson. “Raleigh and Wake County in general offer a vibrant sports scene with an abundance of recreational events for the community to enjoy as participating individuals and teams. My hope in working with the board is to ensure that residents know the full range of opportunities available to enjoy and take advantage of as many of these activities as possible.”

“On behalf of William Peace University, I congratulate Kelly on his appointed position with the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University. “Watching and taking part in major sporting events are part of the appeal of living in this area. Kelly knows and appreciates that fact, and will work to promote their continued success through this new board.