Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

October 25, 2021

Good morning,

The Colleague Modernization Project continues to progress with the Core Project Team meeting weekly. Ellucian Colleague serves as the center of the University’s data, feeding many of our systems such as the Google Cloud, Microsoft Cloud and Blackboard. The improvement of our core Colleague data enhances the operations and capabilities of all of our campus systems.

Across campus, offices are investing their energy to identify, review, and plan improvements to university processes. As our University grows in new ways, past processes need to change and grow to meet our new needs. I want to thank the offices that recognize the importance of this work and have made meetings and work relating to the project a top priority. I also want to thank Dave Litteral, Director of Enterprise Resources, for his leadership and communication in guiding the project forward.

Additionally, I want to recognize the work of our recently promoted Manager of User Support, Christina Todd. She has excelled at making the IT Helpdesk a welcoming and knowledgeable entity.

Marcia Williams leads our efforts in protecting our campus network, most recently with fun and educational cybersecurity awareness training videos. It is important that the entire community stays trained and vigilant against phishing, malware, and other cyber threats.

This fall we welcomed Maegan Cook as our new Instructional Technologist. She brings a passion for technology closely conjoined with a strong educational background in adult learning theory. She is already connecting with faculty and staff in the support of teaching and learning.

With continued teamwork and prioritization to the success of our ongoing IT projects, under the direction of Greg Skinner, Chief Information Officer, we will make VWU a contemporary campus committed to providing excellent customer service to all constituency groups.

ET CETERA

We wrapped up fall faculty dinners recently and will continue with Chat & Chews with staff throughout the semester. I always enjoy the opportunity to hear different perspectives from around campus and visit with members of the Marlin family that I don’t normally get to see.

Sharing meals gives all in attendance the opportunity to build relationships and collaborate, which is an important part of an efficient and effective campus. I thank our faculty and staff for taking time out of their busy schedules to join me and encourage others to attend as they are invited.

Pictured: Last week’s Chat & Chew attendees, clockwise from top, Audwin Harris ’20, Willie Harrell ’98, Courtney Knudsen, and Sean Flynn.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

VWU Global Campus Commencement: December 18

Graduates and their families can find information about the VWU Global Campus Commencement at vwu.edu/commencement. As a reminder, any student having fulfilled graduation requirements since May 2021 (who did not previously walk) is able to participate in our December 18 ceremony in TowneBank Arena at 10:00 a.m. Check out our Commencement website for information about purchasing caps & gowns, guest ticketing, and much more.

Kudos to SpongeBob and Friends

Congratulations to the cast and crew of The SpongeBob Musical! Annie and I attended Friday night’s show and, as always, were impressed with the caliber of the performers, the sets, the orchestra, the lighting and more. It’s wonderful to have live student performances back at VWU!

Alumni Triplets Bring Three Times the Fun

The Khanna triplets—(pictured from left) Punna, Heera, and Moti—stopped by for a special visit last week. They graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in 1997 and now live in various parts of the state. Moti married fellow alum Kirk Mohlenhoff '95 over the weekend, and these Marlin sisters took time out of the wedding busy schedule to visit. What a wonderful and unique alumni story!

Meeting of the Alumni Council

The VWU Alumni Council met last week to debrief Homecoming and Family Weekend and discuss upcoming alumni engagement opportunities like Giving Tuesday, Spring Alumni Weekend, the NYC Alumni and Friends Tour, and more. A special thanks to our Alumni Council members for supporting their alma mater with their time and talents.

A Visit with WVEC

Last week I visited WVEC-13 News Now to meet with President and General Manager Doug Weider (center left). Also joining us was Michel Pelletier (far right), Director of Marketing and Brand, and Tiaira Shoultz (far left), Executive News Director.

President to President: Chapter 3 Available Now

This year's President to President series, titled “The Vitality and Power of Higher Education,” explores how colleges are renewing their commitment to achieving their missions as they adapt to the ever-changing realities of a post-pandemic world. Chapter 3, “Holistic Approach to Higher Education” by Rider University President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., describes a unique approach to learning that integrates students’ academic and career goals with their other interests to offer a more robust and fulfilling educational experience.

As Executive Editors, Dr. Marylouise Fennell and I hope you enjoy reading each chapter and appreciate the opportunity to bring you new insights as the series continues.

VFIC Annual Report

The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) is a consortium of 16 traditional independent liberal arts colleges in Virginia, and its 2021 Annual Report is available now. Virginia Wesleyan is a proud member of this organization, and we thank the VFIC for its generous support.

Construction Updates

Clarke Hall: Construction is wrapping up at Clarke Hall. While some technology has been delayed due to supply chain issues, much of it has already been installed. We’re excited to offer our traditional and non-traditional students enhanced classroom resources to better prepare them to be the workforce of the future.

Brock Commons: Steel arrived two weeks ago, and construction has taken off. Crews are busy framing the addition, and the project has an expected completion date of February 2022.

DeFord Manor: Landscaping is progressing as we have entered the final phase of construction. We expect the project to wrap-up by Thanksgiving. The formal dedication of the facility will be in February. Our special thanks, once again, to Bob and Nancy DeFord for their support of this project.

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:

University Business