Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

November 20, 2023

Good morning,

During this week of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of what a truly special place Virginia Wesleyan is and how grateful I am for this campus full of opportunity. Within our campus community, we are blessed by our exceptional students, our dedicated faculty and staff, our compassionate Board of Trustees, and our vast network of supportive alumni and friends.

Annie and I wish you all a safe and happy holiday as you travel near and far to spend time with loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!

My thanks to the students and fans who joined us in Newport News to support the Marlins as they faced Christopher Newport University in the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" on Saturday. With two of the best defenses in the country on the field, the game was destined for overtime. In the first overtime period, CNU scored in the first minute to take a 1-0 lead and ultimately win the game.

The Marlins had a great season, going undefeated in conference play for the eighth time in program history. VWU had one of the toughest NCAA schedules in the country facing No. 20 Montclair State in the first round, No. 9 Johns Hopkins in the second round, and facing No. 1 CNU in the sweet sixteen.

Congratulations to Head Coach Jeff Bowers, his entire staff, and all the wonderful student-athletes on the team. What an incredible season!

I am delighted to announce the appointment of John Groulx as the new Vice President for Finance, effective January 15, 2024. John's extensive background in finance and administration within higher education makes him an invaluable addition to our leadership team.

Throughout his career, John has demonstrated exceptional skills in financial management and strategic planning. He joins Virginia Wesleyan after serving as Director of Budget & Fiscal Planning at Wheaton College. Prior to this role, he held various significant roles at other educational institutions such as Director of Finance and Business Operations (CFO) at Malden Catholic High School, Director of Budget and Fiscal Planning at Mount Ida College, and Capital Projects Business Manager at Brandeis University.

John's academic credentials are noteworthy, with a Master of Science in Finance from Brandeis University and a Master in Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire. He also earned his undergraduate degree in Communications, with a minor in Economics, from American University.

At Virginia Wesleyan University, John will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations of the university, ensuring fiscal stability, and contributing to strategic financial planning. His proven track record and expertise in finance make him greatly suited for this role.

Please join me in welcoming John Groulx to the Virginia Wesleyan family. We look forward to his leadership and contributions to our community. We offer our continued thanks and appreciation to his predecessor Mary Ryberg who will retire on January 12.

ET CETERA

Giving Tuesday, celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, is a global philanthropic movement dedicated to charitable giving. Initiated in 2012, it was conceived as a counterbalance to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, encouraging individuals, communities, and organizations to support charitable causes. This day harnesses the power of social media and collaboration to foster generosity, urging people to donate money, time, or resources to nonprofits, local charities, or community events. Its growing popularity has transformed it into a significant day of international giving, fostering a culture of philanthropy and highlighting the importance of social responsibility. With each passing year, Giving Tuesday continues to inspire a wave of charitable actions, emphasizing the impact of collective goodwill in addressing societal challenges and improving the lives of those in need.

At VWU, Marlin Nation wants to #MakeWaves this Giving Tuesday (November 28) and reach 610 participants honoring our founding year of 1961. Campus Legends will be providing hourly updates to share why they love Virginia Wesleyan and how close we are to Making Waves! Tune in on our social medias to see your favorite Legend in action:

10:00am - Coach JP Stewart and Coach Chris Francis

11:00am - Coach Dave Macedo

12:00pm - Dr. Linda Ferguson

1:00pm - Dr. Lawrence Hultgren

2:00pm - Mrs. Polly Gaskins

3:00pm - Coach Brandon Elliott

4:00pm - Dr. Doug Kennedy

5:00pm- Dr. Keith Moore

Make plans to help us reach our goal of 610 donors by making a gift at vwu.edu/giveonline on or before November 28 or contact Sarah Guzzo, Director of The Wesleyan Fund (sguzzo@vwu.edu), for more information. We thank you for your support of Virginia Wesleyan during this national day of giving.

Each year Virginia Wesleyan presents an award on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to a student who practices the ideals set forth by Dr. King—courage and conviction in valuing differences, commitment to seeing beyond borders by building inclusion, compassion for humanity, and/or commitment to social change. In 2021, the award was named The Mavis McKenley ’11 Award in honor of our esteemed graduate and Trustee.

The Office of Academic Affairs is currently seeking student nominations for the Mavis McKenley ’11 Award to be presented on Monday, January 15, 2024. Nominations are due on December 15 to academic-affairs@vwu.edu.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Marlin Business Conference Features Celebrated Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Angela Reddix

Virginia Wesleyan University's Marlin Business Conference, a bi-annual, student-led event, welcomed entrepreneur and philanthropist Angela Reddix, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker at its opening ceremony last week. Dr. Reddix, a three-time best-selling author and 2021 Ebony Power 100 Entrepreneur & Innovative Leader Honoree, shared her insights and experiences, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Dr. Reddix and I are pictured with Emily Moody, student CEO of the conference.

The Marlin Business Conference, which was held from November 13-16, is an initiative of the university's "Principles of Management" course, led by Lecturer of Management, Business, and Economics Frank Futyma. Students in the course are responsible for planning and organizing the entire event, gaining hands-on experience in key management skills like product development, networking, project management, and financial planning. This fall’s theme, “Creating Opportunities through Technical Innovation,” explored new opportunities through technical innovation.

Batten Honors College Hosts Celebrate Author Colson Whitehead

Virginia Wesleyan University's Batten Honors College recently hosted celebrated author Colson Whitehead, known for his Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning works such as "The Underground Railroad" and "The Nickel Boys." This exclusive gathering, held in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons, was a blend of intellectual discourse and cultural enrichment, setting the stage for Colson’s later address at The Norfolk Forum that same evening at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk. The collaboration between BHC and The Norfolk Forum for this event epitomizes a commitment to fostering intellectual growth and cultural appreciation, reflecting the institutions' shared values and aspirations for their communities and beyond.

Colson and I are pictured with Dr. Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College; Batten Honors College scholars Kai Trehan and Elena Lichtenwalner; and Jason Davis, Norfolk Forum president.

Sigma Beta Delta Welcomes New Members

Congratulations to newest inductees of Sigma Beta Delta, the International Honor Society in Business, Management, and Administration: (top, from left) Krista Anderson, Emily Moniz, Sheila Nilsen, Rowan Stuart, and Brooke Underwood. The ceremony also included (bottom, from left) Dr. Ben Dobrin, Dean of the Watts School of Professional Studies; Dr. Linda Ferguson, Professor of Management, Business, and Economics and President of Sigma Beta Delta at VWU; Diane Lee-Strong, Lecturer in Business; and Garrett Wood, Assistant Professor of Management, Business, and Economics and Sigma Beta Delta Chapter Advisor.

The Pharos: November 2023

The November 2023 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.

Darden Awards Celebrate VWU Partners

We proudly congratulate two of our distinguished university partners, LifeNet Health and Robert W. Cross, for receiving Darden Awards at the recent ceremony in Norfolk. Virginia Wesleyan University's relationship with LifeNet Health includes offering internship opportunities to our students. This collaboration is further enhanced by Doug Wilson '86, a member of the VWU Board of Trustees and Executive Vice President of LifeNet Health, symbolizing our joint dedication to education, innovation, and community service in Coastal Virginia. Doug and his wife Cindy ‘86 are pictured with David R. Black, Executive in Residence, and I at the ceremony last week.

Robert W. Cross, honored alongside LifeNet Health, is the esteemed founder, executive director, and Perry Artistic Director of the Virginia Arts Festival. His visionary leadership has greatly enhanced the cultural fabric of Coastal Virginia. The Virginia Arts Festival collaborates with the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, offering a wide array of programs that enrich the Coastal Virginia region.

Save the Dates for Holiday Fun

There are multiple opportunities for faculty and staff to celebrate the holidays and the end of another wonderful fall semester at Virginia Wesleyan. The DeFord Manor Holiday Open House will be held on Wednesday, November 29 (RSVP here). The Children’s Christmas Brunch with Santa, presented by Dr. Jill Sturts’ Sport and Recreation Program and Event Principles class, will be held on Saturday, December 9 (RSVP here). Finally, the Faculty and Staff Holiday Party will be held on Wednesday, December 13 (RSVP to events@vwu.edu).

NACU Podcast: Connect, Collaborate, Champion!

The newest series of NACU’s podcast — Connect, Collaborate, Champion! — is now available. The podcast focuses on higher education’s challenges and opportunities as well as its impact on local and global communities in an effort to provide practical insight for higher education professionals. Each episode features a unique perspective from higher ed insiders, private industry experts, and other voices to capture new ways of thinking about higher education and its influence on society.

Bishops Urged to Turn Page on Painful Chapter

UM News reports that the Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton called on his fellow episcopal leaders to help bring healing to the church as they prepare for the General Conference. Read story.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS