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May 4, 2026
Good morning,
| | Is it just me, or has the spring session flown by? What an extraordinary year it has been. From academic milestones to cherished campus traditions, our community has accomplished so much together. As we close the academic year, I am filled with gratitude for the energy, resilience, and dedication demonstrated by our students, faculty, and staff. | |
In recent weeks, we have celebrated student success across campus through honor society inductions, The Bobbies: Student Leadership Awards, and many other meaningful recognitions. I had the pleasure of honoring Erin Beaudry with the Campus Impact Award, recognizing a student who exemplifies what it means to be engaged, thoughtful, and committed to community.
Congratulations to all students recognized at The Bobbies, as well as to every nominee whose leadership, engagement, and commitment continue to strengthen our campus community. These students exemplify the very best of the University experience, contributing to a culture that is brighter, stronger, and more connected each day. Each moment reflects the talent, commitment, and Marlin spirit that define our community, and I could not be prouder of all that our students have achieved. View The Bobbies Photo Gallery.
Another particular highlight was the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, where students shared the culmination of their academic experiences through research, internships, performances, and global engagement. Opportunities for students to engage in original research alongside faculty mentors remain a defining strength of the University, and the creativity and intellectual curiosity on display continue to inspire.
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Spring Honors Convocation offered a meaningful opportunity to recognize excellence across the University. It was my honor to present the 2026 President’s Leadership Award to Megan Setlak. A Batten Honors College scholar, accomplished business student, Senior Captain of Women’s Soccer, and respected campus leader, Megan exemplifies the very best of the University through her academic excellence, integrity, service, and leadership. Her impact on our campus community has been extraordinary, and we are proud to celebrate her many accomplishments and bright future.
The evening prior, we gathered for the annual Ryan Environmental Research Symposium, where Batten Honors College scholars presented outstanding work addressing complex environmental challenges. Congratulations to our student finalists, Lily Reslink, Tyler Noll, Jasmine Gorney, and Stephanie Clark. Tyler earned the Ryan Environmental Research Prize for his innovative framework on campus composting. We are grateful to our guest judges and partners: Pamela Northam of the Elizabeth River Project, Christy Everett of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Peter Schmidt of Norfolk Botanical Garden for their thoughtful evaluation and investment of time and expertise.
We offer our continued gratitude to Louis and Pru Ryan for their enduring vision and generosity. We are equally grateful to Jane Batten, whose leadership and commitment to academic excellence continue to shape this program and elevate opportunities for our students.
Congratulations to all who were recognized. You continue to make us proud.
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The University community is enjoying the addition of sculptural works by Hank Willis Thomas at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Designed as both public art and functional seating, these installations invite visitors to pause, gather, and engage with one another in a shared space.
Part of the artist’s broader exploration of identity, history, and collective memory, the works encourage interaction and reflection, becoming more meaningful through use and conversation. These pieces contribute to a welcoming outdoor environment where art and community come together in dynamic and accessible ways.
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Congratulations to Beth Koroleski, Assistant Vice President for Student Financial Planning, on her election as Representative-at-Large for the Virginia Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators. Selected by her peers across the Commonwealth, Beth will serve a two-year term in this important statewide leadership role.
Her election reflects both her professional expertise and her commitment to advancing student access and success. We are proud to see her represent the University in shaping financial aid policy and practice while bringing valuable insights back to our campus community.
| AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS | | |
SGA Leadership Transition
Our congratulations to Lucas Gordon, President-elect of the Student Government Association. Joining us for this special occasion were current SGA President Gabriel Barnett and Jen Cohen, Assistant Vice President for Campus Life and SGA advisor. We look forward to Lucas’s leadership and continued service to the campus community.
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Honoring Service and Celebrating Retirees
It was an enjoyable afternoon at DeFord Manor as the University community honored retirees and celebrated years of dedicated service. I was especially pleased to spend time with Tim and Sara Lockett as Tim retires after more than two decades serving the University as General Manager of Sodexo Dining Services.
Also joining the celebration were Linda Ferguson, who retired last year following a distinguished career on our business faculty, and Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Provost and Vice President. We are grateful to all of our honorees for the lasting impact they have made on the University. View Photo Gallery.
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Recognizing Excellence in Sport and Recreation Management
I was pleased to join Provost Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Jill Sturts (Chair, Sport & Recreation Professions), Bill McConnell (Dean, D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies), faculty members Lauren Stephens and Alexis Barmoh, and Emma Adams (Alpha Delta Chapter President), for the Rho Phi Lambda Induction and Internship Recognition in Brock Commons.
Congratulations to Nicholas Valentin, recipient of the Outstanding Major in Sport & Recreation Management. We were also pleased to present ForKids Chief Innovation Officer Bill Young with a check representing funds raised through the Recreation 207 project, an excellent example of experiential learning making a meaningful community impact.
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Strengthening Partnerships in Cancer Care and Student Engagement
It was a pleasure to welcome leaders from the American Cancer Society to campus, including Bruce Waldholtz (Board of Directors, South Atlantic Division), Michele Couch (Senior Executive Director, Virginia), and Riguey King (Vice President, Community Impact, Southeast Region). We were joined by vice presidents Keith Moore and Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson for this meaningful visit and conversation.
In 2026, the Brock Cancer Center will be one of just 15 cancer centers nationwide selected as a site for ACS CARES, a patient-centered program focused on meaningful, non-clinical engagement by college students, including first-year nursing students. This collaboration reflects the strength of our partnership with ACS and Sentara and creates impactful, real-world learning experiences while supporting patients and families.
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Fins Up Fest Brings Marlin Spirit to Life
I am grateful to our athletics leadership team for the extra effort in delivering another successful Fins Up Fest, our annual celebration of and for all of our student-athletes. A little cold weather did not dampen the spirit, as energy ran high across a wide range of games, with plenty of food and fun at the Tassos Paphites Soccer Complex.
Events like Fins Up Fest highlight the strength of our Marlin community, bringing together student-athletes, coaches, and supporters in a shared celebration of teamwork, competition, and campus pride.
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An Afternoon at Harbor Park with JPBHC
It was a cold but enjoyable afternoon at Harbor Park, where I joined scholars and faculty from the Jane P. Batten Honors College as the Norfolk Tides took on the Memphis Redbirds. The outing provided a wonderful opportunity to connect beyond the classroom and enjoy time together in a relaxed setting.
Experiences like this reflect the JPBHC’s commitment to fostering engagement, camaraderie, and meaningful connections that enrich the academic experience and strengthen our campus community.
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Celebrating Presidential Leadership in Virginia
I enjoyed visiting the campus of Randolph-Macon College for the inauguration of friend and colleague Michael Hill as the institution’s 16th president. Always a pleasure to spend time with Virginia Wesleyan Trustee Emerita Jane Batten, Mary Dana Hinton, president of Hollins University, and Tammy Gieselman of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.
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Welcoming a Longtime Partner and Friend
It was great to welcome longtime friend and colleague Bruce Alperin, Vice President of Aramark in Philadelphia, to campus. For more than 30 years, Bruce and I have shared a professional connection that began in the early days of the President to President series, where he served as publisher and I have had the privilege of serving as Executive Editor for the past 23 years.
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A Proud Marlin Returns to Campus
It’s always a pleasure to welcome proud Marlin Tiffany Boyle ‘14 back to campus. Now serving as Commissioner of the Revenue for Newport News, she has been recognized by her alma mater with the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award (2021) and continues her engagement as a member of the President’s Council.
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Habitat Heroes Create Pollinator Garden During Earth Week
During Earth Week, the University strengthened its commitment to environmental stewardship with the installation of a native pollinator garden on campus. Led by the Office of Civic Engagement and Service Learning in partnership with the Virginia Zoo, the project brought together students, faculty, and staff to design and plant a garden that will support native pollinators and enhance biodiversity.
The planting took place as part of the Marlins Earth Day Bash, the culminating event of Earth Week, and reflects the University’s collaborative approach to sustainability. By incorporating native plant species, the garden will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while providing a hands-on learning opportunity that connects environmental responsibility with student leadership and community engagement.
View Earth Day Bash Photo Gallery.
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“Home Is a Poem” Explores Voices of Resilience and Belonging
In Brock Commons, “Home Is a Poem: Poetry, the American Dream, and Unhoused Voices” brought together poetry, storytelling, music, and dialogue to examine the lived experiences of individuals who have faced housing insecurity. Hosted by the Robert Nusbaum Center in partnership with ForKids and the Norfolk Street Choir Project, the program offered a powerful and deeply human perspective on freedom, dignity, and belonging.
At the center of the event was a conversation facilitated by Craig Wansink with community leaders Robert Shoup, Founding Artistic Director of The Norfolk Street Choir Project, and Thaler McCormick, CEO of ForKids, who explored how creative expression and community engagement can challenge assumptions, reduce stigma, and inspire advocacy. Through poetry and performance, participants shared stories marked by resilience, hope, and the search for stability, inviting reflection on how communities can move from awareness to action and foster a more inclusive understanding of “home.” Read More | View Photo Gallery.
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United Methodist Leaders Look Ahead to Renewal and Alignment
Recent developments within The United Methodist Church highlight a forward-looking focus on renewal, alignment, and mission. During the Council of Bishops’ spring meeting, Council President Bishop Tracy S. Malone called on church leaders to move beyond institutional anxiety and resist being governed by nostalgia, emphasizing the importance of faithful leadership, moral clarity, and openness to how God is shaping the Church for the future. Learn more.
At the same time, four general agencies—United Methodist Communications, Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries, and Higher Education and Ministry—have proposed unifying into a single organization to better coordinate ministry, strengthen service to local churches, and align more effectively with the denomination’s evolving mission and vision. Together, these efforts reflect a Church seeking to engage change thoughtfully while strengthening its global witness and connectional impact.
Read more about unification.
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
A Virginia Wesleyan University Community
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Enjoy Late Night Breakfast, Marlins!
Sincerely,
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