April 29, 2024
Good morning,
I’m delighted to share recent noteworthy appointments in University and academic leadership. |
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As you may have seen, Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson has been appointed as the Vice President for the VWU Global Campus. Under Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson’s leadership, the Division of VWU Global Campus has shown remarkable growth, expanding to over 2,600 learners in the 2022-23 academic year, with projections to reach 3,000 learners in 2023-24. The division encompasses several key components including VWU Online, VWU Global Campus (Japan), the Weekend and Evening Program, the David R. Black Institute for Professional Practice, the Westminster-Wesleyan Lifelong Learning Institute, and the Advanced Studies Institute. Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson also chairs the VWU Graduate Council and oversees all graduate programs.
Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson earned her B.A. in Biology from Randolph College, an M.S. in Biology from Florida Atlantic University, and a Ph.D. in Biology from Florida Institute of Technology. Her distinguished career is marked by numerous honors, such as the Barbara Holland Administrator-Scholar Award from the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) and The WISE Alumna Legacy Award for her contributions to STEM outreach. At VWU, she is a recipient of the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Teaching Award and the Birdsong Service and Community Engagement Award, and she holds the distinction of Batten Professor. |
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Additionally, Dr. Sally Shedd has been named the Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of the Arts and Humanities after a participative faculty search. Dr. Shedd currently serves as Professor of Theatre and the Chair of Political Science.
Since coming to VWU in 1999, she has held a wide variety of leadership positions on campus, including serving as the Associate Dean of the College (VWC) from 2012-2016. She has directed a wide range of plays and also teaches in the Women's and Gender Studies program. She will begin her deanship on July 1.
Dr. Shedd received a B.A. from Arkansas Tech University, an M.A. from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. in Theatre and Film from the University of Kansas. She has trained at the National Shakespeare Conservatory and the American Conservatory Theatre. |
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Virginia Wesleyan has joined the Hampton Roads Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, one of the largest ROTC Units in the nation, consisting of more than 170 sailors, Marines, and midshipmen. The Hampton Roads Consortium is composed of six local institutions of higher education: Hampton University, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Regent University, Tidewater Community College, and Virginia Wesleyan University.
Our location allows us to offer our students unparalleled leadership and hands-on training opportunities. It is a short drive to the world’s largest naval station and home of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the U.S. Master Jet Base, housing the majority of the Navy’s F-18 squadrons; and Little Creek Amphibious Base, home to the U.S. east coast SEAL teams. The Navy and Marine Corps offer both scholarship and non-scholarship options for students who want to participate in the NROTC program.
We will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new partnership with the NROTC on Friday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. Trustee Emeritus and Navy veteran Jerry Miller will be our keynote speaker for the event. All are welcome to help us celebrate this new cooperative that brings wonderful scholarship and career training opportunities for our students.
Our sincere thanks to U.S. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans for her special assistance in bringing this program to Virginia Wesleyan. Rep. Kiggans was a nurse in the U.S. Navy and credits her Navy experience for much of her success.
Learn more about NROTC at VWU. |
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The University will celebrate retirements and employee service milestones of faculty, staff, and friends in contract services in a campus-wide celebration on Tuesday, April 30 at 3:30 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons.
Congratulations to these retiring members of the Virginia Wesleyan family: Barbara Artis, Clay Drees, Patrick Goold, Larry Hultgren, Deborah Otis, Sharon Swift, and Susan Wansink.
Additionally, a traditional tree planting ceremony for retiring faculty members will take place on Thursday, May 9 (Reading Day) at 11:00 a.m. in the east side extension of the Wilson Arboretum and the entrance to the Trails at Wesleyan Woods.
I hope all faculty and staff members have marked their calendars and made plans to join in our celebrations for these long-serving and dedicated Marlins. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Celebrating AAPI Month May is Asian/Pacific American History Month, which pays tribute to generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched the United States’ past, present, and future. The Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Council of VWU is delighted to offer a movie showcase in honor of the month’s celebration. We’ll start with “Your Story Matters with Bethany Tsiaras” followed by Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings in The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery on May 1 at 12:00 p.m. See the flyer for more upcoming events. |
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Congratulations to Juliette Coffey, Women’s Golf ODAC Champion Congratulations to first-year Batten Honors College scholar Juliette Coffey of the Virginia Wesleyan University women's golf team who won the ODAC Championship Tournament! This is the first ODAC Championship in women's golf program history. Along with her win, Juliette Coffey was named Third Team All-Conference for her performance this season, and teammate Haley Davis was named ODAC Sportswoman of the Year. Congratulations! |
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VWU in the News As you may have seen in University News, Virginia Wesleyan recently announced that we have received a significant grant to establish a Center for Career Development and Neurodiversity. This represents a positive step toward bridging the gap between college and the workforce for our neurodiverse population. Last week, we received excellent media coverage on the announcement. Please click on these links to view the stories from WAVY and WTKR. |
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Sailors Spruce Up Camp Red Feather Last week, we were honored to host nearly 20 sailors from the USS George H.W. Bush who volunteered to help us prepare for this summer’s session of Camp Red Feather. This YMCA camp, which is hosted by VWU, offers youth and teens ages 5–15 a safe and exciting outdoor summer adventure. Children and teens learn life skills, create memories, and form friendships through a variety of activities on 40 acres of fields and forests throughout our beautiful campus. I want to extend my gratitude to these sailors for their civic-minded spirit and to WTKR and WAVY for coming out to share their efforts on the news. |
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Bob’s Birthday Bash: Spring Day of Giving Results I’m excited to share that the University raised nearly $65,000 during its Spring Day of Giving held on April 19. I cannot tell you how proud I am to see this incredible show of support from our Marlin community. I thank all those who were able to participate—be it by making a gift or by sharing the campaign with others. |
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Jim Koch Visits Great to catch up with longtime colleague and friend Jim Koch over lunch. A former president of Old Dominion University and the University of Montana, Jim has served as a consultant and advisor to VWU for many years. We were joined by David Black, VWU Executive in Residence. |
Student Recognitions Congratulations to the new inductees of Sigma Zeta, a national honor society that recognizes academic scholarship in mathematics and natural and computer sciences (pictured).
We also offer our congratulations to our students who were elected to leadership positions in the 2024-25 Student Government Association (SGA) election. Miles Pifer, a rising junior from Norfolk, VA, was elected President of the SGA, and Christopher Mercer-Garrett, a rising sophomore from Virginia Beach, VA, was elected Vice President. Other notable election results include the Senior Senators: Abby Moyers, Veronika Murphy, Comfort Tambaya, Daryl Tucker; Junior Senators: Isaac Awogboro, Shortbed Bowden, Kaza Dayton, Joy Ramsey; and Sophomore Senators: Gabrielle Barnett, Erin Beaudry, Lucas Gordon, Ava Ruggiero. |
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Additionally, we enjoyed an end-of-the-year pizza party for our international students, hosted by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery. We wish these students well as they graduate from VWU or head back to their home countries to continue their studies in the next academic year. |
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Marlins Day Welcomes More Than Students We had another great Marlins Day for prospective students and their families last weekend. At the same time, we welcomed leaders from the Rotary Club to campus today, hosted by the Cape Henry Rotary Club. With Kenny Janes, Immediate Past District Governor; Joy Kline, District Governor Elect, and Susan Zachensky-Walthall, Past District Governor. |
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Out and About It was nice to visit with Sabrina Wooten, Virginia Beach City Council Member, and Delegate Alex Askew at his annual Fish Fry at Level Green Park last weekend (below, left). Later in the week, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Pam Northam at the social for the Ryan Resilience Lab of the Elizabeth River Project (below, right). Pam has been active with ERP and was VWU’s Commencement speaker in 2017. Her husband, Ralph, former Governor of Virginia, has been a good friend and supporter of VWU. |
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Norfolk Tides Tickets Many of you are aware that I enjoy baseball and have two very nice season tickets for the Norfolk Tides behind the first base dugout at Harbor Park. If any faculty, staff, or students would like to use my tickets (whether you’ve gone before or haven’t had a chance yet), please contact Anja at aserbywilkens@vwu.edu and let her know what date you would like to go. You can find the schedule here. |
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President to President: Why Strategic Plans Still Matter The tenth and final chapter of the 2023-2024 President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “Sustainable Strategic Planning in Times of Turbulence,” Centenary College of Louisiana President Christopher L. Holoman, Ph.D., highlights the ongoing importance of strategic planning in higher education, especially as campuses face unforeseen circumstances and rapidly evolving challenges. He emphasizes the need for adaptable processes, clear mission statements, and expanded risk assessments, and he offers strategies for successfully navigating uncertainty. |
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
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Have a great week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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