Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

This week begins a new academic and fiscal year--one that promises to see our continued prominence locally, regionally, and nationally. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to be Coastal Virginia's Premier University of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. I am proud of the Marlin Family as they have rallied together to address challenges and plan for the future. Please continue to check the COVID-19 website for updates and resources.

With the beginning of each new fiscal year on July 1, I always like to provide an update on a variety of areas. The Board of Trustees reelected officers for the 2020-2021 year at the May meeting--John Malbon, Chair; Susan Goode, Vice Chair; Mavis McKenley '11, Secretary; and Tim Bailey '83, Treasurer. Ron Kramer completes his final term as an active Trustee tomorrow and joins the ranks Trustee Emeritus. Ron and his family have been strong supporters of the University for several decades. Our thanks to all of our talented Trustees for their commitment and service to our institution.

We officially welcome two new deans, Dr. Steven Emmanuel (Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities) and Dr. Leslie Caughell (Birdsong School of Social Science), and look forward to their leadership in this capacity. We also thank Drs. Travis Malone and Linda Ferguson for their respective service as deans, and we are delighted to continue to benefit from their talents on our faculty.

As has been my annual practice, the first Nota Bene of the new academic year includes relevant links regarding campus leadership and policy documents (please note these are subject to change).

Additional resources are available throughout the Virginia Wesleyan website at vwu.edu, but please do not hesitate to reach out to your supervisor or the Office of Human Resources with any questions.

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As we move to Governor Northam's Phase III re-opening plan on July 1, we will also accelerate two important searches that have been stalled during the COVID-19 crisis. The University has invited finalists for the positions of Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics to campus in late July.

My sincerest thanks to Lori Harris '94, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of Alumni Relations, for stepping up to lead the Center for Advancement since the passing of Dr. Mort Gamble in January. Special thanks also goes to Joanne Renn for returning on short notice to provide interim leadership for Intercollegiate Athletics.

ET CETERA

A new look for two Campus Life programs: UREC and Off the Hook

After several months of discussion and planning, two programs within the Campus Life division each have a new administrative location, a refreshed focus, and an updated look. Formally known as RecX and the Wesleyan Activities Council (WAC), VWU's Recreation and Wellness program (UREC) and Off The Hook student programming board have been redesigned to enhance the student experience through participation and leadership opportunities in programs, activities, and events. This redesign aligns itself to support components of the institutional strategic plan.

UREC at Virginia Wesleyan University will provide quality wellness education and recreational

opportunities to the campus community regardless of skill or experience. Willie Harrell '97, Director of Recreation and Wellness, will lead the UREC program with the primary mission of promoting personal growth, social fellowship, and healthy lifestyle choices through participation in challenging and fun activities. Stop by the UREC office, located across from Scribner University Store to checkout equipment, sign up for intramurals, and to find out more about the exciting opportunities to get active.

The Office of Student Activities also has a new look and a new home (located in the Alumni Galleria across the hall from the Office of Finance and Administration). Students can get involved through Greek Life, Mobile Marlins (commuter services), and the new Off The Hook program. Off The Hook, VWU's primary programming board, will provide social, educational, and community-building activities on campus, with a focus on weekend events. Off The Hook will provide quality entertainment for the VWU community and promote campus traditions including the beloved Mud Games, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Late Night Breakfast. Sign up here to become an Off The Hook volunteer.

Employment opportunities with UREC and Off The Hook will be available for students through VWU's new

Work and Learn Program (WLP). The WLP is dedicated to providing students with meaningful work opportunities that allow them to better engage with the Virginia Wesleyan University community. Students will develop the skills and experiences necessary to be competitive in today's job market while also having the opportunity to actively contribute toward the cost of their education.

Initially, 400 meaningful work opportunities will give students the ability to earn up to $2,500 per academic year--a concept that will also serve as an effective recruitment and retention tool. Students awarded federal work-study will continue to receive bi-weekly paychecks while other positions will receive tuition credits applied directly to their student accounts. Similar to federal work-study and Opus, students will engage in on-campus work between 10-15 hours per week in exchange for their earned tuition credit.

VWU Trustee Emerita Joan Brock recognized with naming of new Sentara Brock Cancer Center

A recent feature in Virginia Business highlights the opening of the Sentara Brock Cancer Center in Norfolk, just a few miles from campus. The patient treatment and care facility broke ground in March 2018 and officially opened its doors on June 1. The Center is named for VWU Trustee Emerita Joan Brock and her late husband Macon. A three-time cancer survivor, Joan Brock was treated within the Sentara Cancer network. We are grateful for Joan, her generosity, and continued support of our community.

Deadline nears: Still time to make a fiscal year-end gift

As noted above, the fiscal year officially ends tomorrow, June 30. If you have not made a gift to the University and would like to, I encourage you to please consider doing so before July 1 by visiting vwu.edu/giveonline.

Jacob Pilarski earns statewide recognition

Congratulations to Jacob Pilarski of the VWU baseball team who was named to the 2020 College Division All-State team by VaSID! The shortened spring season was his last with the Marlins before he graduated in May. Given the unique circumstances, the NCAA recently granted exemptions, allowing Jacob to enroll in graduate school and use his extended fifth year of eligibility at NCAA Division I The Citadel in South Carolina. Read more at vwuathletics.com.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Campus construction projects continue:

The main dining room and service area in the Boyd Dining Center have been gutted, and renovation has started. Completion of this phase is expected by August 5. View recent photos here.

Renovation began recently on Susan Beverly Hall (formerly the Fine Arts Building). The front area of the building--containing The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Ensemble Rehearsal Room The Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Fund Fine Arts Entrance & Lobby, and The James A. Hixon Music Studios--has been gutted and the new central heating and cooling system is nearing completion. Installation of the new roof will be finalized this month. The building will be renovated in thirds to accommodate ongoing building use and work.

The three-week installation process on the stands at TowneBank Arena continues. We look forward to seeing the finished product soon. View recent photos here.

Coastal 61 at Oxford Village is progressing beautifully, and our partners at The Franklin Johnston Group have provided new information about apartment availability at coastal61.com. The complex is a Public Private Partnership (P3) of the University and is designed to provide housing for VWU graduate students and faculty/staff, as well as the Virginia Beach community. View recent photos here.

Completion of the new roof on Monumental Chapel and Beazley Recital Hall is expected to be done in the next two weeks. Earlier this spring, the inside of the facility received an extensive upgrade.

Lastly, modifications continue on the plans for the construction of DeFord Manor. Final plans are expected to be completed and submitted through the City of Virginia Beach planning process in the next two months. Construction is expected to begin in late fall.

A warm welcome back to campus to our longtime partner Camp Red Feather of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. The program has been an important part of the summer culture on campus for a number of years. The camp is operating in a scaled-back format, consistent with state mandates.

Congratulations to our friends at TowneBank for jointly acquiring the current Norfolk Southern Corporation headquarters--one of the tallest buildings in downtown Norfolk. Although we're disappointed that Norfolk Southern is leaving for Atlanta, we're pleased to see TowneBank occupying the beautiful iconic structure. Both TowneBank and Norfolk Southern Corporation have been long-time supporters and friends of the University. A number of leaders from both organizations have been VWU Board members through the years. Read more in The Virginian-Pilot.

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