March 11, 2024
Good morning, |
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Congratulations to our student-athletes who participated in the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Natashe Tate, the ODAC Champion for the women’s 60-meter dash, finished 16th in the same event. Meanwhile, Isaiah Bullock, the ODAC Champion in the men’s triple jump, placed 17th in his event. We’re so proud of them and how they represented VWU Athletics on the national stage.
I would also like to offer my congratulations to Ella Clingenpeel, the ODAC Champion in the women’s 800-meter run; Jordan Hall, the ODAC Champion in the men’s long jump; and Ja’Marri Henderson, the ODAC Champion in the men’s 60-meter hurdles. Way to go!
Annie and I look forward to hosting all of these ODAC Champions at DeFord Manor for a celebratory dinner acknowledging their wonderful accomplishments this spring |
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Speaking of athletics, we were honored to have Louise McCleary, NCAA Vice President for Division III, on campus last week for a special discussion with student-athletes and coaches in a packed Brock Commons. There are approximately 450 Division III schools in the NCAA, so it was a particularly special honor to host her on campus.
I’ve known Louise for many years through my active involvement in the NCAA, and she has special ties to the Coastal Virginia area. She attended Norfolk Academy and is a graduate of Norfolk Collegiate School. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and American studies from Wellesley College where she played basketball, lacrosse, and volleyball. She went on to earn a master's in sport management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Louise and I worked together in a number of Division III committees where she served as a liaison for institutions prior to becoming the division’s top leader. She is a consummate professional and represents Coastal Virginia well in every role she assumes.
National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative for the Old Dominion and Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conferences Julia Hathway (pictured above) led the Q&A with student-athletes and coaches. During the discussion, Louise addressed leadership, Title IX, NIL, sports betting, new and ongoing physical and mental health initiatives for student-athletes, the disparity between the Division I “power” conferences and everyone else, and much more. |
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Afterward, we headed to DeFord Manor where leaders from the VWU athletic administration, the SAAC, and the Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR) enjoyed lunch with Louise. Louise is pictured with Larry Hultgren, Professor of Philosophy and FAR. Louise agreed that Larry might be the longest-serving FAR in the NCAA. (55 years!)
We thank her for sharing her time, insight and wisdom with our campus community during Women’s History Month. Read more. |
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The final competition for the Fall 2024 incoming Batten Honors College cohort took place last week. Following the conclusion of the competition, the David L. Kaufman Center for Enrollment will extend offers to 40 new Batten Honors College students to join VWU in the fall. There has been an impressive number of qualified applicants this year, including international candidates, and we are very proud of the caliber of student the program continues to attract.
The Batten Honors College is a highly selective residential program enrolling 160 of the top scholars in the country. Each year, approximately 120 prospective students are invited to campus to compete for the highly coveted seats in this cohort. Candidates are invited on the basis of academic performance, compelling personal essays, and remarkable service and extracurricular activities. Those chosen to join the program are truly the best and the brightest.
I thank Travis Malone (Anne B. Shumadine Dean of the Batten Honors College) and Nikki Nieves (Director of Enrollment, Batten Honors College) for leading these competitions over the last few months. I look forward to sharing the names of the new Batten Honors College scholars later this spring. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Commencement 2024 Deadline Approaching Students who wish to participate in the May 2024 Commencement Ceremony must submit their Commencement Fee (which includes the cost of the cap and gown) by Friday, March 15. Graduates are also able to purchase the Graduate Giving Package as a contribution to the Senior Class Gift. The package includes VWU alumni goodies and a special cord to wear with regalia at the Commencement Ceremony. For more information about our 2024 Commencement Exercises, please visit our website and read the FAQs. |
Women on the Leading Edge VWU Professor of Biology and Dean of VWU Global Campus Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson was named among the women innovators and disruptors celebrated in the latest edition of CoVaBiz, the Business Magazine of Coastal Virginia. Congratulations! |
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars Dinner As part of Women’s History Month, we were pleased to host a dinner at DeFord Manor last week for our Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship recipients. After watching a moving video about the life and philanthropic generosity of Mrs. Whitehead, our scholars shared information about their lives and academic aspirations.
The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation provides support for the education of deserving female students at more than 200 colleges, universities, and schools in nine southeastern states. Mrs. Whitehead, a generous philanthropist and accomplished businesswoman, was a pioneer for women serving in leadership roles, and her legacy endures as her scholarship helps women succeed in their chosen careers. The Foundation has given more than $4 million in student scholarships to VWU since 1973. Read more about one of those scholars, Acasia White, Class of 2024. |
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Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Program Hosts Author Nancy Redd In another event marking Women’s History Month, our Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) program hosted keynote speaker and New York Times best-selling author Nancy Redd last week. Redd, a GLAAD-award nominated on-air host and NAACP Image Award-nominated writer, is a graduate of Harvard University and former Miss Virginia who has dedicated her multifaceted, entrepreneurial career to encouraging self-confidence and inclusive representation in all facets of mainstream media. Read more. |
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Faith in Action: Women Empowering Communities for Transformational Change We were honored to welcome some dynamic women of faith last week who shared their experiences and insights on their journeys to become agents of change in the community. Hosted by the Robert Nusbaum Center, these Nexus Interfaith Dialogue panelists provided an informative evening of inspiration, as they shared their commitments to turning faith into action. Each of these women provided powerful tools for building bridges and creating the environment for transformational change in our communities. Read more. |
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Marlin Mural Festival in the News We enjoyed a terrific opening of the Marlin Mural Festival this past week. Be sure to stop by the Neil Britton Gallery to check it out. More than 60 students have contributed to the mural over the past 6 months. I can promise that you’ll be impressed.
Several media outlets covered the opening. WVEC’s story aired last week, and WTKR and WHRO’s segments will air later today. |
New Video Series: Making Waves I’m excited to share the first in a series of videos we’re calling “Making Waves,” which features stories about VWU students and their journeys from campus to career. In this first video, we introduce you to Haleigh Settle, a 2023 graduate who teaches special education at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach. We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the incredible Marlins who so well represent our university. Watch on YouTube |
VWU Education in the Spotlight Check out the interview with Bill McConnell, Associate Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education, regarding the VWU Department of Education’s national accreditation with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Congratulations!
Widening of Port of Virginia Shipping Channel The Port of Virginia’s shipping channel is now wide enough for two ultra-large container vessels to pass at the same time, concluding a significant part of the $450 million dredging project to make the port the widest and deepest harbor on the East Coast. Read more |
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President to President: Planning for Long-Term Success Chapter eight of the 2023-2024 President to President thought leadership series is available online now. In “Strategies for Creating a Business Plan for a Sustainable Future,” University of Holy Cross President Stanton F. McNeely III, Ed.D., examines the financial challenges many campuses are facing and offers strategies for overcoming them with a results-oriented plan. He highlights the need for adaptability, leveraging meaningful partnerships, online instruction, niche programs, auxiliary income, and more to ensure long-term success. In this year’s President to President series, titled "Sustainable Futures for Higher Education," we’re taking a deep dive into the many aspects of sustainability on college campuses. Each chapter features fresh insights from leading college and university presidents, who share what they’ve learned and offer strategies for addressing some of the most pressing issues in modern higher education. |
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
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Best wishes on your midterms, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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