Delightful visit with good friends at the 5th Annual “Breakfast with Berlucchi”

 

Delightful visit with good friends at the 5th Annual “Breakfast with Berlucchi,” hosted by VB City Council member Michael Berlucchi.  With Alison Byrne, Executive Director of V-MOCA,  Amelia Ross-Hammond, VB City Council member and Chair of the Virginia African American Cultural Center, and business leader Harshad Barot. Congratulations to Michael on his recent appointment as CEO of the Arts Alliance.

Delighted to meet with student leaders of the spring Marlin Business Conference

 

Delighted to meet with student leaders of the spring Marlin Business Conference, Clarissa Thurston and Nick Barnes, with their faculty advisor, Frank Futyma. The conference theme is “Riding the Wave of Innovation,” and will be held Apr 14-17.

Thanks to Chesapeake Mayor Rick West for the shout out

 

Thanks to Chesapeake Mayor Rick West for the shout out in the Chesapeake State of the City address about our new VWU - Chesapeake initiative — St. Brides and Indian Creek Prison Education Program. With Drew Lumpkin, Vice President of the Executive Roundtable.

HRC-VB Board of Directors meeting

 

We welcomed new VB City Council member Cash Jackson-Green and Christian Green, new VB Director of Economic Development, at today’s HRC-VB Board of Directors meeting. Christian joins us from Stonecrest, Georgia where  he was Director of Economic Development and Tourism.

2025 ECAC Championship Tournament

 

#1 seed VWU Marlins are set to play the #8 seed Franciscan (OH) University on Saturday, March 8 at 1 PM. The game will be hosted by McDaniel (MD) College who will play University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg at 3:30 on Saturday. The winners of each game will face each other on Sunday, March 9 at 2 PM.

I enjoy leading the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of VB Vision

 

I enjoy leading the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of VB Vision, the business advocacy organization for Virginia Beach.  This morning we had our monthly meeting, which included discussions of city planning, housing, education, and advocacy priorities for 2025

Such a pleasure welcoming Ron Bailey to our community

 

Such a pleasure welcoming to our community Ron Bailey, the new vice president and general manager of the yet-to-be-named Norfolk Casino, at a reception at the Town Point Club. With   He comes from Valley Forge Casino in King of Prussia, PA, just two miles from where I grew up.  With Norfolk Mayor Kenneth C. Alexander and Doug Smith, CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. The $750 million development located adjacent to Harbor Park and the Amtrak Station will open in 2027.

The President's Letter: Advancing Education, Community, and Opportunity

 

Advancing Education, Community, and Opportunity March 2025 Dear friends,  This month, Virginia Wesleyan students participated in Student Advocacy Day in Richmond, where I had the privilege of joining a delegation of students to engage with lawmakers and advocate for private higher education. The event, organized by the Council for Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), gave our students the chance to meet with key legislators to discuss the importance of continued funding for VTAG and other key issues affecting private higher education in Virginia. Each year, I host the Spring Town Hall to provide updates on the university's progress and future goals. At the event, I was pleased to announce that Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson has been named Provost and Vice President. A dedicated academic leader with a strong commitment to student success and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson brings a wealth of experience to this vital role. We look forward to her leadership in shaping the university’s academic future. Other key highlights from the Town Hall included updates on the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the success of our athletics programs, and our continued strong enrollment numbers. I also discussed VWU’s expanding global footprint, academic flexibility, and the launch of a new prison education program aimed at increasing access to higher education. Additionally, I shared insights from my trip to Capitol Hill, addressing national higher education trends, including challenges to federal funding and tax benefits that support college affordability.  Across campus, we've shared exciting events and developments. The university hosted a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. VWU announced the addition of women’s flag football to its athletic programs, set to debut in Spring 2026. Finally, the Winter 2025 edition of the Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine was released, including the 2023-2024 Annual Report, which highlights the university’s continued growth and the significant contributions of its benefactors. As we move forward, I am excited about the continued growth and impact of Virginia Wesleyan, both within our community and beyond. Together, we remain committed to our mission of providing access to higher education and empowering our students for success in an ever-changing world.  Sincerely,

Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson Named Provost and Vice President Accomplished educator and innovator to shape next era of excellence at VWU Read More Student Advocacy Day Led by President Miller, Virginia Wesleyan students traveled to Richmond for Student Advocacy Day, an annual event organized by the Council for Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV). Read More

Annual Spring Town Hall For Faculty and Staff President Miller welcomed faculty and staff to his 9th Annual Spring Town Hall, providing key updates on institutional priorities and national higher education trends. Read More Honoring Black History Each February, Black History Month serves as a time to honor and celebrate the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of African Americans throughout the nation’s history. Read More

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine: Winter 2025 Annual Report Edition The latest issue includes financial report and highlights campus updates, university accolades, and student stories. Read More Women's Flag Football Coming Spring 2026 VWU will add women's flag football in the Spring of 2026. It will be the university's 26th athletic program.  Read More

Fascinating World Affairs Council presentation by Magnus Nordenman

 

Fascinating World Affairs Council presentation on campus by Magnus Nordenman (second from left), Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security & Author of "The New Battle for the Atlantic.”  His topic: The Future of NATO and European Security.  We enjoyed lunch in the Princess Anne Room after his talk.