September 6, 2021
Good morning, |
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Labor Day celebrates the social and economic achievements of American workers. Pioneers and educators fought for safer, cleaner, and more just working conditions during the American Industrial Revolution and beyond. Their noble work has been celebrated as a federal holiday since 1894.
While there was no discernible “labor movement” during John Wesley’s lifetime, he founded the Methodist Church on the tenets of freedom, justice, and fairness. The Church opposed slavery and Wesley included care for oppressed workers in his ministry. After Wesley’s death, the stewards of the Methodist Church continued the good work against oppression and fought for anti-child labor laws, fair wages, and improved working conditions throughout the next two centuries.
We are proud of our Methodist heritage and the legacy for which it stands. Happy Labor Day, Marlins! |
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Virginia Wesleyan University is one of approximately 60 colleges and universities nationwide with membership in the Intentional Endowments Network. IEN is a non-profit, peer-learning network advancing intentionally designed endowments – those that seek to enhance financial performance by making investments that advance an equitable, low carbon, and regenerative economy. Working closely with leading organizations, the network engages leaders and key stakeholders from higher education, foundations, business, and nonprofits.
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The Robert Nusbaum Center is back at it with an upcoming fall schedule of September in-person events. Among the first is VWU’s recognition of Constitution Day. The DNA of the United States: The U.S. Constitution will be held on Thursday, September 23 at 11:00 a.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center featuring guest speaker Eric Claville, Director of the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University. During the lecture, we will examine how the Constitution frames our understanding of American democracy, and on how we—as a country—continue to be shaped through changes like the 15th and 19th Amendments. |
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It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since four commercial passenger planes were hijacked over American airspace. For those of us who experienced it, it’s a day we’ll never forget. For all of us, it’s a day that changed the world forever. I invite you to join the Robert Nusbaum Center on September 10 at 9:00 a.m. in the Peace Garden for Remembering 9-11 as we reflect on this tragic day in history. |
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I hope you enjoy this article from United Methodist News which featured Virginia Wesleyan’s policies on COVID vaccinations and masking for the start of the 2021-22 academic year. |
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Our campus ministry, under the leadership of new Chaplain Kotosha Griffin, is off to a great start in the new academic year. A reminder that Chaplain Griffin holds prayer time in the Narthex each Sunday at 8:45 a.m., Sunday School at 9 a.m., and Worship Service at 10 a.m. at Heritage United Methodist Church, located on the east side of campus. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Join Us for Founders Day on Thursday Founders Day Convocation, including the 2021 Alumni Awards, is on Thursday, September 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Our keynote speaker is Gary Bonnewell ’79, H’16 and our Alumni Awards recipients are William “Bill” Shelhorse ’70 (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Vanessa Thaxton-Ward ’83, Ph.D. (Alumni Service Award), and Tiffany Boyle ’14 (Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award). All students are invited to attend as we honor our past, celebrate institutional excellence, and look ahead to our ever-bright future. |
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Support the Army ROTC/The Marlin Company at VWU Marion Hibbler, Director of Lifelong Learning, VWU Global Campus, will also assume the responsibility of The Marlin Company, VWU’s Army ROTC program which operates as a part of the ODU Monarch Battalion. Marion will be assisted by Jennifer Sands, Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official/Financial Aid Counselor, and Courtney Knudsen, First-Year Advisor. I thank them all for their hard work and support of this rigorous leadership program.
Please save the date for our annual Veterans Day event which will be held on Thursday, November 11 at 12:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial on the lawn behind Godwin Hall. |
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VWU Esports Continues to Prosper The Marlin Esports team has kicked off a new season of competition! Having just completed tryouts for the 2021-2022 season, the Marlins will begin competition next Tuesday, September 7, in both Rocket League and Overwatch. The Marlins will also compete in League of Legends later this year. Still the fastest growing worldwide sport, over 20 new student gamers enter Virginia Wesleyan in this year’s incoming class. Equipped with high-performance gaming PCs and MSI Optix gaming monitors, the Marlin Esports Arena is a premier venue for all the fast-paced digital action. Be sure to catch all the action on the Marlins Twitch Channel. |
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Friday is World Suicide Prevention Day Join Student Health on Friday, September 10, at 1:00 p.m. for a World Suicide Prevention Day event. We invite members of the VWU community to walk on campus to raise awareness and then use sidewalk chalk to make a "memory quilt" for loved ones lost to suicide or to write uplifting messages. |
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Embracing the VWU Quality Service Pledge Thanks to David Peterson and the Aramark Facilities Management Team, we opened the academic year with the campus in first-rate condition, upholding our Quality Service Pledge. Last year, to facilitate requests, we initiated an electronic Marlin Maintenance form. As a reminder, the link to the request form can always be found at the bottom of the weekly email “This Week @ VWU” from Student Activities, which is distributed on Sundays. |
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VWU Magazine: Summer 2021 Now Available Hanna Hull is arguably the best pitcher in NCAA Division III history. In addition to three national championships, Hanna broke over 100 VWU, ODAC and NCAA records. She also earned both bachelor's and master's degrees from VWU. Learn more about Hanna’s amazing accomplishments and other campus news in the Summer 2021 edition of the Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine, now available online. Enjoy! |
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VWU Named a Princeton Review "Best College" Once Again Virginia Wesleyan University is one of the 387 outstanding colleges profiled by The Princeton Review. The education services company also features the University in the Southeastern category of its 2022 Best Colleges: Region by Region. |
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Follow the Batten Honors College on Social Media Dr. Travis Malone, new Dean of the Batten Honors College, has taken to social media to share noteworthy developments and academic adventures from our highly selective residential program. Follow news and updates from the BHC on Facebook and Instagram. |
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Collaboration Discussion with Lynnhaven River NOW Last week we hosted a visit by Karen Forget, Executive Director of Lynnhaven River NOW. We discussed ongoing collaboration opportunities for students in the Batten Honors College and environmental studies program. Karen and I are pictured with Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College. |
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Trustee Emerita Joan Brock Recognized by our Partners at Norfolk Botanical Garden Last week our partners at Norfolk Botanical Garden hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Garden of Tomorrow. The project includes the Brock Entry Pavilion, Perry Conservatory, and Brock Parking Garden, all named for VWU Trustee Emerita Joan P. Brock (pictured) and her family. She has been a generous benefactor to both the Norfolk Botanical Garden and Virginia Wesleyan, and we thank her for her efforts in making Coastal Virginia a greener place. |
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2021-22 Series Foreword for President to President Online Now The 2021-2022 edition of President to President, titled “The Vitality and Power of Higher Education,” will explore how colleges and universities are approaching their missions with new vigor and re-examining their role in the community as the world continues working through the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021-2022 Series Foreword, written by Dr. Marjorie Hass, President of the Council of Independent Colleges, explores the changing role of the college president and the ongoing evolution of higher education.
I am proud to serve as an executive editor of this thought leadership series, alongside Dr. Marylouise Fennell, for the 18th year. In lieu of compensation, Sodexo makes a substantial contribution to VWU every year. I thank them for their continued support. |
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