Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

December 6, 2021

Good morning,

It’s hard to believe that Fall 2021 classes end tomorrow. We will have Reading Day on Wednesday and then final examinations start on Thursday. Study hard, Marlins, and do your best!

Bishop Sharma Lewis has informed us that the person assigned to head our joint ministry is not the right fit for the dual role. As such, the Office of Campus Ministry will return to collaboration with Haygood United Methodist Church, located a short distance southeast of campus down Wesleyan Drive. Marie Porter, Director of Student Ministries at Haygood, will return to serve the lead role and will be supported by Rev. Beth Givens, Pastor of Haygood.

This arrangement will permit Rev. Kotosha Griffin to devote full attention to the challenges at Heritage UMC while permitting the University to return to a relationship with an established long-time partner. We wish Rev. Griffin well and welcome back our good friends from Haygood.

Many will recall Marie’s good work on our campus in the 2020-21 Academic Year. She was recognized with The Wesley Award during our May 2021 Baccalaureate service. We are thrilled to have her return to VWU.

New to VWU, but no stranger to many in our campus community, Rev. Givens is pastor of Haygood. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and her Master of Divinity from Emory University. In our new understanding with Haygood, Rev. Givens will supplement and support Marie’s work with our students including involvement in certain special events.

I thank the campus community for their patience and support as we work through final details with Haygood United Methodist Church and look forward to a robust spiritual life on campus once again.

ET CETERA

Senior Rebecca Gardner (pictured performing her senior piece during Port Day) was recently selected as a fellow for the "Lift Every Voice" Symposium to be held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in January 2022. Rebecca was one of 42 individuals invited to apply, and one of only six selected. Rebecca is in the Bachelor of Musical Arts program and will begin the Masters of Education with a focus in K-12 Choral Music Education in fall 2022.

"Lift Every Voice,” sponsored by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), is a mentoring program for talented young choral conductors from underrepresented groups. The 2022 program will bring six female ACDA members nearing the end of their undergraduate music study to the UIUC campus to work with an outstanding faculty of experienced conductor-teachers, including Kimberly Dunn Adams, Hilary Apfelstadt, Ollie Watts Davis, Kirsten Hedegaard, and Andrea Solya, among others. The week will include private conducting lessons, conducting classes, participation in graduate level choral courses, sessions on leadership, historical women composers, contemporary women composers, rehearsal technique, a history of women conductors, and round-table discussions on how to navigate the day-to-day challenges of being a female choral conductor. All participants will rehearse and conduct UIUC ensembles in a closing performance. All travel costs, housing, and tuition will be paid through the new Choral Music Engagement Fund at the University of Illinois.

Congratulations, Rebecca! What an incredible opportunity and honor for her and the University.

As we wrap up the semester and the calendar year, I am reminded of what a special place Virginia Wesleyan truly is. I am particularly proud of every Marlin’s commitment to creating a safe space for students, faculty, and staff to be themselves. To lead this wonderful and diverse campus community has truly been a highlight of my career, and I am extremely grateful and humbled by the acknowledgement from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.

I would like to offer my special thanks to our Board of Trustees and donors who have believed in our mission and supported our efforts. My thanks to the Robert Nusbaum Center, Wesleyan Engaged, and the Office of Gender and Sexuality Equity, whose good work has helped this campus grow into the place it is today. Most of all, thanks to each and every Marlin who chooses to make Virginia Wesleyan University an inclusive community through daily positive interactions with their fellow classmates and colleagues.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Shines Bright

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting, a favorite Marlin tradition, took place outside Monumental Chapel on Friday. Congratulations to members of the VWU softball team (pictured with Santa and Mrs. Claus) for singing the loudest during “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” After having to cancel the event last year, it was wonderful to gather once again for carols, cocoa, and holiday fun!

Sophomore Devin Calpo Named Port Day Premier Speaker

We had a wonderful Port Day last week. Port Day is an opportunity for students to show off their undergraduate research to the campus community. During the reception, I was pleased to join John Rudel, Director of Undergraduate Research, for the presentation of the Port Day Premier Speaker award to sophomore Devin Calpo (both pictured). Devin’s research project was “Efficacy of Different Baits in Attracting with Asian Needle Ant to Determine its Geographic Distribution and Relative Abundance in Central and Eastern Virginia.” His faculty mentor is Dr. Marielle Postava-Davignon, Assistant Professor of Biology. Congratulations to them both!

Learn more about this semester’s Port Day and view the photo gallery.

BSN/MSN Student Cohort Reception

Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson and I were delighted to be joined by Dr. Angela Taylor, President of Sentara College of Health Sciences, during our reception for our first cohort of joint-Bachelor of Science in Nursing students and Master of Science in Nursing students held in the atrium of the Greer Environmental Sciences Center. Read more about this special occasion and view photos from the event.

Lambuth M. and Alice A. Clarke Heritage Society Luncheon

We were pleased to once again host our annual luncheon for members of the Lambuth M. and Alice A. Clarke Heritage Society. The Clarke Heritage Society recognizes individuals who have arranged for a deferred gift to Virginia Wesleyan University. My thanks to students in Vox Vera for providing the festive holiday music for our guests. View the event’s photo gallery.

Junior Timothy Tep Plays Tennis on the Global Stage

Junior Timothy Tep (pictured second from the left) represented Virginia Wesleyan University tennis on a global stage as he competed on the Cambodian national team in the World Cup of Tennis, the Davis Cup. This was the third Davis Cup appearance of his career. What an incredible experience! Learn more.

VWU Trustee Alan Shaw Named CEO of Norfolk Southern Corporation

VWU Trustee Alan Shaw was named Chief Executive Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation. Alan has been with NS for 27 years, currently serving as its Chief Marketing Officer. He will succeed retiring CEO Jim Squires on May 1. Congratulations to him! Learn more.

Alumni Gathering at Elation Brewing Company

Thanks to our alumni and friends who joined us at Elation Brewing Company in Norfolk on Thursday night! View the photo gallery to check out all the fun.

VWU Welcomes Girls on the Run Regional Office

I previously announced that Volunteer Hampton Roads was moving their offices from campus to the World Trade Center in downtown Norfolk as the organization has been acquired by the Hampton Roads Chamber. We’re excited that Girls on the Run will be taking over the office space this month. It will be a great partnership for many campus groups and activities.

Progress on Brock Commons

Construction continues on schedule for a February completion of Brock Commons. Facing the University Quad, Brock Commons is the capstone of a two-year project to renovate and expand space in the Boyd Dining Center, Marlin Grille, and Board of Trustees Suite (to include Founders Foyer, Board of Trustees Room and Princess Anne Room. The addition facing the quad will provide banquet space.

Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Scoreboard Installed

Thanks to the generosity of Bill Shelhorse ’70, a scoreboard has been installed at the Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center. Bill was the lead donor for the construction of the Center in 2018, named in memory of his sister. The new Daktronics scoreboard make the Rogers Center more attractive for hosting local and regional meets along with other related athletics opportunities.