Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

April 7, 2025

Good morning,

Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson will transition from Vice President for VWU Global Campus to Provost and Vice President, effective April 15. With the transition nearly complete, I am pleased to affirm her recommendations for vacant or revised academic leadership positions for the upcoming academic year:

Dr. Loren Marquez, currently Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, will serve as Associate Provost.

Dr. Victor Townsend, Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, will serve as Assistant Provost.

Dr. Drian Glyde, Assistant Professor of Management, Business and Economics, will serve as Dean of VWU Global Campus.

Dr. Soraya Bartol, Professor of Marine Biology, will become the Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Dr. William J. McConnell, Batten Associate Professor of Education and Director of Education Programs, will serve as Dean of the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies.

Dr. Maynard Schaus, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, will serve as Director of Academic Effectiveness and Accreditation.

Lisa Geiger, Instructional Technologist, will serve as Director of Continuing Education.

Additionally, Stephanie Timmerman will transition with Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson to serve as Administrative Assistant to the Provost and Vice President, and Marina Maye will serve as Administrative Assistant for Academic Affairs.

I thank each of these talented academics and professionals for their leadership at this critical time in American higher education.

Since the founding of the Batten Honors College in the fall of 2017, a distinguished recognition ceremony has been held for its newest scholars at the beginning of each academic year. A ceremonial pinning of each student during the Batten Honors College Convocation represents their completion of orientation and formal induction into the elite Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan University.

I’m pleased to share that Dr. Todd Mooradian, Dean of William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business, will serve as the keynote speaker for this fall’s Batten Honors College Convocation.

A seasoned academic leader and scholar, Dr. Mooradian returned to William & Mary in 2022 to assume the deanship, having previously served on the Mason School faculty for over two decades. He is known for his expertise in marketing strategy and global business, and he has held visiting appointments at institutions around the world. Prior to rejoining William & Mary, he served as Dean of the University of Louisville’s College of Business, where he led initiatives in innovation, entrepreneurship, and student success. Dr. Mooradian holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is widely respected for his commitment to ethical leadership, academic excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Virginia Wesleyan recently announced a partnership with the W&M Mason School of Business in the form of two new early assurance graduate programs, further strengthening our shared commitment to academic excellence and professional development.

Batten Honors College Convocation will be held on Founders Day (September 4, 2025). We look forward to welcoming Dr. Mooradian to campus in the fall!

ET CETERA

Spring Alumni Weekend has long been one of my favorite traditions at Virginia Wesleyan, and this year’s celebration was no exception. The campus was active with alumni, parents, and friends who came together to enjoy food, games, and shared memories—including the annual Strike Out Cancer event. The weekend offered meaningful opportunities for connection and celebration.

We were pleased to welcome members of the Classes of 1975 and 2000, who marked their 50th and 25th commencement anniversaries by adding their names to the University Scroll. Following the signing, we recognized professors Kathy Ames, Linda Ferguson, and Doug Kennedy, who will retire in 2025, for their many years of service to the University.

Saturday also brought Admitted Student Day, where we welcomed our newest Marlins and their families to campus. Through a variety of activities and discussions, they experienced firsthand the welcoming and engaged community that defines Virginia Wesleyan.

Events like these require significant effort from many individuals. Thank you to the faculty, staff and volunteers whose work helped make the weekend a success. Your commitment to creating a positive experience for our alumni, students, and guests is truly appreciated.

It was a great weekend to be a Marlin!

Read More | Photo Gallery

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Remembering D. Henry Watts

Last week, I shared the passing of Dr. D. Henry Watts, Trustee Emeritus, who died peacefully at his home at the age of 94. A devoted friend, steadfast benefactor, and one of the most influential leaders in the history of Virginia Wesleyan, Henry will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Henry’s extraordinary relationship with Virginia Wesleyan began in 1989 when he joined the Board of Trustees. Over the course of four decades, he served with distinction as Chair, Parliamentarian, and, since 2021, an active and engaged Trustee Emeritus. Even at 94, Henry attended Board of Trustees meetings via Zoom as often as he could, a reflection of his unwavering commitment to the University and the values that guided his life. Those same values—integrity, service, and steadfast dedication—helped shape the very character of Virginia Wesleyan.

Learn more about Henry’s remarkable legacy: VWU Feature | Obituary

Andew Steiner '25 Wins 1st Place at Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference

Congratulations to Batten Honors College scholar Andrew Steiner, who secured first place in the U.S. History category at the Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference for his paper, "A Theological Battleground: LGBTQ Rights, the Enlightenment, and Questions of Authority in American Presbyterianism.”

Additionally, we congratulate Lucas Gordon for his insightful presentation, "Through the Eyes of the Child: The Censorship of Childhood Development and Its Rebellious After-Effects." These accomplishments highlight the dedication of our students and the exceptional mentorship provided by our faculty, including Head Librarian and Phi Alpha Theta Faculty Advisor Stephen Leist. Learn more.

Esports ECAC Team Fight Tactics Championship

Gabe Salubayba ‘28 has won the ECAC Teamfight Tactics Division C Championship. Throughout the season he averaged a 3rd place finish across 8 weeks of regular season play, taking the 6th seed out of 24 teams into the playoffs. He rose to 3rd in the rankings through the semifinal matchups before winning the Championship match. This marks our first ECAC championship in Virginia Wesleyan Esports history. Learn more.

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!

Marlin Business Conference is Coming April 14-17

The Spring 2025 Marlin Business Conference, “Riding the Wave of Innovation,” will take place next week (April 14-17). There’s an exciting lineup of guest speakers, including the keynote address by Andrew Cohen—former Wall Street trader, academic entrepreneur, and creator of the groundbreaking Future Traders platform—on April 14 at 6:00 p.m. in Brock Commons. Cohen’s unique blend of real-world financial experience and educational innovation promises an engaging and insightful keynote that you won’t want to miss.

Organized by students in Professor Frank Futyma’s MBE 301 class, the conference offers a dynamic opportunity to connect with leaders, entrepreneurs, and peers around the future of business. Find the full conference schedule here.

VWU Scholars Reflect on 75 Years of 'The Second Sex' and Its Multidisciplinary Impact

The Robert Nusbaum Center recently hosted a compelling panel discussion titled "Defining Womanhood: 75 Years of 'The Second Sex' and Its Impact Across Disciplines." This event brought together esteemed VWU faculty from political science, psychology, sociology, English, and gender studies to reflect on the enduring significance of Simone de Beauvoir's groundbreaking work. Their insights illuminated how "The Second Sex" continues to influence contemporary understandings of identity, power, and gender dynamics. I encourage you to read more about this enriching discussion.

Virginia Business C-Suite Awards

Virginia Business magazine announced its 2025 Virginia C-Suite Awards which honor top executive leaders across the Commonwealth who consistently demonstrate outstanding leadership, integrity, vision, performance, and community engagement. I am both humbled and deeply honored to be included among such an esteemed group of people. This accolade reflects the collective dedication of the Virginia Wesleyan University community—our faculty, staff, and students—who continually strive for excellence and innovation. Together, we remain committed to fostering an environment that not only advances academic achievement but also contributes meaningfully to our broader community. Learn more.

A Time-Tested Partnership

We were pleased to host our partners from Sodexo on campus last week. Senior Vice President Rebecca Daley (left) and Area General Manager Kyle Kouri (back right) along with campus-based General Manager Tim Lockett and Heather Beatty, Director of Catering and Conference Services. Also pictured, VWU SVP Keith Moore, VP/CFO John Groulx, and AVP Jason Seward. Sodexo has partnered with VWU for over two decades in dining and conference & catering services.

Drunk Busters Activity on Campus

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and VWU Counseling Services brought the Drunk Busters bike and simulation goggles to campus last week to raise awareness about the impact substance use can have on coordination and judgment. I couldn’t resist taking a spin! We appreciate the educational and engaging ways our community promotes health, safety, and awareness.

President to President: Creating Fair and Equitable Campus Communities

The ninth chapter of this year’s Presid ent to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “The Revolution Will Be Televised,” DePauw University President Lori S. White, Ph.D., discusses how the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance can serve as a useful framework to help college and university leaders stay true to their equity and diversity efforts while navigating the challenges of leading campus communities across a wide range of cultural, political, and socioeconomic differences. She reinforces the importance of collective action and consistent knowledge-sharing to ensure that all students are acknowledged and supported.

Construction Update: Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU

The new extension to Avenue of the Arts directly connecting the entrance of the campus to the David R. Goode Arts Complex opened Thursday — just in time for Spring Alumni Weekend.