I hope everyone had a great week. Despite the rain, brick and structural work continued on the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center (view recent drone footage of the construction), landscaping and seeding was completed along Marlin Way, at the outdoor athletics complex (watch video), and the East Gate area, and the renovation/restoration of the Bell Tower/Beacon. We look forward to showcasing these improvements to our returning students and welcoming approximately 450 new Marlins this fall.
News from United Methodist Higher Education
Earlier this week I attended the National Association of Schools and Colleges of The United Methodist Church (NASCUMC) Board of Directors meeting in Williamsburg. I have served on the 18-member NASCUMC Board for many years and the annual meeting each summer is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about trends on the campuses of the 119-affiliated institutions and important issues in the church.
Mark Hanshaw, Associate General Secretary for the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry, updated the Board on the hotly debated work of the Commission on a Way Forward.
New Alumni Council Officers
With the start of a new fiscal year brings a change in leadership for our Alumni Council. We thank Mavis McKenley '11 (Vice President and Trust Officer, AMG National Trust Bank) for her two years of service as the chair of the Alumni Council. During her tenure, alumni participation and engagement continued to rise through new initiatives such as our Spring Alumni Weekend and regional alumni gatherings. We are grateful for her leadership and look forward to her continued guidance as the immediate past chair.
I am pleased to welcome our new Alumni Council leadership for 2018-2019. Troy DeLawrence '93 (Quality Assurance Senior Specialist, CACI International) will serve as our new chair. He most recently served as the vice chair of the Alumni Council and as chair of the Alumni Resource Committee. Kevin Otey '05 (Director of Strategic Initiatives, Hampton Roads Community Action Program) will transition to vice chair from his previous roles as secretary of the Alumni Council and chair of the Alumni Engagement Committee. The Council will elect a new secretary and new committee chairs at their first meeting at the start of the fall semester. View a complete list of our Alumni Council members on the VWU website.
Please join me in thanking Mavis, Troy, and Kevin for their ongoing support and contributions to our campus and community.
New Executive Director of Volunteer Hampton Roads
Senior Vice President Mort Gamble and I had a wonderful meeting last week with our friends, Kate Meechan and Stephanie Gorham, from Volunteer Hampton Roads, who have an office here on campus. Kate retires this summer from her role as VHR CEO/Executive Director, and Ms. Gorham has been named the new Executive Director. Dr. Gamble also serves on the VHR Board.
Virginia Wesleyan Environmental Institute: Summer Scholars
Another very exciting happening on campus is the Virginia Wesleyan Environmental Institute: Summer Scholars. The Institute is a week-long residential environmental science program designed for top-performing, rising ninth grade girls. Participants will take part in authentic environmental science, technology, engineering, and math (E-STEM) experiences alongside environmental science professionals in academia, industry, business, government, and non-profit organizations in order to better understand the vast amount of opportunities for women in E-STEM fields to make a positive difference in the world. I thank Dr. Bill McConnell, Assistant Professor of Education, and Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Associate Professor of Biology, for their collaborative effort leading this successful program. Learn more about the Summer Scholars program.
“Effort to save the Bay offers lessons for higher education”
My monthly column in The Virginian-Pilot discusses a unique resource available to us in Coastal Virginia and its pertinence to higher education. Not only does the presence of the Chesapeake Bay provide experiential learning, lending itself as a classroom for our students, but the ongoing restoration also provides enlightenment of students, their families, and the general public. The same is true of colleges and universities across the nation. Higher education institutions, along with primary and secondary schools, can relate to the efforts to sustain the bay’s health and productivity.
News and Notes
Speaking of The Virginian-Pilot, in case you missed it, Elaine Aird’s mother, Rita Swan, who many of you know from her visits to various campus functions, was featured this week for her good will and big heart. Rita and a friend offer free hugs at the Little Creek USO, a home away from home for active duty military in our community. Read the full story.
A little humor from our friend John-Henry Doucette '01, editor and publisher of the Princess Anne Independent News and a VWU adjunct: http://princessanneindy.com/2018/07/17/editor-13/
Virginia Beach Sports Center
Recently, the City of Virginia Beach approved the construction of a new multi-purpose sports center on lands adjacent to the Virginia Beach Convention Center. A number of you have asked about our advocacy for the new Virginia Beach Sport Center in the days leading up to the City Council Vote. Linked here is my letter of support on behalf of VWU and some additional information about the new facility can be found on the City website.
Services for Trustee Anne Shumadine
Earlier this week I shared the passing of longtime Virginia Wesleyan Trustee Anne B. Shumadine, who was an inspiration to our entire campus community. A memorial service will be held this Sunday, July 29, at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 7400 Hampton Blvd. in Norfolk.
May we all keep Anne’s family in our hearts and honor her legacy as we continue to fulfill our University mission.
