Wingate University Athletics

Wingate, N.C.----Hello! My name is Kara Stasikelis and I am a junior on the Wingate University women’s tennis team. During Winter Break, I went to Tunisia with the W’International program. 

One day, we traveled by cars through the desert to see an old Star Wars set. The experience was amazing. Going through the sand in an SUV was pretty terrifying. We were being tossed around the car and speeding through the sand. 

I am a big Star Wars fan, so I was really excited about seeing the set that was used in the movie. The experience did not disappoint me; the set was really incredible to see. After we visited the Star Wars set, we saw the place where the movie The English Patient was filmed (although I have never seen the movie). 

We then traveled to Douz, Tunisia to ride camels! It was definitely a once-in-a- lifetime experience. I will never forget the opportunity. Getting on the camels was pretty scary. Once I got on (the camel), it was amazing. This day in Tunisia was my favorite day out of the entire trip. I definitely couldn’t have had this international adventure any other place. Wingate really opened up the doors for me to experience world travel. 

WINGATE UNIVERSITY 

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service. 

Wingate offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees. 

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years. 

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.