Best Wishes to Tim and Debbie!

This morning we said goodbye to our good friends and longtime colleagues on their last day at VWU before retirement. Provost and Vice President Tim O'Rourke has served as chief academic officer at VWU for 12 years, and Debbie Hicks, Assistant Provost and Director of the Learning Center, has dedicated 30 years to our institution. I am tremendously grateful for their meaningful and lasting contributions to our campus and our community. We are glad they will forever remain a part of the Marlin Family as good friends and as Vice President Emeritus and Dean Emeritus, respectively. Please join me in congratulating these wonderful people and wishing them the best on this next chapter!

The Arts at VWU

Mark your calendars for upcoming events and programs, and read up on the latest in the arts at Virginia Wesleyan: https://conta.cc/2IWKHWK

VWU Alumni News

Check out the latest VWU Alumni News--which includes upcoming events and a last call to contribute to the annual alumni participation challenge! Read more: https://conta.cc/2NiBZpQ

"Branding effort poses challenge for region"

A current initiative sponsored by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and Reinvent Hampton Roads seeks to celebrate everything our region has in common — and perhaps to identify a new name that will serve as a unifying brand. Read more in my latest column in The Virginian-Pilot​. 

Marlin Nation Orientation

Welcome aboard, Class of 2023! Read more and view the photo gallery from our Marlin Nation Orientation: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmEvWg4n

Annual NASCUMC Meeting

Honored to be elected President of the National Association of Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC). While serving as the voice of Methodist higher education during this critical time in the Church's history, I will continue to advocate for inclusiveness of all people. NASCUMC has a vital leadership role to play in serving our diverse and valued Methodist institutions. 

Read more: https://vwu.edu/about/news-and-events/features/story/president-miller-elected-president-of-national-methodist-association

Candler School of Theology

Virginia Wesleyan University is pleased to have an articulation agreement with Candler School of Theology for students interested in the ministry. Pictured touring the Candler campus with Jan Love, dean of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and former West Virginia Wesleyan President Pam Balch. Jan is an internationally recognized leader in church and ecumenical arenas and a scholar of world politics, particularly issues of religion and politics, conflict transformation, and globalization.

UMC Associate General Secretary for Global Education and New Initiatives

For many years I’ve had the pleasure of working with Amos Nascimento, Associate General Secretary for Global Education and New Initiatives of the United Methodist Church, on a wide variety of global issues. He heads the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU).

Annual Meeting for NASCUMC

Enjoyable evening with longtime colleagues and friends at tonight’s annual meeting reception and banquet for the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC), International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), and Association of United Methodist Theological Schools (AUMTS). Pictured with (Above, left), from left, Mark Hanshaw, Associate General Secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; Greg Bergquist, General Secretary of GBHEM; and Jake Schrum, retiring President of Emory & Henry College. (Above right) With Gerald Lord, retired Associate General Secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. (Below left) With Ken Yamada, retired long time Associate General Secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. (Below, right) Roger Ireson, now retired and long time General Secretary, Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Have had the pleasure of working with Roger since the 1980s.

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

We welcomed our incoming first-year students and their families to campus on Friday, and again today, for Marlin Nation Orientation (MNO)!  A guiding philosophy for MNO is to offer engaging activities that will leave our guests feeling invigorated and immersed in Virginia Wesleyan culture. The program is carefully designed to facilitate a smooth transition to the campus experience and to equip new students and families with tools to be successful at Virginia Wesleyan. We are expecting 450 new Marlins this fall.  My thanks to all who worked tirelessly to make it a success. Please be sure to give our newest students and families a warm Wesleyan welcome! 

 

Last Tuesday was a historic day for Virginia Wesleyan as we broke ground to launch our newest construction project, Coastal 61 at Oxford Village. The new eight-building, 248 luxury-apartment community, located on the north side of campus on Wesleyan Drive, is expected to open in 2020. We are proud to embrace both sides of Wesleyan Drive, expanding our presence as we expand our programs and enrollment. 

 

The luxury community will showcase one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 833 to 1,395 square feet. Each apartment will feature an open floor plan, fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, custom crown moldings and trim, spa-inspired bathrooms, over-sized walk-in closets, and private patios and balconies. It will also include a rooftop sky park, a two-story clubhouse, resort-style swimming pool and high-end landscaping. The community will be open to the public and is also envisioned as a living space for VWU students, faculty, and staff.

 

This project is in collaboration with the Franklin Johnston Group (TFJG), led by VWU graduate Taylor Franklin '04, President and Chief Operating Officer of TFJG. During the ceremony, it was wonderful to visit with leaders of our City. Among others, we thank former Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, Virginia Senator Bill DeSteph, and Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer for their ongoing support of this public-private partnership. View photos and read more here.

ET CETERA

It is a pleasure to share that after serving as interim head coach of the Virginia Wesleyan men's and women's golf teams during the 2018-19 academic year, 1985 Virginia Wesleyan graduate Pam Fisher has now been named head coach. We officially welcome Coach Fisher home and look forward to her continued involvement on our campus. Read more here.

# # #

Beautiful renovations are now complete on the Shafer Room, thus concluding the private dining wing improvements in the Boyd Dining Center.

 

During the past nine months, donor-funded comprehensive renovations have occurred in the Princess Anne Room (President's Dining Room), Main Foyer, and Shafer Room (Board of Trustees Room).

 

The finishing touches are being applied to the Shafer Room, restoring it to its original use as a Board of Trustees meeting room. It was a great location to host the Parents Council on Friday! We still await a few final items including portraits of each of the 10 VWU Board Chairs and a multi-media podium. The Shafer Room will also be available for meetings for use by groups such as the President's Leadership Council, Academic Council and others who benefit from the board-style room.

 

# # #

 

Improvements to the Jacklyn and Raymond D. Pearce Suite in the Jane P. Batten Student Center have also been finalized. Images of campus life and adjacent community adorn the walls, and the furniture has been transformed into a conference center-like setup with complete multi-media.

 

The updates were done based on feedback from the campus community on utilizing the space for presentations, workshops, and meetings of a collaborative and interactive nature, and funded by Mrs. Pearce. An adjacent room to the Pearce Suite has been renovated to be a kitchenette and conference room, servicing the Athletic Department and the Pearce Suite. The room is named the Karen Yount-Merrell Conference Room in honor of the Pearces' niece.

 

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Congratulations to these Marlins on the move! Nicole (Hoskins) Jones '06, Andrew Petrey '15, and current Virginia Wesleyan MBA student Hunter Walsh were selected for CoVaBiz Magazine's 2019 Millennials on the Move. Read more at http://covabizmag.com.

It was great to visit with friends from YMCA last week, first on our campus at YMCA Camp Red Feather 

as we kicked off another summer of this wonderful program benefiting children of South Hampton Roads. Camp Red Feather utilizes the Frank Blocker, Jr., Youth Center, which is nestled in the Wilson Arboretum near Lake Taylor. As many as 250 children per day take advantage of this program that runs through late August.

 

On Thursday, I visited the Armed Services YMCA (AS-YMCA) of Hampton Roads on Lakeside Road and learned more about the services they provide to 8,700 families in our area. VWU and the AS-YMCA are exploring collaborative opportunities.

It was also delightful to visit with friends and spend time at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Sciences Center (VAMSC) twice last week: first, at the  VAMSC Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting and again the next day during the Batten Professional Development annual luncheon. Funds from the Batten Educational Achievement Fund are awarded to Aquarium staff members for professional development and to college students for internships. Both meetings were held in the scenic McLeskey Promenade at the Center.

 

There is still time to enroll in Summer Session courses. Let VWU help you get ahead or catch up. For more information, visit the Summer Session website.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Features

News Briefs

VWU Athletics

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

Faculty Focus

REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

The Virginian-Pilot

Daily Press

Enrollment Manager

College Planning & Management

President to President

 

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) 

# # #

Have a great week!

Orientation Coffee Chat

Enjoyed Coffee Chat this afternoon at Marlin Nation Orientation with Jason Seward, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, and incoming students and their families. Feeling caffeinated and excited for the upcoming academic year!

Marlin Nation Orientation

It's a beautiful day in Virginia Beach as we welcome the first of our three new student orientations. Vice presidents (from left) David Waggoner, Keith Moore, and Mort Gamble join "The Highlighters" and me as we welcome guests to Coastal Virginia. We expect 450 new traditional students this fall.

Batten Professional Development

Back at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Sciences Center today for the Batten Professional Development annual luncheon. Funds from the Batten Educational Achievement Fund are awarded to Aquarium staff members for professional development and to college students for internships. We heard presentations by each of the recipients. Pictured with Sal DaBiero, President of the VAMSC Foundation Board of Trustees. We both serve on the VAMSC Board and the Batten Professional Development Committee. The luncheon was held in the McLeskey Promenade.

Millenial Marlins on the Move

Congratulations to these Marlins are on the move! Nicole (Hoskins) Jones '06, Andrew Petrey '15 and current Virginia Wesleyan MBA student Hunter Walsh were selected for CoVaBiz Magazine's 2019 Millennials on the Move. Read more at http://covabizmag.com.

Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Armed Services YMCA on Lakeside Road this morning and learning more about the services they provide to 8,700 families in our area. Pictured with Brian Kurisky, Director of the VWU Center for Civic Leadership and Service Learning; Laura Roberts, AS-YMCA Youth Enrichment Program Director; Laura Baxter, AS-YMCA Executive Director; and some of the summer learners. #VWU and the AS-YMCA are exploring collaborative opportunities.

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting

Enjoyed visiting with Ellen Keeter, Executive Vice President of TowneBank, at today’s Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting. The meeting was held in the scenic McLeskey Promenade at the Center. Ellen and TowneBank are good friends to VWU.

Coastal 61 at Oxford Village Groundbreaking

Virginia Wesleyan University​ and The Franklin Johnston Group broke ground today for Coastal 61 at Oxford Village—a new eight-building, 248-unit luxury apartment complex located on the north side of our campus on Wesleyan Drive. View the photo gallery here. 

Virginia Beach Leaders

Wonderful to visit with leaders of our City at today's Groundbreaking Ceremony for Coastal 61 at Oxford Village. Pictured from left with former Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, Virginia Senator Bill DeSteph, and Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. They have been so supportive of this public-private partnership which will result in eight buildings, 248 units, and a community center spread out over eight acres of Virginia Wesleyan land. Learn more at coastal61.com. 

YMCA Camp Red Feather Kicks Off

Great to visit with our friends from YMCA Camp Red Feather on the #VWU campus as we begin another summer of this wonderful program benefiting children of South Hampton Roads. Pictured at our beautiful Frank Blocker Youth Center, which is nestled in the Wilson Arboretum near Lake Taylor, with Jeanette Breitenbucher, Senior Program Director, YMCA of South Hampton Roads, and Director of Camp Red Feather (center). Joining us (from left): Jim Cooper, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Jason Seward, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs; and Keith Moore, Vice President for Student Affairs. As many as 250 children per day take advantage of this program that runs through late August.

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

June 17, 2019

 

Good morning,

Many of you have asked about plans for the original fine arts building since the dedication of our new beautiful Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center this spring.  Fundraising continues for improvements to the old fine arts building, with several lead gifts having been received in recent months. I am pleased to share that this week The Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation of Richmond notified the University of a $300,000 matching grant opportunity. We are appreciative of The Cabell Foundation for its ongoing generosity, and invite your support toward helping us achieve the matching funds. 

In related news, we are excited finally to break ground tomorrow on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village--an eight-building, 248-unit, housing complex to be constructed on VWU property across from the main entrance on Wesleyan Drive. Stay tuned for progress on this project!

ET CETERA

I spent three productive days last week attending the 67th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia. It was a wonderful opportunity for the 15 presidents of the more selective private institutions in Virginia to gather with the 68 corporate directors of the VFIC Board. I was honored to be selected this year as one of two presidential representatives on the VFIC Executive Committee. During the meeting, we had an important discussion between college presidents and corporate leaders regarding VFIC long-range plans. I share with you two presentations from the meeting on the draft of the strategic plan and the Council of Independent Colleges "Making the Case for Private Higher Education: The Facts." To learn more about the VFIC, I encourage you to visit their website.

# # #

Our hearts remain with all who were affected by the horrifying tragedy in Virginia Beach on May 31. Among the 12 lives lost was Robert Thomas "Bobby" Williams, Sr., a member of the Virginia Wesleyan Class of 1975 and a U.S. Navy veteran. Bobby worked for the City of Virginia Beach for 41 years, and assisted us with many campus projects in his role as Special Projects Coordinator in Public Utilities.  Bobby's life will be celebrated this Saturday, June 22, at 11:00 a.m., at Great Bridge Baptist Church, 640 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, Virginia. Plans to honor his memory at VWU are forthcoming. Please join me in remembering Bobby and keeping his wife, Sharon, two children, Robert and Sarah, and many more loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

We are passionate about fostering an inclusive culture at Virginia Wesleyan and wish everyone a Happy Pride Month! In celebration and support of all LGBT members of this nation, we are proudly flying a Pride flag on our campus, adjacent to the American flag and Virginia state flag in front of Godwin Hall.

I'm pleased to share that Virginia Wesleyan has been recognized for our leadership in the NASPA and Fair Elections Center's Campus Vote Project (CVP) Voter Friendly Campus Designation process. We have again been designated as a Voter Friendly Campus through December 2020. It remains a priority of Virginia Wesleyan to prepare students to be active, engaged citizens in our community and nation. Many thanks to VWU's Dr. Brian Kurisky, Director of Wesleyan Engaged: Center for Civic Leadership and Service Learning, for leading the charge to build civic engagement programs on campus to support this and many related goals. 

The annual meeting of the Downtown Norfolk Council was held with a cocktail party and dinner at  the Decker Half Moone Center. It was an excellent evening and was especially meaningful as we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Downtown Norfolk with a variety of tributes! I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with many colleagues and good friends, including Eastern Virginia Medical School President Richard Homan.

Last week Dr. Maynard Schaus, Associate Provost, Dr. Paul Ewell, Director of the MBA Program, and I had a delightful meeting on campus with leadership from Envision Lead Grow (ELG) of Norfolk. ELG is doing meaningful work. The following day, Dr. Travis Malone, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School for Arts and Humanities, and I met with leaders of an impressive organization, Young Audiences of Virginia, Inc (YAV). We discussed partnership opportunities and the arts with Christine Everly, CEO of YAV, and Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, YAV Board of Directors President, followed by a tour of our beautiful new Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. YAV's state headquarters are located in Coastal Virginia. 

Congratulations to Hanna Hull of the Virginia Wesleyan University softball team on being named Fastpitch News' Pitcher of the Year for the 2019 season! This is her second consecutive year earning this honor as well as her second time making it on FPN's First Team All-America list. This year Hanna also earned the following accolades for her performance on and off the field: NFCA First Team All-America, ODAC's Pitcher of the Year, the All-South Region First Team, the All-America First Team, and Academic All-America status! Read more here.

There is still time to enroll in Summer Session courses. Let VWU help you get ahead or catch up. For more information, visit the Summer Session website.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Features

News Briefs

VWU Athletics

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

Faculty Focus

REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

The Virginian-Pilot

Daily Press

Enrollment Manager

College Planning & Management

President to President

 

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) 

# # #

Have a great week!

 

Sincerely,