July 10, 2023
Good morning, |
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As I shared last week, we will celebrate the special tradition of Founders Day on Thursday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m. in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Our keynote speaker will be Leighton Clarke Krips, daughter of former VWU president Lambuth Clarke. With her rich history rooted in the University, Leighton will share the memories of the Clarke family from our University’s early days and their hopes for VWU’s future.
Once again, our formal Founders Day convocation ceremony will include the presentation of our annual Alumni Awards. I am delighted to share our 2023 Alumni Awards recipients, an honor the VWU Alumni Council bestows upon graduates in recognition of outstanding professional and personal accomplishments. Congratulations to the following alumni on this well-deserved distinction that recognizes their many accomplishments since graduation: |
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Distinguished Alumnus Award Michael R. Rawls ’91
Alumni Service Award Marie I. Nicolo ’96
Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award Nicholas G. Hipple ’18 |
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We look forward to paying tribute to our roots, recognizing key individuals who helped shape our history, and celebrating the institution's bright future on Founders Day. |
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July is the month for faculty transitions in higher education, and I am delighted to welcome new faculty members joining us this fall:
- Pradip Basnet is coming to us from the Kennesaw State University Honors College. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Georgia. He will be a Lecturer in Physics in the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
- Breanna Noffsinger will be joining the Biology department in the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences as a Lecturer in Anatomy in Physiology. Her addition will bring stability to our growing Allied Health programs and allow for the best usage of our updated laboratory spaces. Dr. Noffsinger received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
- Sara Ryan is joining the English department in the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities. She is a published poet who specializes in creative and professional writing. She earned her Ph.D. at Texas Tech.
- Lindsay Sims holds a Master of Science in Accounting from American University and brings experience with the Department of Defense and as a business owner to her new role as a Lecturer in the Business department of the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies. She will be teaching accounting.
- Caitlin Williams earned her Ph.D. at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and will be joining us as an Assistant Professor of Biology, specializing in microbiology, in the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
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In addition to new faculty members, we are excited to welcome new (and not-so-new) staff members to key roles within the University.
In the Trinder Center for Advancement, Sarah Guzzo (MBA ’22) has started her new role as Director of the Wesleyan Fund after serving for four years as the Director of Student Activities. Carolyn McKenna ’99 will return to Virginia Wesleyan as the Director of Business and Corporate Development on August 1. She brings an impressive 20-year career in major gifts and donor development through organizations like Operation Smile, Johns Hopkins University, and most recently, Community Volunteers in Medicine. Tiffany Saunders joined the team as Assistant Director of Advancement Operations in June.
In Campus Life, Elyse Rosen has been promoted to Director of Residence Life. Jennifer Cohen is our new Director of Student Engagement (formerly Student Activities), starting on July 17.
In Athletics, Dillon May has been promoted to Director of Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field after serving as the program’s Assistant Director. K’Vonte Scott, former Assistant Track & Field Coach, will become the Assistant Director of Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field. He’s been involved in the program since 2022. Shane Kohler will take over as Head Men’s Soccer Coach after serving as the program's assistant coach since 2020. The new Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach is Madison Heck, who has extensive coaching experience at the high school and college level.
Congratulations to all! |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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2023-24 Policies, Handbooks and Guidelines All policies, handbooks, and guidelines for the 2023-24 academic year are posted on our website. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact humanresources@vwu.edu.
Enrollment Manager: Commencement is Only the Beginning of Tracking and Measuring Our Student Impact |
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Visit with Alumnus David Sutherland When I’m on the Eastern Shore, I always like to visit with proud VWU alum David Sutherland, Class of 1973. We had lunch at our “usual spot” at the Baywood Country Club in Delaware last week.
Continuing our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The University continues its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. As such, the Office of the President organized an ad hoc committee to examine our holiday e-card practices. Members of the committee represented the Robert Nusbaum Center, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, the Department of Religious Studies, and the Office of Marketing & Communications. The committee affirmed the current holidays for e-cards but recommended updating the timing of certain cards to follow VWU’s academic calendar rather than a religious calendar. For example, the “Season’s Greetings” e-card, which had been sent on Christmas Day, will now be sent on the first day of VWU’s winter break (the day after the last exam of the Fall semester). I thank the individual who brought this matter to our attention and am pleased with the outcome for a more inclusive practice. |
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Wesleyan Wednesday: August 9 Save the date for our next Wesleyan Wednesday on August 9 on the lawn of the Bayville Farms location of Taste. The event is free and open to all Marlin alumni, faculty, staff, and their families on Wednesday, August 9 from 5-7pm. There’ll be live music and great food. We hope to see you there! |
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Save the Date: State of the University, August 18 The 2023 State of the University Address will take place on August 18 at 12:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming our Trustees, faculty, staff, and many friends in-person for our State of the University luncheon and address. For our students and alumni, the State of the University will be livestreamed on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network. |
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Rep. Jen Kiggans on Campus It was delightful to visit with U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans on campus. We toured our talent development center in Clarke Hall, the Greer Environmental Sciences Center, and more before an enjoyable lunch at DeFord Manor. She’s also pictured with Momo Higuchi and Moeno Sawai, recent VWU graduates via LUJ/VWU Global in Tokyo. Jen lived in Japan earlier in her career and impressed our grads with her Japanese language skills. |
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A Visit with Will Driscoll, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame It was great to host Will Driscoll, Executive Director of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, for lunch at DeFord Manor last week with Keith Moore (Senior Vice President), Andrea Hoover-Erbig (Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics), and Brandon Elliott (Asst. Athletic Director for Advancement/ Head Softball Coach). Learn more about the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. |
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Virginia Wesleyan Supports Welcome Corps on Campus |
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A New Member in the VFIC
Biden Proposes New Debt-Relief Plan After Supreme Court Rejects Initial Proposal After the 6-3 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the proposed student debt relief plan, the Biden Administration announced new steps to aid borrowers. |
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Faith Leaders Decry Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action In response to the June 29 decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding affirmative action, leaders of United Methodist general agencies released a joint statement expressing their opposition to the decision.
Agencies Affirm Commitment to Church's Future The Rev. Greg Bergquist and Roland Fernandes, top executives of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry and Board of Global Ministries, have issued a joint statement affirming both agencies’ commitment to support the worldwide United Methodist connection as the church moves toward the future. |
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The Hive Newsletter: July 2023 Our friends at The Hive in Virginia Beach Town Center deliver updates and news for our region’s businesses. VWU and Tidewater Community College Virginia Beach are the educational partners at The Hive. |
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STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES |
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Have a wonderful 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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