March 30 was a spectacular night in the history of Virginia Wesleyan, celebrating the grand opening of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. I invite you to read our feature story, view the full photo gallery, and watch a special tribute video to Susan Goode. You can read additional coverage by Southside Daily, "There's a new fine and performing arts center at Virginia Wesleyan."
We thank everyone who attended the reception, dedication, and special concert, especially our lead donors to the project who made it all possible: Susan and David Goode, Joan, and her late husband Macon, Brock, Eleanor and Henry Watts, and Susan Beverly. We were pleased to recognize these honored guests for their contributions to this beautiful new center for the arts, and for all their service to Virginia Wesleyan University.
With the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center officially open and operational, you might be wondering "what's next?" As I recently shared in my April President's Letter: A Very Goode Evening, the Goode Center was not built with the goal of being the biggest building for the arts in the region. Rather, it was built with the intent to create the most comprehensive facility of its kind to educate future generations of accomplished leaders in the fine and performing arts. Included in this vision is a plan to create an arts residence hall next door, the possibility of adding a wing on the Goode Center, and a more short-term plan to renovate the original arts building--for which I'm glad to share that several donors have committed lead gifts already. As promised, I will continue to share updates as the project progresses.
Improvements to Bray Village, the original hub of campus, will continue and in the next year or so, we hope to begin upgrades to the Boyd Dining Center. First up, however, is the groundbreaking on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village--an eight-building, 248-unit, mixed-use housing complex to be constructed on VWU property across from the main entrance on Wesleyan Drive. We'll get started next month! Here's a preview of what's coming.
In the meantime, be sure to enjoy the first VWU Theatre production to perform in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Goode Center opening this week. Reserve your tickets to "Legally Blonde: The Musical" today! Showtimes and ticket information can be found here.
ET CETERA
I'm pleased to share the appointment of Dr. Susan Larkin as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2019. Dr. Larkin, currently Professor of English, has served on the Virginia Wesleyan faculty since 2008. A Rhode Island native, she received her bachelor of arts in English, summa cum laude, from Wheaton College; and master of arts in English and doctorate in English Studies from Illinois State University (ISU). She also holds a graduate certificate in Women's Studies from ISU. Dr. Larkin will play a key role in setting academic priorities, program development, and the appointment of the academic leadership team for the new year. Many thanks to our faculty and academic administration for their consultation on this important appointment. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Larkin in her new role.
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Dr. Maynard Schaus, Vice President for Academic Affairs-designate, announced at Friday's Faculty Assembly appointments of college/school deans for 2019-20: Dr. Leslie Caughell, Dean of the Birdsong School of Social Science; Dr. Ben Dobrin, Dean of the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies; Dr. Vic Townsend, Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; and Dr. Paul Ewell, Dean of University College. Dr. Travis Malone continues as Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, and Dr. Joyce Easter continues as Dean of the Batten Honors College. Dr. Caughell has a scheduled sabbatical for the fall semester and Dr. Linda Ferguson has agreed to continue as Dean during her absence. Thanks to all for your participation in this rigorous process.
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The Humanitarian Awards are presented to individuals and organizations demonstrating a commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. We extend our sincerest congratulations to this year's honorees: Regina R. Darden, Claus Ihlemann, Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander, Kevin H. Turpin, Alok K. Verma, and Patricia P. Wainger.
Virginia Wesleyan has a long history with the Humanitarian Awards and VCIC. In 2017, VWU's Dr. Craig Wansink, Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, was honored, and in 2018, I was proud to serve as chair of the VCIC's 54th Annual Humanitarian Awards. Many thanks to the honorees, VCIC, sponsors, and attendees for their work in making Virginia and our world a more inclusive place.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
It was an honor to attend the 2019 Omicron Delta Kappa Induction Ceremony last week in the Jacklyn and Raymond D. Pearce Suite. This national leadership honor society recognizes not only academic achievement but also leadership across five phases of campus life: scholarship; athletics; community service, social or religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and the mass media; creative and performing arts. Virginia Wesleyan's Circle of ODK was installed on April 5, 1981. Membership in this society is regarded as one of the highest collegiate honors that can be awarded to an individual. In order to be selected, one must be in the top 35 percent of students on his or her campus and hold a leadership role in one of the five phases of campus life mentioned above. The spring 2019 inductees join an impressive list of current ΟDΚ members made up of VWU Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff, and students. Congratulations to our newest ODK members!
Last week, Dr. Travis Malone, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, and I visited with leadership at Zeiders American Dream Theater in Town Center to discuss collaborative opportunities.
Work has begun on the renovation of the Board of Trustees room (Shafer Room) in the private dining wing of the Boyd Dining Center. Urban Design of Virginia Beach is overseeing the project.
Spring Alumni Weekend is days away! Get the full weekend schedule, secure your tickets, and read the latest alumni news here.
STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES
REFLECTIONS
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PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS
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Have a great week!
