Sunday, December 31, 2017

VWU Online: Change Your World in 2018

It was a big year at Virginia Wesleyan—we launched two new graduate programs and extensive online offerings at the undergraduate level. Change your world in 2018 with Virginia Wesleyan Online! Learn more: online.vwu.edu

Friday, December 29, 2017

Boyd Institute to Welcome Dr. Tod Bolsinger

The Robert F. Boyd Institute will take place on campus March 19-20, 2018. We're proud to welcome Dr. Tod Bolsinger, Vice President and Chief of Leadership Formation and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, who will share insight and lessons on leadership in a changing world. Learn more at www.vwu.edu/boyd.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Explore VWU's Online MBA

Become a leader in business, completely online, with Virginia Wesleyan's Master of Business Administration. Our next start date is January 29, and you could finish in as little as 12 months. Learn more: online.vwu.edu

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

The Wesleyan Review

Catch up on the latest news and events at Virginia Wesleyan University in our latest edition of The Wesleyan Review: http://conta.cc/2p2RlCG

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Wayne Pollock Co-Editor of New Recreational Therapy Ethics Manual

Congratulations to VWU Recreation and Leisure Studies Professor Wayne Pollock, co-editor of the recently published book, "American Therapeutic Recreation Association—Guidelines for the Ethical Practice of Recreational Therapy, A Training Manual" (www.sagamorepub.com). It is truly a gift to work among extraordinarily talented faculty who are so strongly committed to excellence in both teaching and scholarship!

Saturday, December 23, 2017

New Articulation Agreement with Richard Bland College of William & Mary

Home to one of the largest commercial ports on the East Coast, Hampton Roads provides endless opportunities for internships and jobs in the areas of transportation, manufacturing, distribution, and other allied fields. To help prepare students for success in this dynamic area, Virginia Wesleyan University and Richard Bland College of William & Mary have signed a new articulation agreement that builds upon supply chain management and logistics tracts at both schools. Learn more: http://www.vwu.edu/news-a-events/news-releases/new-agreement-between-vwu-and-richard-bland-college

Friday, December 22, 2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Nota Bene: University's Environmental Efforts Earn Top Honors

It is a great pleasure to share that Virginia Wesleyan University has advanced to the top tier Model Level status in the Elizabeth River Project’s River Star Business program. I’m told that following an annual review of our documentation, the River Restoration Advisory Committee unanimously agreed that the University should progress to this top designation.

The
Elizabeth River Project is an independent non-profit that works with partner organizations to restore the Elizabeth River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. River Star Businesses is one of their signature programs, recognizing organizations that voluntarily reduce pollution and create or conserve wildlife habitat enhancement. To reach Model Level, an organization must move beyond wildlife habitat restoration and pollution reduction and demonstrate that it has become an environmental mentor to others in the community.

Very special thanks to the
President’s Environmental Issues Council, and in particular, Professor of Political Science William Gibson. Dr. Gibson has dedicated much of his life to cleaning up the Elizabeth River and has taken the lead on earning this and other notable designations for the University. Dr. Gibson and I look forward to sharing our environmental accomplishments at the River Star Recognition Luncheon on January 25, 2018.

This is the second significant, environmentally related honor we’ve received in recent weeks. Last month, I shared that Virginia Wesleyan University will receive the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s top award,
Conservationist of the Year, at the “DC on the Half Shell” event on February 26 in Washington, D.C. The award will jointly recognize VWU and our friends at Washington College for our vision and dedication to educating the next generation of Chesapeake Bay leaders.

We have much to be proud of as an institution, and our environmental efforts and dedication to sustainability are no exception. Our outstanding faculty, beautiful 300-acre park-like campus, and the new state-of-the-art Greer Environmental Sciences Center position us firmly as a national leader in this area. 

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

WTKR News 3: VWU to offer scholarships to Puerto Rican students

Thank you to WTKR News 3 for sharing this important initiative! Online contributions can be made at www.vwu.edu/giveonline. Gifts should be designated to “Annual Scholarships” and should include “Puerto Rico” in the “Comments or additional information” box.

WTKR News 3: Virginia Wesleyan University to offer scholarships to Puerto Rican students
http://wtkr.com/2017/12/20/virginia-wesleyan-university-to-offer-scholarships-to-puerto-rican-students/

Best Wishes to Bruce Vaughan

Today we celebrated the retirement of long-time Physical Plant colleague, Bruce Vaughan, expressing our sincerest gratitude for his 23 years of dedicated service to the University. Throughout the years, as Vice President for Operations, Bruce facilitated the construction and renovation of many campus buildings, led the University’s commitment to sustainability, and played a significant role in the formulation of our 10-year Campus Master Plan. Pictured bottom: Bruce Vaughan (center) and Mike Rigby, Assistant Director of Physical Plant Operations, Grounds and Housekeeping. Top left: Presenting a resolution adopted by the VWU Board of Trustees honoring Mr. Vaughan for his service. Top right: Awarding a certificate that confers vice president emeritus status to an eternal Marlin. We wish Bruce the best for an enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.

Nota Bene: Victor Dorsey Named Director of Security

I am proud to share the promotion of long-time safety and security officer Victor Dorsey as Director of Security, effective immediately. Victor has served as acting director since the retirement of Jerry Mance last month. He has been an important part of our talented security staff for over 12 years, first serving as a sergeant, then as a lieutenant before progressing to director.

A safe, secure environment is essential to learning and to the peace of mind of our students, their parents, and our faculty and staff. Virginia Wesleyan’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, included as part of our
Safe and Secure brochure, contains information about campus security, statements about security-related campus policies, and statistical data for campus crime reports. Information on emergency response, evacuation procedures, and fire safety are also included.

Safe and Secure brochures are available at various offices and locations throughout campus, including Campus Security, the Athletics Suite, the Batten Student Center Hub, the Blocker Hall vending area, the Office of Finance and Administration, The Lighthouse, Hofheimer Library, Residence Life, and the Office of Student Affairs. Please familiarize yourself with this information. Although the University takes every precaution to ensure the safety of its students, faculty and staff, we still ask our campus community to do your part in exercising caution on campus and off.

We are fortunate to have a strong security presence at Virginia Wesleyan University, and we thank Victor Dorsey and all of our safety officers for their commitment to keeping our campus safe.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Marlin SportSplash!

Catch the latest in Virginia Wesleyan Athletics in this week's edition of Marlin SportSplash: http://conta.cc/2oOuRW4
 

Virginia Wesleyan to Offer Scholarships to Puerto Rican Students

In response to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico, Virginia Wesleyan is raising funds to offer full scholarships for up to five visiting students from the University of Puerto Rico-Humacao for the spring 2018 semester. Learn how you can help: http://www.vwu.edu/news-a-events/news-releases/virginia-wesleyan-to-offer-scholarships-to-puerto-rican-students
 
 

Proud to Join the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

I'm proud to join dozens of my colleagues from colleges and universities across the country as a member of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. Undocumented, immigrant, and international students are a crucial part of our campus communities. Our Alliance will work to support these students and communicate the need for federal and state policies that create a welcoming environment for students of all immigrant backgrounds. Learn more: https://goo.gl/R3Hxbx

Remembering Coach Ben Moore

Last night was more than a game as Virginia Wesleyan Men's Basketball remembered the late Ben Moore, former assistant coach for the Marlins. Moore was instrumental in the basketball world for the surrounding area, coaching at both the high school and collegiate level. #Moorethanagame
 

Nota Bene: Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

I am proud to share that I have joined the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a collective effort of over 120 American college and university leaders dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies and practices impact our students, campuses and communities.

Together, this Alliance will support adoption of best practices on campuses, and work in a unified manner to communicate the need for federal and state policies that create a welcoming environment for immigrant, undocumented, and international students.

In the spirit of our
Founding Statement, the Alliance's most urgent priority is to urge Congress to find a permanent legislative solution for the 800,000 Dreamers who will lose the protections afforded to them by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

It is our goal to help ensure that Dreamers on our campuses go home for the holidays with hope and the peace of mind that they will be able to return next semester, rather than living with the fear of being separated from their families and loved ones. We urge our leaders in Congress to pass responsible, humane legislation that will preserve access to our institutions of higher education and ensure that those who are registered for DACA or defined as “undocumented” may continue to make contributions to America that are already, indeed, documented and valued.

The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration is made up of a distinguished group of American higher education leaders of public and private universities and university systems, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges representing hundreds of thousands of students, faculty, and staff from institutions across the United States. It is led by a Steering Committee that includes presidents and chancellors such as Nancy Cantor, Rutgers University; Noelle Cockett, President, Utah State University; John J. DeGioia, Georgetown University; Dorothy Leland, University of California - Merced; David Oxtoby, President Emeritus, Pomona College; Eduardo Padrón, Miami Dade College; and Timothy White, The California State University.

The Trump administration’s decision to end the DACA program, announced earlier this fall, continues to be a matter of grave concern to our colleagues in higher education as well as many Americans of all walks of life. I reiterate today my commitment, and that of Virginia Wesleyan University, to inclusiveness and acceptance of those seeking academic and life success at our institution and others.