December 18, 2023
Good morning, |
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Congratulations, once again, to the Class of 2023! We were honored to recognize their achievements during Saturday’s Commencement ceremony at the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
In addition to the formalities, it was a pleasure to host our graduates at Senior Send-Off events at ShoreBreak Pizza & Taphouse and DeFord Manor. These gatherings were an opportunity to reflect on the journey of our graduates and to celebrate the effort and commitment that led them to this milestone. |
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We extend our gratitude to Dr. Janice Underwood for her inspiring keynote address at the ceremony. Her insights on unity and inclusivity are invaluable lessons that our graduates will undoubtedly carry forward in their lives. In recognition of her outstanding contributions at both state and national levels, Dr. Underwood was awarded an honorary degree.
We also presented faculty awards to Dr. Robert Ariel, Assistant Professor of Psychology, for Distinguished Scholarship and Dr. Maury Howard, Professor of Chemistry and Director of Nursing and Allied Health, for Campus Service. We thank them for their dedication to our students and to the advancement of this university. |
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We are proud to announce Mark Johnson, Senior Vice President and Community Development Manager at Truist Financial Corporation, as the keynote speaker for our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemoration on Monday, January 15 at 11:00 a.m. in Brock Commons. Mark has been a wonderful friend to VWU and is known for his remarkable leadership and dedication to community service, making him an ideal speaker for this occasion.
The commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Virginia Wesleyan is not just an observance but a vibrant reaffirmation of our commitment to social justice, equality, and community engagement. This day offers an invaluable opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to reflect on the strides made towards civil rights and the ongoing journey towards a more inclusive society.
Mark's extensive experience in fostering community development aligns seamlessly with the university's mission of nurturing responsible global citizenship among our students. His insights into creating positive societal impact resonate with the core principles that Dr. King championed. As we gather on this very special day, we not only honor the memory of Dr. King but also reinforce our dedication to the spirit of unity and progress that Martin Luther King Jr. Day represents.
Our annual program will also include a day of service with opportunities for engagement in the Boyd Dining Center prior to the keynote speech. Immediately following the keynote, we will present the Mavis McKenley ’11 Award to a deserving student who embodies the ideals of Dr. King.
Although classes will not be held on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I hope you make plans to attend our special programs throughout the morning. |
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VWU Online welcomes students to enroll for the Spring 2024 semester, which begins on January 29. Our offerings include a range of programs designed to meet the needs and interests of our diverse student body.
We are proud to offer the new online Master of Arts in Arts Leadership and Nonprofit Management this spring. This program is a 30 credit degree program designed to prepare students for engaging careers in arts and nonprofit administration by giving them an understanding of the foundational principles of leadership and management while applying that theory in practical situations with leading arts and nonprofit organizations.
This program joins our popular Master of Business Administration program, which is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of both business and leadership. It's suitable for individuals from all educational backgrounds, focusing on equipping students with the necessary skills to succeed in various professional environments.
Additionally, we offer the Master of Environmental Studies, Master of Arts in Human Services, and Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, all online.
For those interested in starting or completing their higher education, our online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts program offers a flexible path, particularly suitable for working adults. This program allows students to gain college experience that can enhance their career prospects and personal development.
Enrollment for the Spring 2024 semester is currently open. Those interested in any of these programs can find more information and apply by visiting online.vwu.edu. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Inclusive Calendar of Holidays and Festivals Thank you to the VWU Diversity Equity Inclusion Council (DEIC) for sharing the 2023-2024 Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Calendar of Holidays & Festivals. Our hope is that this will bring more awareness to the traditions recognized throughout the year. |
The Pharos: December 2023 This semester’s last 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. |
VWU Makes the Season Bright The VWU community was merry and bright at our annual holiday party for faculty and staff. Annie and I thank all who joined us to celebrate this festive time of year. |
A Visit to Jefferson Lab We enjoyed an enlightening visit to the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News to learn more about academic and research opportunities for our students and faculty. Johnathon Huff, left, COO of Jefferson Lab, hosted the VWU team of Susan Larkin, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vic Townsend, Dean of the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College. Thanks to U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Congressman Bobby Scott for facilitating VWU’s collaboration with the lab. |
Lunch with Leadership from the Chrysler Museum of Art It was wonderful to host leadership from the Chrysler Museum of Art for lunch at DeFord Manor last week, including Erik Neil, Macon and Joan Brock Director, and Renee Fairchild, Chief Philanthropy Officer. Renee is a member of the VWU Class of 2000 and also serves on our distinguished Alumni Council. We were joined by Drs. Larkin and Malone. |
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting It was a great opportunity to visit with some good friends of Virginia Wesleyan at the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. (Top) With U.S. Senator Mark Warner and HRC President Bryan Stephens; (left) Delceno Miles, CEO of The Miles Agency & a member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and Marcia Conston, President of Tidewater Community College; and (right) Javaune Adams-Gaston, President of Norfolk State University. |
An Evening with Virginia Natural Gas My thanks to Chris Womack, President and CEO of Southern Company, one of the nation’s leading energy providers, for an enjoyable evening with his colleagues and affiliates from Virginia Natural Gas. Joining us for the picture is Antipas Harris, Founder and President of the Urban Renewal Center.
Our Thanks to Martha McClees Martha McClees, executive director of business advocacy group Virginia Beach Vision, plans to retire in May of next year after 16 years. I serve as President of Virginia Beach Vision and thank Martha for her many years of dedicated service. Read more. |
New Burton Station Fire Station Visit Dr. Keith Moore, Senior Vice President, and I were delighted to visit with Chief Ken Pravetz and his team from the Burton Station Fire Station at their new facility on Tolliver Road. Burton Station services Virginia Wesleyan University and the surrounding community. We thank this talented team for their service to our community.
Employment by Diversity Report 2022-23 It has been my annual practice to share data gathered for an Employment by Diversity Report with the campus community. The report can be accessed here. |
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Construction Update: Clarke Hall, Phase III Renovations and updates to Clarke Hall as part of our workforce and talent development initiatives continue. The main initiative of Phase III is to expand the cybersecurity lab to accommodate more students in high-demand programs in our talent development partnership with the Virginia Beach Economic Development and in our degree-seeking programs. The rendering shows the expected outcome of the newly designed space. The project is scheduled to be completed in late January 2024.
Multimillion-dollar Renovation in the Works for Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach As The Virginian-Pilot reports, Virginia Beach City Council took a first step to support the overhaul of the soccer complex, providing $170,000 for site plan and engineering work. The nonprofit that operates the soccer complex is hoping for more funds to do even more. Read more. |
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President to President: Where to Begin on Sustainability? The fifth chapter of the 2023-2024 President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “Reducing Energy Consumption as Step One to Building a Sustainability Movement,” Sam Houston State University President Alisa White, Ph.D., shares ideas for gradually developing a comprehensive sustainability program. Starting with a building management project that had clear, tangible results and looking for opportunities to expand from there helped her campus build the right momentum and ensure success.
The push toward sustainability in everything we do has grown in recent years, as individuals and organizations grapple with the ongoing impacts of climate change and other environmental challenges. This year’s President to President series, titled "Sustainable Futures for Higher Education," explores the role of sustainability in modern higher education. Ten venerable college and university presidents share their perspectives over the course of the series, offering new perspectives and fresh insights. As the Executive Editor of this series, I hope you find value in these ideas and enjoy reading each new chapter as it is published online every month. |
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
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Annie and I wish you all a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday. We look forward to seeing our first-year students and many of our upperclassmen back on campus for January Term.
Sincerely, |
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