Nice Visit With Louis Jones

Nice to visit with good friend Louis Jones, interim mayor of Virginia Beach, and long-time member the Virginia Beach City Council. He has been a strong supporter of VWU.

Good Friend to VWU, Ben Davenport

Enjoyable visit at lunch today with Virginia Beach Councilman Ben Davenport, candidate for Mayor of Virginia Beach. Ben has been a good friend to Virginia Wesleyan University.

VWU vs ODU Exhibition Basketball Game

An enjoyable evening with alumni and friends at the Ted Constant Convocation Center as Virginia Wesleyan University and Old Dominion University met in an exhibition basketball game. Special thanks to Tim Knight, District Manager of Aramark, for sponsoring the luxury suite for the Marlin Roundball Insiders. Joining us for the picture is VWU Athletic Director Tina Hill.

VWU Bid Farewell to Hofheimer Theater

In fall 1981, the Hofheimer Theater first opened its doors with a production of William Shakespeare's "The Tempest." As we prepare for the opening of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, VWU bid farewell to Hofheimer Theater as a mainstage space, closing as it opened, with a revisit of the Shakespearean classic. "The Tempest," directed by Professor of Theatre Dr. Sally Shedd, opened October 24 with a final performance on October 28. Khari Johnson '16 played the role of Prospero and Dr. Martine Kei Green-Rogers '02 returned to campus to serve as dramaturg. 

Kudos to VWU student photographers Libby Hipple '20 and Grant Bennett '19 for their excellent work capturing a major milestone in Virginia Wesleyan's history. View the photos here.

Campus and Community Partners of the Arts at VWU

Great visit with campus and community partners regarding the Arts at Virginia Wesleyan University. Pictured on stage in the Joan and Macon Brock Theater of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center with Cami Best-Jones, Director of Development at Chesapeake Bay Academy; Cristan Connito, Community and Development Coordinator at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Foundation; Wendy Scott, Director of Tidewater Collegiate Academy; Travis Malone, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School for Arts and Humanities at VWU; and Drew Monroe, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Foundation Board Member and President of the Prosper Insurance Group.

Finishing Touches on New Dugouts

Finishing touches to dugouts at new Broyles Field at TowneBank Park. Looking to finish the entire project by the end of December or early January. 

Greater Norfolk Corporation Board of Directors

Attending the monthly meeting of the Greater Norfolk Corporation Board of Directors on the 20th floor of the Dominion Enterprises Building downtown. Full agenda including briefings on 757 Angels & Glass Light Hotel & Galley. Thanks to President Chuck McPhillips for his leadership.

New Sidewalk and Bike Path

Work began today on the lighted, tree-lined sidewalk/bike path leading from the DeFord Gatehouse to the new Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. The path will also connect to Birdsong Field. With the construction starting soon on Oxford Village (mixed-use housing across from the main entrance to the campus), increased pedestrian/bike traffic is expected in the coming year. 

President's Letter: Prayers for Pittsburgh

With the start of a new month, we pause to remember the victims of the shootings at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Again, our flags in front of Godwin Hall flutter at half staff, marking yet another senseless chapter in what has become a heartbreaking, all-too-familiar story of violence in our country. 

Hearing the news about the horrific attack on innocent worshipers, I reflected on my own personal and professional ties to Pittsburgh. My previous presidency in West Virginia was just an hour from the city; like many of us, I was shocked that the peaceful neighborhood of Squirrel Hill was the scene of such a tragedy. 

 Please join me in remembering the victims and their families, giving thanks for the heroism of law enforcement and other responders, and renewing our resolve here to be an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive campus community. 

Read more in my November President's Letter: https://conta.cc/2QiT7so

President to President: Chapter 3

The third chapter is now available for the 2018-19 series of President to President, a higher education thought leadership publication written by university presidents for university presidents, and edited by myself and long-time friend and colleague Dr. Marylouise Fennell. Read "Where Have All the 'College Kids' Gone? The Changing Face of the Collegiate Student Body," by Trinity Washington University President Patricia  A. McGuire, J.D. here: https://goo.gl/saznEr