August 19, 2016
This week, I’m pleased to share that the Campus Corrective
Improvement Program, funded through a $600,000 gift from a private donor, is
progressing nicely with improvements to sidewalks, steps, blacktopping, curbs,
and power-washing now occurring throughout campus. In addition, stands were
installed at Birdsong Field thanks to the generosity of three donors.
Campus Master Planning continues. A space-utilization study
has been completed, a corrective maintenance plan has been drafted, and a
10-year master plan is on track for completion in October. We are grateful to
the anonymous donor for providing the $350,000 gift to fund this critical
function. Also, thanks to Comprehensive Facilities Planning, Inc., of Columbus,
Ohio, Aramark Engineering Solutions of Philadelphia, Derck & Edson of
Lititz, Pennsylvania, and the campus-based master planning committee for their
work on this project.
I was honored to be invited to be the guest preacher at
George Birdsong’s church, the Main Street United Methodist Church in Suffolk,
on August 14 for their Men’s Sunday service. VWC student Patrick Suttle was
also a part of the service. It was nice to talk with him and other members of
the Virginia Wesleyan community at a lunch afterward. Thanks to George and Sue
Birdsong and Rev. Myrtle Hatcher for the opportunity and for their hospitality.
I recently took part in the Salvation Army’s “10,000 Scoop
Challenge” as a “local celebrity” at the invitation of VWC alumna Heather
Tebbenhoff ’11. This city-wide effort to hand out 10,000 FREE scoops of
Mayfield Moose Tracks Ice Cream was organized to raise money for The Salvation
Army of Hampton Roads Area Command in support of community programs.
A visit with the new superintendent of Norfolk Public
Schools, Dr. Melinda Boone, was also an enjoyable event on my calendar last
week. It was great to talk about her vision for Norfolk Public Schools and to
discuss opportunities for collaboration.
Annie and I had the pleasure of attending the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the National Defense University Joint Forces Staff College last Friday evening. They are a part of the Tidewater Consortium, as we are, and it was nice to hear General Anthony C. Zinni and the Distinguished Lecture Series, as well as to participate in the Dean’s Reception that followed.
I’m pleased to share another great opportunity for Virginia
Wesleyan. We have signed a Cooperation Agreement with the University of
Education Heidelberg. I have worked with them for nine years at my other
institutions. The agreement includes mutual exchange programs for faculty,
students and staff and the facilitation of visiting professorships and
lectureships. I know that this relationship will add value to both
institutions.
Finally, I’m looking forward to delivering my second State
of the College address on August 23 at 12:15 in the Convocation Center of the
Jane P. Batten Student Center. It will follow a welcome-back lunch for faculty,
staff and invited guests. I’m eager to provide an update on institutional
progress and goals, new initiatives and plans for the continued improvement of
the College. I’m pleased that this year’s address will be available online via a
live webcast. I invite you to view the webcast at approximately 12:15 p.m. on
Tuesday, August 23: https://goo.gl/wosQUc
