February 5, 2024
Good morning, |
|
Virginia Wesleyan is committed to accessibility and affordability for our students. One of the most important avenues for these goals is the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) program. This vital program is a needed and beneficial way for students across the Commonwealth of Virginia—including those enrolled at Virginia Wesleyan—to afford their education at private colleges and universities. While our main VTAG letter-writing campaign is held in the fall, our campus community has the opportunity to once again ask Virginia’s elected leaders to support VTAG from now until February 9. These messages are targeted toward key members of the higher education and finance subcommittees, the individuals who truly will make the decisions for their committees on our TAG increase request.
VWU is among the 27 private colleges in Virginia advocating for an increase in funding to enable a $6,000 per Virginia student in 2024-25. Support of this program is critical to our students. I urge you to learn more about this essential program and take action. |
|
Our great friend Susan S. Goode will be honored during the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities' 2024 Tidewater Humanitarian Awards celebration on Thursday, March 21. The prestigious award is presented to individuals who demonstrate a personal commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Additional 2024 recipients include Thomas Brandl, Don Comer Jr., Laura Geringer Gross, Iris J. Lundy, and Michael R. Toliver.
Susan is a community leader, volunteer, and devoted advocate for the arts. Susan cares deeply about cultivating the arts in Virginia and ensuring the future of the arts in America, understanding that the arts bring people together like no other medium.
The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, and the construction of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Arts at VWU culminating with the naming of the David R. Goode Arts Complex are among the many visible recognitions of their VWU support.
Susan has faithfully served on the VWU Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years and as been a member of the Executive Committee the last eight years. Additionally, she has served on the boards of the Virginia Symphony, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and Virginia Historical Society. She is also actively involved in the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.
Congratulations, Susan! |
|
The Robert Nusbaum Center’s annual Justine L. Nusbaum Lecture will be held on February 15 at 7:00 p.m. in Brock Commons. This year’s lecture is titled “A Jew, a Christian, and Spiritual Audacity: The Leadership of Allies during the Civil Rights Era,” presented by Michael Panitz, Ph.D.
Dr. Panitz has been Rabbi at Temple Israel in Norfolk since 1992. He completed his Ph.D. in Jewish history at Jewish Theological Seminary in 1989. He researches and publishes regularly on Jewish history and theology, and he has taught as an adjunct professor at Virginia Wesleyan for 25 years. His leadership in interfaith dialogue was instrumental in establishing the Nexus dialogues at Virginia Wesleyan and is being honored with the Humanitarian Award of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.
The Justine L. Nusbaum Lecture is an endowed lectureship established with gifts from Justine’s sons, Bob Nusbaum and V.H. Nusbaum, in honor of their mother. Born in Norfolk in 1900, Justine was well-known for her life-long volunteer service and dedication to humanitarian causes. Her compassion reached people of diverse religions, races, and nationalities. Justine helped with the resettlement of many families who were displaced by WWII and from many other conflicts. Among her many awards and recognitions for humanitarian work is the prestigious Clara Barton Award which acknowledges an uninterrupted 80 years of service with the Red Cross.
We hope you make plans to join us for this special annual event. |
|
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
|
Passing of Eleanor Watts This past week, we shared the sad news of the passing of Eleanor Watts, a longtime friend and supporter of the university. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Canterbury Chapel (3100 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach). The service will be a testament to her vibrant spirit and the profound impact she had on all who knew her. Further information can be found here. |
|
2024 Season for Nonviolence Leaders and students from the Virginia Beach community gathered in the VWU Peace Garden adjacent to Clarke Hall for the opening of the 2024 Season for Nonviolence. The gathering featured student projects from J-Term and highlighted youth initiatives for peace that are taking place throughout the City of Virginia Beach. Following the program, our Robert Nusbaum Center hosted hot chocolate and a tour of the “Yes, in My Backyard” exhibit in The Truist Lighthouse. Learn more. |
Celebrating Jane Batten at VFIC Ethics Bowl It was wonderful to celebrate our good friend and VWU trustee Jane Batten (Hollins ‘58) and her amazing support of education during the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges’ 24th annual Ethics Bowl held at Hollins University. Hollins won the Ethics Bowl competition. Pictured (top left, then clockwise): HU President Mary Hinton and Jane Batten; Presentation of the special recognition; Retiring Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges President Matt Shank; Mrs. Batten with VWU’s Batten Honors College VFIC Ethics Bowl team. |
Esports: Collision on the Coast Set for February 17-18, this year’s Collision on the Coast Rocket League tournament will include nearly 100 Esports players and coaches from across the country. Collision on the Coast is a two-day event hosted in TowneBank Arena in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Rocket League is a 3 versus 3 game featuring a competitive game mode based on teamwork and outmaneuvering opponents. Last year’s event drew more than 2,500 spectators who viewed the matches in person and on Twitch. Matches will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. |
Unity in Knowledge Lecture Series VWU Global Campus is partnering with the Virginia African American Cultural Center to offer a lecture series titled “Unity in Knowledge,” thanks to the work of VWU Global Campus Dean and Professor of Biology Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson and Executive Director of the Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC) Tamar Smithers. Learn more.
Eric Nyman Performance Golf Center in the News We received more great coverage on the Eric Nyman Performance Golf Center, this time from WVEC. Again, we thank Trustee and alumnus Eric Nyman and Foresight Sports for bringing this exciting addition to VWU. |
New Leadership at Volunteer Hampton Roads Volunteer Hampton Roads announced the appointment of Maerine “Mimi” Mitchell as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 12. Mimi is a 2007 graduate of Virginia Wesleyan.
Many will recall that VWU actively partners with Volunteer Hampton Roads to increase student volunteerism, cultivate leaders, and ensure a sustainable bond between our students and the Coastal Virginia region through our "Marlins Get Civic" initiative. |
Getting to Know Dave Hutcheson We had an enjoyable lunch with our newest Virginia Beach City Council member Dave Hutcheson, representing District 1. We talked about his leadership priorities and VWU’s various collaborations with the City of Virginia Beach. Joining us for the lunch at DeFord Manor were Sandra Brandt, Founder of Step Up Inc. and David Black, Executive in Residence.
Ryan Resilience Lab in the News The Elizabeth River Project purposely built its new resilience lab in a flood-prone area of Norfolk. The building is designed to be torn down in about 60 years when sea level rise reaches a certain threshold, WHRO reports. The Ryan Resilience Lab is named for VWU benefactors Louis and Prudence Ryan who have also been wonderful supporters of our environmental efforts. |
242nd Session of the Virginia Annual Conference The 242nd session of the Virginia Annual Conference will be held in Hampton from June 20-22. This year’s theme is “A Conference in Three Movements.” Read more.
VWU Affiliates Announce Marketing Alliance The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC), and Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges (CARC) recently collaborated to produce an integrated marketing initiative branded as the Virginia Alliance for Private College Education, focusing on the significance of the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG). Virginia Wesleyan University is a member of both VFIC and CICV. The Alliance was announced by the presidents of the three organizations: Christopher K. Peace (CICV), Locke Ogens (VFIC), and Carthan Currin (CARC). This effort aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of Virginia's 29 private colleges and universities. Learn more. |
|
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
|
Have a wonderful week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
|
|
|
|
