Dialogue: February 2022

Monday, February 28, 2022

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

February 28, 2022

Good morning,

I am pleased to share that the University has been awarded the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science (including engineering and computer science) teachers. The grant will provide $1.16 million in funds dedicated to this initiative over a five-year period.

Kudos to Clair Berube, VWU Assistant Professor of Education and member of the Class of 1983, for leading the proposed project, “Transforming Effective Educators of Mathematics and Science in Southeast Virginia,” and to Bill McConnell, VWU Associate Professor Education and Director of Teacher Education; Lydia Kennedy, VWU Associate Professor of Mathematics and Chair of Mathematics; Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, VWU Associate Professor of Biology and Dean of VWU Global Campus; and Maury Howard, VWU Professor of Chemistry and Director of Nursing and Allied Health, for their dedication and collaborative efforts in preparing highly qualified and experienced STEM secondary educators.

ET CETERA

The final competition for the incoming fall 2022 Batten Honors College class will take place this week. Following the conclusion of the competition, the David L. Kaufman Center for Enrollment will extend offers to 20 new Batten Fellows and 20 new Shumadine Scholars. There has been an impressive number of qualified applicants this year, and we are very proud of the caliber of student the program continues to attract.

The Batten Honors College is a highly selective residential program enrolling 160 of the top scholars in the country. Out of a pool of over 30,000 potential students, one-tenth of that group was deemed eligible in meeting preliminary requirements for the program, and approximately 120 total have been invited to campus to compete for the highly coveted seats in this cohort. Candidates were invited on the basis of academic performance, compelling personal essays, and remarkable service and extracurricular activities. Those chosen to join the program are truly the best and the brightest.

I thank Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College, and Brooke Novkovic, Director of Enrollment for the Batten Honors College, for leading these competitions over the last few months. I look forward to sharing the names of the 20 Batten Fellows and 20 Shumadine Scholars later this spring.

As a reminder, all students, faculty, staff and volunteers are required to submit proof of the COVID-19 booster shot by the end of today (February 28). We have had an overwhelming response so far, and we are on track to reach a 100% submission rate.

Please send an image of your vaccination card to covidsafe@vwu.edu (students) or humanresources@vwu.edu (faculty/staff) that clearly includes your name, date of birth, and the location and date(s) of vaccination.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

March is Women’s History Month

To kick off Women’s History Month, the History Department, the Women and Gender Studies Department, and the Office of Gender & Sexuality Equity will host “Betty Crocker and the Business of Blindness: Gender, Disability, and Post-World War II Consumer Culture,” presented by guest speaker Laura Puaca, Ph.D. The event will be held on Thursday, March 3 at 12:00 p.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

Nusbaum Center Hosts World-Renowned Wildlife Photographer Roie Galitz

The Robert Nusbaum Center welcomes world-renowned wildlife photographer Roie Galitz to the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 1 at 12:00 p.m. for “Achieving the Unachievable: The Power of Networking and Failures.” Join us as Galitz discusses his focus on setting seemingly impossible goals and then reaching them through networking, self-empowerment, and negotiating failures. Known to many from his three TED talks, Galitz is not only a world-renowned wildlife photographer and environmental diplomat, but also a Greenpeace Ambassador and featured speaker around the globe.

Emerging Artist Exhibition Features BHC Scholar Breana Mahoney

Last week I attended the Emerging Artist Exhibition hosted by our lifelong learning community partner Westminster-Canterbury on the Bay. The exhibit featured work from sophomore Breana Mahoney, an Art and Communication major and scholar in the Batten Honors College. Kudos to her!

Spring 2022 Arts Calendar

The Spring 2022 calendar for the Arts at VWU is available now. Learn more about the upcoming special events and be sure to mark your calendar!

Faculty/Staff Open House at DeFord Manor

Faculty and staff should check their email inboxes for an invitation to the first Open House at the recently completed DeFord Manor. If you’ve misplaced your invitation or to RSVP, please email officeofthepresident@vwu.edu.

HRBT Expansion Project Continues

We have all followed with great interest the expansion of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. Its expansion is the largest single infrastructure project in the history of Virginia. Learn more here.

Campus757 is Heating Up for the Summer

Campus757’s February newsletter highlights the latest updates from the organization, which is a division of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. The newsletter features pictures of Marlins on the VWU campus along with information about Summer757, an “internship supplementation” program

Brock Commons Construction Update

We are so close to the completion of the construction of Brock Commons. Once we have the certificate of occupancy, we can start moving in furniture and adding other finishing touches. We hope the new space will be available for campus use starting in April. Groups that are interested in reserving Brock Commons should email catering@vwu.edu.

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

Enrollment Manager

President to President

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Brock Commons Outdoor Lettering Installed

We are so close to finishing Brock Commons, an addition to the Boyd Dining Center facing the quad. Outdoor lettering was installed today!

Monday, February 21, 2022

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

February 21, 2022

Good morning,

The Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees, at its Winter Business Meeting, elected new officers for terms beginning July 1, 2022:

Chair – Jonathan E. Pruden
Vice Chair – Nancy T. DeFord
Treasurer – J. Timothy Bailey ’83
Secretary – Mavis E. McKenley ’11

In 1996, the Board established the policy that no Chair or Vice Chair serve more than a three-year term in that position. That practice has remained true since then. Therefore, we sincerely thank John F. Malbon and Susan S. Goode for their outstanding service these last three years as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, during extremely difficult and unusual times. The two will be honored with special recognitions during our May 2022 Commencement exercises and will remain on the Board following the conclusion of their leadership terms.

During the Winter Business Meeting, the Board also re-elected the following Trustees whose terms were to expire on June 30, 2022:

Gary D. Bonnewell ’79, H’16
David L. Kaufman H’19
Howard P. Kern
Kenneth G. Trinder II
George K. Tsantes III ’83
Anthony O. Walters
Michael J. White ’81

Congratulations to all! We thank you for your years of steadfast service and support.

I am pleased to announce that Jill Sturts has been named Assistant Dean of the Batten Honors College. She replaces Antje Schwennicke who was recently named Dean of the Birdsong School of Social Science. She will continue to serve as Associate Professor and Chair of Sport and Recreation Professions.

Dr. Sturts holds a B.A. from Baldwin-Wallace College, an M.Ed. from Bowling Green State University, and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. She has served on the Virginia Wesleyan University faculty since 2015.

Congratulations!

ET CETERA

The University will celebrate the retirements of faculty, staff, and friends in contract services in a campus-wide celebration on Thursday, May 5 (Reading Day) at Brock Commons. The celebration will follow the traditional tree planting ceremony for retiring faculty members.

We are proud to celebrate…

Elaine Aird, Accounts Payable Bookkeeper, 34 years
Bernice Bledsoe, Housekeeper, 35 years
Bill Gibson, Professor of Political Science, 35 years
George Jackson, Professor of Management, Business, and Economics, 8 years
Wayne Pollock, Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions, 22 years
Shelia Rouson, Housekeeper, 35 years
Vivian Teter, Lambuth M. Clarke Professor of English, 35 years
Deborah Ware, Housekeeper, 31 years

I hope all faculty and staff members mark their calendars and make plans to join in our farewell celebration for these long-serving and dedicated Marlins.

As conditions in the immediate area have become more favorable and as the number of cases on campus has stabilized, last week we eased some Covid restrictions while still maintaining a safe campus environment. Again, I want to thank our students for their continued cooperation and support. Our Marlins have been nothing short of spectacular.

As a reminder, all students, faculty, staff and volunteers are required to submit proof of the COVID-19 booster shot by February 28. We have had an overwhelming response so far, and we are on track to reach a 100% submission rate by the deadline.

For those who have not yet received their booster, the University is hosting an on-campus booster shot clinic next Wednesday, February 23 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the CMAC. Appointments must be scheduled for the vaccine you would like to receive. Use these links to schedule your appointment: Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson.

Once boosted, an image of your vaccination card should be sent to covidsafe@vwu.edu (students) or humanresources@vwu.edu (faculty/staff) and must clearly include your name, date of birth, and the location and date(s) of vaccination.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Batten Honors College Publication, Excelsis, Recognized as “Best” by NCHC

Kudos to the Batten Honors College and BHC Dean Travis Malone for the first place finish in the National Collegiate Honors Council Newsletter Contest. Archives of Virginia Wesleyan’s publication, Excelsis, can be found here.

Spring’s Marlin Business Conference to Focus on Commerce and Innovation

Last week I met with student leadership for the upcoming Marlin Business Conference: (from left) Doris White, Chief of Staff; Davon Young, Chief of Technology; and MacKenzie Osborne, Chief Executive Officer. This spring’s conference will focus on commerce and innovation. We were joined by faculty leadership Frank Futyma, Lecturer in Management, Business, and Economics; Michelle Vachris, Professor and Chair of Management, Business and Economics and MBA Program Director; and Sue Larkin, Vice President for Academic Affairs. Stay tuned for more information about the spring conference events.

Black History Month Activities Continue on Campus

Throughout this special month, Virginia Wesleyan is hosting numerous events and activities, both virtually and in person. Check out the month’s remaining events and programs to get involved.

Alumni Council Winter Meeting

The winter meeting of the Alumni Council was held last week. I had the opportunity to share campus news, including construction progress and updates on University initiatives like VWU Global (Japan), the Batten Honors College, our endowment growth and sustainable investing strategy, and our newly formed Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Council. After my remarks, the group discussed progress on the priorities of the Council, including increasing alumni participation, Spring Alumni Weekend, and the 2022 Day of Giving. I thank Alumni Council Chair Alisa Crider '10 and all of our Council members for their continued support and leadership.

From Tokyo to Tidewater: Virtual Wesleyan Wednesdays Continue This Week

Join the Office of Alumni Relations on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for “From Tokyo to Tidewater," featuring international students from Japan discussing their transition to life on-campus at VWU. Learn more and register to attend this free event here.

Kudos to an Unsung Hero…

Known to the campus community simply as “Z,” independent contractor Azzeb Khouri has completed 81 small and mid-level projects over the past four years ranging from painting and power washing to locker room renovations and supplemental work on larger projects like Susan T. Beverly Hall, the Alumni Galleria and the Scribner University Store in the Jane P. Batten Student Center, and more. He’s quietly been making our campus a better and more beautiful place with his excellent work and sunny disposition. He often completes these projects at night, on weekends, or even holidays. Thanks for everything, Z!

Z is pictured on a project with Jason Seward, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, and Keith Moore, Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management.

Forging Our Future: Building On Strength 2020-2030

During the fall semester, the Office of Academic Affairs worked collaboratively with campus constituency groups to update the 10-year strategic plan. Special thanks to Sue Larkin, Vice President for Academic Affairs, for her leadership in this update.

Brock Commons Update

We are in the final phase of construction on Brock Commons. Last week the sidewalk, stairs, and ramps were poured. Inside, the ceiling was finished and the flooring was installed. The installation of technology, landscaping, and finishing touches should be completed in the next two weeks.