Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

November 15, 2021

Good morning,

The University recently learned of the passing of Emily H. Filer, a member of the VWU Board of Trustees from 1979-2001, at the age of 85. Of her many professional and philanthropic contributions to the Hampton Roads area, perhaps her most personal and significant cause was Lee’s Friends, a foundation created in memory of her daughter to offer needed emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their families. Losing her daughter at a young age gave Emily a passion for helping young people, which led her to decades of good work at Virginia Wesleyan.

Emily’s extraordinary life will be remembered by all who knew her. Please keep the Filer family in your thoughts and prayers.

The Marlins (13-6-2) fell to the Falcons of Messiah University (17-2-1) 1-0 in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament hosted by The College of New Jersey on Saturday.

The team’s bid to the NCAA Tournament came after winning the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament last weekend, earning the Marlins top conference accolades along the way. Congratulations to Breacain McClenahan, ODAC Rookie of the Year, and Sam Crawford, ODAC Player of the Year. These two players, along with Kennedi Anders, Kaitlyn Duswalt, Rachel Quigley, Carleigh Van Reenen, and Camryn Terry, were named to the ODAC All-Conference teams.

Coach Jeff Bowers was named the 2021 ODAC Coach of the Year Award and claimed his 300th career coaching victory this season. Now in his 22nd season leading the women’s soccer program, Jeff is the most successful coach in program history. He is also one of the winningest coaches in the nation with a career .725 winning percentage and has guided VWU to six undefeated ODAC seasons and 13 NCAA appearances.

Congratulations, once again, to Coach Bowers, his staff, and our student-athletes. Go Marlins!

ET CETERA

Earth and Environmental Sciences majors Emily Smith '22 and Ryan Westpfahl '22 are conducting research with Professor Elizabeth Malcolm to quantify the amount of carbon stored in campus forests. Conserving and planting forests worldwide is vital for reducing carbon dioxide levels and mitigating climate change. The students have begun their measurements in the old growth beech forest on campus, a rare example of a mature hardwood forest in Hampton Roads.

Their project is modeled after research by Colgate University to quantify the annual rate of carbon sequestration by Colgate's forests. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration by forests on campus, as well as investments in off-campus conservation have enabled Colgate to reach carbon neutrality.

Removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide is just one benefit of the VWU campus forests and natural habitats as we look to reach our own carbon neutrality.

Virginia Wesleyan University was recently recognized for its exemplary work in student voter engagement during the 2020 presidential election during the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge biennial awards ceremony. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is a national, nonpartisan initiative of the nonprofit Civic Nation, striving for a more inclusive democracy in which all voices are heard.

The University earned a “Silver Seal,” acknowledging approximately 60-70% nonpartisan student voter participation, tied for “Best in Class” among private four-year institutions, and won the “Virginia Campus Voting Challenge” among four-year institutions in the commonwealth.

My thanks to Dr. Brian Kurisky, Executive Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning and Chief Diversity Officer, for leading our civic engagement efforts.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Passing of Dr. Patricia Sullivan

Last week I shared the passing of Dr. Patricia Sullivan, Professor Emerita of French, at the age of 85. In addition to teaching a full load, Dr. Sullivan also served as the Director of International Programs and coordinated the study abroad experiences of many students for many years. She retired after 28 years with the University. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of her former student, Billy Spain ’79, Dr. Sullivan’s legacy at Virginia Wesleyan will continue to live on through the Dr. Patricia R. Sullivan Endowed Scholarship in Foreign Language established in her honor.

Condolences to Sandra Ewell

Our heartfelt condolences to Sandra Ewell, Coordinator of Accreditation, Data Collection, and Reporting in our Department of Education, on the recent loss of her father. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sandra and her family during this difficult time.

Terry Lindvall, RCA’s 2021 Scholar of the Year

Congratulations to Dr. Terry Lindvall who was named 2021 Scholar of the Year by the Religious Communication Association. Terry will be honored at the RCA Awards Banquet on Wednesday. Well done!

Marlin Business Conference: November 15-18

The Fall 2021 Marlin Business Conference, “Commerce in the New Normal,” begins this week with its opening session at The Hive in Virginia Beach Town Center. Taylor Adams, Deputy City Manager for Virginia Beach, will be the keynote speaker. Our partnership with The Hive is thanks to the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, which partnered with VWU to offer over 70 workforce development courses at no cost to over 3,000 Virginia Beach residents. These courses have been offered online, at The Hive, and in our newly renovated Clarke Hall. We thank VBED and Taylor Adams for their friendship and support.

ODU Hosts Marlins for Basketball Opener

Although VWU opened their season hosting the TowneBank Tip-Off Tournament at TowneBank Arena, Old Dominion University’s men started their 2021-22 campaign with the Marlins Wednesday night at the Ted Constant Center. It was great to watch the game with so many Marlins fans and supporters!

A Discussion with Faculty

Once each semester, I host a discussion with faculty. Although I participate in the monthly Faculty Assembly meetings, I enjoy the opportunity to meet with faculty in a less formal setting to discuss the present and future of the University. Topics in our discussion included the University’s business model, growth and green philosophy of the endowment, VWU Online, and new construction.

The Fin Zone: Best Seat in the House

The Fin Zone has become a popular area for students in the renovated TowneBank Arena of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Risa Yanagita, a junior from our collaborative LUJ/VWU Global (Japan) campus, won “The Best Seat in the House” during the men’s basketball TowneBank Tip-Off Tournament. As a part of the prize, Risa got to bring a friend along to enjoy the game from a couch courtside.

Western Bayside Partnership Group

The Western Bayside Partnership Group met last week on campus. This group seeks to build mutually beneficial campus-community partnerships committed to enhancing both the Western Bayside area and Virginia Wesleyan by changing perceptions, improving quality of life, and increasing civic involvement. Our geographic proximity to these partners is an asset to our relationships and allows for easy and meaningful service-learning opportunities for our students.

DeFord Manor Update

Construction will be completed by Thanksgiving with the certificate of occupancy coming December 1. The interior decorator expects the first floor to be completed by January, meaning the facility will be ready for entertaining University guests after February 1.

DeFord Manor is named in honor of Bob and Nancy DeFord, longtime members of the VWU Board of Trustees. The front lawn of DeFord Manor is named the William S. Shelhorse ’70 Lawn and Ponds with gratitude to our distinguished alumnus. Behind DeFord Manor is the Virginia Oveda Williams DeFord Terrace, named in memory of Bob DeFord’s mother. Beyond the terrace is the David R. Black Japanese Garden in honor of our dear friend and executive-in-residence.

Brock Commons Update

Work is progressing on schedule for Brock Commons on the quad. Steel work has been completed and crews are now closing in the facility before cooler weather sets in.

The new facility is a part of a broader $4.5 million renovation and expansion project of the Boyd Dining Center and Alumni Galleria in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. When completed, Brock Commons will present a beautiful new face to the quad side of both facilities and create additional banquet space and outdoor seating dining area.

Brock Commons is named after long-time VWU Trustee Joan P. Brock. Tymoff + Moss Architects completed the design for the project. Hourigan is the general contractor.

Coastal 61 at Oxford Village

Our public-private partnership, Coastal 61 at Oxford Village, on the north side of the campus continues to do well. Now in its second full year of operation, the 244-apartment community currently has a waiting list of over 30 potential tenants, a consistent pattern since its opening. Learn more at coastal61.com.

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REFLECTIONS

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

University Business