Dialogue

Monday, September 28, 2026

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

September 28, 2026

Good morning,

I am pleased to announce that Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones will deliver the address at our Winter 2026 Commencement on Saturday, December 12.

A lifelong Norfolk resident, Attorney General Jones made history in January when he was sworn in as Virginia’s 49th Attorney General and the first African American to hold the office. His career in public service includes representing Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 to 2022 and serving as an Assistant Attorney General in the District of Columbia’s Office of Consumer Protection. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Attorney General Jones comes from a family with deep roots in public service in Hampton Roads. His grandfather, Hilary H. Jones Sr., was a civil rights attorney, the first African American member of the Norfolk School Board, and the first African American appointed to Virginia’s State Board of Education. His father, Jerrauld C. Jones, served in the Virginia General Assembly, led the Commonwealth’s Department of Juvenile Justice, and later served as a Circuit Court judge. His mother, Lyn Simmons, is a judge on the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

We look forward to welcoming Attorney General Jones to campus as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates at our first Winter Commencement as Batten University. His experience in law and public service provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of civic responsibility, leadership, and service to others as our graduates prepare for the opportunities ahead.

ET CETERA

Our first Homecoming & Family Weekend as Batten University is just days away! We look forward to welcoming alumni, families, and friends back to campus October 2–4 for a celebration of Marlin pride, friendship, and tradition.

The festivities begin Friday with the 25th Annual Joanne Renn Golf Outing at Cypress Point Country Club, followed by Marlins Night at the Museum, our Homecoming kickoff at Virginia MOCA. Saturday brings athletic competition, alumni games, and our annual FinFest celebration, followed by the 2026 Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The weekend also features theater performances, a special campus history tour hosted by the Robert Nusbaum Center, and opportunities for fellowship throughout our Batten community.

The name is new, but the traditions and connections that bring us together remain as strong as ever. We hope to see you on campus!

View the full Homecoming & Family Weekend Schedule.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

TONIGHT: An Evening for the Arts at VMOCA

Make plans to join us at Virginia MOCA this evening, September 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for An Evening for the Arts, the second annual Arts Alliance legislative reception. This gathering brings together arts and culture professionals, business and community leaders, supporters, candidates, and elected officials for conversation about the important role of arts and culture in our region, including their contributions to economic growth, quality of life, and community well-being.

The event is free, with networking and light refreshments included. Space is limited, so reserve your spot!

GNC’s Executive Mentorship Program Kickoff

I thoroughly enjoyed welcoming participants in the Greater Norfolk Corporation’s Executive Mentorship Program to campus for the kickoff of the new academic year. My thanks to good friends and GNC leaders Tara Ramsey, past chair, and Linda Peck, executive director, for their leadership of this important initiative. I also appreciate the participation of Batten University, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and Tidewater Community College in connecting students with accomplished leaders throughout our region.

Leadership and Participative Governance

I appreciated the opportunity to engage with colleagues across the University through meetings of our Academic Leadership Council, Leadership Council, and Faculty Assembly. These gatherings bring together important perspectives from our academic and administrative leadership and faculty, providing opportunities to exchange ideas, address institutional priorities, and strengthen our shared commitment to student success and the University’s future.

Athletic Management Council

I enjoyed kicking off the academic year with the first meeting of Batten University’s Athletic Management Council. This group meets monthly to address important issues affecting our student-athletes, campus athletics, and the evolving NCAA landscape. Joining me were student-athlete representatives Owen Mathews, a senior baseball infielder from Moseley, Virginia, and Alaina “Chip” Alston, a senior women’s soccer forward from New Castle, Delaware; Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brandon Elliott; Faculty Athletics Representative Jill Sturts; and Athletics Business Manager Trish Doherty. I value their leadership, perspectives, and shared commitment to the continued success of Marlin Athletics!

Raising Awareness, Honoring Memories

My thanks to the Batten University Counseling Services Office for hosting the “Awareness Walk & Memory Chalk” in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I was pleased to join Vice Presidents Keith Moore and Heather Campbell, along with a wonderful turnout of students, for this meaningful event. Together, we raised awareness, honored those we have lost, and reaffirmed the importance of supporting one another and fostering a caring campus community.

Exploring Politics Through Science Fiction

The H.C. Hofheimer II Library’s Page to Podium Lecture Series continued with an engaging presentation by Instructional and Online Learning Librarian Abe Nemon, “Politics and Science Fiction: 100 Years of Strange Nova.” Tracing the genre from the founding of Amazing Stories in 1926 through its pulp and Golden Age eras, Abe explored how science fiction has reflected and challenged political and social ideas surrounding technology, colonization, gender, race, and the future. The series continues to provide valuable opportunities for scholarly exchange among our students, faculty, and campus community.

Constitution Day: The Founders Can Still Help Us Find Our Way

We were pleased to welcome former Vice President and Provost Dr. Timothy G. O’Rourke back to campus for the Robert Nusbaum Center’s Constitution Day presentation, “The Founders Can Still Help Us Find Our Way.” As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Dr. O’Rourke explored the enduring relevance of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, emphasizing citizenship, self-government, constructive disagreement, and the importance of finding common ground. His timely presentation reminded us that sustaining our constitutional democracy requires civic engagement, mutual respect, and a willingness to consider differing perspectives. Read More.

Joanne Renn-Barnes Named to Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Joanne Renn-Barnes, former athletic director, longtime coach, and extraordinary friend of Batten University, on her selection to the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Named athletic director in 2007, Joanne became the first woman to hold that position in ODAC history. During her tenure, the Marlins captured multiple national championships and expanded athletic facilities. A member of the Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame, Joanne continues to serve the University as a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. She will be inducted alongside four other distinguished honorees on November 18 at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. Learn More.

Celebrating Friends of the Arts

It was a pleasure to join special friends of the arts at the Chrysler Museum of Art’s 2026 Major Donor Reception honoring the Goode Family and Brooks Johnson. My thanks to Erik Neil, the Museum’s Macon and Joan Brock Director and CEO, for a wonderful evening celebrating philanthropy and support for the arts. David Goode H’17 (pictured) and Trustee Susan Goode H’22, along with their daughters, have been steadfast friends of Batten University and our campus-based Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. We are deeply grateful for their enduring friendship and commitment to enriching the cultural life of Hampton Roads.

More About The Arts at Batten University: Fall 2026 Events.

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President to President

Monday, September 21, 2026

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

September 21, 2026

Good morning,

I am honored to share that Batten University has been selected by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council as the recipient of a 2026 Workforce Innovation Award, recognizing our contributions to the regional workforce. The award highlights three major initiatives expanding educational access, strengthening career pathways and responding to the workforce needs of Coastal Virginia:

Batten University Global Campus Workforce Development, including our partnership with Virginia Beach Economic Development to provide education and training aligned with regional employers and emerging workforce needs.

The acquisition and integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences, expanding opportunities in nursing and health sciences while addressing critical healthcare workforce needs.

The Prison Education Program, offered through Batten University’s Gilbert T. Bland Center for Urban Leadership Education at St. Brides and Indian Creek Correctional Centers, extends higher education and pathways to meaningful employment for justice-impacted learners.

I am especially grateful to the faculty and staff, community partners and colleagues whose vision, hard work and commitment have made these opportunities possible. This recognition belongs to all who have helped extend the reach of a Batten University education and strengthen our ability to serve students, employers and communities throughout the region.

Together, these initiatives reflect Batten University’s growing role across Coastal Virginia and our commitment to meeting the educational and economic needs of the communities we serve. I look forward to accepting the award on behalf of the University at the Workforce Innovation Awards reception on November 5 at Rivers Casino Portsmouth.

ET CETERA

Each October, the Marlin Family Campaign for Faculty and Staff brings our campus community together around the pride we share in Batten University. More than an annual giving campaign, it is a chance to celebrate what makes our Marlin community special, connect with colleagues, and reflect the spirit of generosity and shared pride that make this place so meaningful.

Our faculty and staff make a difference in the lives of our students every day. The campaign is another way to demonstrate our shared investment in Batten University and the future we are building together. Every gift, regardless of size, represents participation and a belief in the people, programs, and experiences that make Batten University extraordinary.

And, of course, we’ll have some fun along the way! Weekly prize drawings will include Norfolk Admirals tickets, $120 to our campus dining locations courtesy of Sodexo Dining Services, and Batten University swag. Make your gift early for a chance to be entered into every drawing.

Back by popular demand: Trivia Tuesdays! Every Tuesday in October is Marlin Family Trivia Tuesday. Test your knowledge of our community, and each correct answer earns you another entry into our prize drawings. Special this year: Submit a childhood Halloween costume photo for our October 27 Halloween Edition and let your colleagues guess who’s who! Submit your photo here.

Thank you for being part of the Marlin Family and for all you do each day to make Batten University an extraordinary place to learn, work, and grow.

I am pleased to share that Jason Seward ’05, Chief Operations Officer and Vice President for Enterprise Strategy, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Central Business District Association of Virginia Beach (CBDA). CBDA serves as a leading voice for the business community in the Pembroke Strategic Growth Area, bringing together business, civic, and community leaders to advance economic growth, development, and quality of life across Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads. Jason’s service on the CBDA Board represents an important opportunity for Batten University to strengthen its partnership with the region’s business and civic leadership while bringing the perspective of higher education to conversations about economic development, workforce preparation, innovation, and community vitality. Pictured with Jason is Jeanne Evans-Cox, Executive Director at Central Business District Association.

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), of which Batten University is a longtime member, has released its 2025–26 Annual Report, highlighting its work to strengthen independent higher education during a period of significant change. The report showcases how CIC and its member institutions are turning challenges into opportunities through collaboration, innovation, and new approaches to institutional sustainability and student success.

Highlights include expanded resources for constructive dialogue and free expression; CIC’s confidential Partnerships and Mergers Program, which helps institutions explore strategic partnerships and long-term stability; and the CIC Tuition Exchange Program, providing full-tuition opportunities at hundreds of participating institutions for eligible employees and their families. Together, these initiatives demonstrate the valuable advocacy, programming, and collaboration CIC provides to independent colleges and universities nationwide.

I encourage members of the Batten University community to review the CIC Annual Report and learn more about the organization’s work and the collective strength of independent higher education.

Batten University, recognized as Virginia’s Innovative University of the Arts & Sciences, is a proud member of New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), a national consortium of private comprehensive colleges and universities committed to integrating the liberal arts, professional studies, and civic engagement. We are pleased to welcome Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, as NACU’s newest member, bringing the consortium to 28 institutions nationwide. Lynn is a natural fit, with its innovative, student-centered approach emphasizing hands-on learning, global experiences, career preparation, four-week block scheduling, accelerated degree options, and integrated technology. Its approximately 3,500 students represent more than 100 countries.

Lynn joins NACU during an exciting period of growth, following the recent additions of the University of Evansville, University of Redlands, York College of Pennsylvania, and Augsburg University. NACU’s collaborative spirit connects faculty, staff, and administrators to share ideas, develop new approaches, and address common challenges in higher education. The consortium also oversees the Washington Internship Institute, providing students with immersive experiences in Washington, D.C. We welcome President Kevin M. Ross and the Lynn University community to a network that shares Batten University’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and student success.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

70th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show

The Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show, sponsored by Atlantic Union Bank, celebrates its 70th anniversary October 9–11 along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. More than 160 artists will participate in the free weekend event, along with family-friendly activities and performances in the Virginia MOCA ART Park. Volunteers play an essential role in bringing this longstanding community tradition to life, and opportunities are available throughout the weekend. Sign up to volunteer.

Welcoming Our Newest International Students

It was a pleasure to welcome our new international students to DeFord Manor for lunch and an opportunity to get to know one another. This year’s group, hailing from eleven countries including France, Italy, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Togo, Japan, Norway, Finland, and the United Kingdom, brings a rich diversity of cultures and perspectives that will greatly enrich our campus community. We are delighted to welcome them to Batten University and the Marlin family.

Executive Leadership Series

It was a pleasure to attend Regent University’s Executive Leadership Series luncheon at The Founders Inn. Pictured are Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer (top, far right); Police Chief Paul Neudigate (bottom, far left); Sgt. W. L. Gervin (bottom, far right); City Council members Amelia Ross-Hammond (bottom) and Cal “Cash” Jackson-Green (top left); and Marlin alumnus Stephen Bruce (Class of 1994), Executive Vice President of Regent University. Many thanks to Regent University Chancellor Gordon Robertson for hosting an engaging gathering and bringing together leaders from throughout our community.

Regional Connections at Chamber Legislative Reception

It was great to visit with friends and colleagues from higher education at the Hampton Roads Chamber’s Regional Legislative Reception at the Harbor Club at Waterside. I was pleased to connect with Towuanna Porter Brannon (top left), President of Virginia Peninsula Community College; Billy Kelly, President of Christopher Newport University; Javaune Adams-Gaston (bottom), President of Norfolk State University; and Virginia Beach City Council member Amelia Ross-Hammond (top right). It is always valuable to connect with leaders working together to strengthen our region.

A Festive Start to the Academic Year

Annie and I enjoyed hosting Batten University faculty and staff at DeFord Manor for our annual start-of-the-academic-year gathering. A Caribbean theme, great food, wonderful fellowship and music by the One Love Steel Drum Band made for a festive evening and a great way to begin the year together.

Answering the Call

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry has released its 2025 Impact Report, Answering the Call, highlighting the continued work of The United Methodist Church to strengthen educational institutions, develop transformational leaders and expand access to theological education. The report highlights investments in United Methodist-related colleges, universities and seminaries, as well as scholarships, grants and strategic partnerships supporting students and institutions around the world. Read the 2025 Impact Report.

The Pharos: September 2026 Available Now

I am pleased to share the September 2026 editionof The Pharos, our monthly newsletter celebrating the professional accomplishments of Batten University faculty and staff. From publications and conference presentations to performances, grants, professional awards, and campus and community contributions, The Pharos highlights the many ways our colleagues are making an impact in their fields and beyond.

Have an accomplishment to share? Submit yours for a future edition.

P2P: A New Way to Think About AI in Higher Ed

As executive editor of the President to Presidentthought leadership series, I am pleased to share the first chapter of the 2026–2027 series, “Reframing AI in Higher Education: Perspectives from University Presidents.” In “The Fourth World — Reframing AI in Higher Education,” Northeastern University President Joseph E. Aoun, Ph.D., examines the impact of artificial intelligence and offers strategies for institutions seeking a holistic approach to its use and integration. Each month, the series will feature perspectives from college and university presidents exploring the challenges and opportunities AI presents for higher education. Read Chapter One.