April 15, 2024
Good morning, |
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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 members of the Virginia Wesleyan family: |
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40 Years Kathy Ames Kathy Merlock Jackson
35 Years Susan Wansink
30 Years Polly Gaskins |
| 25 Years Alain Gabon Philip Guilfoyle Keith Moore Sally Shedd Lisa Williams
20 Years Elizabeth Malcolm Gavin Pate |
| 15 Years Randy Lott Laynee Timlin
10 Years Don Clark Sandra Ewell ’97 Chris Francis Kelly Jackson ’84 Crit Muniz |
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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. Congratulations to our retiring faculty:
- Clay Drees
- Patrick Goold
- Larry Hultgren
- Sharon Swift
I hope all faculty and staff members mark their calendars and make plans to join in our celebrations for these long-serving and dedicated Marlins. Watch your inbox for more information soon. |
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Happy World Arts Day, Marlin nation and friends! The fine and performing arts not only provide a platform for self-expression but also serve as a reflection of diverse perspectives, challenging societal norms and inspiring innovation. Investing in the arts contributes to the well-rounded development of individuals and ultimately enhances the overall quality of life in communities.
We invite you to kick off Bob’s Birthday Week by supporting The Arts at VWU. Supporters of a special campaign, announcing during our 5th anniversary of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center at Spring Alumni Weekend, are recognized by inscribed nameplates affixed to one of the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre seats in the Goode Center. Get yours today!
But we’re not done yet! Our Spring Day of Giving THIS FRIDAY challenges Marlin Nation to help us get a gift to Bob from every state on the map. Be ready to give to an area on campus that makes you want to party. Our party people who help us reach our goal will be entered to win exciting party favors including a private wine-tasting class for 20 with Total Wine & More, Virginia Wesleyan swag, one Annual U.S. Park Pass to The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands, the best seats of the house at our VWU Softball game on April 28 and more! Enjoy the party at vwu.edu/giving.
Our Alumni should be sure to follow our Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Facebook and Instagram for updates on BOTH of our Alumni challenges for Bob’s Birthday Bash. All alumni who join in the party will be in the running to win a Virginia Wesleyan Vacation for four and some Bob Marlin Swag! |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Marlin Business Conference Helps Students with “Building Careers” The Virginia Wesleyan University Marlin Business Conference concluded recently with a reception at DeFord Manor, the president's residence. This year's theme, "Building Careers," was a transformative event for students to forge new connections, explore emerging technologies, and gain invaluable insights that could shape the trajectory of their professional journeys. The event was organized by students of Professor Frank Futyma’s MBE 301 class and led by students Tommy Gray (CEO) and Megan Setlick (Chief of Staff) (pictured).
VWU's dedication to real-world learning experiences is evident in the Marlin Business Conference. The event is a testament to the university's commitment to fostering the growth of its students as well-rounded individuals, equipped to navigate and shape the world of technical innovation. The conference's successful conclusion marks another milestone in VWU's efforts to prepare its students for the challenges and opportunities of the modern business world.
I thank all of our special guests for sharing their time and talent with us - Yvonne Allmond, Alisa Crider ‘10, Chris Keffer, and Gary Bonnewell ‘79 H’16. Congratulations to the entire student team for their outstanding work. |
Spring Army ROTC Awards Ceremony Two Marlins were honored during the Spring Army ROTC Awards Ceremony last week, held at Old Dominion University. Congratulations to Emily Burgess, Outstanding VWU Cadet, and Shaunice Rone, Outstanding Varsity Athlete. They are pictured with students Aankka Jackson and Ashley Burgess. |
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Environmental Champions: Young Leaders Navigating Challenges and Shaping the Future I encourage you to attend the Robert Nusbaum Center event, scheduled for Thursday, April 18 from Noon-1:00 p.m.in Brock Commons, entitled "Environmental Champions: Young Leaders Navigating Challenges and Shaping the Future." This panel discussion brings together inspiring young leaders who are making significant strides in addressing environmental challenges.
Hailing from diverse backgrounds and representing various organizations, these environmental champions are at the forefront of driving positive change in the fields of environmental health, justice, clean energy, and grassroots organizing. Join us for an engaging panel discussion about the experiences, achievements, and ongoing efforts of these young leaders as they make a lasting impact in their respective fields. |
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GreenFest: Celebrating Earth Day and Creating a Sustainable Future Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 21 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Brock Commons. That’s when we will host 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.
GreenFest is hosted by Wesleyan Engaged in collaboration with the Batten Honors College, Environmental Sustainability Council, Marlins Go Green, Marlin Ministries, Robert Nusbaum Center, and Student Engagement. A special thanks goes out to Dominion Energy, which has made this possible through its generous support. |
Celebrating the ODAC Championship Women’s Soccer Team Annie and I enjoyed hosting dinner for the VWU women’s soccer team — ODAC Champions and NCAA Sweet 16 finishers. This team was led by All-American Sam Crawford, ODAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-Region goalkeeper Rachel Quigley, leading goal scorer and USC All-Region forward Shyenne Diaz, and All-Region midfielder Julia Marrone. Congratulations to Head Coach Jeff Bowers, his staff, and the entire team for another great season! |
The Pharos: April 2024 Available Now I am proud to share the April 2024 edition of The Pharos which is available now online. 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. |
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A Return to the Classroom It was wonderful to return to the classroom last week to visit with the Batten Honors College Leadership Seminar, taught by Craig Wansink, Professor of Religious Studies and Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center. The students asked engaging questions about leadership and decision-making, and I was delighted to share my knowledge and experiences with this group. |
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GNC Mentorship Program Celebrates Another Great Year We were pleased to host the Greater Norfolk Corporation last week which held a closing celebration for its mentor program. VWU is one the universities that participates in this highly-impactful experience which pairs students with mentors working in their chosen professions. Many of this year’s cohort of 72 students assembled at the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center lobby to share their experiences and network. Photo Gallery
VWU Center for Career Development and Neurodiversity in the News The newly announced VWU Center for Career Development and Neurodiversity has gained media attention. Our thanks to WHRO for covering the story and sharing how VWU is an inclusive educational community dedicated to the enrichment of all. |
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Delivering Cultural Relevance with Pizza Featuring Jaclyn Ruelle '04 The Hampton Roads Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) will host VWU alumna and Trustee Jaclyn Ruelle ‘04 who will be speaking this Friday, April 19, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Slover Library in Norfolk. She serves as Papa Johns’ Vice President and Head of Brand and is a former Senior VP at the Martin Agency. She will be speaking about “Delivering Cultural Relevance with Pizza.” She is a highly respected professional in her field and will offer deep insights into cultural impact strategies that can spur creativity and brand loyalty. Register to attend. |
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VWU Featured in The Advocate VWU Campus Ministries was featured in a recent issue of The Advocate, a weekly publication from the Virginia United Methodist Church. The article covered our recent partnership with local high schools for a student-led program filled with games, music, skits, an interactive Bible message and discussion followed by dinner in the dining hall.
SCHEV Board Member Hired as New Director The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is the Commonwealth's coordinating body for higher education. We offer our congratulations to its new director, A. Scott Fleming. Learn more.
Understanding United Methodist Church Disaffiliation Legislation The United Methodist News Service shares a series highlighting what’s new for the General Conference. Most notably, eight additional proposals to permit disaffiliation have been submitted to the upcoming legislative assembly. Read more. |
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
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Have a great week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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