Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

It's hard to believe we are less than a month away from welcoming approximately 420 new students to our Marlin Family. We are busy preparing for their arrival and what is sure to be a unique semester. A reminder to continue to monitor the Virginia Wesleyan COVID-19 website for regular updates and resources, including the latest regarding mandatory testing prior to campus arrival.

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It is with the ultimate health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and our community

at the forefront, that Virginia Wesleyan University athletics will follow the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Presidents Council and Athletic Board of Directors decision to postpone conference competition and championships for fall and winter sports through the end of the 2020 calendar year (December 31).

It is our hope and intention, that if conditions safely permit it, we will compete in all sports after the new year. Evaluation of the ever-changing health and safety climate will be ongoing and communication related to changes will be forthcoming, when appropriate.

For more information about the ODAC's decision, click on the following links: Release | FAQ

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Virginia Wesleyan has finalized a new affiliation agreement with William & Mary's School of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). This unique partnership promotes enrollment of graduating Batten Honors College students in VIMS' Master of Arts in Marine Science program. Interested students should contact the Dean of the Batten Honors College Dr. Joyce Easter.

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Following the announcement this spring of our exclusive agreement to jointly operate a campus in Tokyo--Lakeland University Japan and Virginia Wesleyan University Global--we are pleased to welcome our first graduate from that campus to Virginia Beach this fall. Many others have expressed interest and are expected to join us in Coastal Virginia after the COVID Crisis.

This program will add an increased international presence to VWU's student body, as the University welcomes students not only from Japan, but from around the world. Virginia Wesleyan students and faculty will also have the opportunity to travel to the Tokyo campus.

In case you missed it, offices supporting VWU Global Campus will have a new home in Godwin Hall. Larry Belcher, Director of Enrollment for VWU Global Campus, and Marion Hibbler, Director of Support Services for VWU Global Campus, will soon move to the first floor of Godwin in what is now the Vice President for Enrollment's office suite. The office will support all online, evening and weekend, international, early enrollment/advanced scholars, and non-credit learners. Dr. Paul Ewell, Dean of VWU Global Campus, will remain on the second floor of Clarke Hall, adjacent to the Academic Affairs office.

As leadership transitions in the Center for Enrollment with Vice President David Waggoner's retirement, Heather Campbell will assume the role of Chief Enrollment Officer (and acting Vice President for Enrollment) and will remain in her office in Godwin Hall. Anja Serby-Wilkens will move to an office closer to Ms. Campbell. The transition is likely to occur by the start of the fall semester.

ET CETERA

The Norfolk Forum

Since moving to Coastal Virginia in 2015, Annie and I have enjoyed our season tickets to The Norfolk Forum. Founded in 1933, it is the oldest publicly-subscribed speakers' forum in the country with at least four speakers

a year welcomed to present to potential members a series of lectures from eminent individuals covering cultural, literary, and governmental issues before the nation. Their history boasts a diverse range of speakers over 87 years to include philosophers, educators, consumer advocates, authors, historians, futurists, judges, musical revues, ambassadors, financial wizards, rocket scientists, war correspondents, foreign affairs experts, and film critics.

It is an enriching and stimulating experience each time, and is a special opportunity available to us in Coastal Virginia. Last month I had the pleasure of joining the The Norfolk Forum Board of Directors, and look forward to serving this esteemed organization. We plan to make a block of tickets available to our students when it is safe to do so. Learn more at thenorfolkforum.org.

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Speaking of Board-related service, I was recently re-elected as Chair of the Board of Directors of Academic Search, Inc., and Vice Chair of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI). I've enjoyed serving on both Boards for over 10 years.

Welcome Marie Porter as Virginia Wesleyan's New University Chaplain

On August 1, we will welcome Marie Porter to the Marlin Family as our new University Chaplain. Marie has served as the Director of Youth Ministry at the neighboring Haygood United Methodist Church since 2009 and will join us at VWU in a part-time capacity while continuing her service at the church. Marie is Lay Person Certified by the Virginia Conference of the UMC, Elizabeth River District. This partnership developed due to the reduced funding we receive from the Church, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Marie's energy, enthusiasm, and interest in serving our campus community is inspiring and I look forward to her joining us.

Kudos: YMCA of South Hampton Roads

YMCA Camp Red Feather, a regional day camp for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, has returned to its home on our

campus this summer. Camp Red Feather has continued to serve the needs of 160-180 local children each week, providing an immersive summer camp experience while adhering to safety guidelines associated with COVID-19. Activities have been modified to reinforce social distancing standards with children and staff. For example, a simple game of tag is now played with foam pool noodles to promote these standards.

The YMCA conducts daily health screenings for all camp staff and children. This is conducted during drop-off as part of our curb-side drop off routine to include temperature checks and health status question and answers. In addition, camp staff and campers have all been provided with face masks and other face coverings which are used for all inside activity and when social distancing is not possible outdoors. Learn more here.

Kudos: VWU Alumni

Model, actor, singer, and VWU alumnus Jarrell Hargraves '16 recently appeared on the Hampton Roads Show to talk about his HBO Max series "Legendary." In addition to completing his first season of this series, he has also been cast on the new show "Gold."

Professional basketball player and VWU alumnus DJ Woodmore '14 recently signed on with EPG Baskets Koblenz and will continue his overseas professional career in Germany.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

In a recent edition of the Virginia Wesleyan Athletics "Inside Splash" segment, Head Men's Lacrosse Coach J.P. Stewart is interviewed by VWU Sports Information intern Taylor Major '20. Read it here.

The brand new seating in TowneBank Arena looks great and we can't wait to fill the stands. Additional amenities and features will be added in the coming weeks.

Renovation of the Boyd Dining Center continues to progress with the installation of the new flooring recently completed.

Significant progress has been made on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village. A temporary new traffic light at our main entrance has been installed to direct traffic exiting Oxford Village (into campus or onto Wesleyan Drive). This is only a temporary light until the steel structure arrives next month. Among many other updates, the Coastal 61 signage is in place.

The Susan T. Beverly Hall lettering has been successfully installed on the exterior of the building, and looks great.

After several delays caused by the pandemic, planning is now back on track for the construction of DeFord Manor. We anticipate crews to begin construction 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