Dialogue: July 2021

July 26, 2021

Good morning,

Last week approximately 40 VWU students participated in a statewide heat-mapping study to learn more about the effects of extreme heat in our communities. The study was organized by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and included nearly a dozen other Virginia colleges in the project.

I thank Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability, for her assistance in coordinating Virginia Wesleyan’s involvement in the study and the students who volunteered to participate in this important work.

Learn more from The Virginian Pilot and WAVY News 10.

Last week I represented the Climate Leadership Network (CLN) and Second Nature Board of Directors in a meeting with higher education leaders from Japan to discuss collaborative opportunities in addressing the important topic of climate change and climate action. Since 1993, Second Nature has worked with over 4,000 faculty and administrators at hundreds of colleges and universities to help make the principles of sustainability fundamental to every aspect of higher education. The Climate Leadership Network is a signature program of Second Nature that provides resources, networking, and national engagement opportunities for signatory institutions.

CLN and Second Nature are working toward partnering with Japan’s Universities Coalition for Carbon Neutrality 2050 which is comprised of 130+ universities in Japan and supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). The Coalition encourages universities to enhance collaboration with government, municipalities, companies, and domestic and international universities to promote cross-sector research and development around decarbonization.

In May 2021, the Japanese Coalition and Second Nature connected to establish a joint US-Japan universities committee to deepen collaboration between higher education institutions from both countries and establish joint climate research and action programs. Second Nature is currently working to host a joint US-Japan climate workshop this fall with members of both organizations. The workshop will focus on identifying areas of common interest, share innovation climate curriculum, and develop joint climate research and/or action programs.

I look forward to continuing to represent Second Nature and Virginia Wesleyan University as this partnership develops. This is an important opportunity for collaboration given our common interests through our LUJ/VWU Global (Japan) campus in Tokyo and the University’s overall position on climate action.

ET CETERA

VWU welcomes rising high school juniors and seniors to campus this week for Virginia Private College Week, hosted by the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV). Virginia Wesleyan, along with 22 other member institutions, will offer in-person and virtual information sessions about admission, financial aid, and academic programs. Enrollment counselors will

also address common myths about the cost of a private college education.

We look forward to welcoming these prospective students and their families to campus throughout the week. Learn more.

Most of you are aware by now of my active involvement for many years with Academic Search, Inc. (ASI) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI). The two Washington, DC-based organizations are critical organizations in the good future of American higher education.

Over the last decade, AALI has earned acclaim as the nation’s leading nonprofit organization committed to leadership development in higher education. AALI partners with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to offer a wide range of leadership programs, networking opportunities, and mentorship experiences to prepare administrators to advance to higher positions of responsibility at public and private colleges and universities. Founded in 1976, Academic Search is an executive search firm dedicated to serving higher education institutions and related organizations and is the only search firm in the nation with a formal relationship to a premier leadership development program.

Earlier this month I participated in the ASI/AALI summer Board of Directors virtual meetings, for which I serve as chair and vice chair, respectively. It was a pleasure to hear progress reports of both organizations. Despite the pandemic, both are flourishing and serving our sector well by developing the next generation of leaders.

It was also good to catch up with leaders of the ASI (Jay Lemons, President) and AALI (Linda Bleicken, President) along with Marjorie Hass, the new President of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), Richard Ekman, President-emeritus of CIC, and Mildred Garcia, President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. These transformational leaders don’t always get the recognition they deserve for their impact nationwide. I encourage you to explore the websites of both organizations as VWU has benefited from their services.

It’s always refreshing to spend time with leaders of these organizations because they give me a realistic assessment of the current condition of higher education and challenges facing our sector. Virginia Wesleyan is responding well to these challenges, and I look forward to participating in these meetings in-person in the near future.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Visiting with Friends of the University

The Slover Library...

Virginia Wesleyan University has a strong historical connection to the Slover Library in Norfolk—named a top “destination library” in the country by a number of sources. The library is named after Col. Samuel Slover, uncle of the late Frank Batten, Sr., long-time benefactor and friend of VWU.

This week, I was happy to visit with the leadership of the Slover Library to discuss collaboration opportunities for the first time since the pandemic. It was great to visit with Lynn Clements, Executive Director (center left), and Liz Powell, Head Librarian (left). Lynn is a former Trustee of Virginia Wesleyan, and VWU and the Slover Library have been good partners for many years. During the visit, we discussed internships and other collaboration opportunities.

The Beazley Foundation…

Later in the week, I met with the new president of The Beazley Foundation, Steve Best. The Beazley Foundation has been a tremendous friend of the University, supporting student scholarships, technology and capital projects throughout the years. The Beazley Foundation Technology Center, Beazley Recital Hall, Beazley Foundation Foyer in Godwin Hall, and Beazley Student Scholarship Endowment are among the many ways the foundation has supported the University through the years. I look forward to continuing the relationship with the Foundation with Steve at the helm.

Enrollment Management: The New Normal

The July 2021 publication of Enrollment Manager is now available online. Find my recent article, co-authored with Dr. Marylouise Fennell, Senior Counsel at the Washington, DC-based Council of Independent Colleges, here.

Norfolk Tides to Recognize VWU Softball This Week at Harbor Park

The Norfolk Tides will celebrate our 2021 National Championship softball team on Tuesday, July 27 at 7:05 p.m. at Harbor Park. National Player of the Year Jessica Goldyn will throw the first pitch. Marlins fans are welcome to purchase tickets for the game to join in the celebration.

The Marlins won their third NCAA National Championship in four seasons, upending defending champion Texas Lutheran University in the finals. VWU finished 46-6-1 on the season. Goldyn was named NCAA Player of the Year and Hanna Hull received her third NCAA National Pitcher of the Year recognition.

This Week’s Virtual Summer Sacred Music Conference

The Wesleyan Sacred Music Institute is excited to offer the virtual Summer Sacred Music Conference from July 27-30. This year’s theme is "Finding the Next Normal" and will focus on ways music leaders can prepare for what the next normal will be. Special thanks to VWU's Craig Wansink, Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, and special guest instructors (Kevin Fenton, Professor of Choral Directing and Ensembles at Florida State University; Victor Johnson, Composer, Arranger, and Director of Worship and Music at Shiloh Baptist Church in Texas; Janet James, Pastor of Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church in Virginia; and Emily Floyd, Director of Music Ministries at Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Georgia) for their energy and participation in this virtual event. Learn more.

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REFLECTIONS

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

University Business