Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

October 23, 2023

Good morning,

We are excited to share that Dr. Angela Reddix, an accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, and inspirational speaker, will be the keynote speaker at this year's Marlin Business Conference. Make plans to join us on November 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons for what promises to be an evening of insights and inspiration.

Dr. Reddix is a visionary leader who has made a significant impact on the world of business and entrepreneurship. Among her many business and philanthropic ventures, she is the Founder, President, and CEO of ARDX, an award-winning healthcare management and IT consulting firm. She also recently announced plans to create a women’s empowerment center in downtown Portsmouth. Dr. Reddix's journey from a humble upbringing to a successful businesswoman has been nothing short of remarkable, and her story is sure to inspire and empower our students and guests.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from a true trailblazer and leader in the business community. Dr. Reddix's passion for empowering others and her commitment to giving back to the community make her an ideal speaker for our conference. During her keynote address, Dr. Reddix will share her experiences and invaluable insights on topics such as developing innovators, strategies for entrepreneurship and successful leadership, and overcoming adversity and breaking through barriers in the business world.

The Marlin Business Conference is a bi-annual event that connects students with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to network, learn, and gain valuable insights into the ever-changing business landscape. This year's theme of “Creating Opportunities through Technical Innovation” will emphasize the use of cutting-edge technologies in business, and Dr. Reddix is the perfect speaker to kick off the week.

ET CETERA

The VWU Board of Trustees wrapped up two weeks of committee meetings with the Fall 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 new Board members Angela Mercer, M.D., and Jaclyn Ruelle ‘04 to their first meetings of the VWU Board of Trustees.

Prior to the Fall Business Meeting, the Board participated in a session entitled, “Higher Education in the Age of AI." During the session, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Larkin, Ph.D., and faculty guests Craig Wansink, Ph.D., and John Rudel explored the evolving applications and ethics of artificial intelligence and how it relates to the classroom and preparing students for their futures.

A special moment during the Fall Business Meeting was the affirmation of a Board resolution for Alisa Crider ‘10, thanking her for her dedicated leadership as outgoing Chair of the Alumni Council and ex officio member of the Board of Trustees. Alisa served an extended term as Alumni Council Chair, and we are grateful for her extraordinary service and support.

Some additional actions from the Board meeting included:

Approved a new, five-year capital campaign, Renaissance 2028
Accepted the fiscal year-end (June 30, 2023) endowment report
Approved the Brown Advisory Student Managed Investment Fund Practice and Policy Implementation Program
Affirmed special recognitions for the December 2023 Commencement
Approved updated Mission Statement that reflects all aspects of academic and campus activity

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

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Marlins Day Welcomes Prospective Students

Our Marlins Day Open House over the weekend was a huge success. Our future Marlins and their families explored campus, met VWU faculty and staff, and learned about academic offerings, scholarships, and the financial aid process. They also participated in special parent, freshman, and transfer break-out sessions as well as an Academic and Resource Fair.

The next Marlins Day Open House is scheduled for Saturday, February 17. Prospective students can learn more and register at vwu.edu/marlinsdays.

Halloween Fun Run Through Campus

Join Student Engagement and Recreation & Wellness on Friday, October 27, for a Halloween Fun Run and costume contest. This T.B.I.F. (Thank Bob It's Friday) event will have three start times (2:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m.) and the route is just under one mile through campus. The fun run/walk is open to the Marlin community, and a pre-registration is requested. Save your spot for this spook-tacular event!

2023 Cookson Lecture, “Elusive Trust: Unconscious Bias between Police and the Communities They Serve”

The Robert Nusbaum Center presents its 2023 Cookson Lecture, “Elusive Trust: Unconscious Bias between Police and the Communities They Serve,” on November 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons. In this talk, Robert Perkins, Ph.D., Program Coordinator for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and the Master of Arts in Urban Affairs at Norfolk State University, highlights how the current state of affairs in policing necessitates a reinvigorated commitment to the critical components of community policing. This involves a critical analysis of the unconscious biases that everyone has and the deliberate cultivation of strategies that increase self-awareness, mutual understanding, and—ultimately—trust.

The Cookson Lecture was established in honor of Catharine Cookson, Ph.D., J.D., who was the first full-time director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, formerly the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Please mark your calendars to join this special event.

Jefferson Lab to Lead $300M Data Hub

I was proud to join the special announcement made by Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Tim Kaine, Rep. Bobby Scott, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin that the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, located in Newport News, was awarded $300-$500 million by the US Department of Energy to become a data science computing hub that will make scientific data more accessible to sciences nationwide. I’m pictured with Stuart Henderson, Director of the Jefferson Lab, and look forward to higher education being a significant partner in this new project. Learn more from Virginia Business.

Meeting with Student Political Groups

I was happy to host a meeting with representatives from VWU’s College Republicans and Young Democrats to discuss bipartisan efforts for civic engagement on campus and in our community. Pictured: John Post and Alex Cain (upper right) and Andrew Steiner, Jon Murdoch, and Stephanie Clark (left) with Keith Moore, Senior Vice President, and Jason Seward, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management.

The Pharos: October 2023 Edition

The October 2023 edition of The Pharos is available now. We hope you enjoy learning more about our talented faculty and staff members who continue to make important contributions to their respective fields through publications, presentations, and more.

VWU to Host Intentional Endowment Network Fall Forum

Virginia Wesleyan University is proud to host the Intentional Endowments Network Fall Forum on Wednesday, an interactive half-day event on campus. The Virginia Wesleyan University panel will feature Gary Bonnewell ‘79, H’16, VWU Trustee and Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Rowan Stuart, student and member of the Brown Advisory Student Investment Fund team; Ali Bayler, Portfolio Manager at Brown Advisory, and me. Registration for this event is still open.

Don’t Forget - Give to the Marlin Family Campaign for Faculty and Staff

The Marlin Family Campaign gives faculty and staff the opportunity to support the area of the University that inspires their vision of the future. Seize this opportunity and show that you believe in the people and programs that make VWU such a unique place to work and learn. For more information on how to make your gift, please contact Sarah Guzzo, Director of the Wesleyan Fund, at sguzzo@vwu.edu or visit vwu.edu/giveonline.

President to President: Fundraising Strategies that Work

This year's President to President series, titled "Sustainable Futures for Higher Education," delves into the many facets of sustainability for college campuses, from climate change and environmental concerns to the long-term outlook for the industry as a whole. In the third chapter, "Making the ‘Case’ for Sustainability," Murray State University President Robert L. Jackson, Ed.D., offers creative ideas for approaching the task of fundraising, a crucial element of long-term sustainability for any campus. He highlights strategies for engaging various segments of the community, building relationships, and illustrating the value of supporting higher education.