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.
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REFLECTIONS
I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:
PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS
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Have a great week!
