September 12, 2022
Good morning, |
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I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the new academic year. From our outstanding Founders Day celebration to student activities and athletics, everything has been well attended and full of positive energy.
We know every student starts each new semester with the best of intentions, making resolutions regarding class attendance, study habits, stress management, school-life balance, and the like. I remind our students to use our campus resources to help you keep these promises to yourself. The Learning Center, Counseling Services, Student Activities, The Lighthouse, and more are all available to you as you navigate your way through classes, coursework, and extracurricular activities.
Best wishes as we continue this Fall semester, Marlins! |
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I am pleased to share that Cecelia “Cee Cee” Tucker has accepted the role of Senior Advisor to the President on Diversity and Inclusion. She will assist me in furthering our action plan with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and advise senior leadership on related topics.
Many will know Cee Cee from her extraordinary 30-year career as Assistant to the President & Director of Community Relations at Old Dominion University. Cee Cee has been a pillar of the Coastal Virginia community, working tirelessly to extend educational opportunities to underserved populations in our area. Through her good work as an educator, a non-profit director, and a community liaison, Cee Cee has defined herself as a leader focused on equity and inclusion.
I have known Cee Cee for many years and have enjoyed working with her on a number of projects, most recently with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. We are proud to welcome her to the Marlin family. |
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Our 2022 Founders Day celebration last week marked 61 years since the founding of our institution. Last Sunday’s Virginian Pilot and Daily Press included my column on our history and the important impact we’ve made in the Coastal Virginia community and beyond. |
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I thank all those who participated in our Founders Day celebration, either in-person or watching online via our VWU Digital Broadcasting Network. A special thank you to the Honorable Deborah M. Paxson, Class of 1975 and member of the Board of Trustees, for providing our keynote address which reflected on her 51-year connection to Virginia Wesleyan. Following her remarks, I was delighted to present her a 2022 Wesley Award to show gratitude for her outstanding service, contributions and faithfulness to her alma mater. |
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We offer our congratulations once again to our 2022 Alumni Awards recipients. Michael J. White ‘81 was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Brandon L. Adair ‘12 was the Alumni Service Award recipient, and the award was accepted on his behalf by his mother, Gale Gillespie. Jessie K. Dawe ‘08 was presented with the Beacon Award. We are proud to recognize these exemplary Marlin role models with these well-deserved distinctions that celebrate their many accomplishments since graduation.
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During our Batten Honors College Convocation Ceremony, our new Batten scholars were presented with pins specially designed for the Batten Honors College. The Batten Honors College is one of just 147 honors college programs nationally and the only one, we believe, to be environmentally focused. Once again, I thank the Batten family for their belief in Virginia Wesleyan and the three pillars of the Batten Honors College – environmental stewardship, global engagement, and leadership. We hosted this traditional ceremony in recognition of the mission for all Batten Honors College scholars: To become impactful leaders and environmental stewards in the global community. |
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The pins given to the newest class of Batten scholars represent the completion of the rigorous selection process, orientation to the mission and ideals of this highly selective program, matriculation, and now, full integration as members of the University community. I know our Batten Honors College students wear these pins with pride, on campus and off, distinguishing them as scholars enrolled in this prestigious program. Our special thanks, once again, to Dr. D. Derek Aday, Dean and Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science of The College of William & Mary, for serving as our keynote speaker. During convocation, Dr. Aday was presented with a 2022 Wesley Award in recognition of the special relationship between VIMS and the Batten Honors College, which is rooted in our shared commitment to climate action and solving coastal issues affecting our region and the world.
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I was saddened to learn of the passing of long time colleague and friend Dr. James L. Fisher, who passed away peacefully on September 7 at the age of 91. He was a noted author and national authority on the university presidency and was a mentor to me at an early point in my career.
A registered psychologist with a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, Jim was President Emeritus of the Council for Advancement & Support of Education (CASE) and President Emeritus of Towson University. He taught at Northwestern, Illinois State, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and the University of Georgia. He coined the term "institutional review" and conducted hundreds of institutional and governance reviews for public and private institutions and systems.
He also conducted presidential searches, presidential evaluations and contracts and served as counsel to presidents and boards. He wrote scores of professional articles and was the author or editor of 11 books, including Power of the Presidency, Presidential Leadership: Making A Difference, The Board and The President, The Effective College President, The President and FundRaising, and The Entrepreneurial College President, among others. Most were co-authored with his longtime friend and colleague, James V. Koch, who has served as a periodic consultant to VWU for over 10 years.
He was a trustee at 10 private colleges and universities and two preparatory schools. A former Marine, he served as a board member of the Marine Corps University, Marine Military Academy, Millikin University, and Florida Institute of Technology. He received awards for teaching, writing, citizenship and leadership and had been awarded twelve honorary degrees. At Illinois State, The Outstanding Thesis Award was named by the faculty, The James L. Fisher Thesis Award, and the CASE Distinguished Service to Education Award also bears his name. There are no public services planned at this time. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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New VWU Director of Golf Named Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Andrea Hoover-Erbig and I are pleased to share that Tom Hall has been named the Director of Men's and Women's Golf. Tom has been a public educator teaching at the high school level for over 30 years and has coached the Great Bridge High School golf programs since 2018. During his time coaching GBHS, he helped the Wildcats to three consecutive regional runner-up finishes (2019, 2020, & 2021) and back-to-back state appearances (2020 & 2021). Tom has also competed in the Golfweek Amateur Tour for one year finishing with 3 top-10 finishes. He hopes to qualify for the VSGA Senior Amateur in the future. His designation as Director is consistent with our gender equity model for similar programs including swimming, cross country, and the indoor/outdoor track programs. All of these are also headed by directors who oversee the men’s and women’s programs. Cypress Point Country Club, located east of campus on Wesleyan Drive, is the official course for the golf program. CPCC is a semi-private golf club featuring an 18 hole championship course designed by Thomas Clark. We are thankful for the golf club’s steadfast partnership and support of our golf programs. Tom will be assisted by Jeff Butler and Shane Kohler. |
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Recognizing World Suicide Prevention Day The VWU Office of Counseling and Student Health coordinated an Awareness Walk & Memory Chalk event recognizing World Suicide Prevention Day last Friday. The event gave the Marlin community an opportunity to remember lost loved ones, show support to peers struggling with mental health, and learn about on-campus and off-campus resources. We thank all who participated and supported the event. |
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BHC Students at the Norfolk Forum A select group of students from the Batten Honors College joined Dr. Travis Malone, Dean, and Dr. Jill Sturts, Assistant Dean, at the opening of the Norfolk Forum’s 90th Season. The Forum’s featured speaker was Rick Steves, pictured with Drs. Malone and Sturts, who shared thoughts and stories curated from his career in travel and global education. The Batten Honors College is a proud sponsor of the nation’s oldest, publicly-subscribed speaker forum.
I have enjoyed serving on the Norfolk Forum Board of Directors and am proud to share the Forum’s legacy of excellence with our students. |
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The Elizabeth River Project’s New Research Facility Shows How to Live with Rising Tides I thought you’d enjoy this front page article of The Virginian-Pilot about the good work of our partners at The Elizabeth River Project and the new Pru and Louis Ryan Resilience Lab and Learning Park. |
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Virginia Beach Vision/Greater Norfolk Corporation Develop Mentorship Program to Benefit VWU, ODU, NSU and TCC Attracting and retaining workforce talent is one of our region’s most pressing challenges. We know that to be a competitive location for new and growing businesses, the region must be able to attract and retain the highly educated graduates that are coming out of our local colleges and universities. |
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The Greater Norfolk Corporation has invited Virginia Beach Vision to partner with them in a regional mentorship program that is teamed with local colleges and universities. The program aims to provide meaningful engagement with senior executives, offer hands-on experience in the business community, and further develop students’ leadership and communication skills. The goal is to provide 15 mentors to each of the four partner institutions - Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Wesleyan University, and Tidewater Community College. In total, the initiative is in need of 60 mentors who will (1) meet with their mentee approximately once a month, in person when possible, for the duration of the program September/October to May; (2) provide meaningful exposure to corporate life including formal and informal meetings; (3) invite the mentee for a job shadowing experience, pending availability; and (4) be an active listener and provide constructive feedback. Linda has been a good friend of VWU and has done a terrific job coordinating this program. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for both VBV and GNC. |
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VWU Named Among U.S. News 'Best Colleges' for 2023 Virginia Wesleyan University has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in three categories of its 2023 Best Colleges rankings, released September 12. In addition to being featured in the "Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” category, VWU is again ranked among the top campuses in “Ethnic Diversity” for National Liberal Arts Colleges and as a “Top Performer on Social Mobility.” Read more. |
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President to President: Why a Civil Society is Vital The first chapter of the 2022-2023 President to President thought leadership series is now available. In " Educating for a Civil Society," Western New England University President Robert E. Johnson, Ph.D., explores the importance of helping students engage in civil discourse and maintain mutual respect, even when disagreements arise. He posits that higher education must play an essential role in creating a civil society, which will help address many of the issues currently plaguing the nation.
This year's President to President series, titled “ The Well Campus: An In-Depth Look,” examines how having a “well” campus depends on meaningful improvements to the lives and experiences of students, faculty, and staff. Each month, a new chapter authored by a college or university president is published online. These higher education experts delve into the various dimensions of a “well” campus and share unique insights into how colleges can support today’s students.
As co-Executive Editors, Dr. Marylouise Fennell and I hope you will find value in this series as we explore this topic together over the course of 10 chapters. |
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Construction Update Trinder Center: This weekend we thanked donors and friends for their role in the renovation and upgrade of the locker room facilities at the Trinder Center. Executive Director for Intercollegiate Athletics Andrea Hoover-Erbig and I are pictured with Greg Plummer, Class of 1984 and 2010 member of the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing his generous support to Virginia Wesleyan University Athletics and the men’s soccer program.
The Cove: Overhead lighting was installed this week and the facility, located outside Harbor Grill at the Jane P. Batten Student Center, is now available for use.
Watts Field House: We are still waiting for approval from the City of Virginia Beach to begin construction on the Watts Field House for Broyles Field at TowneBank Park. The field house will provide locker room and restroom for the facility. It will be located along the pathway across from the softball auxiliary facility. |
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Have a wonderful week, Marlins! Sincerely, |
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-- Scott D. Miller, Ph.D. President Virginia Wesleyan University 5817 Wesleyan Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Phone: 757.455.3215 |
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