Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

January 8, 2024

Good morning,

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 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.

In lieu of classes next Monday, the Marlins will commemorate MLK Day through a variety of activities, including our keynote address from Mark Johnson, Senior Vice President and Community Development Manager at Truist Financial Corporation, at 11:00 a.m. in Brock Commons. We will also present The Mavis McKenley ‘11 Award to a deserving student who embodies the ideals of Dr. King.

Prior to the keynote, students are invited to brunch in Boyd Dining Center where collection drives and service activities will set the tone for a day dedicated to the spirit of unity and progress. All are welcome to participate in all of our MLK Day of Commemoration events, and we hope you make plans to attend our special programs throughout the morning.

Virginia Wesleyan takes immense pride in recognizing the extraordinary contributions of individuals whose dedication and philanthropy have significantly shaped the landscape of independent higher education.

This past weekend, George Birdsong, a prominent philanthropist and CEO of Birdsong Corporation, received the prestigious 2024 Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Award for Philanthropy during the CIC Presidents Institute in Hollywood, FL. This national award celebrates George's exceptional contributions to independent higher education across the United States, most notably in Virginia. I was delighted to join the celebration for George in Florida.

Later this month, we will celebrate Jane Batten, a pivotal figure in Virginia Wesleyan's past, present, and future. She will be honored by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges during the Ethics Bowl on January 28, set to take place at her alma mater, Hollins University. Jane's transformative involvement with both VWU and Hollins has been monumental, and the upcoming event is a much-anticipated celebration of her dedication and impact.

As we reflect on the remarkable achievements and generous spirit of George Birdsong and Jane Batten, we extend our deepest gratitude and admiration. Their unwavering commitment and transformative contributions continue to inspire and impact Virginia Wesleyan and educational institutions throughout Virginia and beyond.

With pride, I share the Fall 2023 President's List and Dean's List. Congratulations to the 102 students on the President’s List who achieved a 4.0 grade point average and to the 282 students on the Dean’s List who achieved a 3.5-3.99 grade point average for the fall semester. To qualify for these honors, students must have full-time status and have taken at least nine semester hours of traditionally-graded courses. These individuals demonstrate a remarkable level of dedication to their academic pursuits, and we are so proud to have so many students recognized on these lists. Well done!

ET CETERA

The UNCF M.A.S.K.E.D. Award is bestowed upon those who have committed to fostering hope and opportunity for deserving students and the broader community each year at the Hampton Roads United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Mayors’ Masked Ball. Thanks to VWU First, an initiative designed for first-generation students and their families, and many other VWU programs that resonate with UNCF's mission, I am deeply proud and grateful to accept this award on behalf of Virginia Wesleyan.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our faculty, staff, students, and supporters for their relentless commitment and active involvement in making our university a place of inclusivity. This honor is a reflection of our shared vision and dedication, and it inspires me to continue championing the values of academic excellence and community engagement. I am proud to receive this award on behalf of our vibrant community and am continually motivated by our collective dedication to inclusivity and educational empowerment.

The Mayors’ Masked Ball event, a highlight of UNCF’s 80th-anniversary celebrations, will convene nearly 500 leaders from various sectors, including education, religion, and community, to champion the cause of student empowerment and education equity. It aims to both honor the legacy of the awardees and inspire continued commitment to transforming the future through education. As we come together to celebrate this milestone, let us also recommit to the vital work of opening doors, enlightening minds, and empowering lives for generations to come.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Virginia Wesleyan's ESG Policy Spotlighted in WHRO Feature

Virginia Wesleyan's ESG policy gained a spotlight in a WHRO news feature as it and other Virginia universities commit billions from endowments to climate-friendly investments. VWU made this commitment in 2021, and our Environmental Guiding Principles were adpoted in 2020. Read more.

VWU Softball First Pitch Dinner: February 3

Virginia Wesleyan Softball is proud to host its 3rd Annual First Pitch Dinner on Saturday, February 3. The dinner will feature a keynote address from Hall of Fame coach Mike Candrea. Candrea, who retired in 2021, is often referred to as the greatest softball coach in NCAA history as he led his Arizona teams to 1,674 wins and an astounding 8 NCAA Division I National Championships. First Pitch tickets and event information can be found at www.vwu.edu/firstpitch.

New Book Features Vast Art Collection of Longtime VWU Benefactors

The Chrysler Museum’s newly-released book, "A Shared Vision: The Macon and Joan Brock Collection of American Art,” showcases one of the most significant collections of American art assembled in the twenty-first century, and one that has helped transform the Chrysler Museum into a national leader in the exhibition, study, and appreciation of American art. Learn more.

Pictured: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sue Larkin with a copy of the book. The book will be added to the permanent collection of the Henry Clay Hofheimer II Library.

VWU Athletics featured in December 2023 NADCA Publication

Kudos to Dr. Jill Sturts, Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions, Assistant Dean of the Batten Honors College, and Faculty Athletics Representative, whose article “How Athletics Departments Can Best Manage Their FAR” was featured in the December 2023 publication from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). The feature includes great pictures of VWU student-athletes and athletic facilities.

WINDSdays Features Dr. Jayne Sullivan

Retired VWU Professor of Education Jayne Sullivan was featured in the latest edition of WINDSdays. Congrats, Jayne!

Alumni Enjoying Campus Visits

It was great to see Jim ‘76 and Cheryl ‘75 Alexander (right) enjoying a visit to campus last week, as well as Abby Peterson ‘23 and Connor Merk ‘23 (left). Abby is attending medical school in Wisconsin, and Connor is in graduate school in Southern California. Both are Batten Honors College graduates. Joining us in the photo is Tina Milligan ‘88, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement.

CIC Presidents Institute and NACU Board Annual Meetings in Hollywood, Florida

This year marks my 33rd year of attending the Council of Independent College’s annual Presidents Institute, the largest gathering of college presidents in the United States. It’s always great to visit with good friends and mainstays from throughout those years including Matt Kilcoyne, Principal at the Association of Governing Boards (AGB Search), and Cheryl Hyatt, CEO of Hyatt Fennell Executive Search.

Before the Presidents Institute began, we held the Winter Meeting of the Board of Directors of New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), a national collaborative network of 27 innovative comprehensive private institutions reinventing our sector of higher education. I’m pictured with Bryon Grigsby, President of Moravian University and Chair of the NACU Board, and Sean Creighton, President of NACU.

Addressing Rising Sea Levels in Coastal Virginia

Norfolk is the first city in the U.S. to move forward with a coastal storm risk management plan under a 2015 Army Corps of Engineers strategy. But it comes with financial and opportunity costs, and many questions, the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism reports. Meanwhile, WHRO reports on what’s happening with Virginia Beach flood projects, which were heartily supported by voters in 2021, allowing the city to issue $567.5 million in bonds to cover a series of projects meant to better handle rising waters.

Virginia Beach Trail Gets Federal Grant for Construction

The Virginian-Pilot reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation granted the City of Virginia Beach $14.9 million to construct a 3-mile segment of the Virginia Beach Trail. This segment will extend from Newtown Road, not far from campus, to Town Center and include a pedestrian bridge over Independence Boulevard, enhancing connectivity and accessibility in the area. Read more.

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