Yesterday we held our annual luncheon to recognize members of The Lambuth M. and Alice A. Clarke Heritage Society, a special group of Virginia Wesleyan supporters who have chosen to include the University in their estate plans (view a photo gallery).
We were so pleased to have Alice Clarke with us for the event. Mrs. Clarke and her late husband, Lambuth, president of Virginia Wesleyan from 1966 to 1992, planted many of the "seeds" of our future success. One of the University’s signature establishments, the Heritage Society was formed many years ago by Wesleyan friends and family with the Clarkes among the inaugural founders. In 2016, we named the recognition society for the Clarkes, whose name has long stood for admirable values and extraordinary service. We thank the family for their continued commitment to Virginia Wesleyan’s progress.
We also welcomed Board of Trustees members Susan Goode, Deborah Paxson ’75, and Linda Thomas-Glover, as well as many other special friends of the institution. All of our guests were invited to the groundbreaking this coming Friday, December 1, for the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, which will be the new home of the Wesleyan Chorale and other performers. Our lunch guests had a special preview of this weekend’s forthcoming choral program, “A Wesleyan Christmas.” Dr. Bryson Mortensen, Director of Choral Music, led the Wesleyan Chorale in a series of holiday musical selections. I applaud Dr. Mortensen and these students for their beautiful performance.
We had the privilege during the event of recognizing a member of our Virginia Wesleyan community who has joined the Clarke Heritage Society—Joanne Renn, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Joanne was selected in 2007 as Virginia Wesleyan University's first female athletic director and as the first female athletic director at a co-educational institution in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. This season marks her 25th year at VWU, where she oversees 22 intercollegiate sports programs and a staff of more than 55 coaches, administrators, and support personnel. We thank her for including the University in her estate plans and for her generosity and commitment.
We were so pleased to have Alice Clarke with us for the event. Mrs. Clarke and her late husband, Lambuth, president of Virginia Wesleyan from 1966 to 1992, planted many of the "seeds" of our future success. One of the University’s signature establishments, the Heritage Society was formed many years ago by Wesleyan friends and family with the Clarkes among the inaugural founders. In 2016, we named the recognition society for the Clarkes, whose name has long stood for admirable values and extraordinary service. We thank the family for their continued commitment to Virginia Wesleyan’s progress.
We also welcomed Board of Trustees members Susan Goode, Deborah Paxson ’75, and Linda Thomas-Glover, as well as many other special friends of the institution. All of our guests were invited to the groundbreaking this coming Friday, December 1, for the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, which will be the new home of the Wesleyan Chorale and other performers. Our lunch guests had a special preview of this weekend’s forthcoming choral program, “A Wesleyan Christmas.” Dr. Bryson Mortensen, Director of Choral Music, led the Wesleyan Chorale in a series of holiday musical selections. I applaud Dr. Mortensen and these students for their beautiful performance.
We had the privilege during the event of recognizing a member of our Virginia Wesleyan community who has joined the Clarke Heritage Society—Joanne Renn, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Joanne was selected in 2007 as Virginia Wesleyan University's first female athletic director and as the first female athletic director at a co-educational institution in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. This season marks her 25th year at VWU, where she oversees 22 intercollegiate sports programs and a staff of more than 55 coaches, administrators, and support personnel. We thank her for including the University in her estate plans and for her generosity and commitment.
Annie and I are grateful every day for the opportunity to continue
the tradition of leadership initiated by our predecessors. Virginia
Wesleyan is an extraordinary place because of the leadership, devotion,
and good will preceding us.
On behalf of all of us at Virginia Wesleyan University, we thank each of our Clarke Heritage Society members and wish them a joyous Christmas and holiday season.
On behalf of all of us at Virginia Wesleyan University, we thank each of our Clarke Heritage Society members and wish them a joyous Christmas and holiday season.
