The 44th Annual Hampton Roads VOLUNTEER Achievement Awards took place last Friday, recognizing the region's most outstanding volunteers based on their length of service, initiative, and impact on the community. VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads honored outstanding leaders in community service with special awards, including the Lenora Mathews Lifetime Achievement Award, the Harvey L. Lindsay Jr. Changemaker Award, and the Corporate VOLUNTEER Excellence Award.
Congratulations to Joan Brock, dear friend and VWU Trustee Emerita, who was aptly selected for the Lenora Mathews Lifetime Achievement Award. This comes on the heels of another well-deserved recognition: the Norfolk First Citizen Award. I was glad to attend the ceremony and support our good friend.
The 2019 honoree for the Corporate Volunteer Excellence Award was Susan Colpitts and Anne Shumadine (In Memoriam). Anne was a longtime VWU Trustee and also a dear friend. We are glad to know her meaningful work is still making an impact.
I was honored to participate in sharing a few words about both Joan and Anne, and I invite you to watch these heartwarming video tributes.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Marlins Making a Splash!
Our Marlins made a splash at the Something in the Water Festival over the weekend! Read more in The Virginian-Pilot.
Marlins SportSplash: April 30, 2019
Catch the latest in Virginia Wesleyan Athletics in today's edition of Marlins SportSplash: https://conta.cc/2GI9Xxs
Monday, April 29, 2019
Does this 2008 VWU grad look familiar?
You've seen her in shows like Stranger Things and General Hospital, and now VWU grad Jennifer Marshall '08 will host the new CW investigative documentary series Mysteries Decoded! A U.S. Navy veteran and real-life licensed private investigator, Jennifer graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Wesleyan with a double major in international politics and Spanish and a minor in history. Congratulations, Jennifer!
"VWU Softball Topples Randolph-Macon to Earn Fourth-Straight ODAC Title"
For the fourth year in a row, our number one Virginia Wesleyan University softball team has earned the title of Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Champions as the team defeated Randolph-Macon in the final, 8-2, Monday morning. This win means VWU's third-consecutive 40-win year (40-4), 12th ODAC title in program history and has earned our Marlins an automatic bid to the Division III NCAA Championship. Read more here.
VWU Student Recognized for Boldest Emerging Technology Application
HUGE congrats to VWU student Alex Vawter (left), who was recognized for the boldest emerging technology application as part of the SOMETHING IN THE WATER SPLASH! Pitch Competition. His FinX Mobile app teaches young people how to invest in the financial market and includes social features that allow communication with friends and competitors. Alex was among six finalists who pitched to the judges—rapper and producer Timbaland, former NFL player Bruce Smith, and Nneka Chiazor of Cox Communications.
Nota Bene: Weekly Update
We have much to be proud of at Virginia Wesleyan, including our incredible faculty and staff accomplishments. They were duly highlighted last Friday during Virginia Wesleyan's annual "Feathers in Your Cap" celebration, hosted by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (INTEL) and Hofheimer Library. The event recognized VWU faculty, adjunct professors, librarians, and staff members who in the last year have published a book or professional publication, completed artwork, obtained a grant, received tenure and/or a promotion, and much more. I am honored to work among a talented faculty and staff who are so strongly committed to excellence in both teaching and scholarship.
Thank you to Denise Wilkinson, Associate Dean for INTEL; Sue Erickson, Director of the Hofheimer Library; and Sherry Matis, Research Librarian and User Experience Coordinator, for planning this special occasion.
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I am pleased to announce the appointments of the following faculty members for new terms of directorship positions:
- Denise Wilkinson: Director of Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (INTEL)
- Dr. Taryn Myers: Director of Academic Effectiveness (formerly AEC Chair)
- Dr. Jennifer Slivka: Director of the Women's Resource Center
- Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm: Director of Campus Sustainability
A complete list of academic leadership positions can be found here, which includes previously announced academic deans and those who are in the midst of their terms and will be continuing in their positions.
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ET CETERA
As announced in last week's Nota Bene, and in keeping with celebrating those who help to make VWU the special place that it is, we were honored to pay tribute last Wednesday to members of our VWU family who reached significant career milestones--from a decade to 50 years of service. View the full list of honorees and the photo gallery from our Employee Appreciation Breakfast.
People are any organization's greatest asset, and we are incredibly fortunate to have talented members of our campus community who are wholeheartedly committed to our institution and dedicated to our shared mission. Thank you again to these fine employees for their excellent service to our institution. Your impact is truly immeasurable.
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I look forward to celebrating the academic successes of our students this Friday, May 3, at VWU's annual Spring Honors Convocation. This is a meaningful tradition that recognizes students for their hard work and achievements during the academic year. Alumni who graduated in December 2018 as well as candidates for May and August 2019 graduation will be recognized. Likewise, members of the President's List, Dean's List, VWU honor societies, the Batten Honors College, and PORTfolio will also be recognized during the ceremony. The program includes presentation of individual student awards for achievement in academics, leadership, community involvement, and civic engagement. I am looking forward to presenting the President's Award! All are invited to attend and I hope to see you at 1:30 p.m. in the Convocation Hall of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Congratulations to the many students who will be aptly honored on Friday!
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As we mark the achievement of hard work throughout the academic year, we prepare to confer degrees at Commencement, which is just around the corner. All you need to know about Commencement Weekend can be found here.
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It's great to be back on campus after an engaging U.S.-Mexico Higher Education Summit in Chicago. To expand on the information I shared with you last week, I invite you to read more about the Summit and what it means here.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
Grammy-award winning producer Steve Buckingham discovered a love for music and hate for racism while growing up in the 1950s in Richmond. We're glad to have him on campus this semester teaching "Rhythm and Blues Tore Down the Walls of Segregation" at Virginia Wesleyan! Read more in The Virginian-Pilot.
Kudos to our VWU softball team for another week in the books at number one in the NCAA rankings and for a successful 11th annual "Strikeout Cancer Game." This event and our Marlin Family once again showed the power of giving, raising an astounding $27,081 for the American Cancer Society. Read more here.
Through Marlins Teach Tech, an intergenerational connections initiative that provides VWU students with the training and resources to help older adults, Celvin Pelaez-Gonzalez '21 is preparing for his next presentation on cyber security. Celvin is one of 12 VWU students engaged in this program. Read more here.
A fresh coat of blacktop was laid on Smith Drive around the Godwin Hall loop last Monday and it looks great.
STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES
REFLECTIONS
I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:
PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS
I invite you to stay updated on these activities here.
CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @vawesleyanprez
Facebook: @ScottDMillerprez
Instagram: @prezscottmiller
LinkedIn: Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
Flickr: Scott D. Miller
Dialogue: prezscottmiller.blogspot.com
(Be sure to subscribe to Dialogue for daily updates via email)
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Have a great week!
Saturday, April 27, 2019
First Pitch Tribute for Provost O'Rourke
To know retiring Provost and Vice President Timothy O’Rourke is to know that everything can be related back to baseball. As a tribute to his distinguished service to Virginia Wesleyan, lifelong commitment to higher education, and love of baseball, Virginia Wesleyan University Baseball invited him to throw the first pitch at today's game. As Roberto Clemente once said, “I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give.” Provost O’Rourke will always be remembered as someone who gave his all to Virginia Wesleyan—and it is certainly a better place because of him.
Kudos to Clayton Singleton '94
Shout out to 1994 VWU grad Clayton Singleton, who has a pop-up mural in the SOMETHING IN THE WATER ART WALK at the corner of 17th Street and Pacific!
Friday Evening Summit Reception & Dinner
Enjoyable reception Friday at the scenic 50th floor offices of Baker & McKenzie LLP followed by dinner at the Chicago Club with colleagues from the U.S. Mexico Higher Education Summit. Pictured with Christoph Kunke, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of Washington, D.C.-based Council of Independent Colleges, and Leoncio Monjaras Wintergerst of Universidad PanAmericana Guadalajara. Forty presidents from private colleges in the United States and Mexico are meeting through Saturday afternoon to further discuss collaboration.
Friday, April 26, 2019
Marlins Teach Tech
Through Marlins Teach Tech, an intergenerational connections initiative that provides VWU students with the training and resources to help older adults, Celvin Pelaez-Gonzalez ’21 is preparing for his next presentation on cyber security. Celvin is one of 12 VWU students engaged in this program. Read more here.
Productive Meetings Continue at DePaul University
Another productive day of meetings at DePaul University as a part of the U.S.-Mexico Higher Education Summit. Thanks to Gabe Esteban (second from right), President of DePaul University, for hosting us. Also pictured with Rodrigo Guerra Botello, general secretary of the Federation of Mexican Private Universities (FIMPES) and Rich Ekman, President of the Washington, D.C.-based Council of Independent Colleges. Arturo Cherbowski Lask of Santer Universidades and Universia of Mexico joined us for lunch. Forty presidents from private colleges in the United States and Mexico are meeting through Saturday to further discuss collaboration. For six years, he has been an instrumental leader in the success of the consortium.
"With eye on three-peat, Virginia Wesleyan University softball team displays Marlins mettle"
"It's a dynasty on the diamond. Since the start of the 2017 season, Virginia Wesleyan University's softball team has played 152 games. The Marlins have won 143 of them - 94 percent. Included in that impressive win total are back-to-back NCAA Division III national titles."
Check out this WTKR story and video on our Virginia Wesleyan softball team!
Check out this WTKR story and video on our Virginia Wesleyan softball team!
The Wesleyan Review: April 26, 2019
Our newest edition of the Wesleyan Review is out! Read about the latest VWU news and events here: https://conta.cc/2ZtSVf0
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Productive Day Two of U.S.-Mexico Higher Ed Summit
Productive day of meetings in Chicago as a part of the U.S.-Mexico Higher Education Summit. Forty presidents from private colleges in the United States and Mexico are meeting through Saturday to further discuss collaboration. (Above, left) Lunch with Gabriel Dominguez Garcia Villalobos, Rector of Universidad Panamericana Bonaterra, and Chris Kimball, President of California Lutheran University. (Above, right) Reception with Mick Weltman, Executive Director of the Associated Universities of Illinois, and Carlos Campo, former President of Regent University and current President of Ashland University, at tonight’s reception.
(Pictured below) Dinner with Luis Eduardo Alverde Montemayor, Rector of Universidad Anahuac, and Pam Gomez. This is the sixth year of the relationship between the participating institutions.
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Opening Session of the U.S.-Mexico Higher Education Summit
With Rodrigo Guerra Botello, Secretary General of the Mexican Federation of Private Institutions of Higher Education, and MaryAnn Baenninger, President of Drew University and Chair of the Board of Directors of Washington, D.C.-based Council of Independent Colleges, at the opening session of the U.S.-Mexico Higher Education Summit in Chicago. Forty presidents from private colleges in the United States and Mexico are meeting through Saturday to further discuss collaboration. This is the sixth year of the relationship between the participating institutions.
Photo Gallery: Employee Appreciation Breakfast
Such an honor to pay tribute to members of our VWU family from a decade to 50 years of service. View the photo gallery from our Employee Appreciation Breakfast: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmCJ6XNi
VWU Softball's Strikeout Cancer Smashing Success
Kudos to the Virginia Wesleyan Softball team for a successful 11th annual "Strikeout Cancer Game" which once again showed the power of giving, raising an astounding $27,081 for the American Cancer Society. Read more here.
Paying Tribute to Devoted VWU Employees
It was a very special morning celebrating Virginia Wesleyan career milestones! People are any organization's greatest asset and we are incredibly fortunate to have great people at VWU—people who are wholeheartedly committed to our institution and dedicated to our shared mission.
Tim O’Rourke, Provost and Vice President, and I are pictured (above) with honoree Larry Hultgren (center), Professor of Philosophy, who has devoted 50 years of steadfast service to VWU. Pictured (below) with honorees Bob Albertson (right) and Dave Garraty (center), both Professors of Management, Business, and Economics, and both celebrating 40 years with Virginia Wesleyan. While these are unprecedented times of growth at VWU, these are certainly unprecedented milestones.
Thank you again to these fine employees for their excellent service to our institution. Your impact is truly immeasurable.
Tim O’Rourke, Provost and Vice President, and I are pictured (above) with honoree Larry Hultgren (center), Professor of Philosophy, who has devoted 50 years of steadfast service to VWU. Pictured (below) with honorees Bob Albertson (right) and Dave Garraty (center), both Professors of Management, Business, and Economics, and both celebrating 40 years with Virginia Wesleyan. While these are unprecedented times of growth at VWU, these are certainly unprecedented milestones.
Thank you again to these fine employees for their excellent service to our institution. Your impact is truly immeasurable.
"Civil rights and soul music: Producer teaches college course on how music cut through segregation"
Grammy-award winning producer Steve Buckingham discovered a love for music and hate for racism while growing up in the 1950s in Richmond. We're glad to have him on campus this semester teaching "Rhythm and Blues Tore Down the Walls of Segregation" at Virginia Wesleyan! Read more in The Virginian-Pilot.
(Photo credit Kristen Zeis/The Virginian-Pilot Staff)
(Photo credit Kristen Zeis/The Virginian-Pilot Staff)
Marlins SportSplash: April 24, 2019
Catch the latest in Virginia Wesleyan Athletics in today's edition of Marlins SportSplash: https://conta.cc/2L9uOz0
Blacktopping Continues at VWU
A fresh coat of blacktop today for Smith Drive around the Godwin Hall loop.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Nota Bene: Weekly Update
I hope you had an enjoyable Easter Weekend! Tomorrow morning we will recognize 36 members of the Marlin Family for special milestones in their Virginia Wesleyan careers. We will include those who have reached a decade of service as well as those who have served for many years. Congratulations to these employees, listed below, and thank you for all that you do for Virginia Wesleyan every day. We look forward to celebrating you tomorrow morning at an Employee Appreciation Breakfast!
50 Years
Lawrence Hultgren
40 Years
Robert Albertson
David Garraty
35 Years
Kathy Ames
Joyce Howell
Kathy Merlock Jackson
Audrey Rafferty
30 Years
Gale CarterDebbie Hicks Susan Wansink | 25 YearsPolly Gaskins Patrick Goold Billye Youmans 20 Years Bill Brown Tamela Dhority Amy Dudley Alain Gabon Philip Guilfoyle Keith Moore Michael Panitz Sally Shedd Jayne Sullivan Patricia Terry Malesia Williams Midge Zimmerman | 15 YearsKathy Bartkus Mario Hurdle Elizabeth Malcolm Gavin Pate Harold Stallings Saskia White 10 Years David Freeman Mariebeth Jornacion Randy Lott Adam Ruh Laynee Timlin |
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Following tomorrow's event, I will travel to Chicago to take part in the second U.S.-Mexico Higher Education Summit hosted by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in collaboration with the Mexican Federation of Private Higher Education Institutions (FIMPES) and Santander Universidades and Universia. For five years I have been a part of this select group of approximately 40 college and university presidents from the U.S. and Mexico, formulating plans for collaboration, shared research, and other mutually beneficial partnerships between our institutions. It is especially timely that we convene, given the cross-border tensions and diminished trust now impacting our nations.
Topics of discussion will include innovation in internationalization, cross-border articulation agreements, student and faculty exchange programs, the nature of global leadership, exploration of joint summer programs and other forms of partnership possibilities. We plan to provide increased international opportunities for students and faculty members in both countries, increased accessibility to internships for students, and collaboration in shared research projects and development programs.
Topics of discussion will include innovation in internationalization, cross-border articulation agreements, student and faculty exchange programs, the nature of global leadership, exploration of joint summer programs and other forms of partnership possibilities. We plan to provide increased international opportunities for students and faculty members in both countries, increased accessibility to internships for students, and collaboration in shared research projects and development programs.
ET CETERA
Last Thursday I attended the 44th Annual Awards Ceremony for the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. I am proud to share that five Virginia Wesleyan Cadets--members of the Army ROTC Marlin Company--were recognized with awards. Congratulations to these VWU students for their exemplary achievements: Zachary Raymond (Association of the U.S. Army Award and Outstanding VWU Cadet), Robert Mazingo (Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award and Outstanding VWU Cadet), Gavin Steel (American Veterans of World War II Award and Outstanding VWU Cadet), Landry Moffo (Outstanding Varsity Athlete Award), and Dakota Felkins-Beach (Military Order of World Wars Award).
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In case you missed it, the April edition of my monthly column addresses affordability and the implications of the recent admissions scandals. Read "Partnerships a remedy to admissions scandal" in The Virginian-Pilot and "A better way to enter college," in the Daily Press.
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The tenth and final chapter is available for the 2018-19 series of President to President, a higher education thought leadership publication written by university presidents for university presidents, and edited by longtime friend and colleague Dr. Marylouise Fennell and me. In "All at Once: Never is the Past," California Lutheran University President Dr. Chris Kimball shares the story of how his institution faced multiple crises in the span of only a few days. Read more at president2president.com.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
Kudos to Tidewater Collegiate Academy for becoming the newest Project Learning Tree (PLT) Certified Green School! Read more here.
Last Monday afternoon was well spent with a faculty gathering and roundtable discussion in the Eleanor and Henry Watts Grand Lobby and Gallery of the new Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
Earth Week kicks off today at Virginia Wesleyan! Members of the VWU community have organized activities throughout the week to inform, entertain, and inspire with speakers, cleanups, a career fair, and more. Additional information can be found on this flyer. Be sure to get involved and share photos on social media using the hashtag #VWUEarthweek.
I enjoyed the Norfolk Academy Alumni Association Spring Luncheon last week. It was wonderful to visit with our good friend and VWU Trustee Emerita Jane Batten, and Dennis Manning, Headmaster of Norfolk Academy. Virginia Wesleyan University and Norfolk Academy have been good neighbors in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk education corridor for five decades.
It was wonderful to visit with students from Heidelberg, Germany who are studying this semester at Virginia Wesleyan. Kaja McKnight and Lukas Pfister are here as part of an exchange program VWU enjoys with Heidelberg University of Education (HUE). We also have a VWU student currently studying at HUE.
At Waterside in Norfolk last week I had a delightful lunch and discussion with Senator Louise Lucas (D, 18th Senatorial District), Senator Lynwood Lewis (D, 6th Senatorial District), and Delegate Matthew James (D, 80th House District). We discussed educational issues and the importance of the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant(VTAG) program to residents of the Commonwealth.
We had a productive meeting of the Virginia Beach Vision Board of Directors Education Task Force on Friday. I am pleased to serve on this important group with other business and education leaders.
Later that morning, I participated in an informative briefing on Coastal Resiliency at the Brock Environmental Center, co-hosted by Delegate Kelly Fowler, 2003 VWU graduate, and Senator Lynwood Lewis.
Friday afternoon I attended the Norfolk State of the City at The Main. It was wonderful to visit with good friendsand supporters of Virginia Wesleyan, including Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-03), Lynn Clements (Executive Director of Slover Library and former VWU Trustee), Bert Schmidt (President/CEO of WHRO), Bryan Stephens (President/CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber), and Melvin Stith (President of Norfolk State University). There are so many exciting things happening in Coastal Virginia!
STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES
REFLECTIONS
I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:
PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS
I invite you to stay updated on these activities here.
CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @vawesleyanprez
Facebook: @ScottDMillerprez
Instagram: @prezscottmiller
LinkedIn: Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
Flickr: Scott D. Miller
Dialogue: prezscottmiller.blogspot.com
(Be sure to subscribe to Dialogue for daily updates via email)
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Have a great week!
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