Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

December 19, 2022

Good morning,

Congratulations, once again, to the Class of 2022! We hope our graduates, along with their families and friends, enjoyed our Commencement ceremony on Saturday in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. What a great way to close this calendar year!

We thank Congressman Bobby Scott for delivering the keynote address. We hope his message encouraging our graduates to stay engaged and to use their education to help develop public policy is one that the Class of 2022 takes to heart. Congressman Scott and Dr. James V. Koch, former university president, economist and noted author, were presented honorary degrees during our ceremony.

We also presented faculty awards to Dr. William McConnell, Associate Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education, for Distinguished Scholarship and Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability, for Campus Service. We thank them for their dedication to our students and to the advancement of this university.

We hope to see members of the Class of 2022 back on campus for Spring Alumni Weekend on April 14-15. We offer our best wishes to them as they embark on the next stage of their journey of lifelong learning.

I’m pleased to share that Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, the newly appointed bishop to the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, will serve as our 2023 Baccalaureate speaker. Originally from Florida, Bishop Haupert-Johnson has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, a law degree from the University of Florida College of Law, and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. We look forward to hearing her message of service, citizenship, and faith to our Marlin graduates and their families.

Baccalaureate will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12 in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center as a part of the Spring 2023 Commencement exercises. This prelude to Commencement is a service of worship in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom.

ET CETERA

Recently we shared the passing of longtime VWU Trustee Emeritus Robert H. "Bob" DeFord. Bob was extremely active in a wide variety of community organizations and was a co-founder of Virginia Beach Vision in 1993.

The mission of VBV is “to create a vision and advance initiatives necessary to the City of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region’s future development, prosperity and quality of life.” VBV boasts a membership of 120 business and civic leaders who work to enhance the organization's efforts to have a positive, long-term impact on the future direction of the City of Virginia Beach.

Continuing the tradition set by Bob, I’m proud to share that I have been elected as Vice President of Virginia Beach Vision, an organization that I have been a member of since my arrival at VWU. I look forward to helping to lead this important organization that advances the City and its goals “of progress and prosperity” throughout our region.

Pictured: Delceno Miles (center), President, and Martha McClees (right), Executive Director of Virginia Beach Vision

Last spring we made some valuable changes to our online Master of Business Administration, redesigning the curriculum with an added focus on leadership. There is a high demand today for employees who can bring both business and leadership skills to the table. Our MBA course content has been adjusted to reflect that demand, and seeks to develop leaders committed to creating sustainable, social, environmental, and economic value through effective and responsive business practices.

Students don’t need a business degree to get an MBA. Our program is designed to enhance leadership skills and lay the foundation for success in any field, regardless of a student’s background. Upon graduation, students will have the communication and teamwork skills necessary to compete in a global environment, a firm understanding of advanced business concepts, knowledge of relevant emerging business trends, and key leadership skills necessary for managerial roles.

The 10-course program can be completed in as little as 12 months, and students may enroll on either a full-time or a part-time basis. The next start date for our online MBA is January 23. Learn more at online.vwu.edu.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Children’s Brunch with Santa

We enjoyed hosting the annual Children's Brunch with Santa on December 10 for children and grandchildren of Virginia Wesleyan University community members. My thanks to Dr. Jill Sturts and the students of "Sport & Recreation Program and Event Principles" for coordinating such a wonderful event. View the photo gallery with images by Joey Mueller '22.

VWU Makes the Season Bright

The VWU community was merry and bright at our annual holiday party and holiday open house at DeFord Manor. Annie and I thank all who joined us to celebrate this festive time of year.

Celebrating the Holiday Season with Aramark Facilities Management

One of the best parts of the holiday season is spending time with friends, and our friends at Aramark are some of the best. I was happy to join their holiday party last week in the Pearce Suite. I’m pictured with David Peterson, Director of Facilities Management, and Tim Knight, District Manager for Aramark Higher Education.

Final Chat & Chew for 2022

It was great to catch up with staff members Nathan Lightman, Enrollment Counselor; Gina Barletta, Director of Human Resources; Amber Gruszeczka, Research Librarian; and Marcia Williams, Information Security Officer and Network Manager, during our last Chat & Chew of the calendar year. I look forward to having lunch with additional staff members in the new year.

Changing of the Guard for Marlin Company

It was such a pleasure to meet with Major Brandon Shah, Military Leadership Department Chair & Professor of Military Science at ODU, who serves as the lead for our Army ROTC program. Major Shah was appointed to this position in June and officially joined the Monarch Battalion in September.

The Marlin Company was formalized on campus in February 1998 and operates as part of the Monarch Battalion. Through elective classes and field training, students receive valuable tools, training, and leadership experiences that lead to military service and are assets in any career field. VWU’s Army ROTC office is conveniently located on the first floor of Godwin Hall across from the University’s Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs offices.

Hampton Roads Chamber Senatorial Forum

Last week I attended a discussion of legislative priorities benefiting the Hampton Roads area with business leaders and Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (top left), hosted by the Hampton Roads Chamber. While there, I had the opportunity to visit with Congressman Bobby Scott (top right); Virginia Beach City Councilman Aaron Rouse and VisitNorfolk President/CEO Kurt Krause (bottom left); and Corey McCray, President of Paul D. Camp Community College, and Virginia Beach City Councilman Michael Berlucchi (bottom right).

The Pharos: December 2022

This semester’s last 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.

NCAA Names a New President

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that Charlie Baker, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will serve as the next NCAA President, effective March 2023. Learn more.

President to President: Embracing Change

The fifth chapter of the 2022-2023 President to President thought leadership series is available online today. In "Effecting Change While Respecting the Past," Furman University President Elizabeth Davis, Ph.D., describes how to navigate the complex changes that are often a necessary step towards becoming a successful modern university while also respecting the culture and history of the campus. She shares practical strategies for working with students, faculty, alumni, and community members to ensure that changes are respectful, positive, and aligned with the college’s current values.

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REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

University Business