October 12, 2020
Good Morning, |
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I am proud to open this week with the announcement that Dr. Wayne Pollock, Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Virginia Wesleyan University Exemplary Teaching Award by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) of the United Methodist Church. Presidents from the 117 schools, colleges and universities of the UMC are invited to submit one faculty member from each institution to be recognized by Nashville-based organization. |
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The award is normally presented at Commencement; however, because of in-person limitations caused by COVID-19, the award was presented during the October meeting of the Faculty Assembly.
Wayne has served on the faculty of Virginia Wesleyan since 2000. He holds a B.S. degree from West Chester University, an M.S. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. from Old Dominion University.
Wayne's passion for helping improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities is exemplified in his years of work as a recreational therapist working with adults with intellectual disabilities and both adolescents and adults with mental illness and substance abuse problems. At Virginia Wesleyan, Wayne teaches all courses in the recreational therapy track and core curriculum courses as needed. His current research interests involve measuring functional outcomes of individuals with dementia using a technology based intervention and promoting the ethical practice of recreational therapy. He remains professionally engaged, serving on regional and national boards of directors that work to advance recreational therapy.
Congratulations, Wayne! |
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We are nearly halfway through our 2020 Marlin Family Campaign for Faculty and Staff. This year’s theme is Rock the Socks, and participants who give $25 or more to the campaign will receive exclusive tie-dye VWU socks. If you have not already made your commitment to this year’s campaign, please consider a gift to any area of the University by October 31.
Giving is easy. Be on the lookout for weekly emails with information about how to make a gift or pledge from Kamryn Clairmont, Coordinator of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, or visit vwu.edu/giveonline to make your gift today. You might also be reminded by our 2020 Faculty and Staff Campaign Ambassadors—Elaine Aird ’96, Brandon Elliott ’03, Dr. Linda Ferguson, Randy Lott, Dr. Bryson Mortensen, Jason Seward ’05, Teresa Rhyne ’92, and Dr. Michelle Vachris. I thank them for their support of the campaign.
This has been a tough year for many Marlins and their families. Your gift to a number of University priorities— The Excellence Fund, the Student Life and Learning Fund, the Marlin Athletic Fund, etc.—can help VWU remain competitive and affordable. Every gift matters and every gift shows our commitment to the University and the students we serve.
My sincere thanks to the members of the faculty and staff who have already contributed to the campaign. Please view the Honor Roll here. |
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Alumni Council Vice Chair, Secretary Announced Last week, I announced Alisa Crider '10 as Chair of the Alumni Council. This week, I am pleased to share the Alumni Council’s new appointments of Vice Chair and Secretary.
Congratulations to Thomas Taylor, Ed.D., Class of 2000, on his appointment as Vice Chair of the Alumni Council. Thomas is the Deputy Superintendent at Chesterfield County Public Schools in Chesterfield, Virginia. He has been a member of the Alumni Council since 2017. |
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We also congratulate Dominique Fowler, Class of 2012, on his appointment as Secretary of the Alumni Council. Dom is the Director of Alumni Relations at Virginia Union University in Richmond and the recipient of the 2020 Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award. He has been a member of the Alumni Council since 2018 and is the Council’s current representative on the VWU President’s Council for Inclusive Communities.
The principal purpose of the Alumni Council is to strengthen the bond between our graduates and the University. We value the Alumni Council's role in advocating for VWU, and I thank Alisa, Thomas and Dom for their time, service and commitment to their alma mater. |
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Chapter 2: "President to President" Series The second chapter of the 2020-2021 President to President thought leadership series that I edit (along with Dr. Marylouise Fennell) is now available online. In "Embracing Campus Capital: Formulating a Vocabulary for Change," Wofford College President Nayef H. Samhat, Ph.D., explores how periods of change can foster innovation and growth. He describes how his institution harnesses the momentum created by change, reimagining it as an opportunity to pursue the college's strategic vision for the future. This year's President to President series, titled "Fostering a Culture of Innovation," features insightful real-world observations from leading college and university presidents. These industry experts share their perspectives on what it means to be truly innovative, especially in the face of the immense challenges our world faces today. We hope you enjoy exploring these ideas together and look forward to bringing you fresh perspectives in a new chapter published online each month. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Representative Elaine Luria Visits Congresswoman Elaine Luria, representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district, visited VWU last week for a roundtable discussion with student leaders across various campus organizations and activities. The group discussed the region's impact and response to a variety of topics, including the environment, COVID relief, Black Lives Matter and more. Many will recall that Rep. Luria gave the Commencement address on University Commons in May 2019. I thank her for her continued support of the University and her time with our students. She has been a true friend to private higher education in Virginia. |
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Virtual Homecoming and Family Weekend Recap In case you missed it, many aspects of our virtual 2020 Homecoming and Family Weekend can still be enjoyed. Read the highlights and find archived videos from the fine and performing arts’ Marlin Fringe Festival as well as our campus tour and Ask Me Anything on our VWU Digital Broadcast Network. |
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Congratulations to Timothy Anderson ’24 (right) and Melina Cabral ’24 (left) who were crowned the 2020 Homecoming Court King and Queen after the Homecoming Kickball Homerun Derby. Timothy and Melina were presented their crowns by 2018’s King and Queen Audwin Harris '20 (center right) and Dazjae Johnson '21 (center left). When so much looks and feels different for our students this semester, I am thankful to Student Activities for keeping these Marlin traditions alive. Thank you to all of our students, alumni, and Marlin family and friends who participated in one or more of the various events throughout the weekend. I am especially pleased to report that our virtual Marlin 5k had a total of 58 racers all across the globe from Guam to Virginia Beach. If you participated in events such as the #Marlin5K or the #2020vwuchilicookoff, be sure to tag your pictures on social media or email them to the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@vwu.edu. |
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Kudos to the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network In this new COVID-19 world, Virginia Wesleyan University has benefited significantly from the establishment of the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network three years ago. Funded through private donations, the Network has been a valuable source of webcasts for speeches, programs, live events, and coverage of intercollegiate sports. This year, Student Activities has taken advantage of the Network to keep students engaged and connected in these unusual times. Kudos to Stephanie Smaglo (Chief Marketing Officer), who along with the late Mort Gamble (former Senior Vice President), conceptualized the plan, secured the funding and founded the Network. And our thanks to Kevin Knowles of Active Imagination for his professional guidance, and to Jason Seward ‘05 (Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management), Alysse Scripter (Sports Information Director) and Sarah Guzzo (Director of Student Activities) for expanding the usefulness and programming. |
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Coastal 61 at Oxford Village Update Coastal 61 at Oxford Village, the new nine-building, 244 luxury-apartment community located on the north side of campus on Wesleyan Drive, is now open with four of the nine buildings plus the clubhouse fully complete. One hundred leases have been signed, and three more buildings will be completed within the next two weeks. The final two buildings will be finished by December. |
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VWU’s Partnership With Sentara Continues to Grow During these particularly challenging times, Virginia Wesleyan University benefits from a relationship with the premiere health care system in this region. |
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We partner with Sentara Medical Group in the management of the Student Health Center, giving students convenient access to the best care in Coastal Virginia. Sentara is a trusted leader in the healthcare community, and visits to the on-campus health center are free to VWU students. Additionally, our athletic training staff is a contract service with Sentara Sports Medicine. Through the partnership, the campus-based team works toward a common goal of returning student-athletes from injury as quickly as possible while keeping their overall health and safety in the forefront of care. Coaches and student-athletes alike can feel comfortable returning to competitive play in the new year knowing that their athletic training team is one of the best this region has to offer. Finally, the joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with Sentara College of Health Sciences was recently accredited. The joint BSN degree involves coursework at Virginia Wesleyan University and Sentara College of Health Sciences. Formal acceptance into the Sentara program occurs at the end of freshman year. Ten qualified applicants are guaranteed admission, and additional students will be considered on a competitive basis. The University is actively recruiting high-caliber students who are interested in this new program. |
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Progress on Beverly Hall Work continues at Susan T. Beverly Hall. The building has a new roof and phase two of the project is nearing completion. The next phase includes the renovation of the Edward D. Hofheimer Theatre and a new outdoor kiln facility on the east side of the building. |
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Kudos to our partners at Northampton Crossing As a result of recent growth, for the past four years Virginia Wesleyan University has partnered with the Comfort Inn and Suites to provide overflow student housing in the Northampton Crossing community located less than a mile from campus. This year our relationship is increasingly valuable as the University navigates the challenges associated with virus mitigation, particularly as it relates to the need for temporary housing solutions. Special thanks to owners Sonny Singh and Rahul Patel, as well as General Manager Kelly Baldo and her staff, who have been exceptionally welcoming and supportive of our students. Their dedication is a valuable contributor to our successful partnership. |
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Planning Session With our Recruiters Members of the President’s Cabinet met with VWU Enrollment Counselors for a high-level discussion about the University. During the meeting, we discussed our newest venture, Lakeland University Japan and VWU Global. This exciting program expands the University’s reach and reputation in Asia and provides the opportunity for international exchange for students and faculty at our campuses in Virginia Beach and Tokyo. Established in 2017, the Center for Enrollment has developed into a comprehensive contemporary model for all aspects of University enrollment, including traditional undergraduate, graduate, and non-traditional, and non-credit programs. Kudos to the entire Center for Enrollment team—led by Acting Vice President Heather Campbell ’04—for their hard work and tenacity as they recruit new students during this challenging time. |
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Graduate Program Partnerships Virginia Wesleyan University has been a premier provider of talented Marlins for some of the best graduate schools in the country. Since becoming a University in 2017, I am pleased that we have expanded graduate offerings both on-campus and with select partners for accelerated degrees and preferred admission options. Our current partners include Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment, the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, William & Mary's School of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy at Shenandoah University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and many more. Meanwhile, VWU’s graduate programs continue to grow. The University’s inaugural graduate program was an online Master of Business Administration (MBA). This program now offers concentrations in Health Care Administration and Finance. We also offer an on-campus master’s degree in Education (MAEd). Learn more here. |
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Kudos to John Reinhart — State of the Port I enjoyed the annual State of the Port presentation by our good friend John Reinhart. Holding events in this new virtual environment is challenging, but he and his team did a great job in his final year as CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). John and Joe Ruddy ’83, Chief Innovation Officer, have been terrific friends of VWU, and we appreciate the work the two have done and continue to do for Coastal Virginia. Joe played soccer during his time as a Marlin and currently serves on the VWU President’s Council. Under John and Joe’s leadership, the Port has offered worthwhile internships to VWU students. |
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LBGT History Month October is LBGT History Month, a celebration of the achievements of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender icons. Each year, 31 LBGT icons are selected and featured, one for each day of the month. Read more about the founding and development of LBGT History Month and discover the 2020 icons here. VWU is proud to be a Safe Space Ally. The program’s mission is to support the campus in its effort to foster a bias-free learning and working environment for people of all genders and sexual identities. This program contributes to our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive campus community. |
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Election 2020 is Just Around the Corner — VOTE! With just three weeks until the 2020 election, I remind everyone that the last day to register to vote is tomorrow (October 13). Our Marlins Vote program has been encouraging voter registration since the semester began. As a critical element in the mission of VWU, Marlins Vote goes beyond "get out the vote" efforts to include a variety of academic and social activities designed to encourage students and the broader campus community to become active participants in the electoral process at the local, state, and national level. The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, a part of the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, recently shared this graphic about student voting in 2016 and 2018. With the initiatives from Marlins Vote and Wesleyan Engaged, I hope that VWU can boast 100% participation from registered student voters in the 2020 election cycle. In addition to voting on Election Day (November 3), the Virginia Department of Elections is offering mail-in ballots and early in-person voting to encourage civic participation despite the pandemic. In-person early voting has started throughout the commonwealth, and the City of Virginia Beach will open satellite voting sites on October 19. The listing for all Virginia Beach In-Person Early Voting sites and schedules can be found here. Visit Wesleyan Engaged's 2020 Election page for more information about how VWU is helping students vote on or before November 3. |
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-- Scott D. Miller, Ph.D. President Virginia Wesleyan University 5817 Wesleyan Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Phone: 757.455.3215 |
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