Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

October 10, 2022

Good morning,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Homecoming and Family Weekend. Our thanks to the alumni, students, parents, and friends who joined us at one or more of the weekend’s many events to celebrate past, present, and future Marlins. We hope to see you all again for Spring Alumni Weekend, April 14-15, 2023, if not sooner!

Read more about Homecoming and Family Weekend and view the photo gallery here.

Last week, I shared that Dr. Susan E. Larkin is the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at Virginia Wesleyan University, effective September 30. We are delighted for this appointment, as her track record as an educator and an administrator has proven her deep commitment to innovation, collaboration, and, most of all, student success.

Dr. Larkin has served as acting vice president for academic affairs since January 2022. She previously served as associate vice president for academic affairs at VWU, and she has been a professor of English at VWU for nearly 15 years.

Dr. Larkin received her B.A. in English Literature from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in English Studies and a graduate certificate in Women’s Studies from Illinois State University. Her research is interdisciplinary and interweaves children’s and adolescent literature, women’s and gender studies, and cultural studies. She has published on Judy Blume, Harry Potter, Mr. Rogers, Walt Disney, Laura Ingalls Wilder, women’s memoir, and empowerment, identity, and gender in adolescent literature. She also teaches a variety of English, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Wesleyan Seminars at VWU.

I’m also pleased to share two other promotions important to the good future of the University. Dr. Keith Moore, a vice president for most of my eight years here, has been elevated to senior vice president, and Kelly Cordova, previously executive assistant to the president, assumes additional responsibility as chief of staff. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Dr. Moore is in his 24th year at Virginia Wesleyan, serving the last seven years as a vice president. He has responsibility for student affairs and operational management, which includes information technology, campus security, buildings and grounds with our partner Aramark, and dining services with our partner Sodexo.

Kelly joined the Office of the President as executive assistant to the president in September 2020, after directly supporting the senior vice president and the president through various roles in the VWU Center for Advancement from 2015-2020. She has had instrumental involvement in communications, board relations, alumni and donor relations, and special events. In addition to managing operations in the president's office, as chief of staff she will oversee the Offices of Marketing and Communications and Institutional Research.

Both play important roles in the central administration of the University and will continue to help lead Virginia Wesleyan toward a positive future.

The Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees held their Fall Meeting last week in the Board of Trustees Suite in the Boyd Dining Center. After two weeks of staggered Board committees meetings followed by the full Business Session, members met to hear reports and take action on a variety of issues.

The opening session was an extensive presentation about our new partnership with the Virginia Beach Police Department from Dr. Susan Larkin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. David R. Black, Chancellor of VWU Global (Japan); and Heather Campbell, Vice President for Enrollment. The Board was excited and appreciative for the program, as it fills a need in our community and sets Virginia Wesleyan at the forefront of innovative programming to attract students of all ages and backgrounds.

Among the Board actions during the Fall Business Session:

Heard detailed reports from the following committees: Trusteeship, Audit, Finance and Endowment, Campus Affairs, and University Relations;
Affirmed the selection of Dr. Susan E. Larkin as provost and vice president for academic affairs;
Affirmed the promotion of Dr. Keith Moore as senior vice president (previously vice president for campus life and operational management) and Kelly Cordova as chief of staff and assistant secretary to the Board of Trustees (previously executive assistant to the president);
Heard progress reports on institutional planning: Financial Sustainability Plan, “Great Goals!”, and “Forging the Future: Building on Strength;”
Accepted the final report of the “Transformation Now!” capital campaign and discussed a new $40 million fundraising plan campaign to grow the endowment;
Approved the updated Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget;
Recognized Geni Roberts ‘23 (pictured) as the National Runner Up in the men’s triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Received an update on the work of the new Graduate Council and the addition of new programs;
Heard a report from Brown Advisory on the endowment;
And received updates on recently completed construction projects and upcoming projects like the Watts Fieldhouse, the Blocker Youth Center, and the Kenneth R. Perry Field locker room.

We thank Chair Jon Pruden, each of the committee chairs, and all of our Board members for their time, energy, engagement, and support.

ET CETERA

Last week we hosted trustees and friends of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges at DeFord Manor. The VFIC provides generous support for student scholarships and academic programs like the statewide Ethics Bowl, coming to VWU in January. Our thanks to Dr. Matthew Shank, President of the VFIC, for choosing Virginia Wesleyan for this special event.

Pictured from left: Dr. Nancy DeFord and Gary Bonnewell '79; George Birdsong and Dr. Antje Schwennicke, Dean of the Birdsong School of Social Science; Vince Mastracco and Dr. Shank.

Congratulations to our good partners at Virginia Beach Economic Development (VBED) for the special recognition they received at the 2022 Workforce Innovation Awards last week. Two years ago, VBED coordinated the creation of The Hive in Town Center which was chosen as a "community-based organization honoree" in the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. VWU and TCC-Virginia Beach are the higher education partners at The Hive. Pictured from left, Devin Cowhey (VWU '10) and Ihsane Mouak, both from Virginia Beach Economic Development, and Marion Hibbler, VWU Director of Lifelong Learning. Virginia Wesleyan University is a strong workforce partner to the City and to The Hive.

Thanks to Dominion Energy for their responsiveness during the stormy remnants of Hurricane Ian. During heavy winds and rain, crews repaired lines damaged by falling trees on the Norfolk Academy/VWU line. The total power outage was limited to 3.5 hours. Dominion Energy used VWU as a staging area for cleanup in Virginia Beach and Norfolk for the remainder of the weekend.

Our hearts go out to the people of Fort Myers, Florida, and all of those affected by Hurricane Ian.

I am pleased to share the latest promotional videos for our Batten Honors College. Enrolling 160 scholars, the Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan recruits high-achieving students and equips them to be problem solvers who are environmentally-conscious, strategic-thinking global citizens, ethically-bound to bettering their community and the world.

With BD&E (Brand Drives Everything) of Pittsburgh, we have also developed a series of promotional videos for exploring and sharing Virginia Wesleyan with prospective students, family and friends. Enjoy!

Explore Virginia Wesleyan University (:15)

Explore Virginia Wesleyan University (:30)

Explore Virginia Wesleyan University: Personal and Supportive

Explore Virginia Wesleyan University: Spirited and Academic

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

October 11 is National Coming Out Day

Our student organization, Spectrum, will host their annual tradition where Marlins are invited to take coming out pictures with "the door" in the Harbor Grill from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.—sharing a part of their identity with others. All Marlins are invited to make a pride button to show love and support for our LGBTQ+ Marlins and community!

October is Filipino History Month

Off The Hook and Dining Services are serving Filipino cuisine on Tuesday, October 18 during dinner service.

Why Affordability and Accessibility Are the Cornerstones of a Proactive Enrollment Strategy

Dr. Marylouise Fennell, Principal at Hyatt Fennell executive search firm, and I regularly contribute to the quarterly publication Enrollment Manager. Enjoy our latest article on affordability and accessibility.

State of the Region

Last week the Hampton Roads Chamber held their annual State of the Region, which centered about economic growth despite losses in the region’s labor force. Most notably, the region expects a nursing shortage, following national trends. However, Robert McNab, economics professor and director of Old Dominion University's Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy, says that recovery from the pandemic is near and that the Hampton Roads economy is expected to grow.

While attending the State of the Region, I ran into Congressman Bobby Scott. We’re looking forward to hosting him at VWU for our Global Campus Commencement in December.

Read more about the event or find the full State of the Region report here.

The Trails at Wesleyan Woods

Our extensive campus trails are open and beautiful to behold in the fall by walking, hiking, jogging, or biking. Take advantage of these treasures while enjoying the autumn weather.

Students Ministries at VWU

Our campus ministry, under the leadership of Marie Porter, Director of Student Ministries, is off to a great start this academic year. A reminder that our campus ministry is a partnership with Haygood United Methodist Church, located east of campus on Wesleyan/Haygood. All members of the Marlin community are welcome to join church services at Haygood UMC at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Sundays and participate in community events held there.

Updates from New American Colleges & Universities

I thoroughly enjoyed being a guest on the New American Colleges & Universities (NACU) Podcast “Connect, Collaborate, Champion!” hosted by Sean Creighton, President of NACU. In this edition, titled “A Long-Serving President’s Keys to Success,” Sean and I discuss leadership, differentiating one's campus in a congested marketplace and how to successfully expand into new markets. Listen here.

In other news, St. Mary’s University (San Antonio, Texas) accepted the invitation to join NACU. NACU is a collective of innovative colleges and universities in non-competing markets that share best practices and ideas for promoting and enhancing higher education nationwide.

Sodexo’s “Portrait of the Modern Student”

Since 2004, the Sodexo Student Lifestyle Report has been used to help campuses understand generational changes, grasp the evolving needs of students, and capture the drivers of student engagement and how they relate to student recruitment and retention. The 2022-23 survey is available for download for free here.

Following the survey, I was a panelist on Sodexo’s “Portrait of the Modern Student” webinar where I shared insights on the survey based on experiences throughout my 32 years as a college president. Hosted by Jeni Golomb, Senior Vice President of Sodexo North America Marketing, I joined Diane Williams, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services at SUNY Oneonta, and Marc Booker, Executive Director of Housing & Dining at University of Alabama at Birmingham, to discuss student resilience and how modern dining services can bring students closer together.

Regional Environmental News

The Washington Post reports on the Norfolk sea wall project, and Virginia Mercury relays that states are not on track to meet the 2025 deadline for reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

President to President: The Social Justice Imperative

The second chapter of the 2022-2023 President to President thought leadership series is now available. In "A University’s Commitment to Social Justice," Southern Connecticut State University President Joe A. Bertolino, Ed.D., examines the role of college campuses in addressing current social issues. He highlights the critical need to engage in courageous conversations and shares strategies for promoting open dialogue and creating an inclusive campus environment.

This year's President to President series, titled “The Well Campus: An In-Depth Look,” examines the various dimensions of wellness on campus, which extend beyond physical health to include mental, emotional, and social well-being. Ten college and university presidents offer unique perspectives on what it means to have a “well” campus and share practical ideas you may find useful on your own campus. We hope you enjoy reading these insights and look forward to continuing to delve further into this topic with you.