Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

January 23, 2023

Good morning,

On January 14, over 50 volunteers from Virginia Wesleyan University, Samaritan House and Lynnhaven River Now came together to plant trees at “The Hallow,” Samaritan House’s new shelter for trafficked youth, and at the nearby Church of the Holy Apostles. The planting sites are located in an area of Virginia Beach that is susceptible to extreme heat as identified as part of the “Heat Watch” project conducted statewide by students in 2021. The study revealed urban heat islands, where there is more pavement and less green space, and made them eligible for a community tree planting project funded by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges via a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry.

The tree planting has received wonderful local media coverage from 13 News Now, WTKR, WAVY, and WHRO. Our special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability, and Dr. Chris Haley, Professor of Earth Science and Chair of Earth and Environmental Sciences, for planning this event as part of our Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service. We are so proud of all the students, faculty and staff who helped to make the project a success.

In this same vein, Virginia Wesleyan University was recently recognized as an Inside Business Hall of Fame member of the Elizabeth River Project’s River Stars Program. The honor commends the University’s steadfast commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility through environmental stewardship and education. My thanks, once again, to Dr. Malcolm for pursuing this program on behalf of the University, and to Dr. David R. Black, Executive-in-Residence, and Dr. Maynard Schaus, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Director of Graduate Programs, and Coordinator of Sustainability Management, for their meaningful guidance in VWU’s dedication to the environment (all pictured below, left, with ERP Executive Director Marjorie Mayfield-Jackson). Joining the event were U.S. Congress members Bobby Scott and Jen Kiggans, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander (all pictured below, center), and Alan Levenstein, Vice President of Virginia Media (pictured below, right). View our ERP River Star Business video here.

It’s a great day to be a Marlin!

ET CETERA

We are proud to share the addition of a co-ed cheer program to VWU Athletics. VWU Cheer will support men's and women's basketball in the 2023-24 season with additional sports to follow as the program matures. The program could participate in cheer competitions as early as 2024.

Virginia Wesleyan alumna Cherrelle Artis has been named Head Coach. A member of the Class of 2010, Coach Artis was a VWU cheerleader during a time when the program was only offered at the club level. Coach Artis will be joined by Assistant Coach Elise Fabregas, who also cheered at VWU.

Recruitment for the 2023-24 season is already underway.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

VWU to Host 2023 VFIC Ethics Bowl

The 2023 Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) Ethics Bowl is scheduled for January 29-30, 2023, on VWU's campus. The topic will be “Ethics and Digital Media.” The 2023 Ethics Bowl Dinner will honor VWU friend and Trustee Emeritus George Birdsong H’19 for his dedicated support of the VFIC and private higher education in Virginia.

New Mural Coming to Harbor Grill

We look forward to the new mural in the works at Harbor Grill in the Jane P. Batten Student Center from the students in ART 350: "Public Art," led by John Rudel, Professor of Art, Director of Undergraduate Research and Curator of Exhibitions for the Neil Britton Art Gallery. The rendering of the new mural is pictured below. We’re excited for its completion!

January Term Brings Adventure and Knowledge

Despite a two-day travel delay because of the FAA technology outages, our students in SRM 348: "Maui Sea to Sky: The Impact of Adventure Travel on Culture and the Environment" enjoyed their January Term class in Hawaii. This course visits Maui and local destinations to examine the impact that adventure travel has on culture and the environment. In Maui, the class studied with local partners for immersion in adventure travel including hiking, snorkeling, surfing, and even traditional Hawaiian agriculture methods.

VWU Art on Display Around Coastal Virginia

The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach Town Center will host “The 2023 Virginia Wesleyan University Art Showcase” from mid-February through mid-April in the Sandler Center Art Gallery mezzanine lobby. The showcase will present student artwork showing various depictions on the theme of campus life. Congratulations to John Rudel, Professor of Art, Director of Undergraduate Research and Curator of Exhibitions for the Neil Britton Art Gallery, and students from across all majors who will be featured in the exhibit.

Additionally, a magnificent, four-story mural from Professor Rudel is now on display on Boush Street in Norfolk (pictured). The inspiration for the mural is the corporate motto for Scripps, parent company of WTKR News 3: “Give light and the people will find their own way." Kudos to him, once again!

Exciting Opportunities in Career Development

Congratulations to Alice Jones, Director of Career Development, on a successful first semester with the University. Fall 2022 introduced new career development tools and programs while continuing and building upon VWU traditions in this area.

New programs included a partnership with the Greater Norfolk Corporation and an opportunity for 14 VWU students to be connected to mentors from the area for a year-long program (pictured right are eight of the VWU mentees at the Winter Networking Event held in December).

It’s never too early (or too late!) for our students to build their toolkits to help create, develop, and pursue their professional goals. Visit The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery to learn more.

Zion Purvis-Allen Honored with Mavis McKenley '11 Award on MLK Day

Congratulations to senior Zion Purvis-Allen, the 2023 recipient of the Mavis McKenley '11 Award, presented during our Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration luncheon. Once again, our special thanks to keynote speaker Aaron Rouse, Trustee Mavis McKenley, and Virginia Beach City Councilmember Jennifer Rouse '08, for their participation in our event.

NCAA Convention Review

The 477 voting delegates of Division III gathered as a part of the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio to vote on 12 legislative proposals, one resolution and other motions and amendments. My thanks to vice president of Division III Louise McCleary for leading our division with integrity during a tumultuous time in the NCAA as a whole.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

The Pharos

REFLECTIONS

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

University Business