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March 23, 2026
Good morning,
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We are pleased to share that Bob Pizzini will serve as keynote speaker for this spring’s Marlin Business Conference, themed “Leadership Reimagined.” He will deliver the keynote address on campus at 7:00 p.m. on April 13, kicking off the conference program.
Pizzini is an award-winning CEO, consultant, speaker, retired U.S. Navy leader, and Bronze Star recipient whose work focuses on developing strong, effective leaders and helping individuals and organizations elevate performance.
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The Marlin Business Conference is a bi-annual event that connects students with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to network, learn, and gain valuable insights into the ever-changing business landscape. This year’s theme of “Leadership Reimagined” will explore new approaches to leadership in a rapidly evolving world, and Pizzini is the ideal keynote speaker to launch the conference.
The conference remains a signature, student-led program that provides business students with the opportunity to plan and execute a dynamic professional experience centered on leadership, networking, and real-world application.
We look forward to welcoming Bob Pizzini to campus for what promises to be an engaging and inspiring conference.
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Mark your calendars for Friday, April 17, 2026 (6:00–10:00 p.m.) as the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art celebrates the grand opening of its new home on the Virginia Wesleyan campus. The evening will feature the inaugural exhibitions The Pursuit of Happiness by Nina Chanel Abney and Seamless: Art and Design, bringing together art, music, and community to mark this important milestone for the Museum and our region.
The University will host a special preview for members of the campus community in advance of the public celebration. Tickets for the grand opening are now available.
Learn More | Reserve Grand Opening Tickets.
| AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS | | |
Celebrate Women’s History Month
From honoring history to shaping the future, Women’s History Month at VWU reflects the University’s commitment to leadership, scholarship, service, and community. Inspiring lectures, civic dialogue, creative expression, and spirited competition highlight the 2026 Women’s History Month lineup, inviting Marlins to learn, connect, and celebrate together. Mark your calendars, Marlins—and join in celebrating the voices, vision, and vitality of women all month long. Learn more.
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HRCAP Awards Breakfast in Hampton
I was pleased to join Edith White, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Community Action Programs, and George Birdsong, VWU Trustee Emeritus and Honorary Chair of the HRCAP Awards Celebration, for the annual breakfast in Hampton. As a former honoree, I was honored to offer remarks highlighting the vital mission and regional impact of HRCAP. I also enjoyed connecting with Delegate Cliff Hayes and Valeka Gatling, Associate Vice President for Community Relations at Old Dominion University.
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Hampton Roads Chamber Board Meeting
I joined colleagues for a productive quarterly meeting of the Hampton Roads Chamber Board of Directors at The Main. We appreciated an informative keynote from Keith Martin, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. It was also a pleasure to connect with many of our Coastal Virginia business leaders following the meeting.
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Carrying Freedom: The Hidden History of the
Purse in America
In celebration of Women’s History Month, VWU welcomed back former faculty member Dr. Kathleen B. Casey for a thought-provoking lecture examining the cultural and political history of one of the most familiar everyday objects: the purse. Casey, now Professor of History and Director of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Furman University, discussed themes from her recent book The Things She Carried: A Cultural History of the Purse in America (Oxford University Press, 2025), exploring how handbags have served as symbols of autonomy, identity, and resistance across nearly two centuries of American life.
Co-sponsored by the Robert Nusbaum Center and Departments of History and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, the program invited attendees to reconsider how everyday objects can reveal deeper social histories. Drawing on examples from women’s activism, civil rights history, and cultural change, Dr. Casey described purses as “mobile archives” that protect personal identity while moving through public space. The lecture offered an engaging reminder that even the most ordinary items can carry powerful stories about freedom, independence, and lived experience. Read more | View Photo Gallery.
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27th Annual Empty Bowls Charity Dinner
Once again, VWU played a central role for the 27th Annual Empty Bowls Charity Dinner, welcoming artists, volunteers, and community members for an evening dedicated to addressing hunger across Hampton Roads. Organized by the Ceramic Designers Association, the event featured handcrafted bowls displayed in the Jane P. Batten Student Center, with the dinner and silent auction held in Boyd Dining Center.
Professor of Art Phil Guilfoyle (center) and his students played an important role in the effort, creating dozens of bowls in the University’s pottery studio through a collaborative “Bowl Roll” with members of the regional clay community. Junior Gabrielle Barnett (left) and first-year student Katie Martin (right), contributed their own handcrafted pieces, while Sodexo Dining Services and local businesses supported the evening with soups, bread, and desserts. The annual tradition highlights the power of art, service, and community partnership in supporting regional organizations working to combat food insecurity in Hampton Roads. Learn more.
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Robert Nusbaum Center Hosts 250 years of Freedom Speaker
As part of the Robert Nusbaum Center’s Spring 2026 programming, 250 Years of Freedom, we welcomed author Joe Jackson to campus. Jackson examined the legacy of the Spanish-American War and its lasting impact on the United States’ emergence as a global power.
Drawing from his newest book, Splendid Liberators: Heroism, Betrayal, Resistance, and the Birth of American Empire (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2025), Jackson explored how the language of liberation shaped American expansion in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines while redefining ideas of freedom and authority at the turn of the twentieth century. Following his remarks, Jackson joined Robert Nusbaum Center Director Dr. Craig Wansink for a conversation and audience Q&A, encouraging thoughtful reflection on how this pivotal conflict continues to influence discussions of American identity and global leadership. Read more.
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The Pharos: March Edition
The March 2026 edition of The Pharos is now available online. This issue highlights the accomplishments of our faculty and staff, recognizing their scholarly publications, professional presentations, and continued contributions across their fields.
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Virginia Beach Community Roundtable
I am pleased to share the latest episode of Superintendent Donald E. Robertson, Jr.’s Good to Know video series highlighting the Virginia Beach Community Roundtable. Now in its third year, the Roundtable brings together leaders from education, business, and the broader community to expand partnerships and create future-ready opportunities for students through workforce development and innovative learning pathways. I am glad to play a role in this collaborative effort, which continues to strengthen connections between schools and industry while supporting Career and Technical Education initiatives that benefit both students and local employers. View the latest episode.
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It was also good to see Dr. Robertson (top center) when he recently served as the featured presenter at the March meeting and social of the Virginia Beach Vision Board of Directors at The Attic at Waterman’s. Pictured with Brad Martin (bottom left), Chair of the VBV Board, and Eric Keplinger (bottom center), Vice Chair, as the group gathered to discuss continued collaboration across the Virginia Beach community.
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Don’t Miss Spring Alumni Weekend: April 10-11, 2026
Spring Alumni Weekend is the perfect time for alumni to return to campus! This year’s event is scheduled for April 10 - 11, so mark your calendars and make plans to join in the festivities. From the Marlin Family Picnic and alumni games to class reunions, and intercollegiate athletics, it’s sure to be the perfect time to reconnect with old friends and connect with new ones. View the full weekend schedule.
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Rooted in Impact: Marlins Day of Giving
Save the date for Friday, April 24, as we come together for Rooted in Impact: Marlins Day of Giving. Join fellow Marlins in growing your impact and supporting the people and programs that make our University strong.
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
A Virginia Wesleyan University Community
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Welcome back, Marlins!
Sincerely,
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