Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

Following a rigorous January Term, today begins our spring semester. I extend my best wishes for a successful term to all of our students and campus community. We are fortunate to have many resources on campus and in the community to support success, and I encourage students to utilize them. I urge students to get involved, seize new opportunities, stay informed, and communicate with both your peers and with faculty/staff. We are working toward a common goal for you to succeed and we are here for you. I am personally looking forward to watching the semester unfold. It is sure to include many special memories that will contribute to Virginia Wesleyan's story.

ET CETERA

VWU Honored for Sustained Distinguished Performance

Virginia Wesleyan University was recognized last week by the Elizabeth River Project for Sustained Distinguished Performance at the River Stars Model Level. VWU student and ERP employee Phoebe Murrell joined VWU's Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Director of Campus Sustainability, and Dr. Maynard Schaus, Vice President for Academic Affairs, for a photo as they accepted the honor on VWU's behalf.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, Legacy

Last week we joined our nation in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--one of integrity, service, leadership, and unity, along with an inspiring commitment to social justice. Congratulations to VWU senior Monique Ayers on receiving Virginia Wesleyan's first Martin Luther King, Jr., Legacy Award. Read more about our campus celebrations of Dr. King's legacy here.

Thanks to good friend Gil Bland, President and CEO of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, for head table hospitality at the 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Leaders' Breakfast. We heard an inspiring speech by Dr. Janice Underwood, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Office of the Governor, followed by the recognition of three of our good friends for their community impact: Trustee Emerita Joan Brock, Trustee Howard Kern, and former Trustee Bob Aston.

National Day of Racial Healing

Last week, on the National Day of Racial Healing,I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with Lynne M. Jackson, great-great granddaughter of Dred Scott (the slave who sued for his freedom in 1857), and Charles Taney IV, great-great-great nephew of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger Brooke Taney (who wrote the decision that denied Dred Scott his freedom). Later that day for an "Understanding Hampton Roads" panel discussion, Lynne and Charles teamed with Keith Plessy whose great grandfather was a cousin of Homer Plessy (who in 1892 challenged separate accommodations for black and white railroad passengers), and Phoebe Ferguson, great-great granddaughter of Louisiana Judge John Howard Ferguson (who ruled against Homer Plessy). The program will focused on the U.S. legal system's history of racial bias and opportunities for healing and understanding. Sponsored by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, the event offered a unique opportunity to hear from descendants of plaintiffs and judges in two landmark 19th Century U.S. Supreme Court cases--Dred Scott and Plessy v. Ferguson--that denied basic civil rights to African Americans.

AAC&U Presidents' Trust

Last week I traveled to Washington, D.C. for the annual meeting of The Presidents' Trust. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Presidents' Trust is a diverse network of about 100 cross-sector chief executive officers who are committed to advancing the vision, values, and practices that connect liberal education with the needs of an increasingly diverse student body, a global workforce, and thriving communities. It was nice to visit with leadership of AAC&U and the Trust--Lynn Pasquerella, President of AAC&U; Grant Cornwell, President of Rollins College and Chair of the Trust; Mary Dana Hinton,and President of the College of Saint Benedict and incoming Chair of the Trust--and many friends and colleagues--including Jonathan Alger, President of James Madison University; Dianne Harrison, President of California State University Northridge; Denise Battles, President of State University of New York Geneseo; and Carol Leary, President of Bay Path University.

"President to President"

The sixth chapter of the 2019-2020 "President to President" thought leadership publication is now available. I enjoy editing this series with longtime friend and colleague Marylouise Fennell. In "Innovating to Advance Success for Students' Diverse Needs," Webster University President Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Stroble explores how the dynamic nature of modern higher education demands innovation and flexibility to meet students' needs and support their success. She describes how her institution helps students overcome barriers and achieve their long-term goals through unique programs that provide appropriate support, resources, and guidance.

"Puffs...or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic"

Kudos to all who were involved in the Virginia Wesleyan University Theatre Production of "Puffs...or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic." Performed in the Brock Theatre of the Goode Center last week, Dr. Travis Malone, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, directed the production. View the playbill here for a full listing of the Marlin January Theatre Collective, cast, and crew. Congratulations and well done to all!

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Update

Dr. Greg Bergquist, General Secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), sends along an update, "Finding a Halo of Possibility." Read it here.

Supporting DACA Students
The following article and resource appeared last week in POLITICO: "5 ways universities can support students in a post-DACA world." I'm proud to serve as a member of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which includes over 450 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities. Jose Magaña-Salgado, director of policy and communications for the Alliance, commented that "we are preparing for all possible outcomes as we wait for the Supreme Court decision, which is expected later this year, on whether the Obama-era program will continue." Read more here.

Condolences to Sue Erickson

It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I share the passing of Donald Erickson, father of VWU Director of Hofheimer Library Sue Erickson. My thoughts and prayers are with Sue and her family during this difficult time. Mr. Erickson passed away on December 1, 2019, and his obituary was recently published here, reflecting that his "quick wit, positive attitude and love of learning remained with him to the end." A memorial service will be held later this spring in Massachusetts.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

It was nice to visit on campus recently with Rev. Todd Maberry from the Duke Divinity School. We had a productive meeting where we discussed finalizing our VWU/Duke Divinity Articulation Agreement followed by an enjoyable lunch with administrators and student leaders from across campus, including the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, Academic Affairs, Enrollment, and the Chaplain's Office.

We have a new mural on campus thanks to students in Professor of Art John Rudel's "Public Art" course. The class designed and painted the artwork during January Term in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Be sure to stop by and check it out. Kudos to these students for their efforts and creativity.

Congratulations to Virginia Wesleyan student-athlete Geni Roberts of our cross country/track and field program on recently being named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Field Athlete of the Week! Read more here.

A near capacity crowd gathered in the Jane P. Batten Student Center for Wednesday night's ODAC rivalry basketball game between Randolph-Macon and Virginia Wesleyan. Special thanks to the Hampton Roads Basketball Officials Association for sponsoring the game.

We were pleased and grateful to have LifeNet Health as the corporate sponsor of a recent women's basketball game. LifeNet Health has helped to save lives, restore health, and give hope to thousands of patients each year. It is the world's most trusted provider of transplant solutions. LifeNet Health's mission has touched our campus following the tragic passing of Marlin Nancy Kelly, Class of 2015. In her honor we continue to partner with LifeNet Health to promote their mission, grow donor registration, and inspire generosity of others. We are proud to call the Executive Vice President of LifeNet Doug Wilson a member of the Marlin Family. Doug is a graduate of Virginia Wesleyan, Class of 1986, and a member of the VWU Board of Trustees.

I enjoyed a recent social at the new offices of the ACCESS College Foundation in Norfolk. It was nice visiting with good friends Bonnie Sutton '99 (President and CEO) and Cheryl Jones (Vice President). The ACCESS College Foundation was founded in 1988 to eliminate barriers to post-secondary education and increase college attainment for underrepresented and low-income students. Visit accesscollege.org to learn more.

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

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

The Virginian-Pilot

University Business