Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

December 4, 2023

Good morning,

Students, as final exams approach, I want to extend my sincerest wishes for your success. May you find clarity, confidence, and the strength to excel in all your subjects. And when it’s all over, I hope your winter break is a time of relaxation, reflection, and happiness.

Best of luck and happy holidays, Marlins!

Held near the end of each semester, the Academic Symposium is a signature VWU event coordinated by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery. The day brings the campus community together to celebrate the academic achievement of students completing a variety of academic experiences, including research, internships, performance, and global engagement.

Students' ability to conduct undergraduate research with faculty mentorship is one of the many ways Virginia Wesleyan is different from other institutions. I’m always impressed by the work, creativity and curiosity of the Marlins showcased at Academic Symposium. My congratulations to the students that presented or performed and to their faculty advisors who helped them achieve their goals. Read more.

Pictured: Senior James Johnson presenting his poster during the Fall Academic Symposium on November 29.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support from the Marlin community on Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving. In just one day, the University raised nearly $98,000 from 698 donors for multiple areas across campus, crushing our goal of 610 donors. What an incredible way to make waves and kick off the holiday season!

We would like to especially thank our students who called, texted, posted, and emailed alumni, parents, and friends to participate in our Giving Tuesday campaign. You have made a difference for your campus affinity group and for the entire University. Way to go!

Our top influencer prizes go to Coach JP Stewart for men’s lacrosse, and students Julia P. for softball, Colin G. for baseball, Brooke U. for Vox Vera, and Melina C. for student life. These individuals earned a $1,000 prize for each of their programs. Congratulations!

Finally, our thanks to Sarah Guzzo, Director of the Wesleyan Fund, for infusing the day with fun and friendly competition.

It certainly was a great day to be a Marlin!

ET CETERA

Consistent with our Corrective Maintenance Plan, the University continues to improve the efficiency of its heating and cooling system with a $1.1 million upgrade that will benefit both Blocker and Clarke Halls. The final location of the new independent solution will depend on the results of initial assessments and schematic designs. This improvement comes on the heels of last spring’s system replacement in Godwin Hall.

Fortunately, the impact of this improvement will go beyond these facilities. When we isolate campus buildings with independent solutions, other locations that are dependent on the University’s central plant will experience more consistent conditions, improving the heating and cooling campus-wide.

Given our commitment to sustainable practices, this solution also improves energy efficiency and positively impacts our carbon footprint. We’re excited to share more information as the project develops.

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

Virginia Beach Vision Update

I’m proud to have been selected as the new President of Virginia Beach Vision, effective December 1. This is a wonderful opportunity for Virginia Wesleyan to be an integral part of the fabric of business and enterprise in our region.

Dinner with SGA Officers

It was wonderful to host the officers of our Student Government Association for dinner at DeFord Manor last week. Joined by Edward McDonald (President), Isaac Awogboro (Secretary), Kiera Doyle (Treasurer), and Emma Lankford (Events Coordinator), I learned more about the upcoming initiatives of SGA and how faculty and staff can support those ideas. I thank these students for helping to make VWU the collaborative place it is.

DeFord Manor Holiday Open House

It was a beautiful, albeit chilly, evening for the DeFord Manor Holiday Open House last week. We enjoyed wonderful company, food, and drinks, as the Steinway Spirio supplied the soundtrack of the season. Thank you to the trustees, friends, alumni, faculty, and staff who came to celebrate the holidays with us.

VWU Ethics Bowl Demonstration

The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges’ (VFIC) annual Ethics Bowl competition brings together student teams from each of the 15 VFIC member institutions for lively debate and consideration of applied ethics – real-world dilemmas that affect people’s lives in increasingly complex ways. As the Virginia Wesleyan Ethics Bowl team prepares to compete at the 2024 VFIC Ethics Bowl, the Robert Nusbaum Center will host a debate demonstration, with the audience having the opportunity to interact, critique, and discuss. The demonstration will be held on December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in The Lighthouse in Clarke Hall. Read more.

"A Wesleyan Christmas"

We were delighted to be joined by members of the Lambuth M. and Alice A. Clarke Heritage Society as the Virginia Wesleyan Choirs and the Wesleyan Orchestra presented a concert of carols, both old and new, along with songs to celebrate the season in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Kudos to our students on a great performance!

Annual Tree Lighting Celebration Brings Holiday Cheer

Our annual tree lighting celebration once again brought holiday cheer as the student groups competed in a rousing rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Our thanks to Astro DJ for keeping things merry and bright as we celebrated the end of the fall semester.

Reminder: Children’s Brunch with Santa

Join the students of “Sport & Recreation Program and Event Principles'' along with Annie and me for our Children's Brunch with Santa. This special tradition will be held on Saturday, December 9, at 10:00 a.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons. Children and grandchildren of VWU faculty, staff, and contract services will enjoy a Christmas craft, holiday photo opportunities, and a visit from the man with the bag. We look forward to seeing you there!

HRT’s 2023 State of Transit

It was an enlightening discussion of transit in Hampton Roads at the HUB757 in Suffolk. I’m pictured, top, with our good friend and strong supporter of higher education Congressman Bobby Scott. Bottom, with William Harrell, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Transit; Sandra Brandt, CEO of Step-Up; and Carolyn McKenna-Sloat ‘99, VWU Director of Business and Corporate Development.

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