Final faculty dinner group

The final faculty dinner group for the fall semester. So enjoyable visiting with and learning more about our colleagues.

Last meeting of the Virginia Beach Vision Executive Committee 2024

Hard to believe it was our last meeting of the Virginia Beach Vision Executive Committee for 2024. My thanks to this special group of people who work together to help our region prosper. Looking forward to our annual meeting next month.

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

November 4, 2024 Good morning,

Election Day is tomorrow, marking not only an important moment on the national stage but also a significant one for our local community. If you haven’t already cast your vote, we encourage you to do so – your voice is essential, and every vote matters. In our region, voters have the opportunity to shape both national and local leadership, with decisions for president, senators, house of representatives, mayor, sheriff, city council representatives (in certain districts), and school board members. This election serves as a reminder of the importance of participation at every level, with each vote contributing to the future of both our community and country. If you need assistance with finding polling locations, understanding voting procedures, or other election-related questions, please reach out to Bethany Tsiaras, Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning, at btsiaras@vwu.edu.

ET CETERA

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11, and this day has always had special meaning for me as my father served in the Second World War. With so many veterans in the Coastal Virginia community, honoring Veterans Day is a small way that we can thank those who have given so much.  I am honored to share that our guest speaker for our 2024 commemoration of Veterans Day is First Lieutenant Bobby Mazingo. Bobby, a 2021 Virginia Wesleyan graduate, distinguished himself as a natural leader both in athletics and academics. As a two-time captain of the men's lacrosse team and active member of the Student Government Association, he left a mark on campus life. While pursuing his degree, Bobby participated in Army ROTC, launching his military career. Following graduation, he was commissioned as an Army Reserve Aviation Officer and completed training as a CH-47 Chinook pilot. Now based in Richmond, VA, Bobby balances his role as a construction project manager with his continued service in the Army Reserve. Bobby is married to Hanna Hull, Class of 2020 (B.S.) and 2021 (M.B.A.), a three-time national softball champion and NCAA record holder for career wins. They have a young son.  We look forward to Bobby’s remarks as we honor veterans on our campus and around the world during our ceremony at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 11, on Godwin Lawn by our Veterans Memorial. A reception will be held in the lobby of Godwin Hall immediately following.  Also, be sure to check out the VWU Military Honor Tree, which is on display in the Jane P. Batten Student Center through November 11. We invite you to come and tie a ribbon on the tree to show your heartfelt thanks and appreciation for our troops. As a reminder, classes will be held and administrative offices will be open on Veterans Day.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month November is Native American Heritage Month, a time of year when we honor the culture, traditions, and achievements of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities. Wesleyan Engaged hosted an event on Friday to kickoff the month. Learn more about other opportunities to celebrate on campus.

Hall of Famer on Campus It was nice 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, which specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire staffing roles in the clerical, financial, and light industrial sectors. We are pictured with Brad Sorgen, Senior Vice President of PeopleShare, and Keith Moore, Senior Vice President for VWU.

The Importance of Investing in Nontraditional Students  As the national population of traditional college-aged students (18-24) declines over the next eight years – known in higher education as “the enrollment cliff” – a parallel reality is also coming into focus: non-traditional students are attending college with increasing frequency. I am pleased to share the most recent column I co-authored for Enrollment Manager on this topic. Read more.

VWU Recognized Among 2024 Hampton Roads Civic 50 We are proud to share that Virginia Wesleyan has been recognized once again as a Civic 50 honoree. The Civic 50 Hampton Roads is an initiative of Points of Light in partnership with VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, designed to recognize and celebrate the 50 most community-minded companies in Hampton Roads, setting the bar for civic engagement and serves as a guiding light for companies committed to making a positive social impact in their community and within their organizations. The award is being accepted by Bethany Tsiaras, Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning, and Kayleigh Poggioli, Assistant to the Senior Vice President. Congratulations to all involved in making VWU a place of impact on campus and beyond.

Casino Groundbreaking in Norfolk I was delighted to be a part of the groundbreaking celebration of the new Norfolk casino with my good friend Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander and Keith Smith, President and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corporation. Learn more about the event and the construction of the casino from 13NewsNow. Port of Virginia Receives Federal Funding to Accelerate Plan for Carbon-Neutrality by 2040 As an institution deeply committed to environmental stewardship and education, Virginia Wesleyan celebrates the recent announcement of $380 million in federal funding for the Port of Virginia. This funding, granted through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program under the Inflation Reduction Act, is set to accelerate the Port’s objective to become carbon-neutral by 2040. Read more from WHRO.

TowneBank Foundation Fall Extravaganza I am grateful to Bob Aston (TowneBank Founder/Executive Chairman) for such an enjoyable evening at the Fall Extravaganza in support of the TowneBank Foundation. This year, they raised $625,000 to help fund local charities. Since the first Fall Extravaganza in 2004, the TowneBank Foundation has raised more than $5 million for worthy causes. Pictured: Bob Aston and Joel Rubin; U.S. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Keith Moore (VWU Senior Vice President) and Jason Seward (VWU Associate Vice President); U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott; and George Birdsong, CEO/Birdsong Peanuts & VWU Trustee Emeritus.

Virginia MOCA Gallery and Gift Shop Featured in Inside Business Inside Business recently featured one of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art’s newest tenants, Thank You Gallery, which sells works from internationally-acclaimed artists and also offers a gift shop filled with unique products. It also sells apparel, one-of-a-kind archival prints, and other collector’s items from featured artists. Seen here is Eric Wiggins, co-owner of Thank You Gallery. 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, 2024.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS A Virginia Wesleyan University Community

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES Features News Briefs VWU Athletics The Wesleyan Review VWU Alumni News  The Arts at VWU  Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine  The Pharos REFLECTIONS I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:  University Business  Enrollment Manager  President to President Archives CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @vawesleyanprez  Facebook: @ScottDMillerprez Instagram: @prezscottmiller  LinkedIn: Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.  Flickr: Scott D. Miller  Dialogue: prezscottmiller.blogspot.com  (Be sure to subscribe to Dialogue for daily updates via email)

Get out and vote!  Sincerely,

-- Scott D. Miller, Ph.D. President Virginia Wesleyan University 5817 Wesleyan Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455   Phone: 757.455.3215 Email: president@vwu.edu Web: www.vwu.edu/president  Blog: prezscottmiller.blogspot.com

Tom Broyles and his daughter Betty Page

Great to have lunch with Trustee Emeritus Tom Broyles, his wife Peggy, and daughter Betty Page Broyles Ambrose, a VWU alumna. Tom, Betty Page and I are outside Broyles Hall in Honors Village, named in honor of his steadfast support of the university.

 

Trustee Emeritus Tom Broyles

Great to have lunch with Trustee Emeritus Tom Broyles, his wife Peggy, and daughter Betty Page Broyles Ambrose, a VWU alumna. Tom, Betty Page and I are outside Broyles Hall in Honors Village, named in honor of his steadfast support of the university.

Tom Broyles, his wife Peggy, and daughter Betty Page

 

Great to have lunch with Trustee Emeritus Tom Broyles, his wife Peggy, and daughter Betty Page Broyles Ambrose, a VWU alumna. Tom, Betty Page and I are outside Broyles Hall in Honors Village, named in honor of his steadfast support of the university.

The President's Letter: Gathering Together

Gathering Together November 2024 Dear friends,  October is always a busy month on campus with a flourish of student and alumni activities, meetings of the VWU Board of Trustees, midterms, and a well-deserved Fall Break.  At the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, we celebrated four former Marlin athletic greats, one distinguished team, and a benefactor honored for his outstanding support of our intercollegiate athletics programs. The event highlighted the dedication and spirit that defines Virginia Wesleyan’s athletic community, with each inductee’s legacy now an enduring part of the university’s history. During Homecoming and Family Weekend, Marlins gathered for athletic competitions, special dedications, and our annual FinFest picnic. Highlights included the opening of a new salt kiln in Susan T. Beverly Hall, thanks to a gift from Jim "Zulu" Zullinger, Class of 1970, and the dedication of G. Robert Aston, Jr. Hall at Chesapeake Bay Academy. Across campus, we are celebrating significant achievements: VWU was ranked by the Princeton Review as one of the nation’s top green colleges; student Avery Belisle was selected for the 2024 World Affairs Councils of America Scholars Program and national conference; and the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center hosted the 2nd District Congressional Debate. We also welcomed CompleteU as a presenting sponsor for Esports, and the Robert Nusbaum Center led a tour of sacred places on campus. As the season advances, the colorful trees on campus serve as a reminder of the vibrant community we cherish here at Virginia Wesleyan, where each gathering, achievement, and moment leaves a lasting impact. We look forward to the months ahead and to all that we will accomplish together.  Sincerely,

Virginia Wesleyan University's 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Virginia Wesleyan University, with its rich athletic tradition, held its much-anticipated Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony on October 5, 2024. Read More | View Photos 2024 Homecoming Highlights Marlins gathered for FinFest, athletic competitions, special dedications, and more during Homecoming & Family Weekend. Read More | View Photos

VWU Ranked Among Nation's Top Green Colleges Selected by Princeton Review based on culture of environmental responsibility and commitment to sustainability. Read More New Kiln on Campus Dedication Ceremony held in honor of Alumnus Jim “Zulu” Zullinger, Class of 1970. Read More | View Photos

Virginia Wesleyan Hosts 2nd District Congressional Debate Event underscores VWU’s commitment to both civic and civil engagement. Read More Avery Belisle '27 Selected for 2024 WACA Student Scholar Program and National Conference For Batten Honors College Scholar, it’s all part of a purposely-crafted plan. Read More

If This Ground Could Talk A tour of unrecognized sacred spaces at Virginia Wesleyan University. Read More | View Photos VWU Announces CompleteU as Presenting Sponsor for Marlins Esports Additional gift from Kellam Mechanical funds expansion of game lineup. Read More