Monday, April 1, 2024

The President's Letter: Ideas in Bloom

 

Ideas in Bloom
April 2024
Dear friends,

As the beauty of spring colors our campus, Virginia Wesleyan is abuzz with new ideas and achievements that mark this season of renewal and growth.

Our spring was notably highlighted by the visit of NCAA Division III Vice President Louise McCleary, who engaged with our student-athletes in a meaningful forum. She explored a wide range of topics, from leadership and Title IX to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies, sports betting, and the critical physical and mental health initiatives designed to bolster our student-athletes' well-being and performance.

In the arts, we proudly unveiled our plans for the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (VMOCA) at VWU. The state-of-the-art facility will transform VMOCA into a hub of creativity and innovation, centrally located at VWU. This announcement came alongside the Marlin Mural Festival at the VWU Neil Britton Gallery, which captured the imagination of both the media and our community, showcasing our students' incredible talent.

In academics, the celebration of Women's History Month at VWU was another cornerstone of our spring activities, honoring the tremendous impact of women throughout history with a series of guest speakers and events. Our dedication to environmental stewardship was further exemplified through a significant grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, supporting our initiative to combat rising temperatures in our neighboring communities.

Lastly, the UNCF Mayors' Masked Ball was a moment of personal honor as I accepted the MASKED Award. This recognition speaks volumes about VWU's dedication to educational equity and the broader mission of creating a more inclusive future for all.

As we move forward, let's continue to nurture these ideas in bloom, fostering an academic environment where innovation, creativity, and community spirit thrive together.

Sincerely,
NCAA Division III Vice President Meets with Student-Athletes
Louise McCleary reaffirms commitment to equity and inclusion during campus visit
Plans Released for the VMOCA at VWU
Cultural hub in the making: university and museum leadership present designs for collaborative museum space with construction to begin this summer
VWU Honors Women's History Month
On-campus events included Author Nancy Redd, the Robert Nusbaum Center's Faith in Action: Women Empowering Communities for Transformational Change and more
Marlin Mural Festival Enlivens Neil Britton Gallery
Student collaborators transform the space into an immersive painted environment
In the news: WHROWTKRWVEC
President Miller Honored by UNCF with 2024 MASKED Award
The award from the United Negro College Fund recognizes those who foster hope and opportunity for deserving students
VWU Receives Grant for Heat Mitigation
Project aims to curb the deadly effects of extreme heat in a two-year, student-based research project in Portsmouth, VA