We're
off to a busy start on campus for the summer. The first segment of our
Summer Session will begin next week and preparations are underway to
welcome the Class of 2022 to campus next month for Marlin Nation
Orientation.
I want to extend a heart-felt thank you to all who
played a part in our successful Commencement weekend. Teamwork is key in
pulling off events of this scale, especially when weather is a factor. I
appreciate each of you and your participation, at all levels, for
ensuring a wonderful weekend for our graduates and their families. Photo
galleries are now available for our Baccalaureate Service and Commencement Ceremony. And for those of you who may have missed these events, you can watch archived videos on our VWU Digital Broadcast Network. Enjoy!
In addition to the Commencement
activities, last weekend we also hosted the NCAA Softball Super-Regional at Marlins
Park as well as the Girls on the Run Hampton Roads’ Shine Bright 5K
Celebration. The new Marlins Way and East Gate entrance (connecting to
Baker Road) are now in use and were a major asset to the weekend.
As
I mentioned above, our summer term begins next week, and I am proud to
share that we have seen a significant 54-percent increase in enrollment
compared to last year. VWU Online continues to flourish and grow, and
next week the Master of Arts in Education program will make its debut
with summer courses in “Practicum in Curriculum, Instruction and
Assessment,” “Foundations of the Teaching Professor,” “Cognition and
Child & Adolescence Development,” and “Character of and Adaption for
Exceptional Students.” It’s not too late to enroll. For more
information, visit the Graduate Studies webpage on the VWU website.
Construction
continues on a variety of projects. The Susan S. Goode Fine and
Performing Arts Center is progressing beautifully (watch the building
come to life through our live construction cam), and work began this week on the restoration/renovation of the Bell Tower.
This
morning I deliver the Commencement Address at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
before heading to Oklahoma City for the NCAA Division III Softball
Championship. We wish the Marlins the best of luck as they defend their
championship title, and also congratulate our four-time cross
country and track All-American Marissa Coombs as she concluded her
phenomenal career at Virginia Wesleyan yesterday during the NCAA
Division III Track & Field Championship.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend.
