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October 6, 2025
Good morning,
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What an incredible Homecoming!
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025 brought our campus community together for a memorable celebration of Marlin pride and tradition.
Homecoming week kicked off with two big athletic wins—undefeated women's volleyball remaining number one in the ODAC with a close win over the University of Lynchburg and men's soccer upending previously undefeated cross-bay rival Christopher Newport University.
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Friday’s festivities began with Marlin Spirit Day and the 24th Annual Joanne Renn Golf Outing. Members of the Parents Council later gathered for their fall meeting, which included a tour of the new Virginia MOCA facility on campus. The day concluded with an alumni gathering featuring live music and Marlin camaraderie.
| Saturday was filled with excitement as FinFest, our annual community tailgate, offered great food, music, and plenty of family fun. Marlin teams competed throughout the day, while alumni returned to the field for spirited games. | |
The evening wrapped up with the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, a highlight of the weekend with a great turnout.
Homecoming also showcased the arts and student life, with performances of The Wolves, the Homecoming Dance at The Cove, and the Homecoming Court Ceremony on Birdsong Field.
Our Homecoming celebration came to a close with Families in Worship, a new Campus Ministries service held on Sunday at Haygood United Methodist Church.
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Thank you to everyone who joined us to make this year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend truly special!
For more on all the weekend’s fun, read more and view the photo gallery.
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As a reminder, students participating in the 2025 Winter Commencement Ceremony on December 13 must submit their Commencement Fee (which includes the cost of ceremony regalia) and order their cap and gown by Friday, October 17.
Graduates who order by the deadline will be able to pick up their caps and gowns at the Office of Finance and Administration in Brock Commons between December 9-12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets for the ceremony, four (4) per graduate, will also be available for pick-up during this time.
The keynote address will be delivered by L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, Vice Dean of Clinical Affairs in the Department of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School, a division of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University.
Commencement rehearsal is mandatory and will take place on Friday, December 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
For more information, including details about tickets, announcements, photography, and parking, visit the Commencement website and be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions.
We look forward to celebrating your amazing achievement!
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The changing of the leaves and the return of cooler weather signal that Fall Break (October 9-10) is right around the corner. It’s hard to believe that we are heading into the back half of the fall session already.
To our on-campus Marlins, I wish you the best of luck on your midterm exams. For VWU Online Marlins, best wishes on your final exams and congratulations on finishing Fall Term A. To all of our campus community, keep up the great work!
View the VWU Academic Calendar here. | View the VWU Online Programs Calendar here.
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As we look ahead to July 1, 2026, the launch of Batten University represents more than just a name change—it is a bold step forward for our institution. Guided by the values that have defined us for more than 60 years, Batten University will continue to offer the transformative education, close-knit community, and spirit of innovation that our students and alumni cherish.
The Batten name reflects a legacy of vision and generosity that has already shaped so much of our growth. With this transition, we honor that legacy while positioning the University to expand its reach, strengthen its impact, and elevate opportunities for generations of students to come.
We invite you to explore the Letters of Legacy collection online—a living archive of reflections from alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the University. These powerful stories of impact and pride honor our past, celebrate our present, and inspire the future we are building together. The collection will continue to grow over time, offering a meaningful way to capture and share the enduring spirit of our community.
Learn more about VWU’s transition to Batten University here.
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Work continues on the integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences into Virginia Wesleyan University, with specialized teams making steady progress in key areas. Recent efforts have focused on aligning academic programs and clinical partnerships to ensure a smooth transition for students and faculty. These collaborative steps are laying the foundation for expanded opportunities in nursing and health sciences—fields that are critically important to our region and beyond.
Pending accreditation approval, the full integration will be completed by July 1, 2026, coinciding with our transition to Batten University. Together, these milestones represent a bold expansion of our academic profile and a significant investment in the future of healthcare education.
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The new home of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA) on the campus of VWU is moving steadily toward completion. A newly poured drive now extends from Smith Drive to the rear loading area, making another milestone in the project’s progress.
More than a year after breaking ground within the David R. Goode Arts Complex, the facility remains on schedule and on budget, with occupancy in February 2026. Its spring opening will lead directly into VWU’s transformation to Batten University on July 1, 2026—two milestones that showcase the University’s growth as a regional hub of creativity, learning, and engagement.
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When doors open in early 2026, Virginia MOCA will offer exhibitions, performances, lectures, and workshops—creating dynamic opportunities for creativity and connection.
We share in the excitement and anticipation of our partners’ upcoming move-in and extend our heartfelt appreciation to our generous donors and to our friends at Hourigan, whose dedication is making this remarkable project a reality.
For updates, visit www.virginiamoca.org and www.vwu.edu.
| AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS | | |
Employment By Diversity Report
It has been my annual practice to share data gathered for an Employment by Diversity Report with the campus community. The 2024-25 report can be accessed here.
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Dinner and Dialogue at DeFord Manor
It was a pleasure to welcome colleagues to DeFord Manor for a faculty dinner—a cherished tradition that fosters camaraderie, conversation, and connection. Annie and I are always thankful for the opportunity to host these meaningful gatherings.
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VBV Executive Committee Meeting
We had a great October meeting of the Virginia Beach Vision Executive Committee, with thoughtful discussion and strong engagement around current initiatives. As the leading business advocacy organization in the city, VBV continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of Virginia Beach.
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LifeNet Health Tour
Our thanks to Will Driscoll, Director of Foundation and Community Outreach for LifeNet Health, for hosting the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce (HRCC) monthly meeting with a tour of the LifeNet Headquarters and Institute of Regenerative Medicine in Virginia Beach. I was joined by Laura Chalk, Executive Director and CEO of Virginia Beach Vision.
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A Refreshing Exchange
Virginia Beach Vision recently hosted Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares for a “Refreshing Exchange” at The Attic at Waterman’s on the Oceanfront. We’re pictured with VBV Vice Chair Brad Martin and VBV Executive Director and CEO Laura Chalk.
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STEM and the City
Congratulations to Dr. Clair Berube, Associate Professor of Education and Director of Education Programs, on the release of STEM and the City (second edition). The book examines the challenges and opportunities facing urban public schools in a post-Covid world, addressing issues of equity, curriculum, and the role of STEM education in sustaining democracy.
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The Athenaeum in Hofheimer Library
The Athenaeum in the H.C. Hofheimer II Library is evolving into a vibrant hub for learning and collaboration. New offices and student support services now share the first floor, complemented by refreshed spaces like The Study, the Barclay Sheaks Gallery, and The Forum. Upstairs, the Registrar’s Office and Navy ROTC have relocated, and the archives are expanding as the Stephen S. Mansfield Special Collections and University Archives. Read more here.
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The Westminster Lifelong Learning Institute Partnership
The Westminster/VWU Lifelong Learning Institute, a partnership between Virginia Wesleyan University and Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, has released its Fall 2025 schedule. Eleven non-credit courses—ranging from church history and brain health to constitutional rights and social media—are being taught primarily by VWU faculty at no cost to Westminster-Canterbury residents. The program, part of VWU Global Campus, is coordinated by Dr. Ben Fraser in collaboration with the Robert Nusbaum Center. Learn more here.
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The Cookson Lecture
The Robert Nusbaum Center hosted the annual Cookson Lecture on September 25, featuring Dr. Johnny Finn, Associate Professor of Geography at Christopher Newport University. Drawing from his groundbreaking research on the geography of inequality, Dr. Finn explored how structural racism embeds itself in our communities—impacting health, environment, and quality of life. His thought-provoking talk challenged attendees to reimagine communities that prioritize fairness, sustainability, and justice.
Learn more about the Fall 2025 Schedule of Events at the Robert Nusbaum Center.
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Active Threat Presentation
Thanks to Master Police Officer David Shoenbach from Virginia Beach’s 3rd Precinct for delivering an informative Active Threat Presentation for our campus community. We’re pictured with Keith Moore, Senior Vice President, and Gabrielle Barnett, President of the Student Government Association and VWU Class of 2027.
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William & Mary Names Jane Batten Homecoming Grand Marshal
I am delighted to share that William & Mary has announced Jane Batten will serve as the Homecoming Grand Marshal during its Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, October 16–19. She will lead the Homecoming Parade on Richmond Road on Friday, October 17.
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Mrs. Batten is one of William & Mary’s most transformative benefactors, most recently committing $100 million to establish the Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. That extraordinary gift helped propel the College’s fundraising to a record $240 million in 2024. Her generosity and vision are especially inspiring during William & Mary’s “Year of the Environment,” highlighting the university’s leadership in coastal resilience, conservation, and climate research across the Commonwealth.
We extend heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Batten on this meaningful and well-deserved recognition of her profound impact. Read the full announcement here.
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