Today our nation honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His legacy is one of integrity, service, leadership, and unity, along with an inspiring commitment to social justice. We will celebrate that legacy today on campus with a program at 11 a.m. in the Watts Gallery of the Goode Center. It will be my privilege to share remarks at that time, and I hope to see you there. Additionally, Virginia Wesleyan is working to better our community through acts of service as part of our annual "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service." We are grateful to campus leaders who collaborated on these programs that so aptly celebrate Dr. King's life and contributions.
Prior to these recognition events, I will begin my day remembering Dr. King as I attend the 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Leaders Breakfast. Created in 1984 to honor the legacy of Dr. King, the event recognizes individuals and groups who promote positive images, exemplify community service, demonstrate the values that model those of Dr. King, and show evidence of the impact their contributions make on the lives of others. Several good friends of VWU will receive community leadership awards, and we congratulate them and thank them for their excellent work and support of our community--Trustee Emerita Joan Brock, civic leader and philanthropist; Trustee Howard Kern, President and CEO of Sentara Healthcare; and former Trustee Bob Aston, Executive Chairman of the Board at TowneBank. Thanks also to the Urban League of Hampton Roads for organizing this event.
I encourage all to take time to reflect on Dr. King's life, a life that ended too soon but one that brought everlasting change, a quest for social justice, and inspiration to make our own commitment to social action. I will leave you with one of the many empowering quotes from Dr. King: "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor political nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right."
ET CETERA
Virginia Wesleyan and Sentara Pursue Joint Nursing Program
Virginia Wesleyan University is pursuing the addition of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to our academic program. The BSN could be offered as a joint degree with Sentara College of Health Sciences and would involve coursework at both institutions. The signing of an agreement to formalize the intent of both institutions is planned for February 7, followed by an in-depth application process with Virginia Wesleyan's accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Read more here.
U.S. News Names VWU Online Among Best Programs Nationally
VWU Online continues to attract attention in national rankings. The University has again been selected for inclusion in U.S. News and World Report's listing of "Best Online Bachelor's Programs," released last week. Read more here.
Advocating for Private College Initiatives at the State Capitol
Last week I visited Richmond to advocate for initiatives impacting Virginia's private colleges, a top priority being an increase in support for the Virginia Tuition Assistance (VTAG) program. While at the State Capitol, it was nice to visit with State Senator (28th District) and Virginia Wesleyan graduate Richard Stuart '89, Delegate Cliff Hayes (77th District), State Senator Bill DeSteph (8th District), State Senator Jen Kiggans (7th District), and Delegate Jason Miyares (82nd District).
Fall 2019 President's List
With pride, we share the Fall 2019 President's List. Congratulations to the following students for achieving a 4.0 grade point average for the fall semester. A reception will be held later this spring to celebrate the outstanding achievements of these students. Well done!
| Ryan Abraham Sydnie Allen Reina Araujo Bianca Atkinson Kayla Bissette Jennifer Bowen Kelsey Brogan Katherine Burton Megan Coffren Taylor Coutts Cloe Cowles Noah Craft Bryce Davis Anna Dobrenen Brooke Erickson Lauren Faulkner Erin Foreman Shae Geary Kathryn Gerrish Isabella Glaze Connor Hall Maria Hall Jilliann Hallman Michael Harrison Christy Hendricks Lindsey Hicks Stephanie Hoke Madigan Horne Zion Howard Hanna Hull Diana Jackson Chelsea Jacox Danielle Johnson Teresa Jones | Destiny Kinka Kelly Larson John Lee Carrie McClellan Connor Merk Christopher Morris Phoebe Murrell Abigail Peterson Garrett Pitz Alex Powers Michael Redmon Shelton Reisch Brianna Sandy Skye Seutter Serena Smith Joi Snowden Nanci Stanley Sarah Stermer Annabelle Stucky John Taranovich Millie Taylor Emma Walsh Gillian Warrington Kerri Wasko Ashlyn Watts Lindsay Weitzel Doris White Lindsay White Jenna Whitener Sydney Whitlock Emily Wright Veronica Zamora Victoria Zuppa |
Please note that grades for several courses are still being finalized and there may be additional students added to this list, I will share those names with you when available.
"Changes afoot for United Methodist schools' group"
In a recent interview with United Methodist News, I was quoted on behalf of Methodist-related colleges and universities on our message: "Our institutions are committed to inclusiveness. We do not discriminate." Read more in "Changes afoot for United Methodist schools' group."
Virginia Wesleyan University Students to Deliberate "Ethics and Higher Education"
Five students from Virginia Wesleyan University will participate in The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges' (VFIC) 21st annual statewide collegiate Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl next month. The competition will be held February 9-10 on the campus of the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. Our team will compete head-to-head against other highly qualified student teams from Virginia's 15 leading independent colleges and universities, deliberating a variety of case studies highlighting ethical dilemmas. The members of the Virginia Wesleyan University student team are: Anitra Howard (Sophomore), Celine Maharaj (Freshman), Katy Niedzwiecki (Sophomore), Alex Powers (Junior), and Criofan Shaw (Freshman). The faculty coordinator for our team is VWU Professor of Communication Dr. Kathy Merlock Jackson. The tradition continues with strong representation of our institution. Last year our team placed second in the competition--an impressive and well-earned accomplishment. Congratulations to these students on being selected for the team and best of luck! Many notable individuals from a variety of career fields including; business, law, education, finance, journalism and others will listen to team presentations and offer reactions to the students' presentations.
January Term Travels
January Term is in full swing and for some students, that means traveling. I share with you links to photos of our students in Israel and Hawaii. VWU students are pictured at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and from 400-foot Waimoku Falls on Maui. After hiking in the only rainforest in America, students spent an afternoon helping with organic taro farming as part of their January Term course "Travel's Impact on Culture and Environment."
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
The business community is enormously grateful to Paul Merritt, Owner of Ntrust Wealth Management, as he concludes his tenure as President of Virginia Beach Vision. Paul presided over his final meeting last week at the Town Center Club. Anne Crenshaw of Kaufman & Canoles is the new President of Virginia Beach Vision. I look forward to working with her and enjoy serving on the Virginia Beach Vision Board of Directors. Visit virginiabeachvision.com
Work by Atlantic Culinary Environments of Danville, Pennsylvania, began last week on Coastal Market, a new retail venue at Virginia Wesleyan. Located in Batten Plaza, Coastal Market will be a campus convenience store offering more options than ever for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, including to-go food, toiletries, and other products. Coastal Market's hours will expand access to these items and we look forward to the opening! Following its completion, the ACE crew will continue work in Batten Plaza by transforming the Marlin Grille to a new and improved Harbor Grill.
At the invitation of Norfolk City Manager Dr. Larry "Chip" Filer, I am proud to serve on Multimodal Norfolk, a transportation master plan advisory committee. At the opening session on January 14 at Slover Library representatives from all constituency groups of the city were present. Dr. Filer is pictured here addressing the group with Amy Inman, Director of the Department of Transit for the City of Norfolk, standing to his left.
We held our first meeting in the new calendar year of the VWU President's Leadership Council. The PLC meets monthly throughout the academic year to broaden discussion & participation in shared governance, and to foster collaborative processes on key administrative issues across campus.
The world awaits three Virginia Wesleyan juniors, Kayleen Meinen, Asha Richards and Brianna Sandy, who will be studying away during the spring semester thanks to support from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Congratulations to these hard-working Marlins! Read more here.
In her new children's book, VWU Professor of Education Emerita Dr. Karen Bosch tells the story of a Canadian goose with autism who's learning to swim, honk, and fly alongside his siblings. Co-authored with her daughter Morghan and illustrated by Leyla (Fransen) Caralivanos '99, "Being Charley: Embracing Differences" is currently a "hot new release" on Amazon. Congratulations to these members of our Marlin Family!
The spring 2020 On Deck Premier Speaker Series includes impressive events that promise to be interesting, informative and thought-provoking. The Series is a program of the University's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), organized by the VWU faculty. Read more here.
Mark your calendar for upcoming events and programs, and read the latest on the arts at Virginia Wesleyan here.
Be sure to check out the upcoming events and programs offered through Virginia Wesleyan's Center for the Study of Religious Freedom here.
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REFLECTIONS
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PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS
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Have a great week!
