Dialogue: October 2025

October 27, 2025

Good morning,

I am delighted to share that Rev. Brian Boettcher, Class of 2012 and Pastor of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church in Covington, Virginia, will serve as our 2026 Baccalaureate speaker.

Rev. Boettcher grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia and was baptized and confirmed at West End (now Crossroads) UMC in Portsmouth. He experienced his call to ministry at a Virginia Conference youth event at Virginia Wesleyan College in 2002. Brian later attended Virginia Wesleyan, where he was actively involved in campus life, developed as a leader, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies.

He went on to pursue a Master of Divinity at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating in 2015, Brian was appointed as a pastor in the Virginia Annual Conference. He has become known for creative and effective ministry, particularly in helping congregations rebound from challenging seasons.

Over the past ten years, Brian has served churches throughout the Commonwealth, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Burkeville, and Covington. He was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in 2024.

Baccalaureate will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center as a part of the Spring 2026 Commencement exercises. This prelude to Commencement is a service of worship in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom. All graduates and their families are encouraged to attend.

Jennie Pond will join the Marlin family as Registrar on November 1. She brings nearly 18 years of progressive experience in higher education administration from Sentara College of Health Sciences, where she has served in a variety of roles, including the past 10 years as Registrar. Jennie began her career in admissions and student services before advancing into registrar leadership, consistently demonstrating a commitment to operational excellence and student-centered service. She holds a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Penn State University and a B.S. in Psychology from Regent University.

ET CETERA

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of B. Minette Cooper, longtime Trustee and devoted friend of Virginia Wesleyan University, who passed away on October 14 at the age of 87. A Trustee from 1992-2016, Minette was an unwavering advocate for education, the arts, and community engagement across Hampton Roads and beyond.

Her decades of service included leadership with organizations such as the Virginia Symphony, the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads, Ohef Sholom Temple, and Arts for Learning Virginia, among many others. Her influence extended nationally through Young Audiences Inc. and the Southern Jewish Historical Society. A passionate supporter of the University since 1978, Minette’s philanthropy reflected her deep belief in the transformative power of education, with gifts benefiting scholarships, the arts, and the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, now known as the Robert Nusbaum Center.

Minette’s legacy of generosity, leadership, and joy will long be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of Dwight Bolling, a beloved adjunct professor who taught courses in Sociology and Criminal Justice at Virginia Wesleyan University for several decades. Dwight passed away unexpectedly on August 23.

A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dwight, please visit Altmeyer floral store.

Nine years ago, during the Campus Master Plan process, our community envisioned what the “library of the future” could be. This vision has now taken shape with the creation of The Athenaeum, located on the first floor of the H.C. Hofheimer II Library and made possible through private support. This reimagined space serves as a central, easily accessible hub where students gain the experiences that prepare them for success. The Athenaeum brings together career development and internships, global engagement, civic engagement and service learning, and undergraduate research and creativity. VWU Online and INTEL (Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning) are also housed on the first floor, along with The Study, a 24-hour computer-equipped learning lounge.

The second floor has likewise been enhanced with the addition of the Registrar’s Office and Navy ROTC. In the coming month, the existing Mansfield Archives will be expanded and renamed the Stephen S. Mansfield Special Collections and University Archives. These collections preserve the institutional history of Virginia Wesleyan University—from its founding in 1961 to the present—and, beginning in 2026, will include the archival holdings of Sentara College of Health Sciences, founded in 1892. Together, these spaces elevate the library as a vibrant academic, historic, and student-success center for the University.

Implementation teams are actively advancing the many operational steps required for our transition to Batten University in 2026. All required agency and trademark filings have been completed, securing the new institutional name and visual identity while also preserving and protecting our existing Virginia Wesleyan names, marks, and logos for historical and ceremonial use.

Special thanks are extended to Kelly Cordova, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, who is coordinating the overall implementation process, and to Jason Seward, Chief Operations Officer, for guiding the physical planning and campus preparations associated with the change.

As part of our commitment to honoring our heritage, we encourage you to explore the Letters of Legacy collection online—personal reflections from alumni and friends celebrating what Virginia Wesleyan has meant to them.

You can learn more about the transition and its progress by visiting our “Becoming Batten University” page here.

As I travel the area visiting businesses, alumni, and friends, there is so much excitement about the integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences into Virginia Wesleyan University. This partnership will expand academic offerings in high-demand healthcare fields, strengthen clinical pathways, and deepen our collaboration with one of the region’s most respected healthcare systems. My thanks to David R. Black, Executive in Residence, and Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Provost and Vice President, for leading the integration process with great care and vision. This transformational step positions the University as a leader in preparing healthcare professionals for Coastal Virginia and beyond. To learn more about Sentara College of Health Sciences visit www.sentara.edu.

Construction on the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, located within our David R. Goode Arts Complex, continues to advance on schedule and within budget. The 35,000-square-foot facility is on track for substantial completion by mid-December, with occupancy anticipated by February 1. This week, flooring was laid on the second floor, work on the plaza area in the front commenced, external finishes continued on the façade, landscaping began on the west lawn, and progress advanced on the east side loading dock.

A soft opening is planned for late February and March, with a formal grand opening in April. We are grateful to Alison Byrne, Executive Director of Virginia MOCA, for her outstanding partnership, and to Sally Shedd, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, for leading academic and programmatic integration. Special thanks as well to Tymoff+Moss (architects) and Hourigan (general contractor) for their steady hand and commitment to excellence.

Learn more at www.virginiamoca.org and www.vwu.edu.

Virginia Wesleyan University – Chesapeake, our new Prison Education Program, is off to an impressive start, offering 21 courses to more than 200 learners. In addition to inmates at St. Brides and Indian Creek Correctional Centers, programming is also being offered to facility personnel. Special thanks to David R. Black, Executive in Residence, who is serving as Director of VWU–Chesapeake and guiding this important initiative forward.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Marlins Day Welcomes Prospective Students

Our Marlins Day Open House over the weekend was a huge success. Our future Marlins and their families explored campus, met VWU faculty and staff, and learned about academic offerings, scholarships, and the financial aid process.

The next Marlins Day Open House is scheduled for Saturday, February 21. Prospective students can learn more and register at vwu.edu/marlinsdays.

State of Transit Meeting

Business leaders from across Coastal Virginia gathered for the State of Transit meeting at the Hampton Roads Convention Center last week. I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with Bob Crum, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, and Laura Chalk, CEO of VBV. Joining me were VWU colleagues Larry Belcher, Director of Innovative Partnerships, and Carolyn McKenna ’99, Director of Business and Corporate Development.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools Community Roundtable

Last week, I joined a productive monthly meeting of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Community Roundtable, an initiative of Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson and VBV. Pictured (left to right) with Laura Chalk, CEO of VBV; Dr. Robertson; and Worth Remick, Virginia Beach City Council member.

Visit from Heidelberg University of Education

Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, David Black, and Dean of the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies Bill McConnell joined me for a great meeting last week with Dr. Carolyn Blume, professor of English language, literature, and culture at the Heidelberg University of Education in Germany (PH Heidelberg). VWU and PH Heidelberg have been good partners for nearly 10 years.

Visit from DSG Global

It was nice to host Dr. Chris Lee last week. Chris is a retired, long-time administrator at William & Mary and Virginia's Community Colleges System and is now Managing Director at DSG Global. He is also an author on higher education and leadership.

Marlin Athletics: Expanded Access for DII and DIII Championships

We are delighted to share a great step forward to honor the hard work and dedication of all DII and DIII athletes. Starting this year, NCAA Division II and III championship games not covered by existing ESPN or CBS media agreements will now be streamed free on NCAA.com through a partnership with Hudl and TNT Sports. The initiative will feature more than 1,200 live games and include promotional support through the NCAA Fan Database, reaching over 13 million subscribers..

Division II Vice President Terri Steeb Gronau and Division III Vice President Louise McCleary noted that the effort “enhances the Division II and III brands by providing seamless and free access to every round of our team championships,” highlighting both the exceptional talents of student-athletes and the diversity of participating institutions.

WorldQuest is November 13

The World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, one of our valued Partners in Progress, will host the 25th Annual WorldQuest Global Knowledge Competition on Thursday, November 13, at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Sponsored by TowneBank and Towne Insurance, this popular event brings together teams from universities, businesses, and civic groups for an evening of international trivia, prizes, and fun. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the game starts at 6:30 p.m. Learn more or register at www.hrwac.org.

December Term Workshops

As we look ahead to the winter session, VWU is offering online, synchronous December Term workshops in CompTIA Data+ and CompTIA Security+ from December 8, 2025, through January 23, 2026. These instructor-led sessions provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen professional skills and earn valuable technical certification—participants pay only for course materials. Register today at www.vwu.edu/workshops or contact ceinfo@vwu.edu for more information.

Dominion’s Offshore Wind Vessel Arrives in Hampton Roads

The United States’ first offshore wind turbine installation vessel — set to play a major role in constructing Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project — has arrived home in Hampton Roads, five years after construction first began. Read more.