February 26, 2024
Good morning, |
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The VWU Board of Trustees wrapped up two weeks of meetings with the Winter Business Meeting. I thank our Chair of the Board, Jon Pruden, and our Committee Chairs for their leadership.
Prior to the Winter Business Meeting, the Board participated in a session entitled, “Tech Forward: Advancing Campus Life,” led by Senior Vice President Keith Moore and Chief Information Officer Greg Skinner. They also were given a special presentation from Michael Schnekser, Principal, RA, LEED AP at Tymoff+Moss Architects, regarding the construction of the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art on campus.
Additional, more specific information from the meeting will be shared in the President's Leadership Council, Academic Council, Athletic Management Council, and future editions of Nota Bene. |
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Some actions from the Board meeting included: - Re-elected Trustees with expiring terms for new four year terms beginning July 1, 2024
- Accepted the independent audit report provided by Brown Edwards of Roanoke, VA
- Approved promotion and tenure action: Dr. Robert Ariel (Psychology), Dr. Clair Berube (Education), and Dr. Modupe Oshikoya (Political Science)
- Accepted the mid-year endowment report
- Approved tuition and fees for 2024-25
- Approved special recognitions for the May 2023 Commencement
- Received architectural, construction, and program update on the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at Virginia Wesleyan University project
- Received an update on the Oracle conversion
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As I reflect on my eight-year journey with this institution, I am profoundly grateful for the steadfast leadership and support extended by our Board of Trustees. Their commitment has been a cornerstone in achieving unparalleled progress across various fronts during challenging times. Serving this University has been a privilege of a lifetime, and I am deeply thankful for the Board's confidence in extending my contract through 2029. My heartfelt thanks to each member for their unwavering faith in our shared vision. |
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I am delighted to announce that the Board has approved my recommendation to promote Kelly Cordova to the position of Chief of Staff/Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. In her new role, Kelly will lead Central Administration functions, encompassing the President's Office, Institutional Research, Marketing and Communications, and Advancement. With nine years of dedicated service at VWU, her significant contributions to the Offices of the President and the Trinder Center for Advancement have been invaluable. Before joining VWU in 2015, Kelly managed International Programs for Operation Smile. Kelly's academic background includes a bachelor's degree in Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.B.A. from VWU. I know you join me in congratulating Kelly on her well-deserved promotion and in thanking her for her outstanding contributions to our university. |
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On behalf of the entire Marlin Nation, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Trustee and Class of 1994 alumnus Eric C. Nyman. He returned to campus this past week for the dedication of the performance golf center that bears his name. His generous donation of a new team room and two high-performance golf simulation bays will revolutionize the future of VWU Golf.
Read more | Photo Gallery | Video |
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Virginia Wesleyan will receive $222,000 through the the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program for a one-year project entitled, "Community Based Urban Heat Island Mitigation in Portsmouth, VA.” The project, led by Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability, will measure urban heat stress in the neighboring city to better target efforts to mitigate extreme heat. Results will be shared with the Portsmouth community who will be engaged partners in both developing local solutions and executing an intensive tree planting program using native or fruit-bearing species for areas that emerge as most distressed based on heat and demographic factors.
The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service established the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program encouraging local government and citizen involvement in creating and supporting long-term and sustained urban and community forestry projects and programs within their communities. VWU undergraduate and graduate students in Earth & Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Education will assist with all phases of the project to gain valuable hands-on experiences.
The grant reflects our Environmental Guiding Principles and the University's larger commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility through environmental stewardship and education. Environmental Guiding Principles were adopted by the VWU Board of Trustees in early 2020 and embedded in the permanent institutional mindset for future planning. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Black History Month Activities Continue on Campus Throughout this special month, Virginia Wesleyan is hosting numerous events and activities, both virtually and on campus. Check out the Events and Programs link to learn more and get involved. |
VWU Expanding Education Equity This weekend, I will be among several honorees at the 2024 Hampton Roads UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball being held on March 2 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Each year, the local chapter of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) honors individuals, companies, and organizations for their steadfast commitment to fostering hope and opportunity for deserving students and the broader community. In this instance, I gratefully accept on behalf of the entire VWU community that works so diligently to make our campus a place of opportunity, equity, and inclusion. Ahead of the event, our friends at 13News Now did a preview. |
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VWU Esports Hosts Collision on the Coast 2 We were pleased to host nearly 100 collegiate Esports competitors from around the country last weekend for Collision on the Coast 2, our second annual Rocket League LAN tournament. While the VWU team finished around the middle of the pack with Lubbock Christian University taking top honors, we put on a terrific event and received excellent coverage from WTKR. |
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VWU Art Majors Display Work in Local Exhibition VWU student artists Britni Arrington (left) and Whitney Leao exhibited their incredible work in the 3rd Annual Black History Month Emerging Artist Exhibition sponsored by Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay and the Virginia Beach Art Center. Well done! Read more. |
Robert Nusbaum Center: Spring 2024 Events The Spring 2024 newsletter from the Robert Nusbaum Center is available now. The spring edition, “Leadership: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” contains the upcoming schedule of events which can also be found on the University’s events page.
One such event included another packed house at Brock Commons as the Robert Nusbaum Center hosted its latest lecture, “How Democracy was Destroyed from Within: Interwar Germany, Hitler, and the Rise of Fascism.” Professor of History Sara Sewell, who has taught at Virginia Wesleyan since 2002, explained just how and why the Germans dismantled their own democracy. Her thought-provoking lecture offered a vivid picture to a captivated audience. |
VWU Global Campus Success Story I am immensely proud of the work of VWU Global Campus in collaboration with the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development through our No-Cost Workshops and am happy to share a recent success story. This is important work we are doing to help people advance in their careers and make our region economically competitive. |
Save the Date: Spring Alumni Weekend Mark your calendars, Marlins! Return to campus on April 5-6 for a weekend of reconnection and exciting events, including alumni games, the Marlin Family Picnic, and special recognition for retiring Professor of Philosophy Larry Hultgren. The fun-filled schedule is live at VWU Alumni Events. |
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A Visit with Alumna Stephanie Gorham My good friend Stephanie Gorham was traveling in December, and I didn’t have the opportunity to congratulate her at our VWU Winter Commencement on her completion of the Master of Business Administration degree. So this morning over a cup of coffee, we celebrated her VWU alumnae status and discussed her new position as Vice President of Resource Development and Corporate Social Responsibility for the United Way of South Hampton Roads. |
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Sheriff’s Office Partnership Continues It was great to visit with our partners at the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office last week. While there, I spoke with our good friend Sheriff Rocky Holcomb and VWU alum Jane Harris Harvey, Class of 1998. The university enjoys a wonderful partnership with the VBSO where deputies can start or complete their degrees with Virginia Wesleyan efficiently and affordably.
Norfolk Looks to Renovate Instead of Building New According to Virginia Business, the City of Norfolk no longer plans to build a new arena after Military Circle Mall is torn down, and instead is considering renovating two city-owned venues downtown: the 53-year-old, 10,000-seat Scope Arena and the nearby 52-year-old Chrysler Hall, a 2,500-seat theater.
Dominion to Sell 50% Interest in Virginia Beach Offshore Wind Farm for $3B Dominion Energy announced Thursday it has reached an agreement with Stonepeak, an investment firm, to sell a 50% non-controlling stake in the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project for nearly $3 billion. Read the story from Virginia Business. |
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
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Have a great week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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