Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

March 18, 2024

Good morning,

I had the pleasure of briefing Virginia Beach City Council last week about progress and plans for the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) facility on our campus. Joining me were Virginia MOCA Interim Director Alison Byrne and Board Chair Nicole Naidyhorski along with Tymoff+Moss Principal Michael Schneckser. Together, we walked Council through the building plans and construction timeline while I emphasized the benefits of the new VWU site. Most notably, we gave the public its first glimpse of artist renderings depicting the new state-of-the-art building.

The central location of our campus makes Virginia MOCA even more accessible, allowing it to better connect with the cultural and educational fabric of the entire Hampton Roads region. The new location places it within a 35-mile radius of 1.6 million people while the current location only has 468,000 people within that same radius. Read more. News coverage on WTKR.

Also, I would like to offer my best wishes to outgoing Virginia MOCA Director & CEO Gary Ryan and to extend our gratitude for her collaboration on this exciting initiative. We look forward to working with Interim Director Allison Byrne in the coming months.

We are excited to share that Yvonne Allmond, Executive Vice President and Community Financial Engagement Officer at TowneBank, will be the keynote speaker at this spring's Marlin Business Conference, “Building Careers.” Make plans to join us on April 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons for what promises to be a transformative evening of insights and inspiration.

Yvonne has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and joined TowneBank in 2005. In her current role, she leads credit and business financing seminars for many local nonprofits and community groups, sharing the wealth of the financial knowledge she has accumulated throughout her career.

She is a graduate of the George Washington University and Hampton Roads Civic Leadership Institute. She serves our local community as a member of many boards, including WHRO and NATO, and is former chair of the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Housing Development Authority.

The Marlin Business Conference is a bi-annual event that connects students with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to network, learn, and gain valuable insights into the ever-changing business landscape.

Mark your calendars to join for this event and more during the spring Marlin Business Conference, April 8-11.

ET CETERA

GreenFest will take place on Sunday, April 21 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on the Quad. GreenFest is an immersive and engaging festival for all ages celebrating sustainability, community, and the beauty of our planet. All are welcome for a day filled with music, games, service projects, educational booths, and more, as we come together to foster a sense of environmental stewardship and create positive change for future generations.

Admission is free and includes Kona Ice, cotton candy, popcorn, face painting, and a bounce house for the kids! We will be making Seed Bombs to donate to the Hoffler Creek all day long and planting a Pollinator Garden on campus at 2:00 p.m. Together, let’s create a brighter and more sustainable future for our community and the world. GreenFest is made possible through the generous support of Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Women’s History Month Continues

The annual observance of Women’s History Month continues throughout March. Check out our events and programs to learn more and get involved.

Come Home, Marlins!

Spring Alumni Weekend is coming up. Set for April 5 - 6, 2024, it’s packed with all kinds of fun and festivities. From the Marlin Family Picnic and alumni games to the Class of 1999 reunion and scroll signing and distinguished faculty lectures, it's sure to be the perfect time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

Be sure to catch Dr. Larry Hulgren’s lecture on Saturday in Blocker Auditorium. In his final year at VWU, he’ll be reflecting on philosophy during his 55 years on campus. Full Schedule of Events

VWU in the News

Virginia Wesleyan has been making news this week. We received excellent news coverage about the Marlin Mural Festival from both WTKR and WHRO.

Also be sure to check out Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Caitlin Williams and VWU Seniors Veronika and Jack, as they assist WTKR News 3 Anchor Erin Williams with an experiment recently conducted in a Blocker Hall lab. You're going to want to see these results!

Summer Session is for Everyone

Summer Session is fast approaching. Whether you're a little behind in coursework or planning to graduate early, it's a great way to speed up your pace toward graduation. VWU’s Summer Session can give you an opportunity to engage in specialty courses, complete General Education requirements or advance in your major.

Summer Session is also affordable. In fact, it’s 73% lower than tuition during the academic year. Discounted on-campus housing /meal plans are also available. Visit www.vwu.edu/summersession to learn more.

Did You See My Latest OpEd?

"Our College Students Deserve Financial Aid That Works," is the title of my latest OpEd in The Virginian-Pilot and a theme of my career in higher education. From the current FAFSA debacle to the ongoing campaign to Double Pell grants, students nationwide deserve better.

The Pharos: March 2024

The March 2024 edition of The Pharos is available now. We hope you enjoy learning more about our talented faculty and staff members who continue to make important contributions to their respective fields through publications, presentations, and more.

Spring Day of Giving: Bob’s Birthday Bash

Mark your calendars and join us for a day of celebration and philanthropy as we come together to celebrate Bob Marlin’s 63rd Birthday! Save the date for a Spring Day of Giving like no other, where the spirit of generosity and unity will shine bright!

On Friday, April 19, we invite you to join us in honoring Bob Marlin and making a positive impact on our Virginia Wesleyan community. Get ready for a day filled with joy, camaraderie, and the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of our institution. Your support will make a meaningful difference, so let's come together and make Bob's Birthday Bash a day of giving that will be remembered for years to come. Stay tuned for more details including epic party favors for all of our party-people and prepare to be a part of something truly special!

Join CBF to Support Virginia’s Trees

Our campus community is invited to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s campaign to urge Gov. Glenn Youngkin to sign House Bill 529 and House Bill 1100, which would provide localities with more authority to conserve trees prior to construction and to replace those that are lost during construction. These laws will help ensure our communities are able to conserve and plant more trees, which is critical to improving the health of our environment and communities. Learn more or join the letter-writing campaign here.

The Norfolk Forum Presents Liz Cheney

Liz Cheney, U.S. Representative for Wyoming’s At-Large Congressional District (2017-2023), will speak on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Chrysler Hall at 7:30 p.m. VWU faculty and staff are eligible for a special discounted ticket price. Please email officeofthepresident@vwu.edu for the promotional code.

The Batten Honors College is proud to be a sponsor of The Norfolk Forum, America’s oldest publicly-subscribed speakers’ forum.

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