Monday, October 17, 2022

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

 
October 17, 2022

Good morning,
I hope our Marlin students, faculty and staff are enjoying fall break. It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year already. 

With the semester halfway over, now is the perfect time for students to check in with our campus resources. The Learning CenterCounseling ServicesStudent ActivitiesThe Lighthouse, and more are all available to you as you finish the fall semester and prepare yourselves for January Term and the upcoming spring semester.  

Keep up the good work, Marlins!
Congratulations, once again, to our 2022 inductees into the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame. Our induction ceremony and dinner during Homecoming & Family Weekend was a night to remember. All Marlins and friends are invited to watch the webcast of the ceremony here

View our photo gallery.
ET CETERA
It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our dear friend Dr. Marylouise Fennell, RSM, on October 12. Known as “Weezie,” she and I worked closely together on many, many projects throughout our long friendship, including co-editing 18 books and co-authoring eight monographs and approximately 150 articles on higher education.
 
She was a mentor, counselor, search consultant, and consultant to presidents, administrators, and boards of trustees of colleges and universities, and for-profit businesses that serve the non-profit sector. 
 
A former president of Carlow University, Weezie served for over 30 years as senior counsel for the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in Washington, D.C., For 15 years, I chaired the CIC New Presidents Program, a program that she directed. She was a partner in the search firm Hyatt-Fennell Executive Search Consultants. 
 
Weezie received her degrees in education and counselor education from the Diocesan Sisters College (Bachelor of Arts), University of Hartford (Master of Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies), and Boston University (Doctor of Education). 
 
She served as the senior counsel for The Council of Independent Colleges and the chief consultant for the Association of Private Universities of Central America. She assisted the Central American Universities in the establishment of an accreditation system and is the author of the Central American Accreditation Guidelines for Excellence in Education. Dr. Fennell was co-founder (with me) and served for 15 years as executive director of the Interamerican Consortium of Higher Education (CIDES). She was a consultant to numerous associations, colleges, and universities. 
 
She will be missed.
As a reminder, students participating in the VWU Global Campus Commencement Ceremony on December 17 must submit their Graduation Cap and Gown and Commencement Fee (which includes the cost of ceremony regalia) by October 31. Graduates are also able to purchase the "2022 Alumni Cord" as a contribution to the Senior Class Gift. Graduates who order by October 31 will be able to pick up their caps and gowns in the Office of Finance and Administration in Brock Commons December 14-16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Graduate announcements may be purchased through the University Store website. Diploma frames and class rings are also available through the website.

For more information on the VWU Global Campus Commencement Ceremony, please visit our website.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
VFIC Ethics Bowl: Save the Date
We’re excited to welcome the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges for the statewide Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl on January 29-30, 2023. Mary-Beth Johnson (pictured left center) and Dawn Greggs (left) of the VFIC joined us on campus last week to help plan the event. 
 
The topic of this year's Ethics Bowl is “Ethics & Digital Media.” We know the Marlin team is working hard in the hopes of winning the Batten Cup once again!
Marlin at the MOCA
Congratulations to Alison Coutu ’22, an art major and U.S. Navy veteran, who has a piece on display in the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art's exhibition, "Made in Virginia." The exhibition opened on October 7 and was juried by Bana Kattan, Associate Curator of the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. Out of 532 entries, 31 artists were selected for this exhibition. Alison's piece is one of three sculptures in this exhibition, and the only ceramic work. The piece was made at VWU and fired in our kilns. She is pictured with Philip Guilfoyle, Professor of Art and Manager of Ceramics and Sculpture Studios. Way to go, Alison!
Marlins Restoring Marshlands
Kudos to Dr. Maynard Schaus, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Director of Graduate Programs, and Coordinator of Sustainability Management, and his oceanography class, who helped our partners at the Elizabeth River Project restore a marsh in Norfolk last week. The class had a great time planting over 5,600 plants (five species). Our thanks to the Norfolk Master Gardeners who helped on both days.
ACCESS College Foundation Visits DeFord Manor
We were delighted to welcome VWU alumni who work at ACCESS College Foundation to DeFord Manor for a special lunch to celebrate our longstanding partnership. ACCESS helps families bridge the gap between the total amount of financial aid for which a family qualifies and the final cost of attending college. We are grateful for the work the Foundation does for aspiring and current Marlins.
The Passing of Tom Lyons
Thomas J. Lyons, Jr., passed away last week at the age of 81. Among his many contributions to VWU, perhaps the most notable was the lead gift to purchase the Ocean Explorer, our 45-foot research vessel used in conjunction with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Along with affiliations in many charitable organizations and professional associations, like the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, his legacy also includes transforming the Virginia Beach oceanfront to become a yearlong tourist destination. Learn more about his incredible life.
The Pharos: October 2022
The October edition of The Pharos is available now. We hope you enjoy learning more about our talented faculty and staff members who continue to make important contributions to their respective fields through publications, presentations, and more.
Campus757 Newsletter
The fall’s first edition of the Campus757 newsletter is available now.

October is LGBT History Month
LGBT History Month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender icons, one for each day in October. Find out more.
Talent Development Workshops at The HIVE
The schedule for the no-cost Talent Development Workshops offered by VWU at The HIVE in partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is available now.
News of Note
Our partners at Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare Inc. announced a slate of executive leadership promotions Friday, effective immediately. Melinda Hancock, Aubrey Layne and Tim Skeen have all been promoted to executive vice presidents. VWU partners with Sentara on a dual degree in nursing and management of our student health center and sports medicine center. 

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Virginia has plans to add more fast electric vehicle chargers along major roads around the state with the help of federal funding. 

The second largest blue marlin in Virginia history was caught approximately 70 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The marlin weighed a whopping 944 lbs. Hope it wasn’t a close relative, Bob!
STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES
REFLECTIONS
I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:
CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @vawesleyanprez 
Instagram: @prezscottmiller 
Flickr: Scott D. Miller 
(Be sure to subscribe to Dialogue for daily updates via email
Safe travels back to campus, Marlins!

Sincerely,
--
Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
President
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
 
Phone: 757.455.3215