Good News Friday: A North Carolina college battled homesickness by letting pets into dorms

NC Wesleyan University, a private college in Rocky Mount, introduced pet-friendly housing in recent years to help students battle homesickness and bring a little joy to campus. That, and more positive stories from North Carolina, in today’s Good News Friday.

Happy Friday and Happy October! I hope everyone is enjoying whipping out their fall sweaters and apple cider – I know I have been as Chapel Hill weather decides to get the autumn weather memo.

In today’s edition, we look at campus life going pet-friendly, a Wilmington artist turning loss into light, and a community rallying for a child in need.

For past editions of Good News Friday, click here. 

READ MORE: 11 best North Carolina farms for picking your own pumpkins

NC Wesleyan University opens dorms to pets

In recent years, NC Wesleyan University, a private Christian school in Rocky Mount, has introduced pet-friendly housing, letting students bring their furry friends into resident housing. The move aims to ease homesickness and add a little joy to campus life.

The program quickly proved popular, filling up its first year and returning for 2024–2025. NCWU says the pets not only provide comfort but also help students build structure and spark new connections with classmates.

(Photo via NC Wesleyan)

Wilmington artist turns grief into a new project 

Wilmington artist Sophia Wentz found a path forward from grief and loss in candle-making.

That creative outlet became Soph’s Beach House, a collection of handmade, non-toxic candles, room sprays, and perfumes inspired by the warmth and nostalgia of the ocean.

Wentz, who studied at UNC-Wilmington, was grieving the loss of her boyfriend in 2022. 

“As I healed, I kept creating—and curiosity eventually led me to candle making,” she told Voyage Raleigh recently. “The idea of capturing a memory, an emotion, or a feeling in a tiny jar of scented wax fascinated me.”

What started as a way to heal has grown into a thriving small business. Wentz’s candles now reach beyond local markets, and carry her story of resilience and the power of creativity and art.

 

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Columbus County rallies for 15-month-old battling cancer 

Friends and neighbors in Whiteville are hosting a chicken bog fundraiser for Alayna Adams, a toddler receiving treatment at Levine Children’s Cancer Hospital after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

The event takes place today, Oct. 3, at the Vietnam Veterans building, with $8 plates helping to support Alayna and her family. Chicken bog, by the way, is a low-country dish served in South Carolina that typically features chicken, rice, various spices, and sausage. 

It’s a simple meal to show this family they aren’t fighting alone.