Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

February 6, 2023

Good morning,

The VWU Board of Trustees wrapped up two weeks of meetings with the Winter Business Meeting. I thank our Chair of the Board, Jon Pruden, and our Committee Chairs for their engagement and leadership. Additionally, we were delighted to welcome Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson and Joe Ruddy ‘83 to their first full meeting of the VWU Board of Trustees. Bishop Haupert-Johnson (pictured below, left) joins the Board by virtue of her position as Bishop of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and will serve as our Baccalaureate keynote speaker in May.

Prior to the Winter Business Meeting, the Board participated in a session entitled “Looking Beyond ‘The Cliff,’” in which members of the President’s Cabinet presented how Virginia Wesleyan is preparing for the national enrollment “cliff” of 2025 and beyond through multi-year planning, prudent fiscal decisions, and creative enrollment strategies.

During the business session, the Board honored the Women's Soccer program with a special resolution for their 2022 NCAA National Tournament Final Four finish (pictured below, center). The Board also recognized Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability (pictured below, right), for her leadership of sustainability efforts on campus. VWU was recently inducted into the Elizabeth River Project's River Stars Hall of Fame.

The Board approved freezing tuition for the 2023-24 academic year, making this the sixth tuition freeze in a row. This nearly unprecedented action demonstrates the University’s deep commitment to providing an affordable liberal arts education to all students.

Some additional actions from the Board meeting included:

Accepted the independent audit report provided by Brown Edwards of Roanoke, VA.
Approved promotion and tenure action: Jeffrey Toussaint to Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Accepted the mid-year endowment report
Approved special recognitions for the May 2023 Commencement.

Additional information will be shared in the President's Leadership Council, Academic Council, Athletic Management Council, and future editions of Nota Bene.

ET CETERA

Congratulations to first-year track and field student-athlete Julia Hathaway, who will represent Virginia Wesleyan and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) on the National Student Athlete Advisory Committee. The Division III Management Council approved the new members of the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) during the annual NCAA Convention in San Antonio earlier this month. Julia was appointed to represent the ODAC as well as Pennsylvania's Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) in the SAAC's partnership program. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Julia to learn and for the University to be represented at the national level. Learn more.

The student-led Marlin Business Conference is gearing up for another great event. This spring’s theme will be “A Greener Tomorrow" and will be held from April 17-21.

To kick off the planning, I met with (pictured, from left) Frank Futyma, Lecturer in Management, Business, and Economics and Marlin Business Conference Faculty Advisor; Abigail Mahoney, conference CEO; and Kennedy Soliday and Toren Greenfield-Tuthill, conference co-Chiefs of Staff.

We look forward to sharing more about the upcoming conference in the coming weeks.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

The Passing of VWU Staff Member Amy Dudley

The Marlin Family continues to grieve the passing of Amy Dudley, Payroll Administrator. Since sharing the sad news, we’ve heard many wonderful stories about Amy and her deep love for Virginia Wesleyan. Let’s continue to care for each other as we pray for her family and friends during this difficult time.

Honoring Black History Month at VWU

Throughout this special month, Virginia Wesleyan will host numerous events and activities in honor of Black History Month. This week's activities include Soul Food Night in Boyd Dining Center, hosted by the Black Student Union, and “Talk & Paint: How Racism Impacts Mental Health," hosted by the Health Center. The full schedule can be found here.

Senior Geni Roberts Honored at TowneBank Arena

Senior Track & Field star Geni Roberts was honored at halftime of the Emory & Henry men’s basketball game last week with a banner recognizing his National Runner Up finishes in both the indoor long jump and outdoor triple jump during the 2021-22 seasons. We are pictured with (from left) Track & Field Assistant Coach Richmond Letterio ‘12, Director of Men’s and Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country Cameia Alexander, and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Andrea Hoover-Erbig. Way to go, Geni!

Black History Month Emerging Artists Exhibition

Kudos to junior art major Whitney Leao for her award-winning piece at the opening reception of the 2nd Annual Black History Month Emerging Artists Exhibition at Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. Whitney was presented the award by Ellen Duckworth (top) and is pictured with VWU Trustee Rob McFarland (bottom right).

Student Acasia White Presents at the Greater Norfolk Corporation Meeting

Junior business major Acasia White spoke last week at the monthly meeting of the Greater Norfolk Corporation Board of Directors. She discussed her involvement with the GNC Mentorship Program and was joined by her mentor Dan Peterson, President of Truist (Hampton Roads). We love to see our students taking advantage of our community partnerships and thank Alice Jones, Director of Career Development, for connecting students with business leaders.

Hollywood, Teach Us to Pray

Congratulations to Dr. Terry Lindvall, C.S. Lewis Endowed Chair in Communication and Christian Thought and Professor of Communication, and Dr. Stu Minnis, Professor of Communication and Chair of Communication, on their newly-released documentary film, "Hollywood, Teach Us to Pray." A screening for the film was held at the Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk last night. The film will debut on the campus of VWU on February 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Read more.

Legendary Michigan Coach Keynotes VWU First Pitch Dinner

Retired legendary University of Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins was here to speak to the VWU Marlins about Title IX in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX’s passing. She was also the keynote speaker for the 2nd annual First Pitch Dinner at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in Virginia Beach, a fundraising event for our 3-time National Champion Softball team. Coach Hutchins is pictured with Brandon Elliott '03, Head Softball Coach.

A Celebration of Life for Dr. Bill Shealy

My thanks to the VWU Religious Studies department for hosting a celebration of life for Dr. Bill Shealy, Professor Emeritus, in the Barclay Sheaks Gallery of the Hofheimer Library. The event was a wonderful tribute to Dr. Shealy, filled with good friends of the University, including Jim Bergdoll and Jesse Fanshaw (pictured top).

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow

It was wonderful to welcome Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Teachers for Tomorrow to the Goode Center last week. Attending the program was (pictured from left) Dr. Donald Robertson, VBCPS Chief of Staff; Dr. Kipp Rogers, VBCPS Chief Academic Officer; and Dr. Sara Lockett, VBCPS Director of Technical and Career Education.

Active Threat Training This Friday

All students, faculty and staff are welcome to participate in Active Threat Training with the Norfolk Branch of the FBI on Friday at 12:00 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons.

Westminster-Canterbury/Wesleyan Lifelong Learning Institute Schedule

Through a unique partnership with Virginia Wesleyan University, those living at Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay can take non-credit courses in art, history, political science, psychology, religion, popular culture, and other subjects. Taught by Virginia Wesleyan faculty, the courses are offered at no cost to Westminster-Canterbury members on site, as well as on the Virginia Wesleyan campus. The spring 2023 schedule is available now.

Robert Nusbaum Center: Spring 2023 Newsletter Available Now

The Spring 2023 newsletter from the Robert Nusbaum Center is available now. The spring edition, titled "Same Images, Different Lenses," contains the upcoming schedule of events which can also be found on the University’s events page.

VFIC Ethics Bowl Photo Gallery Now Available

The photo gallery of the 23rd annual Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Ethics Bowl, hosted by VWU, is available now.

The Hive Newsletter: February 2023

Our friends at The Hive in Virginia Beach Town Center deliver updates and news for our region’s businesses. VWU and Tidewater Community College Virginia Beach are the educational partners at The Hive.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

The Pharos

REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

University Business