On this Veterans Day, please join me in taking a moment to thank this country's veterans for their service. They have gone above and beyond the citizens' duty by volunteering their lives and answering when our country has called. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them for their service and for defending the freedoms we enjoy each and every day. Words truly cannot express the level of gratitude that is due, so I'd like to share one of my favorite quotes from John F. Kennedy: "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them."
I hope to see you all at noon today for the Veterans Day Ceremony. We will gather at the Veterans Memorial Monument on Godwin Lawn. My thanks to Amy Rush, Melanie Monk, and the planning committee coordinating this important program. I'd also like to praise our Marlin veterans--a vital component of our community made up of current students, faculty, staff, and hundreds of alumni. I am proud of you and I thank you.
ET CETERA
We Are Still In
The White House has notified the United Nations that the United States will begin withdrawing from the Paris Agreement--a one- year process. More information about the process can be found by reading these FAQs.
As I shared in a statement on the issue, the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is deeply disappointing on many levels, not least because the United States should lead by example in this critical area. Regardless, Virginia Wesleyan University will continue its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and uphold the commitment we have made to pursue carbon neutrality by 2040. I share with you a link to a joint statement from Second Nature and We Are Still In, in response to this unfortunate decision. It includes a collection of quotes from college/university presidents, demonstrating our united higher education voice on the urgency of addressing climate change.
Serving on the Board of Second Nature and chairing the Climate Leadership Network is an honor, and I am grateful to be a part of these organizations who stand up for our planet. Second Nature's mission is to accelerate climate action in, and through, higher education, and we will continue to do so. The Climate Leadership Network represents over 448 colleges and universities who are taking action on climate and preparing students for the future through research and education. Virginia Wesleyan will continue to honor our commitment to the environment.
Fall of the Berlin Wall 30th Anniversary Celebration
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Virginia Wesleyan celebrated with a special event on campus. The program included a presentation, "Underground Music in Former East Germany," with live connection to Berlin. We welcomed to campus 391 local high school students, 11 teachers, and the Virginia Beach City Public Schools K-12 World Languages Coordinator, Dr. Kelly Arble, to participate in related activities. My thanks to the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning and Dr. Susan Wansink, Professor of German Studies, for organizing an important and well-done event.
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Virginia Wesleyan celebrated with a special event on campus. The program included a presentation, "Underground Music in Former East Germany," with live connection to Berlin. We welcomed to campus 391 local high school students, 11 teachers, and the Virginia Beach City Public Schools K-12 World Languages Coordinator, Dr. Kelly Arble, to participate in related activities. My thanks to the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning and Dr. Susan Wansink, Professor of German Studies, for organizing an important and well-done event.
National Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church
As President of the National Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC), I led a select group of representative college/university presidents to Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, recently for a historic discussion between the academy and Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church. It was an intentional conversation about recent actions of the Church and implications for NASCUMC. The discussion is a result of the joint NASCUMC, Association of United Methodist Theological Schools (AUMTS), and the International Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (IASCU) meeting at Emory University this summer. The meeting is believed to be the first-ever of its kind including key leadership from NASCUMC
(representing the 117 schools, colleges, universities) and the Council of Bishops from four continents.
Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges
It was a productive visit to Richmond recently for meetings and a luncheon hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. Pictured here is Hiter Harris, III, generous benefactor and immediate past Chair of the VFIC Board of Directors. We started the morning with the VFIC Executive Committee, followed by the Regional Board Meeting, and the Fall Awards Luncheon at the scenic 16th-floor overlook at Williams Mullen. At the luncheon, the three primary faculty awards--all funded by the Harris family--were presented. Thanks to Hiter and his family for their commitment to our VFIC institutions.
Congratulations to our Friends
Congratulations to friends of Virginia Wesleyan University who were elected or re-elected to serve this city and the Commonwealth of Virginia: Michael Berlucchi and Guy Tower, on their election to Virginia Beach City Council; delegates Jay Jones (89th House District), Kelly Fowler (21st House District and 2003 VWU graduate), Cliff Hayes (77th House District), Joe Lindsey (90th House District), and senators Lynwood Lewis (6th Senate District), Bill DeSteph (8th Senate District) and Louise Lucas (18th Senate District) on their re-elections; and Jen Kiggans on her election to the 7th District Senate seat. To all, your service and dedication to our community and state are appreciated, and we thank you.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
Before the Roundball Insiders' luncheon to launch the men's basketball season, longtime VWU Trustee Henry Watts and his wife Eleanor toured the newly renovated private dining area (pictured in Founders Foyer). The Watts family are good friends of the University and generous benefactors. They regularly attend softball and basketball games, among many other VWU programs and events. We are grateful for their strong support.
We appreciate Governor Northam's commitment to environmental issues and are grateful for Ann Phillips, Special Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, for devoting her day to our Generations Uniting to Address Climate Change conference. Ann spent time as a guest lecturer in VWU classes and participated in a panel discussion as a part of the conference. During the conference, students who received Earth and Environmental Sciences Department Endowed Fund awards for sustainability initiatives and research were recognized. Congratulations to students who submitted a proposal for the Marlin Meadows project, a native pollinator garden: Patrick Berard, Devin Calpo, Qi Chen, Allison Fernandez, Ezekiel Herrera-Bevan, Ashanti Kincannon, Skyler Lattuca, Jean Mahon, Kayleen Meinen, Monika Metro, Christian Roden, Ashley Roehrman, Andre Toppin, Michael Tres, and Kathleen VandenBerg; and to Michael Harrison for the Laboratory Measurements of Hydraulic Conductivity of Local Aquifer Material research project. It's a great day to be a Marlin environmentalist!
Congratulations to Virginia Wesleyan University President's Council member Anthony Walters on being named President and CEO of the YMCA South Hampton Roads, pictured in the VWU Board of Trustees Suite at today's Council meeting.
Mark your calendar for upcoming events and programs, and read up on the latest in the arts at Virginia Wesleyan here.
Check out the upcoming events and programs offered through Virginia Wesleyan's Center for the Study of Religious Freedom here.
STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES
REFLECTIONS
I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:
PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS
I invite you to stay updated on these activities here.
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Have a great week!
