Women's Soccer ODAC Champs

 

Congratulations to our Old Dominion Athletic Conference women's soccer champions! The Marlins defeated Washington & Lee University 1-0 in the championship game at home on Sunday afternoon, giving them an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Graduate student Sam Crawford was named the ODAC Tournament MVP. Way to go, Marlins!

Visit with Rocky Holcomb

 

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting with former VB City Council member and current Sheriff Rocky Holcomb this morning. Rocky has been a good friend of Virginia Wesleyan for many years.

Breakfast with Joash Schulman and Alex Askew

 

Enjoyable breakfast this morning with Joash Schulman (VB City Council) and Delegate Alex Askew. Both have been loyal friends of Virginia Wesleyan University.

Closing the Competition

 

At the closing session of the first competition of the academic year for the highly selective Batten Honors College with Rhian Tramontana (BHC Scholar) and Nikki Nieves (Director of Enrollment, BHC).

Chris Taylor and Coach Macedo at the Roundball Insiders Luncheon

 

We kicked off another exciting men’s basketball season during the Roundball Insiders luncheon. Head Coach Dave Macedo and I are pictured with Chris Taylor ‘06, an ardent Marlin supporter and friend to VWU. Chris serves as a VB City Council member and provided today’s prayer before lunch.

First Round of Prospective BHC Scholars

 

Delighted to welcome our first competition group of prospective Batten Honors College scholars to campus with Dr. Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College.

Watts Field House

We delayed showing off the inside of the new Eleanor and Henry Watts Field House until Coach Brandon Elliott could share it with his players. Thanks again, Henry and Eleanor.

 

Great Leadership Council Meeting

 

Another great meeting with Leadership Council, which represents various departments and programs across campus to share and discuss the good work we do for students and our community.

AFP National Philanthropy Day

At the AFP National Philanthropy Day, Carolyn McKenna-Sloat ‘99, VWU Director of Business and Corporate Development, and I were delighted to visit with Reneé Duval Fairchild ‘00 (center), Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Chrysler Museum of Art.

 

The President's Letter: Empowering Minds and Sustaining the Planet

 

Empowering Minds and Sustaining the Planet November 2023 Dear friends, As we near the end of the Fall Semester, it's remarkable to reflect on all that has transpired. Our students are preparing for the final stretch of their academic journey this semester, and we are excited to share that Dr. Janice Underwood, former Commonwealth of Virginia Chief Diversity Officer and current Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (ODEIA) for the White House, will be our keynote speaker for the 2023 Winter Commencement Ceremony. Her message is sure to inspire our graduating students as they transition beyond VWU. In keeping with our commitment to accessible education, VWU has secured a substantial federal grant aimed at supporting first-generation and low-income students. This crucial initiative is designed to bolster enrollment, retention, and graduation rates among underserved populations, further reinforcing our dedication to cultivating an inclusive and nurturing educational environment. We are proud to have hosted the Intentional Endowments Network's Fall Forum, a program dedicated to exploring sustainable investments and their societal impact. This event highlights our dedication to leveraging educational resources for a more sustainable economic landscape. Additionally, our students actively participate in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Oyster Gardening Program, contributing positively to environmental sustainability and community engagement. We are pleased to introduce six new scholars who have recently joined the VWU faculty. Their diverse perspectives and passion for teaching enrich our academic community. At the same time, we celebrate Dr. Clayton Drees, Professor of History, who is entering his 32nd and final year at VWU. His dedication to teaching has left a lasting impact on our academic community. Our students and alumni continue to advocate for causes important to them. As the election season approaches, our students promote civic participation, celebrating Vote Early Day and emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. Additionally, co-authors Meghan Ashburn '08 and Jules Edwards recently shared their insights on autism advocacy during a book signing and reading of their work titled "I Will Die On This Hill," aligning with our commitment to fostering important dialogues on campus. These updates and events collectively reflect our dedication to providing an inclusive educational experience while fostering community, environmental responsibility, and active engagement with societal issues. Sincerely, Dr. Janice Underwood to Serve as Keynote Speaker for Winter Commencement Renowned diversity advocate to inspire graduates during the December 16 ceremony Read More VWU Receives Federal Grant to Address First-Generation Student Accessibility The grant aims to boost enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for students from underserved populations Read More VWU Hosts IEN Fall Forum: A Platform for Sustainable Investments and Societal Impact The forum aims to leverage the immense assets of educational institutions towards creating a sustainable economic landscape Read More VWU Celebrates Vote Early Day Students encourage campus community to make their voices heard Read More A Legacy of Caring, Compassion, and Commitment History professor Clayton Drees begins his 32nd and final year at VWU Read More Marlins Supporting Oyster Restoration Students have rolled up their sleeves to make a difference with involvement in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Oyster Gardening Program Read More Six New Scholars Join VWU Faculty Learn more about the newest members of the faculty and what they find meaningful about scholarship and teaching Read More Book Reading and Signing on Autism Advocacy Co-authors Meghan Ashburn '08 and Jules Edwards share personal journeys and advocacy insights Read More  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌