Although I’ve cited it
before, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison’s (Beloved) quote
seems especially apt for Virginia Wesleyan’s well-regarded place among liberal
arts colleges today: “Tradition is not there to arrest us; it is there to arouse us.” Virginia Wesleyanites across the generations have welcomed the new
academic year in just such a rousing spirit.
We
have 1,444 students, including 440 new Marlins. We have a beautiful award
winning 300 acre campus and a freshly minted multi-purpose outdoor athletics
venue in Birdsong Field. We have summer upgrades to our instructional
facilities and two new buildings on the horizon. We have eight new
faculty colleagues joining an already impressive group that is among the best
credentialed of a national liberal arts college. Our traditions are
numerous and significant; however, today's Fall Convocation will surely be
among the most memorable.
This
morning at 11 a.m. in the Convocation Hall of the Jane P. Batten Student
Center, three outstanding graduates will be recognized by the Virginia Wesleyan
College Alumni Association: J. Tim Bailey ’83 (Distinguished Alumnus Award);
Christine A. Langsam Williams ’97 (Alumni Service Award); and Matthew H.C. Ryan
’09 (Graduate of the Last Decade Award). In addition, Barbara Hamm Lee,
host of WHRO's "Another View," will be our keynote speaker.
Virginia
Wesleyan alumni, regardless of their graduation year, are united not only by
rich traditions that provide a sense of community and continuity, but also by
strong outcomes displayed in the leadership roles they continue to play in
their professions and communities. This year’s honorees exemplify the
academic rigor and excellence that characterize Virginia Wesleyan alumni
throughout the generations.
I
join our Alumni Association in offering special congratulations to the 2015 Alumni Awards recipients:
J. Tim Bailey
’83—Distinguished Alumnus Award
Division President, Compass Group/Canteen
While he was at Virginia Wesleyan, Tim Bailey ’83 was able to indulge both his love for America’s pastime and his head for business, a combination that would set him on the road to professional success. As a member of the baseball team, Bailey learned the power of working together toward a common goal. He also gained leadership skills as a resident advisor, assistant softball coach, and security guard. As a graduate of VWC’s Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP), Bailey went to work in sales for Aramark Corporation shortly after earning his degree. Since 2006, he has been Division President of Compass Group/Canteen, the world's largest contract food service company. In this role, he is responsible for $260 million in annual revenues in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and North and South Carolina, including more than 30 vending districts and food regions. He is the recipient of Virginia/North Carolina Vendor of the Year Award and the Penta President’s Award and is on the Board of Directors for the Police Activities League where he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bailey has been a valuable mentor to current Virginia Wesleyan students, most recently returning to campus in April 2015 to speak as part of the annual Business Speaker Series during VWC's student-led Spring Business Conference. Originally from Portsmouth, Virginia, Bailey enjoys entertaining, travel, golf, live music, mentoring, and philanthropy. He has two children: Krystle, 29, and Chris, 25.
Division President, Compass Group/Canteen
While he was at Virginia Wesleyan, Tim Bailey ’83 was able to indulge both his love for America’s pastime and his head for business, a combination that would set him on the road to professional success. As a member of the baseball team, Bailey learned the power of working together toward a common goal. He also gained leadership skills as a resident advisor, assistant softball coach, and security guard. As a graduate of VWC’s Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP), Bailey went to work in sales for Aramark Corporation shortly after earning his degree. Since 2006, he has been Division President of Compass Group/Canteen, the world's largest contract food service company. In this role, he is responsible for $260 million in annual revenues in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and North and South Carolina, including more than 30 vending districts and food regions. He is the recipient of Virginia/North Carolina Vendor of the Year Award and the Penta President’s Award and is on the Board of Directors for the Police Activities League where he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bailey has been a valuable mentor to current Virginia Wesleyan students, most recently returning to campus in April 2015 to speak as part of the annual Business Speaker Series during VWC's student-led Spring Business Conference. Originally from Portsmouth, Virginia, Bailey enjoys entertaining, travel, golf, live music, mentoring, and philanthropy. He has two children: Krystle, 29, and Chris, 25.
Christine A. (Langsam)
Williams ’97—Alumni Service Award
Director, DurretteCrump PLC
As a Virginia Wesleyan student, Christine (Langsam) Williams '97 majored in psychology, played field hockey and volunteered her time at a hospice care facility in Virginia Beach. She continued on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, where she volunteered for the state's Guardian ad Litem program and defended indigent juveniles faced with criminal charges through the school's Criminal Clinic Program. In 2002, she joined the Board of TrePadges, a charitable foundation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk children in Virginia. Under her leadership as Chairwoman, TrePadges raised over $300,000 for charities in the Richmond area. In 2008, Williams joined the Board of Directors of Comfort Zone Camp, the nation's largest nonprofit bereavement organization, primarily serving children who have lost a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. She was nominated for the Executive Committee in 2010 and also served as Chair of the Development Committee. She was re-elected to the Board in 2015 and continues to proudly serve the organization. Williams has been with DurretteCrump PLC since 2001, currently serving as director. She has earned many professional accolades for her hard work and commitment. She was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the field of Commercial Litigation; recognized as one of the "Influential Women of Virginia" by Virginia Lawyers Weekly; and has been repeatedly chosen by her peers for inclusion in Virginia's "Legal Elite." Williams remains an avid VWC fan, returning to campus for athletic events with her husband, Jason Williams ’95, and family.
Director, DurretteCrump PLC
As a Virginia Wesleyan student, Christine (Langsam) Williams '97 majored in psychology, played field hockey and volunteered her time at a hospice care facility in Virginia Beach. She continued on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, where she volunteered for the state's Guardian ad Litem program and defended indigent juveniles faced with criminal charges through the school's Criminal Clinic Program. In 2002, she joined the Board of TrePadges, a charitable foundation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk children in Virginia. Under her leadership as Chairwoman, TrePadges raised over $300,000 for charities in the Richmond area. In 2008, Williams joined the Board of Directors of Comfort Zone Camp, the nation's largest nonprofit bereavement organization, primarily serving children who have lost a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. She was nominated for the Executive Committee in 2010 and also served as Chair of the Development Committee. She was re-elected to the Board in 2015 and continues to proudly serve the organization. Williams has been with DurretteCrump PLC since 2001, currently serving as director. She has earned many professional accolades for her hard work and commitment. She was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the field of Commercial Litigation; recognized as one of the "Influential Women of Virginia" by Virginia Lawyers Weekly; and has been repeatedly chosen by her peers for inclusion in Virginia's "Legal Elite." Williams remains an avid VWC fan, returning to campus for athletic events with her husband, Jason Williams ’95, and family.
Matthew H.C. Ryan
’09—Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award
Cinematographer/Director of Photography
Matthew Ryan ’09 served as president of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society at Virginia Wesleyan while double majoring in business management and communication. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in cinematography from Florida State University, and today he has a growing career in Hollywood as a professional cinematographer. His impressive resume boasts director of photography credits and includes work on the films "Lincoln" and "Star Trek: Into Darkness"; the TV series "Mad Men" and "Arrested Development"; and many web series and national commercials. He has shot for Disney, DC Comics, PBS, and Warner Brothers, and is currently filming a show for FOX. He has studied in cinematography master classes in Poland and Hungary with legendary cinematographers John Seale (“Rain Man,” “Cold Mountain”) and Vilmos Zsigmond (“Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “The Deer Hunter”). VWC Associate Professor of Communication Stu Minnis, who is a mentor and friend to Ryan, commends the recent graduate for his achievements in the highly competitive world of film and television production: “He is definitely an alumnus that VWC video production students can admire and aspire to emulate.” Ryan currently lives in Los Angeles.
Cinematographer/Director of Photography
Matthew Ryan ’09 served as president of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society at Virginia Wesleyan while double majoring in business management and communication. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in cinematography from Florida State University, and today he has a growing career in Hollywood as a professional cinematographer. His impressive resume boasts director of photography credits and includes work on the films "Lincoln" and "Star Trek: Into Darkness"; the TV series "Mad Men" and "Arrested Development"; and many web series and national commercials. He has shot for Disney, DC Comics, PBS, and Warner Brothers, and is currently filming a show for FOX. He has studied in cinematography master classes in Poland and Hungary with legendary cinematographers John Seale (“Rain Man,” “Cold Mountain”) and Vilmos Zsigmond (“Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “The Deer Hunter”). VWC Associate Professor of Communication Stu Minnis, who is a mentor and friend to Ryan, commends the recent graduate for his achievements in the highly competitive world of film and television production: “He is definitely an alumnus that VWC video production students can admire and aspire to emulate.” Ryan currently lives in Los Angeles.
Likewise we welcome our distinguished speaker for
Fall Convocation: Barbara Hamm Lee, the
Executive Producer and Host of "Another View."
Barbara
Hamm Lee is a veteran journalist/broadcaster and The Executive Producer and
Host of Another View. Barbara has
served in many capacities, including Project Director for the National
Federation of Community Broadcasters’ African American Public Radio Stations
Initiative, consulting with 26 African American public radio stations on
compliance, governance, development, programming and community engagement. She
has served as Creative Services Officer, Chief Communications Officer, Chief
Public Affairs Officer and Chief Community Engagement Officer, all with WHRO
Public Media.
Prior
to her work with WHRO, Barbara held management positions with Communications
Technologies, Inc.; Prince Georges County, Maryland Police Department and Hamm
and Fox Communications. Most of Barbara’s career has been spent in television
management including News Director for WTKR-TV in Norfolk, VA; KYW-TV,
Philadelphia; WJLA-TV, Washington, D.C.; Black Entertainment Television; WJZ-TV
and WBAL-TV, Baltimore, Maryland.
Barbara
is currently Vice Chair and Commissioner for Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing
Authority; Immediate Past President, YWCA, South Hampton Roads; Chair of the
Administrative Committee with Norfolk Education Foundation; and board member of
the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, The Planning Council, and Bennett College
Alumnae Association.
Barbara
has been recognized for her work in the community, including being named by the
YWCA-SHR as a 2010 Woman of Distinction; a Woman of Courage, Confidence and
Character Award from the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast; the Virginia
Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award; and the Volunteer of the
Year Award from the Urban League of Hampton Roads.
We’re
proud
of our history as a highly ranked national liberal arts college.
Virginia Wesleyan is definitely doing something right. Programs such as
today’s
Fall Convocation underscore that we have succeeded by adapting our
founders’ vision to contemporary challenges and needs.
