January 8, 2016
In September, I shared the establishment of the Council for Big Ideas at
Virginia Wesleyan College. The Council is comprised of retired college and
university leaders with a record of visionary thought and action. Its purpose
is to propose innovative strategies for responding to current major challenges
confronting residential colleges and universities today.
The Council for Big Ideas will
generate scenarios for our consideration that expand our thinking and create
solutions that avoid “business as usual.”
I particularly wish to exchange
ideas with five former presidents who have a direct connection to Virginia
Wesleyan College and/or me, and who have long been "big idea"
thinkers. They include:
Dr. David R. Black, former President of Eastern University, Palmer Theological Seminary, Lakeland College
Dr. Marylouise Fennell, Senior Counsel at the Council of Independent Colleges and former President of Carlow University
Dr. James L. Fisher, former President of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and Towson University
Dr. James V. Koch, former President of Old Dominion University and the University of Montana
Dr. Terry Lindvall, former President of Regent University
Dr. James Noseworthy, former President of Hiwassee College and former Assistant General Secretary for Schools, Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church
Through individual consultations,
these "Big Ideas" have emerged during the last six months:
- completion of a comprehensive Institutional Review;
- establishment of the Center for Advancement and Center for Enrollment Services;
- establishment of The Robert F. Boyd Institute as a Virginia Wesleyan College continuing education outreach to The United Methodist Church;
- initiation of dual credit programs with selected secondary partners;
- initiation of dual/cooperative degree programs for accelerated graduated placement with selected higher educational partners; and
- initiation of degree-seeking student recruitment in China.
One of the Big Ideas that connects to the strategic plan is twofold: (1) VWC as a beacon of liberal arts education (see vision); and (2) achieving true prominence. The dual/cooperative degree programs combine with a world-class Environmental Sciences program/center and an experience based curriculum to effectuate that big goal.
I look forward to sharing other “big
ideas” with the campus community in the future.
