October 24, 2022
Good morning, |
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I hope everyone had an enjoyable Fall Break. As our beautiful campus starts to change colors before our eyes, I am reminded of how fortunate we are in our location. Where else can you get a premier, affordable, private liberal arts education within minutes of the beach that also enjoys all four seasons on its 300 acre park-like campus in the middle of a bustling metropolis with fantastic opportunities and amenities? VWU may be a unicorn, Marlins. And you found it! |
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Our softball program has again earned a national distinction — this time as the NCAA Division III 2022 Netting Professionals / NFCA Field of the Year. This award, made possible by NFCA Official Sponsor Netting Professionals, recognizes top fields/stadiums for their flawless grounds maintenance and exceptional playing surfaces.
Seven programs were honored in total, one each for NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Cal JC, NWAC, and High School: - Bogle Park (University of Arkansas/NCAA Division I),
- Gerry Pinkston Stadium (University of Central Oklahoma/NCAA Division II),
- Tom & Betty Broyles Field at Townebank Park (Virginia Wesleyan University/NCAA Division III),
- Morgan Stadium at Tucker Field (Freed-Hardeman University/NAIA),
- Titan Softball Complex (Eastern Arizona State College/NJCAA),
- Viking Field (West Valley College/Cal JC) and
- F&M Bank Stadium (Piedmont High School).
According to the announcement by NFCA: “A full renovation of the facility took place over the winter of 2018-19. It included upgrades to the playing surface and the amenities, including new backstop netting and fencing throughout the facility (includes 30-foot home run netting). It features stepdown dugouts with cedar-finished walls, three turfed batting cages and six turfed pitching lanes, along with new grandstands, press box and state-of-the-art scoreboard. Maintained by Kent Brown, Nathan Boudreaux and Javier Delgado, the infield is clay/sand mix and the outfield is bermuda.” The winners were nominated by NFCA member coaches and selected by a panel of their peers on the NFCA Awards Committee. They will be recognized on December 10 during the NFCA Convention's annual awards brunch.
We thank TowneBank for making this renovation possible and our excellent facilities management team who works hard to keep Broyles Field in top condition. |
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I always use our break periods to read items that I wanted to read but haven’t had time for because of the hustle and bustle of daily activities. My reading this Fall Break was actually a re-read of a book I enjoyed over 20 years ago — Dr. Steven Sample’s “The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership.” Sample, former President of the University of Southern California, explains his personal leadership philosophy and chronicles his style of leadership in the context of USC's rise as an institution. He was viewed as one of the most effective college leaders of his time until his passing in 2016. My all-time favorite on higher education leadership is Dr. James L. Fisher, my mentor, consulting colleague and friend, who passed away recently at age 91. He wrote or edited 11 books on the college/university board, presidency, and leadership. His hallmark publication “Presidential Leadership: Making A Difference” was the summer reading and discussion book of the VWU President’s Cabinet. The Cabinet also read a pair of Dr. Jeffrey Docking’s books, Crisis in Higher Education: A Plan to Save Liberal Arts Colleges in America and The College of the Future: Lowering Costs for Students By Fixing the Business Model of Higher Education.
The value of such reading is that it provides not only context of what’s been done before in higher education but also courage to try something new. As technology advances and as student expectations evolve, so must higher education advance and evolve. These readings are examples of people and places that led the evolution of higher education in their time, just as we must do in ours. |
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While these publications contextually frame the operating philosophy of the University, it is our investment in leadership development that insures our good future. Our membership in nationwide organizations like the New American Colleges and Universities (NACU) extends our commitment and ability to grow talented leaders within our faculty and staff.
As such, I am pleased to share that Kelly Cordova, Chief of Staff, and Dr. Antje Schwennicke, Dean of the Birdsong School of Social Science and Associate Professor of Political Science, will participate in the NACU Emerging Leaders Institute beginning in February. Over a three month period, Kelly and Antje, with other leaders from NACU campuses, will participate in trainings with NACU partners such as the Center for Creative Leadership and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) on the practices of leadership, finances and budgeting in higher education, as well as career paths in university leadership. Dr. Loren Marquez, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, completed the program last year. |
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Additionally, Dr. Keith Moore, Senior Vice President, is participating with a highly elite group in the Executive Leadership Academy; and Dr. Sue Larkin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, has joined the Senior Leadership Academy (SLA). ELA and SLA are yearlong programs cosponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) that prepare talented leaders with the skills needed to advance in executive and senior leadership within higher education. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Marlins Day Welcomes Prospective Students Our Marlins Day Open House over the weekend was a huge success. Our future Marlins and their families explored campus, met VWU faculty and staff, and learned about academic offerings, scholarships, and the financial aid process. They also participated in special parent, freshman, and transfer break-out sessions as well as an Academic and Resource Fair in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
The next Marlins Day Open House is scheduled for Saturday, February 18. Prospective students can learn more and register at vwu.edu/marlinsdays. |
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Don’t Forget - Give to the Marlin Family Campaign for Faculty and Staff The Marlin Family Campaign gives faculty and staff the opportunity to support the area of the University that inspires their vision of the future. Seize this opportunity and show that you believe in the people and programs that make VWU such a unique place to work and learn. |
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Celebrating Sue Larkin Annie and I hosted a reception for Dr. Susan E. Larkin celebrating her as our new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. I was pleased to present her with the vice presidential medallion that she’ll wear at all ceremonial events. We’re pictured with her father Rick Larkin. |
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Fall Career & Internship Fairs Join The Lighthouse on November 2 in the CMAC for the Fall Career & Internship Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students can connect with employers and learn about opportunities in person. Additionally, a Virtual Career & Internship Fair will be held on November 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Handshake. Please reach out to Alice Jones, Director of Career Development, if you have any questions. |
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Vote Early Day Kate Slayton from VA21 will be presenting “The Importance of Your Vote,” describing how young people can (and already do) have a significant impact on elections on Friday (October 28) at 1 p.m. in The Harbor Grill. |
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Hosting the Chautauqua Institution We had a great visit on campus with Dr. Michael E. Hill, President of the Chautauqua Institution, last week. Located on a beautiful campus-like setting in western New York, Chautauqua is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through programs during a nine-week season with more than 100,000 attendees at public events. We look forward to opportunities between our institutions. |
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Athletic Management Council We had an enjoyable first meeting of the Athletics Management Council for this semester. The AMC is (pictured from left) Dr. Jill Sturts, Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions/NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative; Alexander Moody '24, Men's Soccer, Student Representative; Dr. Larry Hultgren, Professor of Philosophy/NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative; and Andrea Hoover-Erbig, Executive Director for Intercollegiate Athletics. |
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Alumni in the News Congratulations to Chris Taylor, Class of 2006 (pictured right), who was selected for the 2022 Top Forty Under 40 by The Virginian-Pilot. Brandon Adair, Class of 2012, was also recently featured in The Virginian-Pilot. Brandon is the 2022 Alumni Service Award recipient and a two-time inductee to the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame. The article describes his ascent from overlooked high school basketball player to NBA referee. |
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NACU Welcomes Samford University The New American Colleges and Universities (NACU) is pleased to announce that Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, has joined the consortium. NACU is a trusted network that brings together progressive thinkers and innovative agents of change across higher education to share ideas and create unique opportunities for its campuses. VWU is one of 26 NACU collaborators. |
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President to President: Liberal Arts and Social Justice For the first time in 18 years, I am communicating to you about this thought leadership series without my esteemed partner. I couldn’t release this month’s chapter without acknowledging the impact Marylouise “Weezie” Fennell had on our industry, the communities she loved and the institutions she served. She was a mentor, a friend and a collaborator. She peacefully left this world on Wednesday, October 12, but her legacy remains.
With that, the third chapter of the 2022-2023 President to President thought leadership series is now available. In " Liberal Arts Education: A Path Towards a More Thoughtful and Caring World," Illinois College President Barbara A. Farley, Ph.D., explores how higher education can help students develop critical thinking skills and become more virtuous citizens. She suggests leveraging the tenets of liberal arts education to equip students with the skills they need to improve society.
This year's President to President series, titled “The Well Campus: An In-Depth Look,” delves into the many facets of health on college campuses, which include physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Over the course of 10 chapters, respected higher education leaders share unique insights into how they are supporting students and creating a wellness-oriented campus environment. |
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Have a great week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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-- Scott D. Miller, Ph.D. President Virginia Wesleyan University 5817 Wesleyan Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Phone: 757.455.3215 |
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