Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

March 17, 2025

Top o' the mornin' to ya, Marlins!

The Marlins are the 2025 ECAC Champions! Omari DeVeaux was named tournament MVP, leading the Marlins with 26 points as they bested Salisbury University for the first Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament championship in school history. Learn more.

Congratulations to Head Men's Basketball Coach Dave Macedo, his staff, and his team on a great season!

We are pleased to announce that the Spring Marlin Business Conference, taking place April 14-17, will explore the theme “Riding the Wave of Innovation". This year’s keynote speaker is Andrew Cohen, an accomplished academic entrepreneur, and former top Wall Street trader.

Andrew Cohen is the visionary behind Future Traders, an innovative educational platform and trading simulation that has revolutionized how students learn about financial markets. His expertise extends to his work as an educational consultant for Bloomberg, where he has contributed to test banks for BMC Certification and developed content for Bloomberg's Professor Toolkits.

With deep roots in the financial industry, Andrew brings real-world experience to academia. He was a market maker and trader on Wall Street, later developing the Systematic Alpha Value and Growth Models at Validea Capital. He is also the author of A Practical Guide to Trading, Market Making, and Investing, a widely respected resource in the field.

A graduate of the prestigious Goldman Sachs Training Program, Andrew achieved financial independence by age 36. His passion for bridging the gap between theory and practice has transformed ODU’s trading room lab into one of Bloomberg’s top-tier trading environments, integrating his proprietary Future Traders simulation and leveraging his extensive Wall Street experience. His teaching excellence and innovation have earned him numerous accolades.

Beyond academia, Andrew was a consultant and participant in the Netflix documentary Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street.

The Marlin Business Conference brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and students for an engaging exploration of business and innovation. This spring’s event is organized by students in Professor Frank Futyma’s MBE 301 class, with leadership from Clarissa Thurston (CEO) and Nicholas Barnes (Chief of Staff). Their dedication and vision ensure a dynamic and impactful conference experience.

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 members of the Virginia Wesleyan family:

Retiring Faculty Members and Friends

Kathy Ames, Lecturer in Mathematics

Polly Gaskins, Sodexo Dining Services

Linda Ferguson, Professor of Management, Business, and Economics

Doug Kennedy, Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions

Joyce Walden, Aramark Facilities Management

40 Years

Carol Johnson

30 Years

Ben Dobrin

Mike Rigby

25 Years

Charline Bess

Jeff Bowers

Kim Brown ’16

Joyce Easter

Malcolm Lively

Vic Townsend

John Wang

20 Years

Soraya Bartol

Richard Bond

Vic Dorsey

Craig Jackson

Travis Malone

John Rudel

C.J. Sholler

Harold Stallings

Kathy Stolley

15 Years

Gabriela Martorell

Taryn Myers

Michael Skipper ’23

10 Years

Heather Campbell ’04

Kelly Cordova

Javier Delgado

Bill McConnell

Bryson Mortensen

Antje Schwennicke

Jason Squinobal

Jill Sturts

I hope all faculty and staff members mark their calendars and make plans to join in our celebrations for these long-serving and dedicated Marlins on April 30. Watch your inbox for more information soon.

ET CETERA

At Virginia Wesleyan, we are always planning for the future—considering how to evolve as an institution to meet the needs of our students and faculty. As Provost and Vice President Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson and I discussed VWU’s next steps, we recognized that the library of the future is more than just a collection of books. It should serve as a central hub for learning, exploration, and collaboration, supporting academic activity across disciplines.

Our location provides a unique opportunity. With 14 academic libraries within a 35-minute radius, VWU can rethink what a university library should be—leveraging regional resources and new ideas to create a space that enhances the student experience.

As part of the Campus Master Plan process, a proposal emerged to reimagine Hofheimer Library as a comprehensive learning resources center, reflecting evolving needs and trends. The Lighthouse and its associated functions have outgrown their current space in Clarke Hall and would be a natural addition to this envisioned facility.

The result is the Athenaeum—a modernized learning environment designed to support both academic and professional development. Traditionally, an Athenaeum is a space for studying books and periodicals, but at VWU, it will offer much more.

Construction will begin in the coming weeks, with completion expected by summer 2025. The Athenaeum will be designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and discovery. Key features will include:

The raised Forum Stage – A flexible space for readings, lectures, panel discussions, and public events.
Lounge and meeting areas – Comfortable, furnished spaces for receptions, meetings, and informal gatherings.
Expanded galleries and seminar rooms – Integrating the Neil Britton Gallery, Barclay Sheaks Gallery, and Pruden Seminar Room for exhibitions, lectures, and study.
A 24-hour study lounge – Featuring a dedicated computer bay for students needing access to e-books and digital resources.

Beyond its role as a learning commons, the Athenaeum will house offices currently located in the Truist Center for Exploration and Discovery, consolidating academic and career resources in one location. Offices for Career Development, Civic Engagement and Service Learning, Global Engagement, Undergraduate Research and Creativity, VWU Online, and Instructional Technology will all be based in this new space. Additionally, Virginia Christian College, VWU’s shared-resources affiliate, will have an office within the Athenaeum.

Rather than a simple renovation, the Athenaeum represents a step forward in VWU’s commitment to supporting student learning and success. We look forward to seeing this vision take shape.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Women’s History Month Continues

The annual observance of Women’s History Month continues throughout March. Check out our events and programs to learn more and get involved here.

Join the Madness!

The MAF Madness campaign makes its official debut tomorrow. Get ready for some fierce competition and a whole lot of fun! Join forces with our Head Coaches as they go head-to-head to rally support for the Marlin Athletic Fund Our Super Sweet Sixteen are racing toward a goal of $2,000 each — that’s a grand total of $32,000 to fuel the future of Marlin Athletics during MAF Madness! Follow the madness on Virginia Wesleyan Athletics Facebook and Instagram.

VWU eSports to Host 3rd Annual CompleteU Collision on the Coast

I am excited to share that we will be hosting the 3rd Annual CompleteU Collision on the Coast on March 29-30, bringing together 30 of the top collegiate Rocket League teams from across the country. With powerhouse programs like the University of Florida and four-time national champion University of Akron, this event has grown into one of the largest in-person collegiate Rocket League tournaments in the nation.

Thanks to the support of CompleteU, Kellam Mechanical, and Lenovo+Intel, the competition will feature a $3,500 prize pool and will be streamed live on VWU eSports’ Twitch channel. I look forward to seeing this exciting tournament continue to elevate VWU’s presence in the collegiate eSports arena.

Come Home, Marlins!

Spring Alumni Weekend is coming up. Set for April 4 - 5, 2025, it’s packed with all kinds of fun and festivities. From the Marlin Family Picnic and alumni games to celebrating our Milestone Marlins (Class of 2000, 25-year reunion & Class of 1975, 50-year reunion) and their scroll signing, it's sure to be the perfect time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Full Schedule of Events

Career Connect and Career Fair Showcase Meaningful Opportunities for VWU Students

I was truly impressed with the success of VWU’s Career Connect series and Career, Internship & Volunteer Fair, which saw record student engagement earlier this month. More than 360 students participated in these career-focused events, connecting with industry professionals, alumni, and local employers. It was inspiring to see our students taking full advantage of these opportunities to explore potential career paths and internships. Learn more.

VWU and Partners Lead Community-Driven Heat Mitigation Efforts

I was greatly encouraged by the collaborative efforts of VWU faculty, the Center for Sustainable Communities, and local partners in addressing the challenge of urban heat in Portsmouth. Made possible through a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service, this initiative uses heat mapping data to identify temperature disparities across the city and develop targeted solutions such as tree planting and green infrastructure. Seeing faculty, students, and community members work together—and take action by planting trees—highlights the impact of collaborative environmental stewardship that is embodied in VWU’s purpose and culture.

The Pharos: March 2025

I am proud to share the March 2025 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.

CBF Climate Lecture Series Kickoff with Senator Tim Kaine and CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is excited to announce the kickoff of its Climate Lecture Series, featuring a keynote address by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk. Senator Kaine will explore the critical topic, "Climate Change: Keeping Our Community Safe and Prosperous."

This lecture series aims to bring together a diverse group of community members to share their expertise and experiences on the pressing issues surrounding climate change and its impact on the Chesapeake Bay. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and learn more about how climate change affects us all on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Slover Library (235 E Plume St, Norfolk).

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-lecture reception. FREE and open to the public. Register at events.cbf.org/kainelecture.

Championing Student-Athlete Excellence at VWU

I was pleased to meet last week with the Athletics Management Council, which plays a critical role in ensuring that our athletic programs remain aligned with our academic mission. I was joined by Faculty Athletics Representative Jill Sturts, Athletic Director Andrea Hoover-Erbig, and student representatives Julia Hathaway and Everett McCloskey for important discussions on student-athlete welfare, academic integrity, and compliance.

Supporting Regional Growth and Community Partnerships

As Chair of Virginia Beach Vision (VBV), I was pleased to welcome Capt. Josh Appezzato, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Oceana, as the guest speaker at last week’s board of directors meeting. Our discussion reinforced the vital role NAS Oceana plays in our community and the importance of strong partnerships between the military, local government, and business leaders.

Through its strategic initiatives, VBV helps shape policies that support a thriving community for residents, businesses, and institutions like Virginia Wesleyan University. With Laura Chalk (Exec Dir/CEO, VBV) & Brad Martin, Vice Chair of the Board. And with Anthony Walters (CEO, YMCA-SHR) & Bart Dexter (VP, Hourigan).

Marlins Day: Showcasing the Best of Virginia Wesleyan

I always enjoy Marlins Day, welcoming prospective students and their families to campus and showcasing all that makes Virginia Wesleyan University exceptional. Visitors toured our beautiful campus, met faculty and students, and learned about academic programs and scholarships. It’s a great way to discover what makes VWU special!

Chat & Chew: Connecting with Staff

It’s always great to host a Chat & Chew for staff at DeFord Manor. Last week, we discussed recent and upcoming campus happenings. I host these informal meals regularly throughout the spring to connect with staff, providing updates on University initiatives and fostering open dialogue about life at VWU. These gatherings are a great way to stay engaged and share ideas over a meal.

President to President: The Impact & Student ROI of Intercollegiate Athletics

The eighth chapter of this year’s Presid ent to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “Athletics as a Strategic Investment: Playing for the Public Good,” University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt makes a strong case for viewing athletic programs not as a budget line item, but as a critical campus connection point that provides opportunities for support, belonging, and engagement for all students. Schmidt also emphasizes the need to build robust, student-centered athletic programs so that universities can continue developing the critical thinkers in demand by employers.

Hampton Roads Positioned as a Hub for Offshore Wind Development

Officials hope that the newly completed offshore wind hub at Portsmouth Marine Terminal will help establish Hampton Roads as a key center for offshore wind development along the East Coast. This $223 million project, which provides critical infrastructure for Dominion Energy’s wind farm off the Virginia Beach coast, represents a significant investment in renewable energy and the region’s economic future.

Learn more from WHRO.

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