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August 4, 2025
Good morning,
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I’m pleased to share that the Spring 2026 Commencement keynote speaker will be Clifford B. "Cliff" Fleet III, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Cliff became the ninth president of the world’s largest living history museum in 2020, following an accomplished career that includes leadership roles as President and CEO of 22nd Century Group and Philip Morris USA. He also serves as an adjunct professor at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business and co-chair of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable.
Under his leadership, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has launched a $600 million campaign to support preservation, education, and civic engagement. In partnership with the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, the Foundation is playing a leading role in planning for America’s 250th anniversary, including a national conference that recently brought together representatives from 37 states.
A respected historian, lawyer, and executive, Cliff holds four degrees from William & Mary—in law, business, and history—and is immediate past chair of the William & Mary Foundation. He is also a former president of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and a longtime champion of connecting historical understanding with civic life.
Spring Commencement will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in TowneBank Arena in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
As a reminder, acclaimed surgeon Dr. L.D. Britt will be our Winter Commencement speaker on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
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Following last week’s announcement of the passing of Cecelia “CeeCee” Tucker, we continue to honor and reflect on the extraordinary legacy of this beloved civic leader, educator, and advocate for equity and community engagement.
CeeCee’s impact has been recognized throughout the region, including a heartfelt tribute by the Urban League of Hampton Roads, where she served as a founding member, and a moving feature on WAVY10 that revisited her personal story, including her meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and participation in the 1963 March on Washington.
As shared previously, a friend and colleague for over 20 years, CeeCee has been involved with Virginia Wesleyan since 2021, serving as Special Advisor to the President after her retirement from ODU in 2022. In this important role, she worked closely with University leadership and the President’s Council for Inclusive Communities, to further our institutional action plan.
A trusted mentor and connector, she will be remembered for her authenticity, strength, and quiet dignity with which she inspired progress. Her contributions continue to shape the institutions and communities she served so faithfully.
We remain grateful for her leadership and legacy, and our thoughts remain with the Tucker family and all who were touched by her life. She will be missed dearly.
Read Community Tributes:
Urban League of Hampton Roads: In Loving Memory of CeeCee Tucker
WAVY10 Feature: Cecelia ‘CeeCee’ Tucker, longtime Norfolk educator and activist, dies
Old Dominion University: ODU Celebrated the Life and Honors the Legacy of Cecelia "CeeCee" Tucker
| AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS | | |
Z Creativity Honors Award
Congratulations to Dr. Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College, who has been selected as an honoree for Z Creativity Honors Award from the Zeiders American Dream Theater. The award recognizes Travis for his visionary leadership and commitment to integrating the arts, civic engagement, and interdisciplinary learning at VWU. Travis will be celebrated at the Z Creativity Honors Gala which will be held at The Z on September 13, 2025.
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Welcoming the First Coach of Flag Football
Earlier this year, we announced the addition of Women’s Flag Football as Virginia Wesleyan’s 26th intercollegiate athletic program, set to launch in Spring 2026. We are pleased to welcome Jamaar Hawkins as the inaugural head coach. A respected educator, coach, and founder of the I-64 Sports All-Girl Flag Football League, Jamaar brings a passion for athlete development and community engagement that will shape this exciting new program from the ground up.
Read More here.
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Visiting with Rob McCartney
I was delighted to welcome Rob McCartney, Chief Executive Officer of The Barry Robinson Center, to campus for a meaningful visit and discussion. We explored collaborative efforts that align with our shared commitment to education and mental health services, including potential internship opportunities and student engagement initiatives.
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Strengthening Regional Partnerships
I had the pleasure of meeting with Wendy Roenker, candidate for Chesapeake City Treasurer. We had a thoughtful conversation and discussed several initiatives making a regional impact, including VWU-Chesapeake’s educational programs for correctional officers and incarcerated individuals, the integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences, and the forthcoming Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU.
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Cultivating Young Leaders
Selected middle school students from across Virginia Beach gathered at VWU for a two-day leadership summit. Hosted in partnership with the Robert Nusbaum Center, the program introduced students to structured deliberative dialogue and community leadership practices. Through hands-on workshops and guided peer sessions, participants explored critical issues, navigated value-driven conversations, and enhanced their skills in active listening and civic engagement. The summit exemplifies VWU’s commitment to youth leadership development and community collaboration.
Learn More here.
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Celebrating Regional Impact Through the Humanities
I enjoyed a meaningful evening with good friends, Bert Schmidt, President and CEO of WHRO Public Media, and Congressman Bobby Scott at the Virginia Humanities reception hosted at WHRO. The event recognized the inaugural cohort of grant recipients from the Virginia Humanities at WHRO program, honoring organizations and individuals who are elevating community stories, culture, and history through innovative and impactful projects across the region.
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Discussing Progress on Norfolk’s Coming Attraction
We had a great meeting with Ron Bailey, General Manager of the Norfolk Casino (Boyd Gaming), and Lisa Speller of The Speller Group to discuss the exciting progress and future possibilities of the major regional development. Also joining the conversation was VWU Executive in Residence Dr. David R. Black.
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Exploring Opportunities with Virginia Humanities
I hosted Matthew Gibson, Executive Director of Virginia Humanities, and Eric Rivers, Director of Advancement, for a delightful lunch at DeFord Manor to explore future collaborations. Joining the lunch meeting from VWU were Dr. David R. Black and Dr. Travis Malone. We look forward to a number of promising joint initiatives ahead.
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Final Summer Wesleyan Wednesday – August 6 at Ballyhoos
Make plans to join us for our annual summertime Wesleyan Wednesday at Ballyhoos! As the fall semester approaches, this final gathering of the summer is my favorite opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, alumni, and their families in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Enjoy a casual evening with fellow Marlins on Wednesday, August 6, from 5–7 p.m. The event is free and open to all. We hope to see you there!
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2025 State of the University: A Celebration of The Batten Legacy - Wednesday, August 20
As we prepare to launch a new academic year, I’m pleased to share that this year’s State of the University will carry special meaning and a distinctive format. Marking the close of my tenth year as president, the occasion will spotlight The Batten Legacy and its profound impact on Virginia Wesleyan.
This unique program will honor visionary philanthropist Jane Batten—widely regarded as the most transformative figure in our institution’s history—and her extraordinary family. While the campus community and invited guests will gather in person, I warmly encourage alumni, parents, students, and friends to tune in virtually via the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network for what promises to be one of the most memorable milestones in our University’s journey.
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24th Annual Virginia Wesleyan University Golf Outing
Mark your calendars to join the 24th Annual Virginia Wesleyan University Golf Outing supporting VWU Baseball, Men’s Lacrosse, and Softball on Friday, October 3, at Cypress Point Country Club during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Keep an eye out for further details!
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2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend
Alumni, parents, students, and friends—mark your calendars for Homecoming and Family Weekend, October 3-4, 2025! It will be a special time to reconnect, celebrate, and experience all that makes VWU vibrant.
Watch for the full schedule of events coming soon!
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A Call to Protect Virginia’s Universities
In a recent opinion column, “Unscrupulous attacks on Virginia universities must cease,” Stuart S. Malawer, J.D., Ph.D., Distinguished Service Professor of Law and International Trade Emeritus at George Mason University, critiques political interference in public higher education governance. Dr. Malawer—an award-winning educator and public servant—expresses concern over recent actions by Governor Youngkin, Attorney General Miyares, and former President Trump, particularly in relation to board appointments at George Mason University, UVA, and VMI. He underscores the vital role Virginia’s universities play in economic development and civic life, calling for an end to the politicization of higher education.
Learn More via The Virginian-Pilot: Unscrupulous attacks on Virginia universities must cease
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
A Virginia Wesleyan University Community
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See you at Wesleyan Wednesday!
Sincerely,
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