Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

September 5, 2022

Good morning,

Happy Labor Day, Marlins! 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.

ET CETERA

Virginia Wesleyan University has prospered significantly as a result of the strong financial support of businesses, corporations, alumni and friends. An additional source of revenue for the University comes from state, federal and foundation grants and contracts. Kim Hammer, Vice President for Advancement and Special Assistant to the President, works diligently in this area.

As a result of significant interest and growth in this area, the University has contracted with Thorn Run Partners of Washington, D.C., to assist us with government relations and acquiring state and federal grants and contracts. In collaboration with advancement staff, TRP provides grant seeking, grant writing and grant review services.

I have worked with Scott Tominovich, partner at TRP, at my prior institutions. Vice President Hammer and I expect to see this partnership grow significantly in the future and we look forward to your engagement in this process.

For the last 18 years, I have edited President to President with co-editor Dr. Marylouise Fennell, former president of Carlow University and current senior counsel at the Council of Independent Colleges. As I have done in the past, I’ll share the 2022-2023 edition of this groundbreaking higher education thought leadership series featuring insights from college and university presidents. These esteemed leaders, who represent a diverse array of campuses, will share their perspectives in a new chapter published online each month.

This year’s series, titled “The Well Campus: An In-Depth Look,” will offer a thoughtful examination of what it means to have a “well” campus. Beyond broad strokes about wellbeing, we will explore the various dimensions and applications of wellness and examine the various dimensions of a “well” campus, which include physical and mental health, as well as academic, intellectual, moral, and interpersonal well-being. By taking a holistic view of campus culture, enrollment and retention, finances, and legacy, this year’s authors will focus on all of the moments and experiences that make time spent in higher education meaningful and long-lasting.

I invite you to read the 2022-2023 Series Foreword, written by Mildred García, Ed.D., president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, to learn more about this year’s President to President. She introduces the series by describing a few of the cultural and societal forces that have shaped higher education in recent years.

We hope you will enjoy delving into these important topics with us and perhaps gaining new perspectives that can be applied right here on our own campus.

The Virginian-Pilot and Inside Business summarized key takeaways from my State of the University in a recent feature article titled, “‘More complex in substance’: Virginia Wesleyan’s reputation attracts money, donors and scholars, president says.”

We’re grateful for this detailed coverage and to be recognized by our local media for our contributions to our community and impact on our region.

Speaking of the State of the University, during my recent address I shared how impressed I am with our students’ involvement and interest in civic engagement. We’re proud of the recognition they received for their extraordinary work in voter participation during the 2020 presidential election by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. Adding to that recognition, Virginia Wesleyan has been included in Washington Monthly ’s 2022 Best Colleges for Student Voting Honor Roll. Keep up the great work, Marlins!

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Council of Bishops President Urges End to Falsehoods, Pivot to Future

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton used his first address as Council of Bishops president to call on backers of a breakaway denomination to stop mischaracterizing The United Methodist Church. He also called on United Methodist leaders to begin pivoting to what they hope their denomination will be.

Bishop Bickerton is a good friend whose opinions I value. We were undergraduate classmates at West Virginia Wesleyan College and lived in adjacent housing for two years. Read the full story about his address in UM News.

HRBT Expansion Project Behind Schedule

Work on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion, aimed at reducing congestion along one of the region’s busiest roadways, has fallen 11 months behind, The Virginian-Pilot reports. Pandemic-related supply chain issues may affect the completion deadline, which remains November 2025 despite the delays.

The Hive Newsletter: September

I’m pleased to share The Hive’s September newsletter. Our talent development partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and Virginia Beach Economic Development is highlighted on page six!

The Trails at Wesleyan Woods

With the academic year back in full swing, I want to remind everyone about the wonderful trail system on our spacious, park-like campus. Since the University’s founding, Virginia Wesleyan has enjoyed a rich heritage of abundant biodiversity and natural resources. Located on a picturesque 300-acre campus bordered on the west by Lake Taylor, the University has ponds and mature forests which can be enjoyed by walking, hiking, jogging, or biking through our extensive trails. Be sure to take a mental break and enjoy these campus treasures.

New Director of Catering and Conference Services

Heather Beatty will join Sodexo and our campus as the new Director of Catering and Conference Services on September 8. Heather is a seasoned catering and sales professional, serving previous roles with Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel (sales and catering manager), the Founders Inn and Spa (banquet manager), and Coastal Hospitality Associates (director of events). She earned her bachelor's degree from East Carolina University in hospitality management and special events and conventions, and an associate's degree from Craven Community College in business administration. Please extend a warm Wesleyan welcome to Heather!

NACU Partners With the Washington Internship Institute

I am pleased to share the good news that the New American Colleges & Universities are joining forces with the Washington Internship Institute. As of September 1, Sean Creighton (our President of NACU) will provide executive leadership to the Institute.

What does this mean for our campus? We will work collaboratively with the Washington Internship Institute to create the most impactful, affordable, and accessible experiential learning program in our nation’s capital for our students. Presently, NACU campuses receive a discount on program fees; that discount will increase slightly in spring 2023. Also, we will look for new opportunities to maximize the DC location to benefit your campus.

Virginia Wesleyan has been an active member of NACU. The new collaborative will provide a wide variety of short and long term options for our students.

Cape Henry Rotary Club

I always enjoy sharing University updates with the Cape Henry Rotary Club, and did so again recently during a breakfast meeting at Craft Burger Bar on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. Many thanks to Jayne Sullivan (right), VWU Professor Emeritus and active Rotarian, for the invitation. Also pictured: David Oakley, president. We appreciate the good work of the Rotary in our community!

President to President: The Vitality and Power of Higher Education

Earlier in today’s message, I shared the launch of the 2022-2023 edition of the President to President thought leadership series. If you’re interested in reading more, the complete 2021-2022 series is available for download here. Titled “The Vitality and Power of Higher Education,” the book explores how colleges and universities are approaching their missions with new vigor and reexamining their role in the community as the world continues recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greater Norfolk Corporation

I attended the Greater Norfolk Corporation’s Executive Committee meeting last week and enjoyed a great presentation by Cathie Vick (pictured), Chief Development & Public Affairs Officer for the Virginia Port Authority. In response to the urgent necessity to diversify and grow our local economy, the Greater Norfolk Corporation focuses on the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in an effort to jumpstart the development and growth of innovation-based businesses and jobs.

VWU values its relationship with the port including student internships and collaboration with our talent development program. VWU graduate Joe Ruddy is Chief Operations Officer of the Port of Virginia.

News From Our Robert Nusbaum Center

The Robert Nusbaum Center of VWU has released its September newsletter with information about upcoming events. For those of you who are new to campus and not familiar with the Robert Nusbaum Center, it is a campus center aiming to create a civil society through education, respectful dialogue, and mutual understanding. It equips and empowers students and community members to be leaders and citizens who value diversity and who understand how the reconciliation of our religious, racial, and ideological differences create meaningful opportunities for civil solutions to difficult and urgent problems. Read more about the Robert Nusbaum Center and be sure to check out their thought-provoking events this semester.

TowneBank Names Next CEO

TowneBank has named its next CEO, William “Billy” Foster, who will succeed current CEO J. Morgan Davis upon his planned retirement in March 2023. Virginia Wesleyan University has a long history with TowneBank. VWU Trustee G. Robert (Bob) Aston, Jr. H'20 currently serves as executive chairman of the board for TowneBank. He previously served as TowneBank chairman and chief executive officer from April 1999 to March 2018 and has also served as president. Aston and TowneBank have been tremendous friends and supporters of the University. Read more about the upcoming leadership transition.

Construction Update

The Cove: The Cove, an outdoor dining and recreation venue located outside Harbor Grill at the Jane P. Batten Student Center, is finished and has hosted a wide variety of evening events.

Watts Field House: We are still waiting for approval from the City of Virginia Beach to begin construction on the Watts Field House for Broyles Field at TowneBank Park. The field house will provide locker room and restroom for the facility. It will be located along the pathway across from the softball auxiliary facility.