|
April 27, 2026
Good morning,
| | |
I am pleased to announce the 2026 inductees of the Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame.This year’s class reflects an extraordinary legacy of athletic achievement, leadership, and enduring support for the University. Inductees will be honored during a special ceremony on Saturday, October 3, as part of Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Congratulations to Trustee Michael R. “Mike” Rawls ’91, who will be inducted in the Benefactor category. A former Marlin student-athlete and dedicated advocate for the University, Mike’s leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment have had a lasting impact on Marlin Athletics and the student-athlete experience. His and Lisa’s support is recognized through the Mike and Lisa Rawls Foyer in the Jane P. Batten Student Center, a visible and enduring reflection of their investment in the University.
Also joining the Hall of Fame this year are standout Marlin athletes Jessica Goldyn ’21 (softball), Brittaney Brown Kovacs (softball), Khory Moore ’17 (men’s basketball), and Nick Pappas ’14 (men’s lacrosse), each recognized for their exceptional athletic careers and competitive excellence. The 2021 NCAA National Championship Softball Team will also be honored for its historic achievement and lasting place in University history.
| |
Special thanks to members of the Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame Committee for their stewardship of the selection process and their continued commitment to recognizing excellence across our athletics program.
We look forward to celebrating these honorees in October. Additional details will be shared in the coming months—please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this special occasion and the full Homecoming and Family Weekend experience.
| | |
It is a pleasure to announce that Heather Beatty has been named General Manager of Sodexo Dining Services. Since joining the University in 2022 as Director of Catering and Conference Services, Heather has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a strong commitment to service, and a deep appreciation for the campus community.
With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality, including roles in hotels, restaurants, and country clubs, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge to this position. Her background includes service as Banquet Manager at The Founders Inn & Spa, and she holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from East Carolina University.
| |
In her new role, Heather will lead dining operations across campus, building on the strong foundation established through the University’s longstanding partnership with Sodexo. Her leadership reflects a continued commitment to quality, innovation, and the student experience.
Please join me in congratulating Heather on this well-deserved promotion.
| |
The Jane P. Batten Honors College has announced finalists for the Ryan Research Symposium, to be held on Thursday (April 30) in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. The annual event highlights senior capstone projects focused on sustainability, research, and community impact.
Finalists Stephanie Clark ‘27, Jasmine Gorney ‘29, Tyler Noll ‘26, and Lily Reslink ‘26 will present their work during the symposium, with awards recognizing excellence in environmental research and sustainability advocacy. A distinguished panel of community leaders—Pam Northam (Elizabeth River Project), Chris Moore (Chesapeake Bay Foundation), and Theresa Augustin (Norfolk Botanical Garden)—will serve as adjudicators.
The evening will also feature a poster session showcasing HON 480 student projects, along with an Audience Choice Award selected by attendees. Congratulations and well done to our student researchers as they share their work with the University community.
| AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS | | |
Marlins Day of Giving: THANK YOU!
Our Rooted in Impact campaign invited alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff to connect with, celebrate, and give to the areas of campus most meaningful to them, and I found the response truly incredible.
By the end of Marlins Day of Giving, our campaign total reached $71,040!
I am so very proud of our Marlin community. This collective effort demonstrates a shared commitment to our students and the programs that empower them. Each gift, whether supporting scholarships, academic programs, the student-athlete experience, or campus life, demonstrates the strength and generosity that define us.
Together, we are strengthening our University and ensuring our Marlins have the resources they need to succeed. Thank you for making this impact possible.
| |
Celebrating Earth Week
From April 21-24, the campus came together for Earth Week as students, faculty, and community partners participated in a series of hands-on events focused on sustainability, service, and environmental awareness. From creative reuse and recycling initiatives to service projects and discussions on coastal resilience, the week reflected a shared commitment to caring for our environment.
My thanks to our Marlins for their enthusiasm and leadership in bringing this important week to life. Earth Week continues to reflect the University’s Environmental Guiding Principles and our collective responsibility to make a meaningful impact across Coastal Virginia. Read More.
| |
History Students Present at Regional Phi Alpha Theta Conference
Members of the University’s Omega Pi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta presented original research at the regional conference hosted by Virginia Military Institute, engaging with peers and faculty from across the Commonwealth under the mentorship of Assistant Professor of History Dr. Tyler Lehrer.
Kudos to Abigail Wigginton ‘29, Logan Schohn ‘26, Lucas Gordon ‘27, and Andrew Steiner ‘26, with special recognition to Andrew for earning third place for Best Paper in World History. Congratulations and well done, Marlins!
| |
WACHR Ambassadors Lunch with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
Students Stephanie Clarke, Elena Lichtenwalner, Frieso Ter Schiphorst, Tommi Mero, Breanna Bessette, and Melanie Goya enjoyed joining the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads (WACHR) at their annual Ambassadors Lunch with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club last week. This year’s distinguished panel featured Her Excellency Anniken Huitfeldt, Ambassador to the United States from Norway; Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Admiral Pierre Vandier; Mr. Takehiro Shimada, Deputy Head of Mission to the United States from Japan; and Madam Janna van der Velde, Deputy Chief of Mission to the United States from the Netherlands, in a moderated discussion. We are proud of our partnership with WACHR and the meaningful opportunities it provides for our students.
| |
Preparing Wesleyan Woods for Camp Red Feather
We are grateful to our friends from Family Dollar for dedicating their time to prepare the recreational areas in Wesleyan Woods for this summer’s Camp Red Feather, hosted by the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. Their efforts will help welcome more than 3,000 children to our 300-acre campus for a season of hiking, boating, and outdoor exploration beginning June 2.
We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the YMCA, which has thrived for more than two decades and continues to create meaningful opportunities for young people across our region.
| |
An Evening with The Norfolk Forum
An enjoyable evening at the Chrysler Museum of Art preceded The Norfolk Forum program featuring tennis great John McEnroe. I was glad to be joined by VWU Trustee Jody Wagner and President of The Norfolk Forum Blythe Scott for this engaging program.
Events such as these highlight the strength of our regional partnerships and the value of connecting our community with nationally recognized voices.
| |
Strengthening Community Connections
It was a pleasure to catch up with Virginia Beach City Council member Amelia Ross-Hammond, a valued supporter of the University and a familiar presence at campus events. We are grateful for her continued engagement and partnership as we work together to advance opportunities for our students and the broader Coastal Virginia community.
| |
Community Roundtable Advances Regional Collaboration
It was a productive meeting of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Community Roundtable at the Advanced Technology Center, bringing together education and community leaders to discuss shared priorities and opportunities. I was pleased to join VBCPS Superintendent Donald Robertson, VWU Board Chair Nancy DeFord, and Virginia Beach Vision CEO Laura Chalk for this important conversation.
These ongoing partnerships reflect our shared commitment to strengthening educational pathways and advancing outcomes for students across Coastal Virginia.
| |
Batten Honors College Earns National Sustainability Recognition
The Jane P. Batten Honors College has earned national recognition from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, receiving an Outstanding Case Study designation that highlights the University’s innovative, mission-driven approach to sustainability education. The case study, authored by Director of Sustainability and Batten Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Elizabeth Malcolm and Dean of the Jane P. Batten Honors College and Professor of Theatre Travis Malone, is now featured in AASHE’s Campus Sustainability Hub as a model for institutions worldwide.
Grounded in hands-on learning and real-world impact, the JPBHC continues to prepare students to address complex environmental challenges through research, collaboration, and leadership. This recognition reflects the strength of our academic programs and the meaningful work of our students and faculty in advancing sustainability on campus and beyond. Learn More.
| |
Freedom from Fear: Hearing Liberation Through the Echoes of History
In a powerful Robert Nusbaum Center lecture, Professor Sara Ann Sewell invited the campus community to consider a profound question: what did freedom sound like at the end of the Holocaust? Drawing on survivor accounts, she explored liberation not simply as a moment of triumph, but as a complex human experience shaped by trauma, memory, and the senses.
Focusing on the role of sound, Sewell examined how survivors experienced the absence of fear, the presence of silence, and the dissonance of a changed world. Her work challenges us to understand liberation as both an end and a beginning—one that continues to shape how we remember and engage with history.
Read More | View Photo Gallery.
| |
Baylake UMC Kicks Off Upward Soccer Season
We were pleased to partner once again with Baylake United Methodist Church to welcome families to campus for the start of the Upward Soccer League season. With play underway on the William Shelhorse Lawn and DeFord Manor in the background, it was a fitting setting for this community tradition.
Serving children ages 3 through eighth grade, the league emphasizes teamwork and encouragement in a supportive environment. My thanks to Bob Howard for sharing the moment and for his continued support of this valued partnership.
| | |
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
A Virginia Wesleyan University Community
| | |
Have a great week, Marlins!
Sincerely,
| | |
