Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

September 18, 2023

Good morning,

The Virginia Wesleyan Board of Trustees is pleased to welcome two distinguished individuals to its ranks.

Jaclyn B. Ruelle, a proud alumna of the Class of 2004, has been elected to the VWU Board of Trustees. She brings over two decades of marketing and PR industry experience to the Board, and currently serves as Vice President, Head of Brand for Papa Johns in Atlanta.

Prior to this role, Jaclyn was Senior Vice President and Managing Director at The Martin Agency in Richmond. Her impressive portfolio includes representing world-renowned brands like STIHL, JetBlue, DoorDash, and UPS. Notably, she has received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, including four Cannes Lions, multiple Effies, PR Week and US Global Awards, Global Sabres, and PRSA Silver Anvils.

Additionally, Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., Class of 2000, has been appointed as the Chair of the VWU Alumni Council, effective January 1. In this role, he will serve as an ex officio member of the VWU Board of Trustees. As we welcome Thomas, we thank Alisa Crider, Class of 2010, for serving as Chair of the Alumni Council for an extended term.

Currently serving as Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools, Thomas oversees 33 schools, more than 31,000 students, and over 4,300 employees in Virginia's eighth-largest school district. His impressive educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Wesleyan, a Master's in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in PK-12 Education Policy from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William & Mary.

Jaclyn and Thomas embody the spirit of innovation and dedication that Virginia Wesleyan deeply values. We are honored to have them both engaged in the University in this deep and meaningful way, where their insights and expertise will undoubtedly enrich our institution.

As Chair of the Virginia Private Colleges (VPC) Board of Directors, I am pleased to share that Virginia Wesleyan University will host the upcoming annual meeting of VPC, a consortium of 28 private, non-profit colleges and universities. The event will be a pivotal occasion for collaboration among our institutions.

Scheduled for September 19-20, this marks my final meeting as VPC Chair, and we anticipate the participation of Presidents from all 28 accredited nonprofit independent colleges across Virginia. Together, we will engage in critical discussions on educational matters. We are also honored to welcome Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will join us on Thursday morning.

Established in 1971, VPC (Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia) plays a vital role in securing funding for The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) program, benefitting over 20,000 Virginia students. This year's event begins with a reception and dinner hosted by Annie and me on September 19, followed by Governor Youngkin's participation and the annual VPC Business Meeting, focusing on strategic planning.

We look forward to hosting this prestigious gathering, furthering our commitment to higher education excellence.

ET CETERA

Friday, September 29, will mark the official kick-off of the Marlin Family Campaign for Faculty and Staff, which is an opportunity for employees to contribute financially to the University. As an institution, we are striving to meet goals in academics, enrollment, fundraising, student life, and more. Every member of the faculty and staff is invaluable to achieving these goals, and I am grateful to each of you for the efforts you put forth daily. These efforts create the community that make VWU such a special place to work and learn.

This year’s early bird raffle winner takes home the best seats in the house with two VWU canvas lawn chairs as their prize! Make your gift before Friday, September 29, to be entered to win.

We are also very excited to host a department challenge - as are our Cabinet members! The campus department with the highest percentage of participation will have the pleasure of listening to their leadership sing karaoke at the Marlin Family Campaign thank you reception. Those who participate in the campaign will also have the chance to win Virginia Wesleyan swag and amazing experiences from some local favorites. Take a sneak peek here.

Virginia Wesleyan University's enrollment success is showcased in "Enrollment Manager" by Dwyer Strategies. The article, "Virginia Wesleyan University Soars to New Heights: A Record-Breaking Trajectory," authored by John W. Dysart, President of The Dysart Group, highlights the institution's remarkable growth. Despite the pandemic, VWU saw a surge in traditional program enrollment this fall. Inquiries rose by 32%, applications by 54%, acceptances by 35%, and new student enrollments by 28%, maintaining a solid 71% acceptance rate. This year's intake is the largest since gaining university status in 2017. In an ever-changing higher education landscape, VWU sets a promising precedent for adapting to evolving student needs.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Washington Internship Institute (WII) campus in Washington, D.C. As a member of the Executive Committee of the New American Colleges & Universities (NACU) Board of Directors, I am excited to highlight the ongoing collaboration between WII and NACU.

VWU's partnership with NACU plays a crucial role in operating WII, and this visit marks a significant milestone following the merger of NACU and WII on November 8, 2022. This alignment has consolidated operations and governance under NACU's leadership, paving the way for a new signature DC internship experience for our students.

WII's 30 years of expertise in personalized internships will continue to provide opportunities that align with our students' passions and career aspirations. NACU, an innovation center for 27 private institutions nationwide, will foster an environment where we share research and strategies to strengthen our institutions.

For more information about NACU, WII, and VWU's involvement, please visit nacu.edu, wiidc.org, and vwu.edu, respectively.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and honors the rich cultural contributions and heritage of Hispanic and Latino Americans. It coincides with the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Chile. It's a time to appreciate the profound impact these communities have had on American society, from arts and culture to politics and beyond, fostering a greater understanding of their important role in shaping the nation.

VWU Celebrates Constitution Day

September 17 is designated as Constitution & Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Each September, educational institutions throughout the U.S. hold programs that draw attention to our commitment to the rights and obligations of citizens.

This year, students are invited to participate in Civic Trivia and other events with Wesleyan Engaged today from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Additionally, the Virginia Wesleyan Robert Nusbaum Center is proud to host “No Longer Seen as the Criminal: A Personal Story of Expunging Convictions from a Trafficking Survivor's Record” in honor of Constitution Day on September 19 at 12:00 p.m. in Frank Blocker, Jr. Auditorium in Blocker Hall. Learn more.

Homecoming and Family Weekend Countdown is On!

Make plans to join fellow Marlins on October 6-7 for an exciting lineup of diverse events for Marlins and their friends and families. On Friday, the weekend kicks off with Marlin Spirit Day and the 22nd annual Virginia Wesleyan University Golf Outing. On Saturday, we’ll celebrate our annual FinFest with food trucks, live music, and family fun, and we’ll host a special 25th reunion of the Class of 1998. We’ll cheer on the Marlins in athletic contests and alumni games and celebrate the best of VWU Athletics during the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony that evening. The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center will host the Choral Invitational on Friday and the Performing Arts Showcase on Saturday. Students can look forward to the Homecoming Dance and the crowning of the Marlin Majesty. It's a weekend filled with festivities, athletics, arts, and community spirit that you won't want to miss.

View the full schedule for 2023 Homecoming & Family Weekend. We hope to see you there!

An Unforgettable Evening at The Norfolk Forum

Our special thanks to The Norfolk Forum for providing an opportunity for our men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes and staff to attend the presentation from legendary Hall of Fame Men’s Basketball Coach Roy Williams last week. The students and staff truly enjoyed Coach Williams' discussion on the importance of hard work, discipline, and the transformative potential in every victory and defeat.

I, too, was delighted to attend the presentation and enjoyed dinner with Coach Williams before catching up with ODU coach Jeff Jones, our own Dave Macedo, and ODU Athletic Director Wood Selig for the Forum at Chrysler Hall. It was good to visit with a long time colleague, Brian Hemphill, President of ODU, over dinner. Many years ago, Brian and I were presidents of colleges in West Virginia.

Planning Another Successful Marlin Business Conference

Last week, we had a productive meeting with the leadership of the student-led Marlin Business Conference, including Emily Moody, Chief Executive Officer; Joslyn Woodard, Chief of Staff; and Frank Futyma, Lecturer in Management, Business, and Economics. The Fall 2023 Marlin Business Conference theme is “Creating Opportunities through Technical Innovation.” Best wishes to these students as they plan and prepare for a busy week of conference sessions and activities.

Marlins are Making Waves

Our campus is flooded with activity as Marlins continue to actively engage and demonstrate their support for the campus community and beyond. Our students and fans also showed remarkable enthusiasm during the traditional rivalry volleyball match against Randolph-Macon College, resulting in a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind victory. The win was led by Presidential Associate Abby Mahoney with her outstanding 23 kills, which is tied for third all-time for most kills in a single game.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the students who participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Jane P. Batten Student Center last week. Notably, the Marlin Student Government Association made a generous donation of $1 to the Virginia Beach Fire Department for every flight climbed during this event.

In addition, the Marlin community came together for the "Awareness Walk & Memory Chalk" event, organized by VWU's Office of Counseling & Student Health, in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day. This event not only provided students with valuable information about the support services offered by VWU but also offered a meaningful opportunity to write messages of support and remembrance after a walk across campus. Witnessing our Marlins actively support each other and our broader community in such impactful ways fills us with immense pride.

The Pharos: September 2023

This semester’s first 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.

Virginia Women’s Conference: Harness Your Power!

U.S. Senator Mark Warner is delighted to invite the women of Virginia Wesleyan to the Virginia Women’s Conference on Saturday, September 30, in Norfolk. This event is free to all participants but registration is required as space is limited.

Home Track Advantage

As Virginia Beach’s university, we have outstanding partnerships with like-minded organizations throughout the city. Last week, we hosted leaders of the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau for lunch at DeFord Manor, including CVB Director Nancy Helman along with Dani Trimm and Brooks Hierstein. We were also joined by VWU Senior Vice President Keith Moore and Executive Director for Intercollegiate Athletics Andrea Hoover-Erbig. CVB supports VWU’s use of city amenities like the Virginia Beach Sports Center, where we hope Marlins will compete in the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships this spring.

A Visit with Alumnus Ben White

It was an enjoyable visit with Ben White, Virginia Wesleyan Class of 1991, at the Hampton Roads Legislative Reception at The Harbor Club at Waterside last Thursday. Ben is currently Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Chesapeake and is a candidate for Chesapeake Treasurer.

New FACT Facility Supports Families

We had a wonderful visit with Tyler Williamson, Executive Director of Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater, Inc. (FACT), at their beautiful new headquarters in Virginia Beach. Tyler and FACT have been good friends and partners of VWU for several years. The mission of FACT is to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families in the Coastal Virginia area. FACT provides social and recreational programs that enhance social and communication skills and promote community integration. Jason Seward, VWU Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, joined us for the tour and lunch.

VisitNorfolk Celebration of Success

I was delighted to join the VisitNorfolk Annual Celebration of Success Breakfast at the Marriott Waterside last week. It is always great to visit with Mark Perryman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norfolk Airport Authority; and Kurt Krause, President and CEO of VisitNorfolk.

What Comes After United Methodist General Conference Deadline?

According to United Methodist News, a lot has changed since the pandemic postponed The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly from its original May 2020 schedule to now 2024. The coming General Conference will have new legislative proposals to consider. Heather Hahn previews what comes next after the legislative deadline has passed.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS