November 18, 2024
Good morning, |
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I am delighted to share that Bishop Courtney McBath, President of Virginia Christian College and founding pastor of Calvary Revival Church, will serve as our 2025 Baccalaureate speaker.
Courtney’s diverse educational background, including degrees from MIT, Oxford University, Regent University, and Providence Theological Seminary, uniquely equips him to bridge the gap between faith and practical leadership. This blend of knowledge fuels his commitment to encouraging servant leadership, which makes him an excellent speaker to address the Class of 2025.
Baccalaureate will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center as a part of the Spring 2025 Commencement exercises. This prelude to Commencement is a service of worship in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom. All graduates and their families are encouraged to attend. |
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Tonight, we kick off the Fall 2024 Marlin Business Conference. This fall’s theme, “Creating Leaders for Tomorrow,” will explore the vital, multifaceted roles that leaders play in organizations of all sizes, emphasizing the skills and strategies essential for success in today’s dynamic business environment.
We look forward to welcoming Tom Walker, President and CEO of DroneUp, as the keynote speaker at tonight’s opening session at 7:00 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons. Tom is a seasoned entrepreneur and innovator, leading DroneUp, one of the fastest-growing drone service providers in the country. Under his leadership, DroneUp has revolutionized the drone delivery industry, partnering with major retailers like Walmart to develop cutting-edge, scalable drone solutions. Tom brings a wealth of experience in technology, logistics, and leadership, making him the perfect speaker to inspire and inform future business leaders.
All are welcome to attend. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Reminder: Thanksgiving Holiday The university will be closed Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29, for Thanksgiving. We hope you have a wonderful holiday. |
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Brandon Elliott: Hall of Famer Congratulations to Brandon Elliott, VWU Head Softball Coach and member of the Class of 2003, on his induction to the 2024 Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame last week. Brandon has built a nationally recognized softball powerhouse at Virginia Wesleyan. Under his leadership, the Marlins have made 12 NCAA Division III tournament appearances, winning national championships in 2017, 2018, and 2021. In his 16 years at Wesleyan, he is a 10-time ODAC Champion and has brought his team to three-straight Super Regionals, and made it to the NCAA DIII World Series in 2024. His team also set an NCAA record with 55 wins in 2018 to bring the softball program its second-straight national championship. Elliott has amassed a record of 622-152-1 and coached 19 All-Americans. Way to go, Coach!
Also pictured: Joanne Renn and Andrea Hoover-Erbig, the former and current VWU Executive Directors for Intercollegiate Athletics |
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President’s Council Meeting I thoroughly enjoy last week’s meeting of the VWU President’s Council. These bi-annual gatherings bring together business leaders with an active involvement and interest in our university. The group discussed University updates and national issues facing higher education and the NCAA. We also had a special presentation from Crit Muniz, Executive Director of Academic Support Services, and student mentors in the WesBridge Scholars program. I’m pictured with Sarah Kellam ‘92; Ellen Carver, Girls on the Run; and Priscilla Monti, Gold Key PHR. |
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Joan Brock Honored at First Citizen Congratulations to VWU Trustee Emerita Joan Brock, recognized last week as First Citizen of Hampton Roads by the Hampton Roads Chamber. I'm pictured (left) with Joan and Bryan Stephens (President & CEO of HRC); and (right) with Joan’s son, Macon. |
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The Pharos: November Edition I am proud to share the November 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. |
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Dave Levin Joins BASMIF Class A special thank you to Dr. Dave Levin, Chair of Chesapeake Bay Academy, for participating as a guest speaker in the Brown Advisory Student Managed Investment Fund (BASMIF) class with Dr. Nadia Nafar. Dave shared his journey from the medical profession to entrepreneur to angel investor with our students. He also shared a powerful message about investing in your own physical, mental, and spiritual wellness before finding real success. |
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Honoring Our Veterans We hosted a wonderful Veterans Day commemoration on campus last Monday. I extend my thanks to our keynote speaker, 1LT Bobby Mazingo ‘21 (second from right) for his inspiring words of service. I'd also like to thank our ceremony participants (pictured from left) Luke Dobrin, Dr. Craig Wansink, Lars Neel ‘22, and Dr. Garrett Wood.
Read more about our Veterans Day event. |
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Virginia Beach Mayor Visits with Softball Team Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer stopped by to visit with our Virginia Wesleyan Softball Team while players were volunteering at DBat for the Hit-A-Thon for Veterans. Proceeds benefit suicide prevention for veterans. Bobby is a big fan of the Marlins!
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. Learn more about this week's programs here. |
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Support VTAG The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) program is a needed and beneficial way for students across the Commonwealth of Virginia—including those 745 enrolled at Virginia Wesleyan—to afford education at private colleges and universities. It is critical that we convey to Governor Youngkin and members of the General Assembly how vital this funding is to our students, families, colleges, and communities, and why VTAG should be a priority for the governor in the budget he will introduce in December. Make your voice heard here. |
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Board of Higher Education & Campus Ministry We had a productive meeting of the Board of Higher Education & Campus Ministry, Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church at the Center in Glen Allen last week. With Rev. Beth Givens, District Superintendent, and Rev. Lindsey Freeman, Chair of BHECM. I represent the affiliated colleges.
New Oceanfront Entertainment Venue Takes Shape at Atlantic Park The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that the long-anticipated entertainment venue at Atlantic Park, The Dome, will host roughly 100 events per year, and is scheduled to open by spring at the Oceanfront. “The Dome will quickly become a go-to destination for music, comedy, and special events, all while paying homage to the legacy of the original Dome — a celebrated home for jazz, soul and rock ’n’ roll,” Mayor Bobby Dyer said in a news release on Friday. Read more. |
Norfolk Forum Hosts Noted Author Erik Larson As a board member of the Norfolk Forum, I was honored to have dinner at Codex in Norfolk with award-winning author Erik Larson and Blythe Scott, President of the Norfolk Forum, before last week’s program. The Norfolk Forum is the oldest publicly-subscribed speakers’ forum in the country. View the event photos here. |
VWU Hosts Ripon College President at TowneBank Tip-Off I was honored to welcome Vickie Folse, President of Ripon College (WI), in town last week for an alumni event and the TowneBank Tip-Off Tournament at TowneBank Arena. The Marlins upended the Red Hawks in the season opener for both teams and went on to win the TowneBank Tip-Off Tournament.
Report: Virginia Beach Tourism Brought $3.8 Billion Impact in 2023 WHRO is reporting that visitors to Virginia Beach spent approximately $2.5 billion during their stays in 2023, with $1.1 billion of that total spent on food and drinks alone, according to a new study from Tourism Economics commissioned by the city. That’s an increase of about 4% over 2022 figures. Read more. |
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President to President: The Impact of Putting Students First This year's President to President thought leadership series, titled “Game Changers in Higher Education,” examines what it takes to ensure the continuing resilience of a campus. In the fourth chapter of this year’s series, “Logging On: Lessons from an Academic Transformation,” West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee, Ed.D., investigates the power of a high-quality student experience, exploring how campuses can adapt to ensure students graduate with marketable skills and a sense of purpose. He shares ideas for prioritizing students’ changing academic needs, demonstrating how this approach ultimately drives long-term success for colleges and universities. |
Construction Update: VMOCA Construction of the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU is currently ahead of schedule. The foundation and interior walls are going up, and the new roadway to the David R. Goode Arts Complex should be completed by the end of the calendar year.
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. |
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS A Virginia Wesleyan University Community |
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Enjoy the Marlin Business Conference! Sincerely, |
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