Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

August 21, 2023

Good morning,

Welcome home, Marlins!

We are proud to welcome the largest cohort of new students since becoming a University in 2017. These new Marlins arrived on campus yesterday, eager for move-in day. We kicked off the second session of Marlin Nation Orientation with an afternoon assembly in TowneBank Arena, followed by the First-Year Fest in Harbor Grill.

Our residential transfer students arrive today, returning students move back to campus tomorrow, and fall semester classes begin on Wednesday. It’s going to be a great year!

We held the annual State of the University on Friday, where I was pleased to share that Virginia Wesleyan University is growing and prospering thanks to our collaborative regional and international partnerships, innovative enrollment and retention strategies, and generous donors and friends.

Thank you to the VWU community members and friends who joined us for the event, as well as all who watched live through the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network. Each of you plays a pivotal role in guiding Virginia Wesleyan forward.

Read more about VWU’s fundraising and affordability efforts, growing enrollment, community partnerships, and collegiate structure in the State of the University feature story on our website.

Webcast | Photo Gallery

During the State of the University Address, we paid tribute to Trustee Emerita Susan Torma Beverly, Class of 1972 and 2022 honorary doctorate recipient. I’m proud to share that the finishing touches are underway at Torma Gardens, located outside Beverly Hall. These beautiful gardens and dedication plaque were generously established in loving memory of Dr. Susan Torma Beverly ‘72 by her family. It is a touching tribute to a cherished individual who has meant so much to the Marlin community.

ET CETERA

Join us as we celebrate the 2023 VWU Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 7 at 5:00 p.m. during Homecoming and Family Weekend.

The VWU Athletic Hall of Fame honors those who, by outstanding achievement in athletics, by service to athletics, or through significant contributions to athletics, have made lasting contributions to Virginia Wesleyan's intercollegiate athletic program.

The 2023 Induction Ceremony will honor benefactor William S. Shelhorse '70 and athletic greats Marissa Coombs '18 (Women's Track & Field and Women’s Cross Country); Evan Cox (UK ‘18) (Men's Golf); Kala Guy Herman '13 (Women's Volleyball); Cassetty Howerin '18 (Softball); and the 2018 NCAA National Championship Softball Team.

Ticket information for the 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony can be found here. Register to attend by Friday, September 22.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Making Math Count

VWU TEEMS scholars Taylor Paquette ‘23 and Haley Sutton ‘23 make a marked difference during summer internships. These recent grads have jumped right into VWU’s Master in Education (MAED) program and will graduate with master’s degrees in May 2024. Learn more.

The Princeton Review Names Virginia Wesleyan

Among Best Colleges for 2024

Virginia Wesleyan University was once again named one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduates to earn their college degree, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company, known for its tutoring, test-prep, and admission services as well as its books, website, and other resources for students, selected VWU for inclusion in The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition and also features the University in the Mid-Atlantic category of its 2024 Best Colleges: Region by Region. Learn more.

Women’s Volleyball Earns Academic Honor

Congratulations to the women’s volleyball program, led by Karissa Cumberbatch, Director of Men’s and Women’s Volleyball, on receiving the 2023 U.S. Marine Corps/American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the award, and USMC/AVCA continues their tradition of honoring teams who have matched their dedication to the sport of volleyball with excellence in the classroom. The benchmark is an average 3.3 GPA for the entire year. Learn more.

Faculty Pre-Session Kicks Off a New Academic Year

During our Faculty Pre-Session last week, we extended a warm VWU welcome to Dr. Devon Taylor, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Shenandoah University. Devon presented on the important topic of “Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education” during our Faculty Pre-Session. Dr. Sue Larkin, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Loren Marquez, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, joined us for the picture.

Seeing Friends at the HR Chamber Senatorial Forum

I was happy to visit with Delegate Angelia Williams Graves and Sandra Brandt, Owner of STEP-UP, at last week’s Senatorial Forum sponsored by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. While there, I enjoyed lunch with Virginia Beach City Council member Michael Berlucchi, a good friend of Virginia Wesleyan.

Angela Reddix Visits Campus

Our thanks to Angela Reddix, noted author and Founder, CEO, and President of ARDX, an independent healthcare management and IT organization, for joining us for lunch at DeFord Manor last week. Included in the discussion were CeeCee Tucker, VWU Special Advisor to the President, and David Black, Executive in Residence.

Coming Soon: 2023 Neptune Festival

It was exciting to hear plans for the 2023 Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. Special thanks to Kit Chope, President & CEO of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, and Mark Johnson, Senior Vice President of Truist, for visiting campus to share more about this fun, local tradition, which attracts 400,000 tourists to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Virginia Beach to Spend $22.5 Million to Build New Road for 2 New Warehouses, Reportedly for Amazon

WAVY-TV 10 reports that the City of Virginia Beach will pay for a new road to service a 3.2-million-square-foot e-commerce robotics fulfillment center and an additional “last-mile” facility headed to farmland south of Naval Air Station Oceana. Read more.

State Senator Seeks to Lease Land to Dominion for Wind Turbine Project

The Virginian-Pilot reports that a vacant lot near Naval Air Station Oceana that is owned by a state senator could soon become a temporary laydown area for Dominion Energy’s $10 billion wind farm project off the coast. Read more.

Virginia Beach Adopts the 10-district Election Model Imposed by Courts

WHRO reports that Virginia Beach has adopted the 10-district system imposed on it last year after a court forced the city to abandon its old voting system over concerns it diluted minority votes. The City Council voted Tuesday 10-1 to adopt the maps and voting system it was forced to use in the 2022 elections. Read more.

2023 Founders Day: September 7

Our formal Founders Day convocation ceremony, featuring keynote speaker Leighton Clarke Krips and the presentation of the annual Alumni Awards, will be held on Thursday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Join us as we celebrate our roots, honor those who shaped our history, and embrace the exciting future ahead.

Make Plans to Come Home: October 6-7

Our Homecoming and Family Weekend celebration will take place on campus on October 6 and 7. Make your plans to join us for collegiate and alumni games, our annual picnic, and much more!

More United Methodist Church Disaffiliation Questions Answered

“Ask The UMC,” a ministry of United Methodist Communications, continues to receive questions related to local church disaffiliations. In Part 12 of its "Is The United Methodist Church Really…?" series, the team tackles inquiries related to disaffiliation numbers and apportionments.

Read story

Read previous installments

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