Dialogue: November 2023

November 27, 2023

Good morning,

Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

‘Tis the season for giving, and the Marlins have always exemplified a spirit of generosity. This generosity can be seen in how we treat each other with respect and inclusiveness, how we spend our time volunteering within our communities, and how we support each other through clear communications and actions.

Tomorrow marks a significant day for us – Giving Tuesday. This national day of giving is not just a chance to do good, but a pivotal moment for the Marlin community to truly make a difference and help #MakeWaves on our campus. Originating in 2012, Giving Tuesday has evolved into a global movement that motivates millions to embrace generosity all year round.

This year, VWU is taking an ambitious leap. We aim to engage students, alumni, faculty, and staff in a concerted effort to support specific funds. Using social media, phone calls, text messages, and emails, our community will reach out to peers, family, friends, and alumni, inviting them to participate in Giving Tuesday. Our goal is bold yet achievable: to inspire 610 donors (in honor of our founding year of 1961) in just one day.

Adding a competitive edge, many funds will feature Influencers who will encourage donations to be made in their name. The top 3-5 influencers with the most dedicated gifts will secure additional funding for their chosen team or program.

Follow Virginia Wesleyan's social media for hourly updates and inspiring stories from VWU Legends and more. Join us in this worthwhile endeavor and be a part of setting a new record for VWU's Giving Tuesday!

ET CETERA

In a significant move towards bolstering workforce development in the region, I joined with leaders from other prominent Coastal Virginia institutions for a roundtable discussion with Governor Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater.

This meeting, facilitated by Shawn Avery, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, saw the participation of leaders from Virginia Wesleyan University, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, The College of William & Mary, and the Coastal Virginia community colleges.

The crux of the discussion revolved around enhancing engagement and expanding the impact of these institutions to yield greater outcomes for the citizens and communities of Virginia. A special emphasis was placed on aligning educational efforts with the needs of business and industry, identifying and bridging workforce gaps, and focusing on talent development.

In a testament to the cross-sector collaboration essential for effective workforce development, the roundtable included senior representatives from various sectors. Participants included leaders from Amazon, Sentara Healthcare, LifeNet Health, Jefferson Labs, Drone UP, the Virginia Maritime Association, Instant Systems, Fairlead Integration, Realta Life Sciences, and Booz Allen Hamilton, representing a wide array of industries including business, healthcare, technology, and science.

The meeting signifies a collaborative effort to address the evolving workforce needs in Virginia, particularly in response to the dynamic demands of the modern economy. The involvement of such a diverse group of leaders underscores the commitment to creating a robust, skilled workforce that can meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Each year Virginia Wesleyan presents an award on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to a student who practices the ideals set forth by Dr. King—courage and conviction in valuing differences, commitment to seeing beyond borders by building inclusion, compassion for humanity, and/or commitment to social change. In 2021, the award was named The Mavis McKenley ’11 Award in honor of our esteemed graduate and Trustee.

The Office of Academic Affairs is currently seeking student nominations for the Mavis McKenley ’11 Award to be presented on Monday, January 15, 2024. Nominations are due on December 15 to academic-affairs@vwu.edu.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Student-led Marlin Business Conference Concludes with Social at DeFord Manor

The Virginia Wesleyan University Marlin Business Conference concluded recently with a reception at DeFord Manor. This year's theme, "Creating Opportunities through Technical Innovation," emphasized the importance of technology in modern business. The event was organized by students of Professor Frank Futyma’s MBE 301 class and led by Emily Moody, the student Chief Executive Officer, and Joslyn Woodard, the student Chief of Staff (all pictured, top).

VWU's dedication to real-world learning experiences is evident in the Marlin Business Conference. The event is a testament to the university's commitment to fostering the growth of its students as well-rounded individuals, equipped to navigate and shape the world of technical innovation. The conference's successful conclusion marks another milestone in VWU's efforts to prepare its students for the challenges and opportunities of the modern business world.

I thank the entire student team for their outstanding work and representation of the university during this conference and beyond.

Fall 2023 Edition of Excelsis Features Inspiring Stories of BHC Scholars

The fall 2023 edition of "Excelsis," a publication of the Batten Honors College, is now available online. The latest issue includes a letter from Batten Honors College Dean Travis Malone, student achievements, BHC events, interviews with BHC scholars, and an alumni spotlight.

Explore Watts Field House

Enjoy this video exploring the Eleanor and Henry Watts Field House for Marlins softball at Tom and Betty Broyles Field at TowneBank Park. We remain grateful to the Watts for their continued support for our three-time national champions and look forward to utilizing the field house this spring.

"A Wesleyan Christmas"

Make plans to join the Virginia Wesleyan Choirs and Orchestra for the annual presentation of "A Wesleyan Christmas" on December 1 (7:30 pm) and December 2 (4:00 pm). There will be a variety of music to get you in the holiday spirit. Tickets are free to students and staff and can be reserved now at buytickets.at/GoodeCenter. We hope to see you there!

Hot Tunes and Hot Cocoa: December 1

A celebration for our Marlin Family Campaign participants, including karaoke numbers by the winning departments’ corresponding Cabinet members, will be held on Friday, December 1 at 3:00 p.m. Get ready to rock with Dr. Keith Moore, Senior Vice President; Heather Campbell, Vice President for Enrollment; and Andrea Hoover-Erbig, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics!

A Home for the Hurrah Players

The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center will be a home for the Hurrah Players with a collaborative partnership dedicated to supporting the performing arts in our region. The Hurrah Players are celebrating 40 years of performing arts showcases and education. I'm pictured with Hugh Copeland, Founder and Artistic Director of the Hurrah Players, and Trey DelPo, Director of the Goode Center.

Breakfast with Sen. Tim Kaine

I had an enjoyable breakfast last week with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and some local business friends at the nearby DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. The senator has been a wonderful friend to VWU and the Coastal Virginia community.

Next Phase of I-64 Widening Gets Underway West of Williamsburg

The Virginia Gazette reports that the $756 million I-64 Gap Widening Project will launch soon. The measure is aimed to increase capacity and mobility, alleviate congestion, improve safety and improve connectivity along the I-64 corridor.

President to President: The Transformative Power of Adaptability

The fourth chapter of the 2023-2024 President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “Questions on the Path to a Sustainable Future,” Roanoke College President Frank Shushok, Jr., Ph.D., examines the value of adaptability and transformation in higher education. He describes how embracing a forward-facing, creative approach in the face of evolving expectations can help campuses balance the need for change with the challenges of operating a modern university.

In this year’s President to President series, titled "Sustainable Futures for Higher Education," we explore the complex and multifaceted subject of sustainability on campus. Over the course of the academic year, we present diverse views from 10 renowned college and university presidents, releasing a new chapter online each month. We're excited to share these insightful perspectives and believe they offer valuable lessons applicable to any campus. We hope you enjoy exploring this timely and important theme together throughout the year.

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