Nota Bene: New Alumni Council Chair

May 10, 2016

I recently visited with the Virginia Wesleyan College Alumni Association, sharing my thoughts on current progress and future initiatives. It was also an opportunity for us to recognize our current Alumni Association (a.k.a. Alumni Council) chair as she nears completion of her term and look to the future with our new chair.

Amy Mallet Rickard '98, a communications major and the client services manager for AEG, has served for six years on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the last two as chair.  She has provided exceptional leadership and passion for her alma mater. She will remain on the the Alumni Council for a transition year.

Mavis McKenley '11 will assume the role of Chair of the Alumni Board of Directors, effective on July 1.  Mavis is a graduate of the Adult Studies Program, with a degree in business. She is currently with AMG National Trust Bank as Vice President & Trust Officer.  

During the Alumni Board Meeting, this spring, Amy and Mavis led a great discussion to help focus the Alumni Board's strategic plan on goals to increase alumni participation in giving and overall engagement with the College.

Many thanks to Amy and Mavis for their willingness to support Virginia Wesleyan College in this very important role. And thank you to all of the members of the Alumni Board for their service and commitment to VWC. 

Nota Bene: Annual President's Review and Awards Ceremony for U.S. Army ROTC

May 9, 2016

 

This spring, I attended the Annual President’s Review and Awards Ceremony for the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Battalion at Old Dominion University. Our Virginia Wesleyan cadets are a part of this battalion and I’m proud to share that three of our students were honored with awards at this event.
 

Congratulations to Hebo Dramou, a sophomore at VWC who won the National Sojourners Award, Rolanda Taylor, VWC sophomore who won the Society of the War of 1812 Award, and Clay Jones, VWC senior who walked away with three recognitions.  Clay received the Outstanding VWC Cadet Award and the George C. Marshall Award. In addition, he was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate during the ceremony.

 

Clay will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army on May 14 at 1:00 p.m. in a ceremony on our campus near the statue of John Wesley immediately following our Commencement Service. Please join us in celebrating this worthy accomplishment.

 

We can all be proud of our Marlin Detachment and their accomplishments and contributions as our country’s future military leaders. Thanks to Amy Rush, who has served as the VWC advisor to the Army ROTC Marlin Detachment since 2012.

Scott Miller: New overtime rules will hobble colleges http://fw.to/m1FjNJS

Keith Moore (Vice President for Student Affairs) and I enjoyed hosting officers of the Student Government Association for a year end lunch in the Princess Anne Room.

Discussion of partnership opportunities with Jonathan C. Zur, President & CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), and Kelly Jackson, Associate Director of the VWC Center for the Study of Religious Freedom.

Midnight Breakfast for finals week!

Nota Bene: VCHC Spring Honors Conference

May 5, 2016

It’s my pleasure to share with you that Dr. Joyce Easter, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Honors & Scholars Program, has been elected to another three-year term as secretary-treasurer for the Virginia's Collegiate Honors Council (VCHC)—a position she’s held for the past six years. The VCHC joins higher education institutions throughout Virginia and West Virginia to support and enhance programs and activities for exceptionally talented and motivated students.

And speaking of exceptional talent, Joyce shared with me that three Virginia Wesleyan students presented original research as part of the VCHC Spring Honors Conference, held April 15-16 at Lynchburg College. She tells me that their presentation skills were strong, and that each student was poised, professional and confident.

Congratulations to our 2016 VCHC Spring Conference presenters:

Seth Antozzi ’17
Modeling possible retrofits to East Hall using BEOpt
Major: Mathematics
Course: “Energy and the Environment” (EES 320)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Garry Noe

Ashley Peterson ’17
The survival of the Mayan world: How architecture contributes to the lifespan of Mayan structures
Course: “Seminar in Latin Culture” (SPAN 313)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Diana Risk

Taylor McIntosh ’17
The Positive Effects of Recreational Programming on At-Risk Youth
Major: Recreation and Leisure Studies—Management Track
Course: Independent Research
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Doug Kennedy

The Virginian-Pilot article about Virginia Wesleyan softball's No. 1 national ranking: http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/elsewhere/virginia-wesleyan-softball-rises-to-no-in-nation/article_f93e90ef-3942-54a2-a860-072089ea444c.html

Such an honor to present the Norfolk Sports Club Award to Virginia Wesleyan College's Athlete of the Year -- three-time (soon to be four) lacrosse All-American Josh Currier (Peterborough, Ontario).