Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

In the early hours of September 11, 2001, I sat in an office during my presidency at Wesley College in Delaware. I watched with the rest of the world in disbelief, in shock, in fear. I couldn't comprehend then, and still have trouble understanding today, the senseless, diabolical acts that occurred that day.

Our students have only ever known a world filled with heightened security concerns. For the United States, in particular, 9/11 forever changed the world we live in. This week we will pause to remember that fateful day and reflect as we honor those who lost their lives and all who selflessly responded when our country was in need.

The entire campus community is invited to VWU’s annual 9/11 Remembrance Gathering tomorrow, September 11, from 9-9:15 a.m. in the Peace Garden (located between Clarke Hall and the Hofheimer Library). Provost Timothy O’Rourke will offer remarks, students will offer musical solos and quotes, and Greg West will lead us in prayer and reflection with a call to action from Kelly Jackson from VWU’s Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. I hope you’ll join us.

Let us understand the historic significance of these attacks on our homeland, and as many have vowed since, let us never forget.

Landmark event celebrating progress in connecting the region hosted at VWU

Last Wednesday, we proudly hosted on our campus the announcement of the first connection point to the Regional Fiber Ring, the fiber optic backbone system that will connect all five Southside cities to the transatlantic cable landings. As VWU continues to grow and expand our research and educational opportunities, fast reliable and affordable fiber access will be critical to our future success. A 288-pound fiber optic splice enclosure, like the one pictured here, will be used at the connection point on Wesleyan Drive, not far from the VWU entrance.

VWU and Westminster Canterbury enter second year of Lifelong Learning Institute

Last year, Virginia Wesleyan University and Westminster Canterbury partnered to create a lifelong learning opportunity for successful aging with the Westminster/Wesleyan Lifelong Learning Institute in Virginia Beach. In doing so, the two organizations created an engagement opportunity for successful aging, offering courses at Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay through a joint Lifelong Learning Institute. The fall schedule is forthcoming and will be posted to this web page once it has been finalized.

This partnership is a natural fit and truly a win-win. It allows Westminster-Canterbury members to stay challenged and energized as they continue their path of education and growth, and it gives Virginia Wesleyan opportunities to share the talents and leadership of our faculty.

“Exercising not only our bodies but our minds as we age is so important,” said Ben Unkle, President and CEO of Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. “Doing things that are unfamiliar and mentally challenging keeps our minds sharp. Study after study says staying engaged is the key to successful aging.”

According to Westminster Canterbury, approximately 216 members enrolled in the courses. About 50 percent of the courses offered are on faith-related subjects.

Not only do members take on-site classes offered through the collaborative, some also audit Virginia Wesleyan University classes on campuses. Many others utilize campus facilities and attend fine and performing arts shows and athletic events.

The Westminster/Wesleyan Lifelong Learning Institute is a non-credit program of University College of Virginia Wesleyan University. Dr. Ben Fraser is the Westminster Canterbury Fellow for Religious Studies and Lifelong Learning.

Virginia Wesleyan University Spring 2018 President’s List

I am pleased to share the President’s List for spring 2018, which recognizes full-time students who earned a 4.0 grade point average last semester. To qualify for this honor, students must have taken nine semester hours of traditionally graded courses and have no grades of F or incomplete.

This achievement signifies a tremendous amount of hard work and focus, and it is truly an academic accomplishment to be celebrated. A reception will be held in the fall to honor these outstanding students. Congratulations!

Amanda C. Albert Skyler Lattuca

Sydnie E. Allen Jordan N. Latvis

Amanda C. Archer Mayanni A. McCourty

Kelly J. Bateman Travon D. Nimmo

Sandra C. Bowman Brooke L. Novkovic

Elizabeth C. Brisson Lydia M. O'Connor

Mary K. Brockenbrough David R. O'Rork

Katherine E. Burton Kathleen M. Peloquin

Emilee K. Caldbeck Ashley N. Peterson

LeMar Callaway III R. K. Phillips

Tiffany M. Cariker Jessica C. Pittman

Jacklyn A. Cheely Alex M. Powers

Madalyn A. Chevalier Sarah M. Puchalla

Allison T. Chism Mickella J. Rast

Riley M. Conrad Morgan M. Reed

Kayla M. Dennis Kathleen E. Roberts

Samantha N. Espejo Kelsi P. Robins

Christopher D. Fegan Aimelie E. Ronquillo

Lynne G. Fetter Charlene V. Santos

Brandon L. Foster Skye M. Seutter

Kathryn L. Gerrish Joshua G. Shuman

Mary A. Gower Samuel J. Smart

Kathryn A. S. Grainer Serena V. Smith

Vernon K. Hanbury II Jessica R. Suter

Shana L. Harrison Alyssa M. Taylor

Elise R. Herring Yasmine N. Tyler

Abigail L. Horgan Kelci L. Vandiver

Michael E. Jakubowski Maribel Veras

Andrew B. Johnson Keith Wallace Jr.

Catalina A. Jones Luke E. Wentling

Ashley A. Kline Kaci N. Wertz

Miranda A. Klobosits Tayler L. Wilson

Rev. Ted Smith ’84 to be Homecoming Chapel Speaker

I’m pleased to share that Rev. Ted Smith '84, will serve as our Homecoming Chapel Speaker. He currently serves as the District Superintendent of the Fredericksburg District of the Virginia Conference. Read more about Ted here.

Virginia Wesleyan "Get Out the Vote"

Wesleyan Engaged: Center for Civic Leadership and Engaged Learning and the Hofheimer Library are collaborating to Get Out the Vote.

If you recently moved to Coastal Virginia or within the Hampton Roads area, we encourage you to make sure that you are properly registered to vote in your designated precinct. Please check your voter registration status in the Commonwealth of Virginia here.

Please visit the Hofheimer Library or the Wesleyan Engaged office (025 Batten) if you wish to update your voter registration information. Both campus offices have voter registration cards, and Wesleyan Engaged is transporting voter applications to the Virginia Beach Voter Registration and Elections office twice a week. You may also mail the forms or stop by the Virginia Beach Voter Registration and Elections office located at 2449 Princess Anne Road, Building 14, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.

Winter Session

I’m pleased to share that through the conscientious work of many and the outstanding leadership of Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the Winter and Summer Sessions, all first-year students have been registered for Winter Session 2019 (for either their first or second course selection choice). While required for first-year students, Winter Session is optional for returning upper level.

The Winter Session website continues to be updated on a weekly basis with current course descriptions.

Around town and across campus…

Last week, an intimate recognition ceremony was held for the 39 newest Batten Fellows and Shumadine Scholars. A ceremonial pinning of each student represents their completion of orientation and formal induction into the Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan University.

It was a great day to be a Marlin and to celebrate Virginia Wesleyan's history and heritage during our Founders Day Convocation last Thursday. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Larry Hultgren, wowed the crowd with his remarks. Read more about the full day of celebrations here.

The VWU community made its mark on the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center today by signing the final structural steel beam and watching as it was put into place on the building. We recognize and thank those whose leadership has been instrumental in the success of the facility, including Trustee Henry Watts and his wife Eleanor, for whom the grand lobby will be named; building namesake and Trustee Susan Goode, her husband David and daughter Christina; and Chris Brandt from Hourigan. We also thank Joan Brock and her late husband Macon for whom the 300-seat theater will be named.

As part of our Founders Day festivities, we paid tribute to our 2018 Alumni Awards recipients. These honorees are accomplished, talented and bring great honor and distinction to Virginia Wesleyan University. Troy DeLawrence '93, Chair of the Alumni Council, and I had the privilege of presenting their awards at this morning's ceremony. We are proudly pictured here with the recipients Alisa Crider ’10, Clayton Singleton ’94, and Joseph Ruddy ’83.

At the Alumni Awards Celebration we also recognized a very special alumna, Mavis McKenley '11, for her three years of service from 2016-2018 as Chair of the Alumni Council. Mavis led the Alumni Council during a significant period of transformation and did so with high energy, vision, and attention to important details. I am grateful to Mavis for her time, commitment, and energy and I thank her for giving back to Virginia Wesleyan University in so many ways.

A wonderful turnout on August 31 for the annual Virginia Wesleyan University Golf Fundraiser at Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk, VA. Over 130 golfers participated in the event which raised funds for the men's and women's golf program and Special Olympics of Virginia.

An enjoyable first "Chat 'n Chew" lunch of the academic year in the President's Dining Room (Princess Anne Room) was with support staff from the Center for Advancement. We appreciate all they do to further the University's mission. I value these lunches as I get to meet with all of the hard working departments on our campus. To schedule yours, please contact Jodi Bryant.

It was wonderful to see VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads and their new Executive Director Stephanie Gorham recognized in The Virginian-Pilot. VWU is proud to partner with them!

A great event honoring our back-to-back NCAA National Champion softball team at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. They are truly winners both on and off the field as they are outstanding students, leaders and citizens. They are what makes NCAA Division III athletics the best!

It was great welcoming our first-years to campus during Marlin Nation Orientation and as classes began.

Enjoyable conversation with Garry Sjodin of The Marlin Chronicle. A junior communications major, Garry interviewed Keith Moore (Vice President for Student Affairs) and me about improvements to Bray Village and construction of the new Coastal 61 at Oxford Village.

Thanks to Mayor Louis Jones and the Virginia Beach City Council for designating September 4: “Virginia Wesleyan University Softball Day in Virginia Beach” — recognizing our back-to-back NCAA National Champions!

On August 30, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with participants in the tHRive program sponsored by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, including our own Tiffany Williams, Director of Stewardship and Special Gifts, and alumna Alisa Crider ‘10. tHRive cultivates regional awareness and community development by providing a platform for young professionals.

Good progress happening on Virginia Wesleyan University's Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Crews are pictured here installing steel for the Eleanor and Henry Watts Grand Lobby and Gallery.

Enjoyable evening at The Chrysler Museum of Art as Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander hosted a celebration in honor of Gen. Denis Mercier, French Air Force, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO. The General has been a great friend to Virginia Wesleyan during his three years here. VWU Trustees Susan Goode and Gary Bonnewell also attended.

Good meeting with Erik H. Neil, President of The Chrysler Museum of Art. Virginia Wesleyan and The Chrysler Museum of Art have been good partners for years — VWU offers classes in the CMA Glass Blowing Studio.

The Portsmouth Police Department debuted its #LipSyncChallenge video and it features Lt. Travis Smaglo (solo at :44), husband of Stephanie Smaglo, our Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications. We are proud of our nation’s police departments for the work they do and the ways they’re bringing communities together with these videos.

Earlier this year, I joined the Board of Directors of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Foundation. I’ve enjoyed serving on that Board not only because of its partnership with Virginia Wesleyan University—we share ownership of the research vessel The Ocean Explorer—but because of the meaningful work I get to be a part of. Last Friday, I joined staff, fellow Board members and a large crowd at the Oceanfront for the release of five rehabilitated sea turtles. Read more about this remarkable initiative here. If you haven’t visited the Aquarium, it is a true treasure.

Virginia Wesleyan Magazine

The Fall 2018 edition of the Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine hit mailboxes last week. Kudos to Stephanie Smaglo, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications, and her staff for an enjoyable read.

2018-19 "President to President" series

For the last 14 years, Dr. Marylouise Fennell, former president of Carlow University and currently senior counsel at the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and I have edited President to President, a thought leadership series written by university presidents from across North America. This year's series is titled "Ten Challenges Facing Higher Education: Shaping the Student Experience."

Although the series is primarily written for college and university presidents, I share it here because we hope you will enjoy exploring these issues. I encourage you to read this year's foreword, written by Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the first chapter by Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, president of University of Richmond.

Feel free to browse the entire series under its former name Presidential Perspectives archived here or the current series archived here.

Enjoy the following links to stay current on all news and features at VWU:

Features

News Briefs

VWU Athletics

Highlights from my weekend reading

The end of one of my favorites: Beloit College drops Mindset List.
Public May Not Trust Higher Ed , but Employers Do: A new survey in Inside Higher Ed reveals business leaders believe students are learning skills but not those needed to advance.
Update on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village in The Virginian-Pilot.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, our partners at University of Puerto Rico at Humacao were one of 47 institutions receiving $63 million in aid from the U.S. after they were affected by last year's natural disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The University of Puerto Rico's Humacao campus was one of the hardest hit. They will receive $10 million. Revisit the scene on campus months after it was devastated by Hurricane Maria in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Long-time friend and colleague John Lawlor pens an interesting piece, “Digital Content Strategy for Higher Education Marketing”, in this month’s The Lawlor Review. He states, “Tactics and channels to hook an audience’s interest are ever-changing, but a strategy based on the overlap of user needs and institutional objectives is what really guides digital content marketing efforts.”
I met David Leonhardt last year at a Council of Independent Colleges meeting. I enjoy his writings.