I’m pleased to announce that Virginia Wesleyan College has become a part of the Harlaxton College (England) partnership. This is a partnership that benefited us during my presidencies at Wesley and Bethany and I'm delighted, as a result, that our friends there have extended the invitation for Virginia Wesleyan. Best College Reviews has ranked the University of Evansville's British campus - Harlaxton College - the best study abroad program for American students. Since I was unable to attend their partnership meeting in England last month because of the birth of my granddaughter, Joanne Renn, our executive director for intercollegiate athletics, represented the College at the partner conference in my absence.
Their mission states that “Harlaxton College is the United Kingdom’s premier provider of study abroad. We are distinctive in our location and ethos and dedicate ourselves daily to transforming the lives of our students.” They offer a program of study that “directly addresses the challenges of living in an international community and the necessity of adopting a global view.” We look forward to a productive partnership between Harlaxton College and Virginia Wesleyan. From experience, faculty and students alike give this partnership rave reviews.
The Center for Sacred Music Summer Conference has been underway this week on campus. I had the pleasure of attending the Service of Christian Prayer in our Monumental Chapel on Monday evening. Over the course of this week, about 200 people from 18 states, plus Canada and Nigeria are enjoying workshops on all aspects of worship and music leadership. The workshops are led by 17 nationally recognized experts in the field. The conference culminates with a choral concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 at Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 560 W. Olney Road, in Norfolk. Kudos to Sandi Billy, Director of the Center for Sacred Music, for another wonderful program.
I always enjoy visiting with alumni and friends. This week I had two very special visits. On Monday, Suzanne Savage (Associate Vice President for Advancement) and I had an enjoyable visit with Ginger and Jim Philbrick at their beautiful, historic home in White Stone, Virginia. Ginger and Jim have been loyal friends of the College. Ginger’s father, Dr. Joseph S. Johnston, was the first president of Virginia Wesleyan College. Thursday, we traveled to Morristown, NJ, to visit with Mike White, ’81, President of Maersk Line – North America. Mike played basketball for the Marlins during his studies here and has had a remarkable career leading a complex international business.
It is also pleasing to see that work has begun on a significant corrective maintenance project on campus. Funded by a private contribution, Hourigan Construction is making improvements to our pedestrian pathways, roads and steps as well as power washing and caulking buildings on the College Quadrangle. The improvements, costing nearly $600,000, are an effort to not only beautify our campus, but to make movement safer.
Their mission states that “Harlaxton College is the United Kingdom’s premier provider of study abroad. We are distinctive in our location and ethos and dedicate ourselves daily to transforming the lives of our students.” They offer a program of study that “directly addresses the challenges of living in an international community and the necessity of adopting a global view.” We look forward to a productive partnership between Harlaxton College and Virginia Wesleyan. From experience, faculty and students alike give this partnership rave reviews.
The Center for Sacred Music Summer Conference has been underway this week on campus. I had the pleasure of attending the Service of Christian Prayer in our Monumental Chapel on Monday evening. Over the course of this week, about 200 people from 18 states, plus Canada and Nigeria are enjoying workshops on all aspects of worship and music leadership. The workshops are led by 17 nationally recognized experts in the field. The conference culminates with a choral concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 at Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 560 W. Olney Road, in Norfolk. Kudos to Sandi Billy, Director of the Center for Sacred Music, for another wonderful program.
I always enjoy visiting with alumni and friends. This week I had two very special visits. On Monday, Suzanne Savage (Associate Vice President for Advancement) and I had an enjoyable visit with Ginger and Jim Philbrick at their beautiful, historic home in White Stone, Virginia. Ginger and Jim have been loyal friends of the College. Ginger’s father, Dr. Joseph S. Johnston, was the first president of Virginia Wesleyan College. Thursday, we traveled to Morristown, NJ, to visit with Mike White, ’81, President of Maersk Line – North America. Mike played basketball for the Marlins during his studies here and has had a remarkable career leading a complex international business.
It is also pleasing to see that work has begun on a significant corrective maintenance project on campus. Funded by a private contribution, Hourigan Construction is making improvements to our pedestrian pathways, roads and steps as well as power washing and caulking buildings on the College Quadrangle. The improvements, costing nearly $600,000, are an effort to not only beautify our campus, but to make movement safer.
Finally, I’m looking forward to my second State of the College address to faculty, staff and members of our Board of Trustees and Alumni Council on August 23. The event will also be webcast (please consult our website for details).
