June 24, 2024
Good morning, |
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Since the founding of the distinctive Batten Honors College in the fall of 2017, a distinguished recognition ceremony has been held for its newest scholars at the beginning of each academic year. A ceremonial pinning of each student during the Batten Honors College Convocation represents their completion of orientation and formal induction into the elite Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan University.
I’m delighted to share that Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D., President of Hollins University, will be our keynote speaker for this significant event. As is our tradition, the celebration will take place on Founders Day (September 5) at 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Hinton is a respected leader in higher education with a strong commitment to student success and community engagement. She has served as the President of Hollins University since 2020, where she has championed initiatives to foster inclusive excellence and innovation in liberal arts education. Dr. Hinton previously served as the President of the College of Saint Benedict and has held various leadership roles in academia, including her recent election as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) next month.
She is also an accomplished author. Her new book, “Leading from the Margins: College Leadership in Unexpected Places,” celebrates the unique strengths of marginalized individuals, inviting them to embrace their leadership potential and make a difference.
Dr. Hinton earned a Ph.D. in religion and religious education from Fordham University, a Master of Arts degree in clinical child psychology from the University of Kansas-Lawrence, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Williams College. She is the recipient of the Bicentennial Medal from Williams College and honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Misericordia University, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Mount St. Mary’s University.
Virginia Wesleyan's unique relationship with Hollins University is based on our mutual benefactor and visionary philanthropist Jane Batten. This partnership underscores our shared values and commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and community impact. We are honored to continue this tradition of excellence and to welcome Dr. Hinton, whose leadership and vision resonate deeply with the mission of both institutions. |
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We welcomed our newest Marlins to campus this past Friday for Marlin Nation Orientation (MNO) and are excited to welcome another group today.
New students and their families are attending a wide variety of information sessions and engaging activities that invigorate and immerse them in Virginia Wesleyan culture. The MNO program is carefully designed to facilitate a smooth transition to the campus experience and to provide new Marlins with everything they need to know to be successful during their first year.
Many thanks to all faculty, staff, and students who have contributed to the success of this year’s Marlin Nation Orientation, and a special thank you to our dedicated Campus Life and David L. Kaufman Center for Enrollment staff members for the notable role they play in these events.
Please be sure to give our newest students and families a warm Virginia Wesleyan welcome today. |
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The Batten Honors College is a program of national distinction, one of only 147 honors colleges in the United States. Enrolling a highly selective group of 160 scholars, the Batten Honors College’s mission focuses on Environmental Stewardship, Global Engagement, and Leadership. I thank Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College, for his outstanding leadership of this niche program.
The Batten Honors College boasts a significant endowment that funds scholarships, environmental, global, and leadership opportunities for scholars and supports teaching faculty.
I am pleased to announce Batten Professors for the 2024-25 academic year:
- Lisa Lyon-Payne - Batten Professor of Media and Communication
- Elizabeth Malcolm - Batten Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
- Travis Malone - Batten Professor of Theatre
- William McConnell - Batten Associate Professor of Education
- James Moskowitz - Batten Lecturer of Political Science
- Gavin Pate - Batten Associate Professor of English
- Annika Quick - Batten Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Sally Shedd - Batten Professor of Theatre, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies
- Jill Sturts - Batten Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions
- Craig Wansink - Batten Professor of Religious Studies and Leadership
The Batten distinction is a renewable term appointment (July 1-June 30) afforded to full-time faculty teaching in the Batten Honors College for the corresponding academic year. Those teaching short-term study away courses are not eligible. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Happy Birthday, John Wesley! On Friday (June 28), we celebrate the 321st birthday of John Wesley, the founder of the United Methodist Church. Wesley’s legacy lives on through the Church, his many writings and sermons, and the affiliated universities and colleges inspired by his message of hope, tolerance, and mutual understanding. In honor of his birthday, check out some Wesley-inspired fun facts here.
Our namesake is pictured right on the Gamble Plaza at the Monumental Chapel and Beazley Recital Hall on campus. |
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Addressing Virgina UMC Delegates Last week, I addressed delegates from 1,100 United Methodist Churches at the Virginia Annual Conference in Hampton, VA. Representing Ferrum College, Randolph-Macon Academy, Randolph-Macon College, Shenandoah University, and VWU, I emphasized our commitment to inclusivity as well as our collective support for the recent rulings at the UMC General Conference. My remarks applauded Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson's leadership and urged the Church to prioritize support for our UMC-affliated institutions, vital to the spiritual, financial, and academic growth of our communities.
While I was there, I enjoyed catching up with Rev. Karla Kincannon (VWU ‘76). Karla and her husband Jim Noseworthy have been great friends and strong supporters of VWU for many years. |
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Visiting with Alumni in Baltimore I always enjoy visiting with alumni around the country, learning about their Marlin experiences. Last week, I enjoyed dinner with Chris McTague (‘18) and Anna Zwingelberg and Jay Johnson (‘78) over dinner at The Capital Grille at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Conference Presentation Led by Undergrads Undergraduate students in PSY101, led by Dr. Shantanu Tilak, a VWU adjunct professor and Director of the Center for Educational and Technological Research (CERTI) at Chesapeake Bay Academy, had a peer-reviewed paper accepted by the Journal of Sociocybernetics and the 18th Conference on Sociocybernetics. Their presentation, focusing on the use of AI to create comic strips for psychology assignments, details the collaborative process of prompting AI, providing feedback, and producing imagistic narratives. The presentation will take place on June 27 at 10:30 am, remotely from the University of Krakow in Poland. Congratulations! |
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The Pharos: June Edition I am proud to share the June 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. |
No-Cost Professional Development Courses: Summer 2024 Registration for VWU Global Campus's summer session of no-cost professional development workshops is now open. These classes, offered in partnership with Virginia Beach Economic Development at The HIVE or on campus, join other comprehensive non-degree courses designed to provide advanced skills valued by employers. |
ACCESS College Foundation Scholarship Luncheon Chief of Staff/Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Kelly Cordova and Vice President for Enrollment Heather Campbell ‘04 (pictured with Devin Allen ‘04, College Access Advisor at ACCESS College Foundation) attended the ACCESS College Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon Luncheon last week. During this exciting event, accomplished seniors were honored with top-tier scholarships to attend institutions like Virginia Wesleyan in the fall. We're so grateful for the wonderful work this organization does for young students in our community. |
UMC University Senate Meeting Last week, I attended the joint meeting of the University Senate of the United Methodist Church and presidents of Methodist institutions in Baltimore, where I caught up with some longtime presidential colleagues and friends. The University Senate is the organization that affirms affiliation of the 84 UMC related institutions. Left: Rock Jones, former President of Ohio Wesleyan University and now President of the University Senate. Center: Pam Balch and Wanda Brigham. Pam was the longtime president of my alma mater, West Virginia Wesleyan, and Wanda is the former President of Huntingdon College. After retiring, both now work in the executive search business. Right: Roland Fernandez, new General Secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. |
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2024 State of the University: August 23 Each August, prior to the start of the fall semester, I deliver a State of the University Address to our campus community. The address includes highlights, initiatives, and significant accomplishments from the past year, recognition of faculty and staff, points of pride, recent University news and information, current campus projects, and the strategic direction of the University’s future. The 2024 State of the University Address will take place on Friday, August 23. We look forward to welcoming our Trustees, faculty, staff, and many friends in person. For our students and alumni, the State of the University will be livestreamed on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network beginning at 12:10 p.m. |
Wesleyan Wednesday at Ballyhoos: August 7 Mark your calendars to join us at Ballyhoos for our annual summertime Wesleyan Wednesday. The event is free and open to all Marlin alumni, faculty, staff, and their families on August 7 from 5-7pm. We hope to see you there! |
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Still Available: Free eBook of 2023-24 President to President Series The complete 2023-2024 President to President thought leadership series is now available to download here. This year’s book, titled “Sustainable Futures for Higher Education,” offers a thoughtful examination of how sustainability and its many facets will continue to impact college campuses. |
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
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Have a terrific week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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