Dialogue: March 2025

March 31, 2025

Good morning,

We celebrated the 7th Annual Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Spring Break Invitational last weekend with members of the Shelhorse and Rogers families. The event, held each year at the facility that bears her name, honors the memory of Betty S. Rogers, sister of Bill '70 and John Shelhorse. It was a meaningful weekend of competition and reflection as we paid tribute to a beloved family member whose legacy lives on through this vibrant annual tradition. We are deeply grateful to Bill and Sally Shelhorse for their generosity and vision in making the Betty S. Rogers Track & Field Center a reality.

Since its dedication in 2017, Rogers Track and Field has become a cornerstone of the Virginia Wesleyan athletic experience and a catalyst for the remarkable growth of our track and field program. The facility has empowered our student-athletes to train and compete at the highest level, including standout Geni Roberts ‘22, a two-time NCAA Division III national runner-up whose achievements have elevated VWU's reputation on the national stage.

Looking ahead, Virginia Wesleyan has been selected to host the 2028 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships in partnership with the Virginia Beach Sports Center. This prestigious honor not only recognizes the strength of VWU’s track and field program but also the university’s leadership in organizing premier athletic events. We are proud to help bring this championship to our region and to continue honoring the legacy of the Rogers and Shelhorse families by supporting the next generation of champions.

ET CETERA

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our MAF Madness campaign, helping us raise nearly $9,000 for the Marlin Athletic Fund! The incredible generosity of Marlin Nation is making a real impact on our student-athletes—because of your support, we win!

A special shoutout to Team Coach Elliott and Team Coach Jones for securing 1st place—amazing job! Check out the final leaderboard to see how all the teams performed.

It's not too late to make an impact! You can still give today or join us for our Spring Day of Giving on April 11. Every contribution helps provide essential resources, training opportunities, and an exceptional athletic experience for our student-athletes.

The Marlin Athletic Fund plays a vital role in supporting VWU Athletics by enhancing endowments, maintaining state-of-the-art facilities, and bolstering our daily operations. Your generosity fuels the success of our student-athletes, both on and off the field.

Let’s go, Marlins!

The University will celebrate retirements and employee service milestones of faculty, staff, and friends in operational services in a campus-wide celebration on Wednesday, April 30 at 3:30 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons.

Congratulations to these retiring members of the Virginia Wesleyan family: Kathy Ames, Polly Gaskins, Linda Ferguson, Doug Kennedy, Joyce Walden, and Malesia "Lisa" Williams.

I hope all faculty and staff members have marked their calendars and made plans to join in our celebrations for these long-serving and dedicated Marlins.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Don’t Miss Spring Alumni Weekend: April 4 - 6, 2025

Spring Alumni Weekend is the perfect time for alumni to return to campus! This year’s event is scheduled for April 4 - 6, so mark your calendars and make plans to join in the festivities. From the Marlin Family Picnic and alumni games to class reunions, intercollegiate athletics, and faculty retirement celebrations, it’s sure to be the perfect time to reconnect with old friends and connect with new ones.

Learn more | View the full weekend schedule

Introducing CONTRIBUTIN® – Give Today, Feel Better Forever!

The only Cure for Marlin Fever is giving back! Join us for Virginia Wesleyan’s Spring Day of Giving on April 11, 2025, and show your Marlin pride. Alumni from the top three decades with the highest participation rates—supporting any area of campus between July 1, 2024, and April 11, 2025—will earn a spot in our Marlin Fever Fighters Drawing.

Don’t miss your chance to make an impact, have some fun, and feel better—forever!

The Arts at VWU Presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare

Virginia Wesleyan Theatre and Music are immersed in preparations for the spring production of the Shakespeare classic, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” They are rehearsing daily to present a non-traditional spin that includes a unique retelling of the play. Performances, filled with magic, mischief, and mayhem, are scheduled for Spring Alumni Weekend: April 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m. in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Prior to the Saturday, April 5, performance, VWU Arts will host an Arts Gathering from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Watts Lobby. Our Marlin community and members of the public are invited to enjoy displayed student artwork and live music performed by VWU students before the show.

Read more | Reserve your ticket

VWU Designated as Voter Friendly Campus for 2025-26

I am proud to share that Virginia Wesleyan University has been recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus for 2025-26, marking our fifth consecutive designation. This honor reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering civic engagement and empowering our students to participate actively in the democratic process. I commend the efforts of our students, faculty, and staff who have worked diligently to create an environment that encourages informed and active citizenship. Learn more.

Omicron Delta Kappa

Congratulations to the newest members of Omicron Delta Kappa (ΟΔΚ), the national leadership honor society recognizing achievement in scholarship, athletics, service, communications, and the arts. VWU’s OΔK circle proudly welcomed its latest inductees, pictured with (from left) Director of Campus Ministries Marie Porter; Isabella Grosswiler, OΔK President; Senior Vice President Keith Moore; and Assistant to the Senior Vice President Kayleigh Poggioli.

VWU and TCA's Joint Efforts Yield Positive Outcomes

I received a kind note this week from Dr. Wendy Scott, Founder and Director of Tidewater Collegiate Academy (TCA) at Virginia Wesleyan University, thanking me for sharing some fundraising insights earlier this year. I’m pleased to see the positive momentum TCA is building and proud to support their efforts to expand opportunity and inspire the next generation.

Dr. Scott highlighted several exciting developments, including the launch of a staff campaign, the addition of new classroom sponsors such as Pale Horse Coffee, and the recent Transformative Passionate Educators Alliance (TPEA) Roundtable, which featured contributions from VWU alumni and educators. TCA continues to be a vital and valued part of our campus community, and I’m grateful for the shared mission we pursue in preparing students and educators to be thoughtful, engaged global citizens.

The Garden Club of Virginia’s Annual Daffodil Day at VWU

We were delighted to once again host the Garden Club of Virginia's Daffodil Day. The cheerful blooms transformed the Jane P. Batten Student Center and Brock Commons. This year's theme, "Windmills and Daffodils," transported attendees to the Netherlands, showcasing creative floral arrangements, botanical arts, and photography exhibits that celebrated Dutch culture. As one of the nation's largest daffodil shows, the event featured thousands of daffodil specimens, highlighting the horticultural expertise of Garden Club members from across Virginia. Special thanks to Debbie Bonnewell for facilitating this relationship.

Athletic Hall of Fame

It's that exciting time of year again—the selection of the 2025 inductees into the Virginia Wesleyan University Athletic Hall of Fame is underway. I had the pleasure of meeting with the selection committee last week as they reviewed the nominations of outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to Marlin athletics.

Stay tuned for the official announcement of our 2025 inductees later this spring!

UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball

Congratulations to my esteemed colleagues and friends, Dr. Courtney McBath and Shawn Avery, who were honored at the recent United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Mayors’ Masked Ball. Dr. McBath serves as President of Virginia Christian College, and Mr. Avery is the President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. Both have been exceptional partners to Virginia Wesleyan University, and their recognition is well-deserved.

Humanitarian Awards Celebration

We enjoyed a special evening last week at the 61st Annual Humanitarian Awards Celebration, hosted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) under the leadership of President and CEO Jonathan Zur. It was a pleasure to connect with Susan Cohen, Vice Chair of the Board of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, and Bill Nusbaum during the event. VWU is proud to serve as the Coastal Virginia home of VCIC.

Students Shine on The Hampton Roads Show

VWU theatre major John Post '26 and fellow student Dominique Tatum '26 were recently featured on The Hampton Roads Show, discussing their involvement in local theatre productions. John and Dominique, both active participants in VWU's theatre department, shared insights about their experiences and the upcoming performances at Smithfield Little Theatre. Their dedication to the performing arts exemplifies the vibrant talent within the VWU community. View segment.

Low- and No-Cost Professional Development Workshops: Summer 2025

Registration for VWU Global Campus's summer session of low- and no-cost professional development workshops is now open. These classes, offered in partnership with Virginia Beach Economic Development at The HIVE or on campus, join other comprehensive non-degree courses designed to provide advanced skills valued by employers. Register today at vwu.edu/workshops.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

A Virginia Wesleyan University Community