June 9, 2025
Good morning, |
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It’s been an extraordinary season for Marlins Softball. Finishing an incredible 2025 season as national runner-up, the team has much to celebrate—earning ODAC Player and Rookie of the Year honors, producing eight All-ODAC selections, five All-Region players, two All-Americans, and securing both NCAA Regional and Super Regional titles. The team also made their return to the National Championship Series for the first time since 2021. Adding to the accolades, the coaching staff were named the 2025 ATEC/NFCA Division III Regional Coaching Staff of the Year. This remarkable group truly embodies what it means to be a Marlin—on and off the field of competition.
Way to go, Marlins! |
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I am pleased to share that Jason Seward ’05 has been named Chief Operations Officer. Jason most recently served as Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management. Since returning to the institution in 2006, he has held a series of progressive leadership roles and has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to his alma mater.
A proud alumnus, Jason earned his B.A. in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Virginia Wesleyan, followed by an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Regent University. He was honored with the University’s Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award in 2014, a testament to his impactful contributions to the campus community.
Jason resides in Virginia Beach with his wife, Janet ’04, and their son, Colton. |
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With pride, I share the Spring 2025 President’s List and Dean’s List.
Congratulations to the 124 students who achieved a 4.0 grade point average and earned a place on the President’s List, and to the 306 students on the Dean’s List who earned a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99 for the spring semester.
To qualify for these honors, students must have full-time status and have completed at least nine semester hours of traditionally graded coursework. These individuals reflect a remarkable commitment to academic excellence. Well done! |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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VWU Celebrates Pride Month Virginia Wesleyan proudly celebrates Pride Month and extends heartfelt wishes to our LGBTQ+ students, alumni, faculty, staff, families, and allies.
As part of our campus tradition, the Pride flag is flying alongside the American and Virginia flags at Heritage Plaza in front of Godwin Hall—symbolizing our ongoing commitment to inclusion, respect, and belonging for all members of the Marlin community. |
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Virginia Business C-Suite Awards Celebration I was honored to be recognized alongside Becky Sawyer, Executive Vice President of Sentara Health and proud Virginia Wesleyan University Trustee, at the Virginia Business C-Suite Awards celebration in Richmond. The C-Suite Awards celebrate top corporate executives who consistently demonstrate remarkable leadership skills, integrity, values, vision, commitment to excellence, company performance, and community engagement. |
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Virginia MOCA Construction Progressing on Schedule Construction of the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU is advancing on schedule and the museum is expected to open in early 2026.
Privately funded, the new 35,000 square foot facility will feature a striking glass-fronted facade, modern building systems, galleries, classrooms, studios, and offices, all located at the David R. Goode Arts Complex at the heart of campus |
VWU Launches Summer Facilities Upgrades as Part of “Transformation Now!” Master Plan While the spotlight has been on the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art rising at the heart of Virginia Wesleyan University, a wave of additional construction projects has quietly begun with the close of the Spring academic session.
New roofs are being installed on several key campus buildings—including Godwin Hall and various areas of the Jane P. Batten Student Center—alongside upgrades to Allen Village residential units. The University is also undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of its main heating and cooling plant, as well as road and parking lot resurfacing.
These projects are privately funded and form a key component of the University’s 10-year campus master plan, Transformation Now!, which emphasizes reinvestment in facilities and infrastructure to support future growth. Learn more. |
Virginia Christian College Partners with VWU to Expand Educational Opportunities in Norfolk/Virginia Beach Earlier this spring, Virginia Christian College (VCC) entered into a groundbreaking shared resources agreement with Virginia Wesleyan University to enhance its academic offerings and student experiences in Norfolk. This partnership marks a significant step in VCC’s continued mission to provide exceptional Christian-based higher education with expanded access to premier academic facilities and resources. Learn more. |
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Marlin Chronicle Garners 10 National Journalism Awards, Staff Earns Local Recognition The Marlin Chronicle, Virginia Wesleyan University’s student-run newspaper, continues to earn national acclaim, receiving 10 awards in the 2024 Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) National Contest. Entries spanned breaking news, opinion writing, infographics, photography, and sports journalism, showcasing the work of a newsroom now over 30 student staff strong. Congratulations! Learn more. |
Virginia Heat Watch Study Reveals Local Hot Spots and Climate Vulnerabilities A new study published in Urban Climate highlights how extreme heat affects neighborhoods in Virginia Beach and across Virginia, revealing stark disparities in temperature exposure linked to race, income, and tree cover.
The Virginia Heat Watch initiative is the largest study of its kind in the commonwealth. The research team included researchers from VWU and 11 other colleges and universities across Virginia who—during a single high-heat day in July 2021—coordinated over 200 community volunteers to collect more than 490,000 temperature readings.
The study, co-authored by Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Batten Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability at VWU, was funded by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, Capital One, and the Virginia Department of Forestry, with technical support from CAPA Strategies. Learn more. |
Tidewater Collegiate Academy Commencement It was a pleasure to take part in the Tidewater Collegiate Academy Commencement Ceremony at Virginia Wesleyan University and to deliver remarks to this year’s graduates. Special thanks to Dr. Wendy Scott, Founder and Director of TCA, for her leadership and for including me in such a meaningful celebration.
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Back to School Supply Drive Challenge We’re excited to take part in the Back to School Supply Drive Challenge hosted by Volunteer Hampton Roads and benefiting Communities In Schools Hampton Roads. This initiative helps provide essential school supplies to students in need across our region. Requested supplies include; bulk packs of pencils and pens, paper (wide-ruled, printer, and construction), dry erase markers and boards, notebooks and composition books, sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer, and tissue boxes.
Now through July 31, donations can be dropped off at the H.C. Hofheimer II Library. Together, we can help ensure every student starts the school year with the tools they need to succeed. |
Virginia Wesleyan Welcomes 75,000 Visitors Through Camps, Conferences, and Events More than 75,000 individuals participated in camps, conferences, and catered events at Virginia Wesleyan University during the 2024–25 academic year.
VWU’s location puts the campus at the epicenter of Coastal Virginia, with 1.6 million people within a 35-mile radius. The safe and picturesque 300-acre park-like campus, just off Interstate 64, makes us the ideal destination for groups of all kinds. Learn more | Catering and Conference Services |
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS A Virginia Wesleyan University Community |
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Have a great week, Marlins!
Sincerely, |
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