Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

February 8, 2021

Good morning,

When we established what was then the VWU University College in 2017—now VWU Global Campus—our plan was to develop credit and non-credit programs for non-traditional learners. VWU Online continues to grow, our LUJ-VWU Global collaboration in Japan is flourishing, and our non-credit programs are increasing in scope of offerings and enrollment.

The non-credit program was designed to be a self-sustaining program and many of our VWU family and friends have served as lecturers in our popular Westminster/Wesleyan Lifelong Learning Institute. Kudos to Ben Fraser, the Westminster-Canterbury Fellow for Religious Studies and Lifelong Learning, with the assistance of the Robert Nusbaum Center (Craig Wansink, Professor of Religious Studies and Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, and Kelly Jackson, Associate Director for the Robert Nusbaum Center) for developing this special program that registered over 3,000 learners last year.

A year ago we partnered with Cengage—also known as Ed2Go—to provide high-quality online continuing education programs through VWU Online. The partnership was exclusive to the Coastal Virginia community with George Mason University holding rights to northern Virginia and the University of Richmond holding central Virginia. We formally enrolled over 1,200 in non-credit workforce development courses in 2020—an impressive accomplishment. So impressive, in fact, that we have a new partnership resulting from the success of this program. Through the outstanding work of many, we recently partnered with the City of Virginia Beach Office of Economic Development, Hampton Roads Workforce Development, and Tidewater Community College for programs at The Hive in Town Center. Yes, over 1,200 learners enrolled in non-credit workforce training and personal improvement classes offered through VWU Global Campus, most of which came from VWU Online.

As a result of this program, the University has received a significant pledge to upgrade technology, classrooms, and workforce development facilities in Clarke Hall. We thank our many partners in helping us meet the needs of the Coastal Virginia community—Taylor Adams, Director of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, and Shawn Avery, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. As Virginia Beach’s oldest college or university, it is another reason that we are widely recognized as Coastal Virginia’s Premier University of the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

ET CETERA

I am pleased to share that, through private funds, a new, larger Barclay Sheaks Gallery will be constructed adjacent to the Neil Britton Art Gallery in the Henry Clay Hofheimer II Library. Not only will the new gallery provide increased space to display a larger number of paintings, but the location will provide greater access to our students and friends as the library is open longer hours and more days per year than the gallery’s current location. Construction will occur this spring.

Barclay Sheaks (1928-2010) founded the art program at Virginia Wesleyan University in 1967. He taught on the Virginia Wesleyan faculty for 36 years, retiring as Associate Professor and Distinguished Artist in Residence in 2006. He donated approximately 50 of his paintings to Virginia Wesleyan University to establish a permanent gallery, which opened in the summer of 2000.

Read more about Barclay Sheaks (pictured) and view the collection here.

Congratulations to Trey DelPo '17, who has been named Director of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Following graduation, Trey earned his Master of Arts (Theatre) from Bowling Green State University.

He was a crew member for Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), CBS Sports, and Fox Sports and served as a stage manager for Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. He was also a production assistant for Netflix.

Trey brought his wealth of knowledge and talent back to VWU in the Center for Enrollment before being named Operations Manager and Technical Director for the Goode Center and Susan T. Beverly Hall.

Dedicated in 2019, the Goode Center is a 23,200-square-foot facility that features the impressive glass-enclosed Eleanor and Henry Watts Grand Lobby and Gallery and the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre. Support spaces ring the stage, including a scene shop, dressing rooms, green room, costume, prop, and equipment storage. The Susan Beverly Grand Terrace and Pond serves as a serene space for outdoor programming.

The Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center was the first phase of a new arts complex at Virginia Wesleyan. The University is finishing renovation of studio spaces and classrooms in the original Fine Arts Building (recently renamed Susan T. Beverly Hall). These updates enhance the University’s fine and performing arts facilities and showcase the prominence of our arts program to the community.

In addition to the new name, several other newly-named areas of the facility recognize donors to the project: The Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation Visual Arts Studios, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Ensemble Rehearsal Room, Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Fund Fine Arts Entrance & Lobby, and the James A. Hixon Music Studios. Finally, the historic Hofheimer Theatre is receiving some much-needed attention as the finishing touch.

Students interested in the arts are afforded the opportunity to live in Louise W. Eggleston Hall, adjacent to the arts complex.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Black History Month Celebrated Around Campus

The University previously announced our plans for Black History Month. I hope the campus community will continue to take advantage of our special events and exhibits this month. A full listing can be found here.

Upcoming Wesleyan Wednesday Featuring Dr. Craig Wansink

This week, during our virtual Wesleyan Wednesday and as a part of VWU's Black History Month celebration, Dr. Craig Wansink, Professor of Religious Studies and Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, will present “Nevertheless, They Persisted: How Three Defiant Women Confronted Race in America.” The presentation will discuss three 19th-century examples of heroism—Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Emma Lazarus—and how their spiritualism, atheism, and Judaism brought them to defy racism in the United States. This event is free and open to VWU alumni and friends on Wednesday, February 10 at 12:00 p.m. Register here.

The first two Wesleyan Wednesday programs have been very well attended, featuring Joanne Renn and Matt Ryan ‘09, respectively. A special thank you to Alisa Crider ‘10, Chair of the Alumni Council, for hosting our virtual events.

New Agreement With Appalachian School of Law

I am pleased to announce that we have signed a priority admission agreement with the Appalachian School of Law located in Grundy, Virginia. The agreement gives our students from the western part of the state the opportunity to return home to pursue their law degree in a cost-efficient manner. Appalachian School of Law also has a concentration in Natural Resources and Energy Law, an area increasingly of interest to students enrolled in our environmental programs.

NCAA Division III cancels winter championships

It is with mixed emotions that I share that the Division III Administrative Committee, acting on behalf of the Management and Presidents Councils, approved the Championships Committee’s recommendation to cancel Division III winter championships this year. The committee made the decision after determining that, due to COVID-19, participation numbers in all winter sports are well below the established threshold to provide a national championships experience. The athletic programs affected at VWU are men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s indoor track and field. While I know this is the best and safest decision for our Marlins, our student-athletes thrive on competition and cancelling the championships is yet another disappointment after 11 months of hardship. Read the NCAA Division III statement here.

Will Baker H’20 to Retire as President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

William “Will” Baker H’20 announced his retirement this week after 45 years as the President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Many will remember Will as our spirited Commencement speaker for the Class of 2020 in December.

His story at CBF is one of persistence and endurance. He started as an intern with the organization and became president five years later. He has been a good friend and supporter of VWU, and we wish him the very best as he continues the journey to “Save the Bay” in a new capacity. Read more about Will and CBF’s plans for the future here.

Reflections: The Future of Methodist Higher Education and NAAMSCU

Last week I concluded service as President of the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAAMSCU). When approached by some long-serving presidents to lead the organization in 2018, I agreed to serve for a year to bridge a gap created at a particularly sensitive period in the Church’s history. The pandemic has disrupted and delayed a number of critical discussions and my term was extended several times at the request of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) because of the tenuous position of the United Methodist Church world-wide.

Having served in the position longer than any previous president of NAAMSCU (and its predecessor NASCUMCU), I feel it is time to pass the gavel, but do feel a sense of pride in fulfilling many of the things we set out to do:

Impactful representation with the Church on LGBTQ rights and related issues.
A more purposeful path for institutions desiring a historical relationship with the Church not dependent on affiliation.
A self-sustaining model for Methodist institutions with full-time leadership completely devoted to the 111 member institutions.

The organization has made considerable progress in our second and third goals and recently voted to formalize our plans for reimagining our association. As the pandemic persists globally, General Conference scheduled for late summer 2021 is now in doubt as it is unlikely that international delegates will be able to travel to the U.S. While it is unfortunate that this important meeting may be further delayed, the gap period provides an opportunity to transition leadership within NAAMSCU and have our new leadership prepared to represent the perspectives of higher education once the General Conference is able to be held again safely.

I congratulate and offer my support to Dr. Amy Novak, President of Dakota Wesleyan University, who has become the new president of the organization. Dr. Fred Slabach, President of Texas Wesleyan University, will fill Dr. Novak’s vice presidential spot. I have worked extensively with both during my tenure, and I have every confidence that they will help the organization realize its shared vision and goals.

While I will remain on the NAAMSCU Board of Directors as the immediate past president, my tenure as NAAMSCU’s representative on the International Association of Methodist Schools Colleges and Universities (IAMSCU) Board of Directors comes to an end. IAMSCU includes 1,000 institutions in 80 countries. Both organizations have been an important part of my professional career and serve higher education well.

Ezekiel Herrera-Bevan '21 Featured in the VFIC Winter 2021 Newsletter

The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges’ (VFIC) mission is to advance the distinctive values and strengths of the 15 independent Virginia member colleges and universities, including VWU. Ezekiel Herrara-Bevan, VWU Class of 2021, was chosen for the VFIC’s Student Spotlight in its Winter 2021 newsletter, found here.

VFIC also highlighted our new Lakeland University Japan/VWU Global collaboration in Tokyo.

Our Loss is Hasbro’s Gain

Congratulations to Presidential Associate Criofan Shaw '22 on his remote internship with Hasbro as a Diversity & Inclusion Training Coordinator. Because of the internship’s extensive time commitment in addition to his academic pursuits in the Batten Honors College, Criofan will not be able to continue as a Presidential Associate this term. Our loss is certainly Hasbro’s gain this semester, as I know Criofan will quickly become a valued member of their team.

However, I am delighted to share that Ashley Roehrman '21 will serve as a Presidential Associate for the remainder of her time as a Marlin. Ashley is an environmental studies and sociology major from Dallas, and has been active at VWU as a resident assistant, Jane P. Batten Student Center supervisor, president of Marlins Go Green and as a student representative on the VWU Environmental Sustainability Council. Ashley is one of just 290 students nationwide selected as a 2020-21 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact and will be an excellent addition to the Office of the President.

Kudos to both Criofan and Ashley on their exemplary academic and leadership activities on campus!

Finishing Touches in Susan T. Beverly Hall

After nearly eight months of extensive renovation in Susan T. Beverly Hall (formerly the Fine Arts Building), the project is coming closer to completion. All major renovation work has been completed and multiple crews and contractors will devote the next three months to the finishing touches.

Hofheimer and Beverly portraits and commemorative plaques were hung last week.

The arrival of the Digital Media Studio is due any time. John Rudel, Professor of Art and Curator of the Neil Britton Art Gallery, and his students will be custom-designing murals for the two walls in the Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Fine Arts Entrance and Lobby. The new kiln shop, off the east side of the building connecting to the clay lab in the Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Visual Arts Studios, has been completed and is now awaiting the installation of the main kiln. Hofheimer Theatre is currently being used as an auxiliary classroom as a result of the pandemic, but a new show curtain and sound system has been ordered and will be installed in two months.

Thank you to Dr. Travis Malone, former Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities and Professor of Theatre, for serving as the faculty point person on this project, and Dr. Keith Moore (Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management) and Jason Seward ‘05 (Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management) for coordinating the service providers and contractors on the project.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

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REFLECTIONS

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

University Business