Dialogue: October 2024

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Devin Cowhey, Brad Sorgen, and Keith Moore

Good to catch up with Devin Cowhey, Class of 2010 and a 2019 inductee to the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame (2006 Women’s Soccer Final Four team member), to learn more about her new role with PeopleShare. With Brad Sorgen, Senior Vice President of PeopleShare, and Keith Moore, Senior Vice President for VWU.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Faculty Dinner at DeFord Manor

Another faculty dinner at DeFord Manor is in the books!

Groundbreaking of the new Norfolk Casino

Such an enjoyable day with my good friend Kenny Alexander (Mayor of Norfolk) and Keith Smith (President and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corporation) as we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Norfolk Casino. With Robert Gray, Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe; US Congressman Bobby Scott, Delceno Miles, and former Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim; Courtney Doyle, Norfolk City Councilmember; and Darrell Williams, President of Hampton University.

Groundbreaking of the new Norfolk Casino

Monday, October 28, 2024

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

October 28, 2024

Good morning,

Our relationship with elected officials serving Virginia Wesleyan University is paramount to our ability to grow opportunities for all students. Federal initiatives like expanding Pell grants, streamlining FAFSA, enhancing workforce development, and more, depend on active engagement with our lawmakers to advocate for our students’ needs. With higher education facing national scrutiny, we value opportunities to meet with members of local, state, and federal government to underscore the critical role universities play in workforce readiness, economic growth, and social mobility. By fostering these connections, we aim to secure the support needed to make higher education accessible, affordable, and aligned with the evolving demands of today’s job market.

Therefore, it was my pleasure to host a productive luncheon and roundtable discussion with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott, as well as other college presidents, representatives and elected officials from Coastal Virginia, at DeFord Manor last week. Our discussion ranged from the FAFSA debacle, student recruitment and retention, workforce development programs, and the issues facing the NCAA. View the event’s photo gallery here.

Later in the day, there was an event on campus featuring U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader; U.S. Representative Bobby Scott, ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce; and Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, as speakers.

Having these influential leaders on our campus helps the university advocate for students and families. For some students, like Ashleigh Lockard, Camille Jernigan, and Amaya Nathaniel, it’s an opportunity to gain experience through our Work and Learn program. Ashleigh served as university events staff for the roundtable at DeFord Manor while Camille was the photographer. Amaya was a paid photographer at the evening event and has been an intern for a local Congressional campaign.

A capstone event for the day was the Cookson Lecture hosted by our Robert Nusbaum Center with author and lecturer Colin Rafferty from the University of Mary Washington. Held in Brock Commons, Colin spoke about his book, “Execute the Office: Essays with Presidents.” My thanks to Craig Wansink, Joan & Macon Brock Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, for advancing this important topic through the Robert Nusbaum Center.

And don’t forget, Vote Early Day is October 29. To celebrate, Marlins will gather at the Harbor Grill on October 29 at 12 PM for a special event celebrating the power of voting. Executive Director of VA21, Kate Slayton, will present on “The Importance of Your Vote” and engage in a discussion about how young people can—and already do—make a significant impact on elections. In addition to learning about elections, students have the opportunity to snap a photo with George Washington, play trivia and win prizes, and enjoy donuts and pizza. To learn more about Vote Early Day and explore your options for early voting, visit voteearlyday.org.

ET CETERA

At the State of the University Address in August, I announced the establishment of the VWU Center for Urban Leadership Education, which includes the new Incarcerated Persons ReEntry Initiative, a joint initiative with the Urban League of Hampton Roads, thanks to the support of U.S. Representative Bobby Scott.

At that time, I shared that the Center for Urban Leadership Education would have additional programs in the coming months. Our program serving police and sheriff’s departments in the region are a part of the Center.

Today, I’m pleased to announce another new initiative. Virginia Wesleyan University and Virginia Christian College (VCC) of Dumfries signed a memorandum of understanding last week for VWU to be a shared services provider. This means that VWU will offer general education undergraduate courses online to VCC students, helping them to complete their degrees in a timely manner. I am pictured at the signing with Bishop Courtney McBath, President of VCC.

Virginia Christian College (formerly Virginia Bible College) is a private, Christian college established by Grace Church in Dumfries, VA, in 2011. The vision was to offer Christian-based education to equip transformational leaders to serve and lead in the church and/or marketplace. VCC confers bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). VCC will remain separately accredited from Virginia Wesleyan University, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The VCC-VWU agreement is a function of VWU Global Campus.

We look forward to welcoming VCC students to VWU Online courses soon.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Work and Learn: VWU Interns Making a Difference

My good friend Delceno Miles, CEO of The Miles Agency, establishes internship opportunities for VWU students. Last week, I watched three of our interns in action at the Rudee Park Focus Group planning sessions at Dills Architects in Virginia Beach. Located at the southern end of Virginia Beach resort, the 8-acre site was once part of the local system of beach dunes, maritime forest, and sand shoals broken by what is now Rudee Inlet. With Clay Dills and VWU student interns (from left) Ryan Abraham, Victoria Arias, and Clay Clarke.

Collaborating with the VAACC

Last week, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, Virginia Beach City Council Member from District 4, visited campus. VWU is pleased to partner with Dr. Hammond, who is the Founder & Chair of the new Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC), which has a mission to collect, preserve, interpret, inform and celebrate Virginia’s African American history, culture and community, and to educate the public about African American contributions in all areas of endeavor. The Center is planned to be constructed within a short walking distance of campus.

Celebrating an Outstanding Leader

I was delighted to join the celebration of an amazing leader last week at the dedication of the Dr. Deborah M. DiCroce Student Center at Tidewater Community College. President of TCC from 1998 to 2012 and currently the CEO of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, this facility appropriately recognizes not just her higher education success but her many contributions to Coastal Virginia. We’re pictured with Marcia Conston, President of TCC.

Meeting with Beazley Foundation

I had an enjoyable visit last week with Steve Best, President and CEO of the Beazley Foundation, Inc., at their offices in Portsmouth. The Foundation has been a strong supporter of the University for many years, helping to fund Monumental Chapel/Beazley Recital Hall, Beazley Scholarships, Beazley Foyer in Godwin Hall, the Beazley Computer Lab in Clarke Hall, and much more.

Connecting with our Partner in Germany

Anja Serby-Wilkens, Assistant to the President, visited our friends at PH Heidelberg while in her home country of Germany. Heidelberg University of Education is one of VWU’s study-abroad partners where many students and faculty have enjoyed a robust exchange program. Anja (left) is pictured with Managing Director Anja Bast-Schneider and Professor Karin Vogt.

NACU Names Recipient of 2024 Ernest L. Boyer Award

Virginia Wesleyan is a proud member of New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), which recently honored Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc as the 2024 recipient of the Ernest L. Boyer Award, This award, named after the renowned educator, recognizes individuals who embody Boyer’s vision of a more connected and civic-minded education system. Dr. LeBlanc served as the president of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) for more than two decades. He is a first-generation college graduate who has been a staunch advocate for increasing access to education, especially for underserved populations. Read more.

Nominate a Deserving Student for The Mavis McKenley ’11 Award

Each year, Virginia Wesleyan presents an award on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to a student who practices the ideals set forth by Dr. King—courage and conviction in valuing differences, commitment to seeing beyond borders by building inclusion, compassion for humanity, and/or commitment to social change. In 2021, the award was named The Mavis McKenley ’11 Award in honor of our esteemed graduate and Trustee. Nominations can be submitted to Wesleyan Engaged via google form by December 1.

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REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

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Enrollment Manager

President to President

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Fall Extravaganza for the TowneBank Foundation

Thanks to Bob Aston (founder/Executive Chairman) for an enjoyable evening with good friends at the Fall Extravaganza for the TowneBank Foundation at the main campus in Suffolk. With Bob and Joel Rubin; U.S. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Keith Moore (VWU Senior VP) and Jason Seward (VWU Associate VP); U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott; and George Birdsong (CEO/Birdsong Peanuts & VWU Trustee)

Fall Extravaganza for the TowneBank Foundation

Delegate Alex Askew and Delegate Michael Feggans

Nice to have Delegate Alex Askew (95th District) and Delegate Michael Feggans (97th District) visit campus. Both have been loyal friends of VWU.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Enjoyable evening at Princess Anne Country Club

Enjoyable evening at Princess Anne Country Club with good friends — U.S. Senator Mark Warner, and David and Susan Goode; Guy Tower and Congressman Bobby Scott.

Enjoyable evening at Princess Anne Country Club

Enjoyable evening at Princess Anne Country Club with good friends — U.S. Senator Mark Warner, and David and Susan Goode; Guy Tower and Congressman Bobby Scott.