Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

I pray this email finds our Marlin family well and in good spirits. Thank you to so many of you who shared expressions of support following my recent letter to the Virginia Wesleyan University community. The compassion shown for one another over these past few weeks has been a bright light during this dark time.

We have had to make a number of changes that involve milestones being modified, postponed, or in some cases canceled. The postponing of Virginia Wesleyan's May Commencement Exercises was truly heartbreaking. Our seniors have worked incredibly hard over the last several years, many overcoming a variety of obstacles to reach this monumental moment.

Last Thursday our Emergency Response Team consulted with leadership from the senior class to explore alternative options. It was important for us that the Class of 2020 have a voice in this matter. I am delighted to share that a mutual decision was reached to hold our Commencement Ceremony on campus Sunday, December 6. We are pleased that Will Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, will remain our 2020 Commencement Speaker. I look forward to welcoming these soon-to-be graduates back to campus as alumni. Please save the date and make plans to join us for this momentous occasion.

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On Wednesday, March 25, at 7 p.m., I'll be hosting a town hall with members of our Emergency Response Team. This virtual meeting will be informational in nature, offering clarity on this evolving situation and next steps for the Virginia Wesleyan community. Watch our website, your email inboxes, and our social media sites for webcast information. In the meantime, visit the VWU COVID-19 resource page at vwu.edu/coronavirus for the latest information.

As the University shifts to remote instruction today, I wish our students and faculty the best. Your ability and willingness to adapt is admired. Thank you all for the extra effort, patience, and understanding you have extended to make a difficult situation a little easier for everyone.

ET CETERA

The Wesleyan Review

The latest editon of the Wesleyan Review is now available and contains helpful information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on VWU. Access it here.

Church Leaders Postpone 2020 General Conference

The Executive Committee of the Commission on the General Conference of the United Methodist Church announced last week the decision to postpone the May 2020 General Conference--the denomination's legislative assembly--amid the coronavirus crisis. Read more here.

Dr. Mark Hanshaw, Associate General Secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), also sends along an update, "UMC Higher Ed Response to Coronavirus." Read it here.

Gratitude for Chaplain Greg West

After 10 years of dedicated service to the University, the United Methodist Church will be reassigning Greg West as part of their pastoral appointment process. As you are aware, this is a pivotal time in the United Methodist Church with deep divides among subgroups of the Church.

Greg has been instrumental in establishing opportunities for community members to explore their faith through structured group dialogue, ecumenical Sunday worship, and as the organizer of several mission trips during his tenure. We wish Greg and his family all the best, and we thank him for his many contributions to the institution and in the community.

With wisdom provided by the Bishop and leaders in the Church, the University has already begun the process of actively seeking our next leader for the campus ministry. Through Greg's good work, this position will be attractive for the right candidate. Please join me in thanking Greg for his immeasurable contributions. We wish him all the best.

ODAC's Decision to Cancel Spring Competition and Championships

The Old Dominion Athletics Conference (ODAC) announced Friday their decision to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 conference athletic campaign. The cancellation includes all regular season league play as well as ODAC postseason and championship competition. Read more here.

Batten Bulletin

The spring issue of the Batten Bulletin--the newsletter of VWU's highly selective Batten Honors College--is now available. View it here.

Condolences to Stephen Leist

It is with sorrow that I share the passing of George "Gus" Leist, father of VWU Research Librarian Stephen Leist. Mr. Leist passed away on March 14 in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 97. Please join me in keeping Stephen and his family in your thoughts during this painful time. Mr. Leist's obituary can be viewed here.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Campus is quiet right now, but as we enter this season of spring, it is looking beautiful as ever. Our University community is truly missed and I look forward to the day we are back together on campus again. For now, I will share with you below updates on several campus construction projects:

Coastal 61 at Oxford Village -- Construction continues on the eight building, 244-unit Coastal 61 at Oxford Village mixed use housing complex on the north side of campus along Wesleyan Drive. View recent photos here. The public-private partnership with The Franklin Johnston Group of Virginia Beach is scheduled for completion this fall/winter.

University Store -- Renovation of the former Bookstore into the Scribner University Store has been completed. In addition to apparel, the store is now the home to Duplication and Postal Services. Adjacent to the Scribner University Store is Coastal Market, a quick-stop store with a variety of food, beverages, and convenient items.

Convocation Hall -- In the coming months, a new playing surface will be installed and demolition of existing seating and installation of new seating will occur in the Convocation Hall of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. View renderings here. Thanks to TowneBank for their grant that is making this project possible.

Entrance Archway at Rogers Track and Field Center -- Construction and landscaping have been completed at the Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center. View a photo of the entrance archway here. Thanks to Trustee Emeritus Bill Shelhorse '70 for his support on this project named in memory of his sister.

New signage at entrance -- Construction will begin this week on the new sign at the main entrance to the University. View the rendering here.

The Trails at Wesleyan Woods -- Clearing and grading was completed recently on the newest trail in Wesleyan Woods. Located off of Norfolk Lane (the road that runs to Facilities Management), the trail loop goes back to the western border of the campus (at Interstate 64) and follows the Norfolk side of Lake Taylor before re-emerging near the Norfolk Avenue connection. Also, in case you missed it, new signage arrived recently for the scenic walking, running and biking trails on our beautiful, park-like 300-acre Virginia Wesleyan University campus.

Fine Arts Building -- Fundraising continues and our goal is in sight for a May challenge grant deadline for the upgrades to the original Fine Arts Building. We have initiated conversations with several contractors and should be ready to proceed sometime this summer.

DeFord Manor -- Private funds have been raised and plans have been finalized. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

The Pharos

REFLECTIONS

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

The Virginian-Pilot

University Business