I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with the Virginia Wesleyan College Alumni Association Board of Directors at breakfast on Saturday. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about our Alumni Board members and hear their thoughts on a variety of topics.
I was impressed by their loyalty to their alma mater and by the fact that 100 percent of the Alumni Board contributed to Virginia Wesleyan College in the 2014-15 academic year. I encouraged the Alumni Board to identify potential locations for off campus gatherings of alumni around the region and nation. These off-campus gatherings enable interactions with large numbers of graduates who live a greater distance from the campus and can't always return for events. Ultimately, they have a positive impact on alumni participation and fund raising.
Virginia Wesleyan has a growing reputation nationally as a student-centered liberal arts college of the highest quality. It is clear as I visit with alumni and friends that Virginia Wesleyanites love their College. I am impressed by the passion that our graduates have for their alma mater. Virginia Wesleyan College is – without a doubt – a lifetime experience.
We also discussed fund raising success during extremely difficult economic times. To contribute so generously during two of the most significant economic downturns in our country’s history is a major statement of support in the people and programs of Virginia Wesleyan College.
Other initiatives we discussed:
* VWC Institutional Review (IR) -- The Board of Trustees commissioned an Institutional Review with a national authority to assist in the presidential transition and to set priorities for the coming years. The IR has been received by the Board Chair and I and will be shared with the full Board and campus community in the near future.
* Developing a new business model for VWC -- Multiple external authorities have assisted with a growth oriented business model for the College. We will discuss new initiatives at the State of the College Address on August 18.
*Privatized development of non-contiguous property -- The College is exploring development possibilities for properties owned by the College but not on the campus proper.
*Globalization, Internships and Service Learning/Community Engagement -- In the current market, I suggested that the College must expand opportunities in each of these areas.
I was also able to provide updates on a number of projects:
*Birdsong Field -- Scheduled for completion by September 1, this $3 million project will provide state-of-the-art facilities for field hockey, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's lacrosse. The facility will include artificial turf, lighting, stands and a concession/restroom building. It will also benefit the College's intramural program.
*Greer Environmental Sciences Center -- Construction is expected to begin this winter for a 40,000 square foot, state-of-the art environmental sciences center entirely funded by a private gift.
*Joint use facility -- The College is in active discussions with the YMCA for a shared use facility on campus. Donors to the YMCA would provide funding for the facility, which would be used by the YMCA for summer camps and during the academic year by the College for academic purposes.
*Enrollment -- This fall, the College will welcome approximately 440 new students, including 360 freshmen and 80 transfers. Overall fall enrollment is expected to reach approximately 1,400 total students with around 1,300 being traditional full-time.
*The Princeton Review -- Virginia Wesleyan was again named one of the top colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review and will be featured in its 2016 guide.
I will address each topic in greater detail at the State of the College event on August 18.
All of us share a pride in the heritage of this outstanding College. More than 10,000 students have availed themselves of a Virginia Wesleyan education and have earned the distinction of Virginia Wesleyanites for life.
In this challenging higher education environment, we'll need to work more strategically and do things differently. Growing our resources and expanding our residential population will create a greater critical mass, greater diversity and increased assets. These positive changes will also be attractive to our alumni and donors.
My meeting with our Alumni Board provided yet another affirmation of our decision to move here. Annie and I absolutely love living in the Coastal Virginia area and have thoroughly enjoyed becoming a part of the Virginia Wesleyan Family. We look forward to being an active part of an exciting future for the College for many years to come.
Thanks to Amy Rickard '98, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and Lina Green, Director of Alumni Relations, for their tremendous leadership of this outstanding organization. Mark your calendars, 2015 Homecoming/Parent Weekend is just around the corner (October 2-4).
