This summer marks the third year of the University's Opus work program. Primarily assisting our Facilities Management department and the operations of the Jane P. Batten Student Center, Opus students have worked side by side with full-time staff completing various projects throughout campus. Some tasks include painting of campus facility interiors, curb and parking lot painting, power washing of campus exteriors, and preparing rooms for summer conferences and fall returning students. In total, nine students will have completed 1,895 hours of service at summer's end.
Opus has enabled us to grow the University work program to over 400 students per year. In addition, the students have assisted with University Store operations and academic summer advising. The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center has also benefited from Opus as participating students have assisted with behind-the-scenes work for the robust calendar of events taking place in the Center this summer.
Opus has enabled us to grow the University work program to over 400 students per year. In addition, the students have assisted with University Store operations and academic summer advising. The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center has also benefited from Opus as participating students have assisted with behind-the-scenes work for the robust calendar of events taking place in the Center this summer.
The program is part of VWU's strategy of keeping education affordable, providing meaningful experiential learning, and enabling qualifying students with financial need to graduate.
Our thanks again to Board member David Kaufman and to the Landmark Foundation for their support of this year-round program that to date has assisted 61 VWU students. We also thank Jason Seward, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, and Don Coberly, Director of Facilities Management, for their leadership with the students.
Our thanks again to Board member David Kaufman and to the Landmark Foundation for their support of this year-round program that to date has assisted 61 VWU students. We also thank Jason Seward, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, and Don Coberly, Director of Facilities Management, for their leadership with the students.
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In honor of his service to the people of Virginia Beach, we will present the Wesley Award to James "Jim" Cervera, Virginia Beach Chief of Police, during Virginia Wesleyan's Founders Day on September 5. Named for the central figure of our founding Methodist denomination, John Wesley, the Wesley Award is given for outstanding contributions to human relations, social inclusiveness, and interpersonal understanding. In addition to exemplifying these qualities, Chief Cervera has also demonstrated an inspiring commitment to the safety, security, and well-being of our citizens--not only in the aftermath of the Municipal Center tragedy, but notably in his longstanding service to the City and his leadership of a devoted, professional team of law-enforcement officers and personnel. For this, too, we thank Chief Cervera and look forward to honoring him during one of our signature events of the academic year.
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VWU Trustee and alumnus Eric Nyman '94, President of Hasbro North America, will be our featured speaker for Founders Day. Eric has also been named the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient which will be proudly presented during the event. We're looking forward to welcoming him back to campus on September 5! This announcement was featured in CoVa Biz Magazine and Inside Business. Additionally, more information can be found here.
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Congratulations to the Virginia Wesleyan University volleyball team, led by Andrea Hoover-Erbig, on receiving the 2018-2019 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. This award honors teams who have matched their dedication to the sport with academic excellence. Thank you for representing Virginia Wesleyan so well on the court and in the classroom!
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Hanna Hull of the Virginia Wesleyan University softball team will be honored by the Norfolk Sports Club at its 74th annual Jamboree tomorrow, August 13, at the Downtown Norfolk Marriott Hotel. Hanna has been named the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Award winner, denoting her as the Most Outstanding College Athlete who formerly attended a Virginia high school. Past winners of this honor include Mia Hamm, Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson, Tremaine Edmunds, Tajh Boyd and Dre Bly. Please join me in congratulating Hanna on this well-deserved honor! Read more here.
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Virginia Wesleyan University has again been selected as one of the best universities in the nation! Only about 13 percent of America's four-year colleges are chosen for this annual guide. The Princeton Review praises VWU as being "the quintessential small liberal arts university." Read more here
ET CETERA
Dr. Mark Hanshaw, Associate General Secretary, Division of Higher Education, General Board of Higher Education & Ministry of The United Methodist Church, sends along an update, "Higher Ed In A Changing Church," here.
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Virginia Wesleyan University served as the host site for the USA Patriots (Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team) 2019 Kids Camp recently. This inspiring story was featured in national and local news: ABC World News Tonight with David Muir (video), ABC News article "Camp helps wounded veterans, children with disabilities bond over softball," and The Virginian-Pilot. It was an honor for VWU to be a part of this special program.
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The new book "President to President: Ten Challenges Facing Higher Education--Shaping the Student Experience" examines how colleges and universities are addressing myriad challenges and explores how these factor into the student experience now and into the future. For 14 years, I have served as the editor of this thought series with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Marylouise Fennell. An internationally distributed series written by college presidents for college presidents, it has resulted in 15 themed volumes. Each chapter of "President to President" is authored by a notable thought leader whose institution is at the forefront of innovative philosophies and practices. Read more here.
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Did you know that between 2010-2016, private college expenditures on aid grew by 36%? In the same period, the funds allocated toward Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) grew by only 19%. I share with you a link to the Council of Independent Colleges of Virginia's "graph of the month," which provides a breakdown of these figures.
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Last week, I traveled to Boston for the Board of Directors of Second Nature annual meeting. As Chair of the Climate Leadership Network, I have a seat on the Board of Directors of Second Nature, the leading national organization committed to accelerating climate action in, and through, higher education. During the meeting we welcomed to the Board Steven Knapp, who served for 10 years as President of The George Washington University, in Washington, DC. Many thanks to Tim Carter, President of Second Nature, for his continued leadership. For more information about Second Nature and the Climate Leadership Network visit www.secondnature.org.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
I am pleased to announce that Lori Harris '94 has been assigned the title of Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of Alumni Relations, effective August 6. A veteran major-gifts officer and longtime member of the Advancement team at Virginia Wesleyan, Lori has led the revitalization of the Alumni Council, increased giving to The Excellence Fund and other funding priorities, and strengthened alumni engagement through various events and initiatives. She was instrumental in the establishment of Founders Day and Spring Alumni Weekend, both annual traditions. Lori and her husband Joe contribute in numerous ways to the vibrancy of their alma mater, and please join me in wishing her well as she assumes additional responsibilities.
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Our Marlin Family continues to expand as we welcome two new staff members in Academic Affairs: Marion Hibbler as Coordinator of the Evening and Weekend Program, reporting to the Dean of University College; and Jessica Harrington, Director of Career Development in The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery.
Marion joined Virginia Wesleyan in January as an Academic Support Intern, previously serving as the Academic Service Manager at Regent University, with fifteen years of experience in the education field. She earned a Master of Education in Student Affairs from Regent University, Master of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Information Technology from Old Dominion University.
Jessica comes to us with extensive experience in the counseling and education fields. She holds a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of William and Mary, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Professional Writing from Old Dominion University.
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REFLECTIONS
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Have a great week!
