The spring meeting of the Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees
was held on campus yesterday, May 16. We had a very productive session
with the Board, including new Trustee Tim Bailey, a 1983 Virginia
Wesleyan graduate and division president of Compass Group/Canteen. And
as always, we are grateful for the leadership of Board Chair David
Kaufman.
We began the morning with outstanding presentations by
faculty highlighting our 12-month academic model. Dr. Deidre
Gonsalves-Jackson, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the
Winter and Summer Sessions, discussed expansion of Winter and Summer
Sessions and presented on “Winter Session Travel Experiences in Tropical
Ecology,” detailing her recent student trip to Costa Rica. Dr. Bill
McConnell, Assistant Professor of Education, shared information about
STEM-based programs held here on campus and two new pre-collegiate
summer programs in a presentation fittingly titled, “Educating the Next
Generation of Bay Leaders.”
Student Government Association
President Nich Hipple ’18 shared heartfelt and humorous reflections
about his time at Wesleyan and presented the Senior Class Gift of $4,000
to Board Chair David Kaufman. We appreciate Nich being there with us
and giving the Trustees valuable insight into the student experience.
The
Trustees recognized Dr. Steven Emmanuel for his 2018 SCHEV Outstanding
Faculty Award, presenting him with a resolution honoring his
achievements. A resolution was also presented to Mavis McKenley ’11
recognizing her phenomenal leadership and service to the University as
Chair of the Alumni Council and an ex officio member of the Board of
Trustees.
The Board heard reports and approved actions from the
Committee on Trusteeship as well as the Audit, Academic Affairs,
Enrollment, Student Affairs, Administration and Finance, and Advancement
Committees. The Board elected its officers for the 2018-19 Academic
Year and formally approved new independent auditors and new banking
services. They also received a comprehensive update on recently
completed and ongoing capital projects, including completion of the
Greer Environmental Sciences Center and the Frank Blocker Youth Center
(along with the Avenue of the Sciences and Greenhouse); completion of
$600,000 of donor-funded corrective maintenance; decorative fencing
installed around the campus perimeter; relocation of the Marlin statue
to the pond at the entrance to campus; completion of East Gate and
Marlin Way (which will be open for Commencement); updates to Kenneth R.
Perry Field; the addition of the Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center;
relocation of the Alpine Tower to the recently-completed Outdoor
Athletic Complex; and the forthcoming Broyles Field at TowneBank Park
and the residential complex across from campus, Coastal 61 at Oxford
Village.
We concluded the meeting with a “Behind the Curtain”
presentation on the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
detailing the design and special features of this outstanding,
forthcoming addition to our campus. Dr. Travis Malone, Dean of the Susan
S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, and Suzanne Savage, Associate
Vice President for Advancement and Board Relations, joined Michael
Schnekser from Tymoff + Moss and Eric Harrison from Hourigan Group for
an inside look at the center’s interior and exterior features. We
anticipate a potential on-site visit during the Trustees' fall meeting
in October.
We thank the Board for their continued enthusiasm and
commitment. This is a transformational time in the history of our
institution, and we are grateful for their leadership and support. We
look forward to seeing many of our Trustees at Baccalaureate and
Commencement this weekend.
