Welcome back to those returning to campus today, and I hope everyone has had an enjoyable Fall Break. It's hard to believe we are halfway through the semester.
It was a pleasure to have our neighbors from Thomas Nelson Community College on campus recently to formalize a new admissions agreement. During a signing ceremony, Thomas Nelson President John Devers and I endorsed the Fair Transfer Guarantee which allows Thomas Nelson graduates with an associate of arts or science to enroll seamlessly at Virginia Wesleyan with junior class status.
To enhance the ease of students' transition to VWU, the University has created the Marlin Fast Pass concurrent enrollment program. Thomas Nelson students who declare their intent to transfer to VWU will be assigned a VWU academic advisor and issued a VWU student ID. They will have full access to our campus-including use of the library and fitness center, and free admission to athletic and cultural events--before they even enroll at VWU.
Additionally, in working together through the Virginia Tidewater Consortium (VTC) for Higher Education, students enrolled at Thomas Nelson can enjoy the benefit of cross-registration, giving them the opportunity to take courses at VWU during their sophomore year. We value this partnership which helps students to save credits, save time, and save money. Read more here.
ET CETERA
Supporting Success of Virginia Wesleyan Athletics
This year, we have placed renewed emphasis on raising funds for our intercollegiate athletic program. Through the Marlin Athletic Fund and sport-specific appeals, gifts are designated for team equipment, transportation, training, and other support of our 22 teams. Events such as the recent golf tournament during Homecoming Weekend, which raised $60,000 in gross receipts from 216 golfers, demonstrate enthusiasm by our alumni and friends for our valued Division III program which benefits scholar-athletes in numerous ways.
This support joins many other initiatives that have benefited our athletic program--from the new Broyles Field at TowneBank Park for softball; the Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center; improvements at Perry Field for our baseball team; new locker rooms at the Batten Center; and enhancements at Birdsong Field.
During tight budgetary times, it's encouraging that the Marlin family has continued to invest in Virginia Wesleyan University, not only for athletics but for many other purposes and programs on campus. We thank our contributors for their enthusiasm and confidence in our student-centered mission.
"What's social media's role in college searches?"
In case you missed it, longtime colleague Dr. Marylouise Fennell and I co-authored an article for University Business and Enrollment Manager this summer on the importance of social media use for higher ed CEOs (The advantages of social media for college presidents, August 2019). This article is referenced and Dr. Fennell and I are quoted in a new University Business article this month that examines Gen Z's use of platforms like Instagram and Facebook to learn more about institutions (What's social media's role in college searches?, October 2019). From a business standpoint, social media is a cost-effective means of expanding visibility, speaking to targeted audiences, and promoting an institution. And as a former journalist, it also happens to be a personal passion of mine.
In case you missed it, longtime colleague Dr. Marylouise Fennell and I co-authored an article for University Business and Enrollment Manager this summer on the importance of social media use for higher ed CEOs (The advantages of social media for college presidents, August 2019). This article is referenced and Dr. Fennell and I are quoted in a new University Business article this month that examines Gen Z's use of platforms like Instagram and Facebook to learn more about institutions (What's social media's role in college searches?, October 2019). From a business standpoint, social media is a cost-effective means of expanding visibility, speaking to targeted audiences, and promoting an institution. And as a former journalist, it also happens to be a personal passion of mine.
Amicus Brief to Protect DACA
In 2017, out of concern for how policy shift would affect our students, I joined the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. We are "an alliance of American college and university leaders dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies and practices impact our students, campuses and communities. We support policies that create a welcoming environment for immigrant, undocumented and international students on our campuses."
Last week, 165 public and private higher education institutions from 32 states and the District of Columbia came together to join an amicus brief for the forthcoming Supreme Court case regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Virginia Wesleyan is proud to be one of the signatories. On November 12, 2019, the Court will hear oral arguments on a series of consolidated cases and determine whether the administration's rescission of DACA was lawful.
Virginia Wesleyan is committed to inclusiveness and acceptance of all, especially those seeking academic and life success at our institution and others across the nation. The amicus brief demonstrates our support for DACA and immigrant students. We stand with those aspiring citizens and urge the Supreme Court to pass a responsible, humane ruling that will preserve access to our institutions of higher education and other avenues that will ensure that those who are registered for DACA, or defined as "undocumented," may continue to make contributions to America.
Conference on Campus: Generations Uniting to Address Climate Change
Around the globe, young people are joining scientists, governments and environmental organizations to understand and address climate change. To prepare our students to lead or support this effort at the local, national and international level, Virginia Wesleyan University and The Gunn Group are hosting a one-day conference, "Generations Uniting to Address Climate Change," on Friday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m. in the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
This event is open to our entire campus community, but is being designed to help students understand how climate change is altering our environment and what they can do to make a difference. To help guide the conversation, we are conducting a Waggl pulse (a crowdsourcing tool for ideas) to gauge which topics you would like covered.
Here is how it works:
This event is open to our entire campus community, but is being designed to help students understand how climate change is altering our environment and what they can do to make a difference. To help guide the conversation, we are conducting a Waggl pulse (a crowdsourcing tool for ideas) to gauge which topics you would like covered.
Here is how it works:
- Click on this link: https://bit.ly/2M7OfXK
- Submit your answer to the open-ended question and vote on other ideas submitted.
- When you are finished, you can click to see the results.
- Come back to submit additional ideas and vote again.
VWU Featured on the Cover of Sustainable Business Magazine
Virginia Wesleyan's Greer Environmental Sciences Center is featured on the cover of the latest Sustainable Business Magazine. In the article, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Maynard Schaus discusses connections between the sustainable building, teaching and research, and the on- and off-campus communities. Read it here.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
Congratulations to Inside Business "Top 40 Under 40" honoree Tiffany Boyle, a 2014 Virginia Wesleyan graduate. Tiffany is the Commissioner of the Revenue for the City of Newport News and serves on the President's Council at VWU. Read more in The Virginian-Pilot.
Finishing touches are being made to the new eSports Arena in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. An Open House for faculty and staff will be held this Friday, October 18. Stop by the eSports Arena (Batten 239) anytime between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m to view the new Arena and learn more about the program.
We had an excellent October meeting of the President's Leadership Council. We meet monthly during the academic year in an effort to broaden discussion and participation in shared governance, and to foster collaborative processes on key administrative issues.
Delightful Chat 'n Chew lunch with friends from Center for Advancement and the Center for Enrollment Services last week. Thanks to Anja Serby-Wilkins, Malleri Santiago, Rachael Burgess, Theresa Barker, Karen Weinig, Tina Milligan, Marion Hibbler, Charline Bess, and Patricia Colthurst for joining me.
Congratulations to Daja Burgee, Kaylah Duplain, Beth Ford, Karlee Fretz, Hanna Hull and Mackenzie Watts of the Virginia Wesleyan softball team on being named NFCA Scholar Athletes! Read more here.
Enjoyable visit recently with Jen Kiggans, candidate for Virginia's 7th District Senate seat. We discussed a variety of educational and Virginia Beach issues. She also came to campus for a "Meet and Greet," sponsored by Wesleyan Engaged and Marlins Vote.
So nice to host friends from the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). We discussed potential collaboration opportunities and toured the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY WEEKEND READING
An interesting article by Ashley Browning, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Hollins University, was recently published in the Roanoke Times. In "You might be surprised by Virginia's Private Colleges," Browning encourages readers to take a closer look at the quality and affordability of the Commonwealth's independent institutions. She writes: "I urge students and parents to leave behind those college guide rankings that imply you can only get an exceptional education at an elite school. Free yourselves from the conventional wisdom that quality options are attainable only if you can pay for them. You might just be surprised to discover that a Virginia private college education can offer a life-changing experience that doesn't break the bank."
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REFLECTIONS
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Have a great week!
