Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

January 13, 2025

Good morning,

For the past three decades, I have opened the new year by attending the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Presidents Institute. The largest meeting of its kind in the country, it is the premier annual meeting of college and university presidents. Although my schedule is routinely filled with a variety of meetings and events on and off campus, I always find this CIC gathering of 300 private college presidents to be a time of personal reflection and restoration, regardless of the format.

Based in Washington, D.C., CIC works to raise the quality of education and strengthen resources at some 770 independent colleges, universities and higher education organizations.

This year's trip was very productive:

A meeting of the New American Colleges and Universities (NACU) Board of Directors;
A meeting with the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities, a group that I formerly served as president;
A meeting with Steve Sproles, Partner/Principal of Derck & Edson, our campus master plan consultant.
A meeting with John Stevens, CEO, and Jack Corby, Senior Consultant, of Stevens Strategies, our policy and planning consultant;
A meeting with enrollment partners The Dysart Group and CompleteU;
A meeting with the Council of Independent Colleges Online Course Sharing Consortium, a collaborative Virginia Wesleyan joined in 2019;
A meeting with Ferrilli, a technology consulting firm for a variety of VWU projects;
A meeting with Sodexo, the sponsor of the President to President series (I serve as its executive editor);
A meeting with the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) presidents;
A meeting with Cheryl Hyatt and Robert Head, partners at Hyatt-Fennell Executive Search Plus, our outsource search firm;
And meetings with College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a group I joined last year.

While recent developments and emerging trends present challenges and require careful attention—both for VWU and other institutions—I am confident that our dedication on campus, coupled with strong partnerships within the higher education community and beyond, will enable us to navigate these uncertainties and achieve continued success.

ET CETERA

With pride, I share the Fall 2024 President's List and Dean's List. Congratulations to the 114 students on the President’s List who achieved a 4.0 grade point average and to the 279 students on the Dean’s List who achieved a 3.5-3.99 grade point average for the fall semester.

To qualify for these honors, students must have full-time status and have taken at least nine semester hours of traditionally-graded courses. These individuals demonstrate a remarkable level of dedication to their academic pursuits, and we are so proud to have so many students recognized on these lists. Well done!

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Commemorating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As a reminder, the University will be closed on Monday, January 20, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

For the remainder of that week, we will commemorate Dr. King’s legacy with a week filled with service activities, a film screening and facilitated discussion, special speakers and the annual Mavis McKenley ‘11 Award presentation. Find the week’s schedule of events and make plans to join us as we celebrate and commemorate Dr. King’s remarkable service and leadership.

Support VTAG Now

Jason Seward, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, was interviewed by WVEC about our efforts, along with those of other members of Virginia Private Colleges, to support VTAG to our state legislators.

The VTAG award amount is determined yearly in the budget set by action of the Virginia General Assembly. Getting and holding the attention of legislators, many of whom are not familiar with the Tuition Assistance Grant program, is essential to thousands of Virginia students' ability to attend college. Most of all, we know that it is essential to you! If you haven’t already done so, please lend your support to the campaign.

VWU Hosts "Chautauqua at 150: Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise" Screening Event

In partnership with WHRO, we will proudly host a screening of "Chautauqua at 150: Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise" at the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center on January 28 at 7:00 p.m. The film tells the institution’s story through the voices of its current patrons and partners, including those who have spoken and performed from Chautauqua’s iconic stages over the past several years. The documentary is centered around a new production of “All Rise,” written by award-winning trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis.

Chautauqua Institution, founded in the late 19th century as a place for Americans to make purposeful use of leisure time, has dedicated itself to using arts and education to elevate the discussions that have transformed our nation throughout its history.

This event is free and open to the public, but ticket reservations are required. Learn more.

The Bobby Levin Art Exhibition and Endowment

We are proud to announce the Bobby Levin Art Exhibition and Scholarship, honoring the late Bobby Levin (pictured) and his passion for art’s transformative power. This initiative underscores VWU’s dedication to the arts as a vital tool for fostering understanding, creativity, and empathy in addressing personal and societal challenges.

The Levin Exhibition will feature works by individuals benefiting from art therapy, accompanied by their reflections, displayed year-round across VWU’s campus, including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU.

The Bobby Levin Scholarship will support talented juniors and seniors pursuing studio art and psychology coursework for admission to master’s programs in Art Therapy. Levin Scholars will curate exhibitions, gaining hands-on experience while preparing for this in-demand field.

Retired Naval Station Norfolk Commander is Now Suffolk Economic Development Chief

Retired Navy Capt. Janet H. Days, the first Black commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk has been hired as the new director of Suffolk’s Economic Development Department. A decorated leader, with an MBA and extensive experience, she will oversee the city’s economic development authority, tourism division, and Suffolk Executive Airport. As you may know, Capt. Days will be our Spring Commencement speaker on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Read more.

Mayor Visits with Virginia Beach Vision

Leaders of VB Vision, where I currently serve as Chair, had the opportunity to visit with Mayor Bobby Dyer last week at the Virginia Beach Economic Development offices in Town Center. Pictured: Brad Martin, VB Vision Vice Chair; Mayor Dyer, and Laura Chalk, VBV Executive Director/CEO.

ERP Announces New Executive Director

We offer our congratulations to Lacy Shirey, the new Executive Director at Elizabeth River Project, effective February 24. Lacy is currently Executive Director of the Chesapeake Humane Society and replaces Majorie Mayfield Jackson, who has been a good friend and partner to VWU. VWU and ERP collaborate on a multiple of environmental initiatives and student internships. We look forward to working with Lacy in the near future.

President to President: A New Approach to Recruitment and Enrollment

The sixth chapter of this year’s President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “Augsburg Applies to You: How Direct Admissions Transformed Our Enrollment Work,” Augsburg University President Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D., provides insight into how the university leaned into its urban location, diverse student body, and historic values to embrace a student-centric admissions strategy that transformed the enrollment process and made it possible to welcome a record number of first-generation undergraduates. More importantly, Pribbenow describes how the university’s unique approach is a complement to its existing—and very robust—student support services that break down educational access barriers and reinforce institutional commitments to student success through admissions, retention, and graduation. I have enjoyed editing this series for over 20 years.

VMOCA Construction Update

The road to the David R. Goode Arts Complex now has curbs connecting to Smith Drive. While the low temperatures outside make some aspects of construction difficult, we are moving along on this highly anticipated project.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

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