July 29, 2024
Good morning, |
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We will celebrate the special tradition of Founders Day on Thursday, September 5 at 12:00 p.m.. in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Our keynote speaker will be Virginia Beach City Council member and alumna from the Class of 2008 Jennifer Rouse.
As previously shared, Delceno Miles, President/CEO of The Miles Agency, a Virginia Beach-based niche marketing and public relations firm she founded in 1989, will receive The Wesley Award during our Founders Day celebration. Delceno has been a great friend of Virginia Wesleyan and higher education in our region and our state.
Our formal Founders Day convocation ceremony will also include the presentation of our annual Alumni Awards. I am delighted to share more about our 2024 Alumni Awards recipients, an honor the VWU Alumni Council bestows upon graduates in recognition of outstanding professional and personal accomplishments. |
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THE BEACON AWARD Jennifer Rouse '08 elected to the Virginia Beach City Council in 2022 to serve as District 10 representative. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, she earned her undergraduate degree in English literature from Virginia Wesleyan. She then graduated with a Master of Science degree in sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University. On City Council, Jennifer has been appointed to the Housing Advisory Board and Active Transportation Advisory Committee. She is also a liaison to the Minority Business Council, the Public Library Board, the Atlantic Park Community Development Authority, and the Something in the Water Festival. She is also an assistant professor of Sociology and department chair for Social Sciences and Education at Tidewater Community College. Jennifer lives in Virginia Beach with her husband Aaron. |
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD David Green '98 serves as Georgetown University’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He oversees major operational functions at the university including finance, investments, planning and facilities management, human resources, information services, construction, real estate, sustainability and more. Prior to joining Georgetown University in 2018, David served in several financial leadership roles at George Washington University since 2001, where he served as the Associate Vice President for Financial Operations. David earned his B.A. in Business at Virginia Wesleyan in 1998 while playing soccer for the Marlins, and obtained his M.B.A. from George Washington University in 2005. He and his wife Therese have four children and reside in Stone Ridge, VA. |
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ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD John-Henry Doucette '01 is a Rhode Island native who served in the U.S. Navy and has worked as a reporter in New York and Virginia and in public relations, primarily in providing pre-deployment training for military commands. John-Henry founded The Princess Anne Independent News in 2015, and he serves as its editor and publisher. The community newspaper has won several Virginia Press Association awards for writing, photography, opinion and public affairs reporting. It also has been recognized by the Virginia Beach Excellence in Agriculture Committee and Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for its coverage of the agriculture industry. John-Henry holds a BA in U.S. history from Virginia Wesleyan and an MFA in creative writing from Old Dominion University. He lives in rural Virginia Beach with his wife, Cortney, and three children. |
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GRADUATE OF THE LAST DECADE (GOLD) AWARD Kameron Clarke '21 was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, and is a product of Fairfax County Public Schools. She is a graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University where she double majored, earning her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies. While at VWU, Kameron was a member of the Women’s Lacrosse Team and team captain in her senior season. Since graduating, she has gained several years of campaign experience working for state and congressional candidates, and has also served as Chief of Staff for members in the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia State Senate. Kameron is currently the Fellows Program Coordinator for Progressive Turnout Project where she trains and mentors the next generation of campaign staffers. |
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The 2024-2025 edition of President to President, a groundbreaking higher education thought leadership series featuring insights from college and university presidents, will begin this fall. This year’s series, titled “Game Changers,” will explore the vision, outlook, and strategies of 10 campus presidents in these game-changing times for higher education. In a new chapter published online each month, esteemed college and university presidents will share how they plan for and address game-changing scenarios in higher education. It has been a privilege to serve as the Executive Editor of the series since its inception.
This year’s topics and authors:
- Leading Change: Practical Lessons in the Implementation of a Multi-Institution Integration - R. Lorraine (Laurie) Bernotsky, D. Phil., President, West Chester University
- The Power of Yes: The Surprising Benefits of Collaboration - Jeffrey R. Docking, Ph.D., President, Adrian College
- The Essential Ingredients for Transformative Leadership - Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., President, Des Moines University
- Academic Transformation - E. Gordon Gee, Ed.D., President, West Virginia University
- Breathing with Double Lungs: A Vision for Thriving Higher Education - L. Gregory Jones, Ph.D., President, Belmont University
- Augsburg Applies to You: How Direct Admissions Transformed Our Enrollment Work - Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D., President, Augsburg University
- Thoughtful Transitions - Lisa Marsh Ryerson, M.S., President, Southern New Hampshire University
- Athletics as a Strategic Investment: Playing for the Public Good - James C. Schmidt, Ed.D., Chancellor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- The Revolution Will Be Televised - Lori S. White, Ph.D., President, DePauw University
- From General to President: Game-Changing Leadership–Thoughts for Higher Education Excellence - LTG Darrell K. Williams (US Army, Retired), President, Hampton University
The series’ foreword, written by Ellen Chaffee, Ph.D., current president and CEO of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), will be available soon and will share more about what to expect in this year’s series.
President to President is celebrating its 21st year of publication. For 19 years, I served as Executive Editor of the series’ various forms alongside Marylouise Fennell, Ed.D., beloved colleague and friend. After Dr. Fennell’s passing in October 2022, this is the second year with Katelyn M. Sanders, Pharm. D., and Kelly R. Cordova, M.B.A., serving as my Assistant Editors. Sodexo, world leader in food and facilities management services, will once again provide publishing support for the series this year but will exert no editorial influence.
President to President aims to provide valuable insights and viable solutions for the unique and ongoing challenges of modern higher education. We hope you enjoy delving into these important topics with leaders in higher education and perhaps gaining a new perspective. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Speaker Don Scott Visits Campus It was such an honor to host Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, on campus last week. Speaker Scott enjoyed a campus tour with special emphasis on Clarke Hall and the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Speaker Scott will give the Winter Commencement keynote address in the Goode Center on December 20. We look forward to seeing him back at VWU soon!
A Campus of Camps, Conferences, and Events I’m proud to share that VWU hosted approximately 75,000 guests for camps, conferences and events in 2023-24. This incredible feat is a testament to our wonderful hospitality team at Sodexo and to the welcoming Wesleyan spirit of the entire campus community. The positive experiences of 75,000 guests on campus is sure to have a lasting ripple effect for our university in ways we might not be able to imagine today. |
Marlins Move In We are excited to welcome our newest Marlins to campus next month! To celebrate Move In Day 2024, we aim to reach an aspiring goal of 240 gifts in just 20 hours and 24 minutes. Join us in showing all of our current and future students how strong the Marlin Spirit is. While they unpack, we invite you to give back to The Excellence Fund or another program that moves you on August 25, 2024. |
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National Intern Day Last Thursday, we celebrated National Intern Day by sharing posts throughout the day on social media profiling a variety of our talented VWU students who’ve been working for premier organizations throughout the region. VWU has terrific relationships with top employers, to the great benefit of our students. Be sure to check them out on any of our social media channels - Instragram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn |
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Jane Batten’s Support Expands Marine Sciences at W&M Congratulations to our good friend D. Derek Aday, Dean and Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences at the College of William & Mary, on the establishment of the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences by our good friend and visionary philanthropist Jane Batten. Dean Aday has been our partner in establishing a seamless collaboration for our Batten Honors College scholars, and we see this new project as an opportunity and benefit for our students. Learn more.
Higher education is grateful that we’re a priority of Jane’s philanthropy. Our Batten Honors College and the recent establishment of the Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies in partnership with Lakeland University are emblematic of her commitment to education. |
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40th Anniversary of the Virginia Beach Wave Trolley We’re proud to call Virginia Beach our home and honor what makes our city special. Last week, I joined good friends William Harrell, CEO of Hampton Roads Transit; Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson; Mayor Bobby Dyer; and City Council member Amelia Ross-Hammond for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Virginia Beach Wave Trolley at 17th Street Park. |
Lunch with Tony Brothers I had an enjoyable lunch at DeFord Manor with NBA official Tony Brothers and Cee Cee Tucker last week. A Norfolk native, Tony is also the owner of Brothers Restaurant. Cee Cee is my special advisor.
It’s WINDSday Check out the new edition here. |
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! |
2024 State of the University: August 23 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. |
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS A Virginia Wesleyan University Community |
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Have a good week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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