Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

January 26, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome back, Marlins! I’m proud to share some great news as we kick off the spring session: Virginia Wesleyan University has once again been awarded the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Community Engagement Classification, one of the highest national recognitions a university can receive for the way it partners with its community.

Only 80 private universities nationwide earned this distinction for 2026, and it speaks volumes about who we are and how we do our work. VWU joins the University of Richmond and Washington & Lee University as the only private colleges in Virginia to earn this distinction.

This is not just a recognition for a single program or office. It acknowledges the collective effort of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners who, day after day, put our mission into action.

At VWU, community engagement is woven into everything we do. From service-learning in the classroom, to our campus-based Partners in Progress, and long-standing relationships with organizations like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Haygood United Methodist Church, and the Virginia African American Cultural Center, we are deeply connected to the people and places we serve.

You see this in projects like the Portsmouth Heatmapping Project, where our students worked alongside residents to collect data on extreme heat and help guide solutions such as tree planting and neighborhood cooling strategies. That is learning with purpose, and it is exactly what a liberal arts education should look like in action.

This recognition is especially meaningful as we move toward becoming Batten University. Our name may be changing, but our commitment to community, civic responsibility, and the common good remains central to who we are.

Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible. You are the reason VWU continues to be recognized as a university that truly shows up for its community. Learn more here.

Since many Virginia Wesleyan University students and their families benefit from the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG), I know you share an interest in sustaining this vital program. For more than 50 years, VTAG has helped nearly 300,000 Virginians afford a private college education, often making the difference between enrolling and not.

This year, the VTAG award for full-time undergraduate students is $5,250. At Virginia Wesleyan, 72 percent of our full-time traditional undergraduate students receive this support, representing millions of dollars in direct educational assistance and a meaningful investment in student success.

As participation in the program continues to grow statewide, failure to increase overall funding will result in reduced awards per student. That would directly impact families and institutions across the Commonwealth.

I encourage you to contact your state senator and delegate and ask them to support an increase in VTAG funding. A simple advocacy tool is available at https://bit.ly/2026TAG.

Your voice matters, and together we can help protect this essential program.

ET CETERA

It is with great pride that I share the Fall 2025 President’s List and Dean’s List. Congratulations to the 134 students on the President’s List who achieved a 4.0 grade point average, and to the 317 students on the Dean’s List who achieved a 3.5-3.99 grade point average for the fall session.

To qualify for these honors, students must have full-time status and have taken at least nine semester hours of traditionally graded courses. These individuals demonstrate a remarkable level of dedication to their academic pursuits, and we are proud to have so many students recognized on these lists. Well done!

I had the opportunity to join our Marlin team at the 2026 NCAA Convention, held January 13–16 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. I was joined by Andrea Hoover-Erbig (Athletic Director), Dr. Jill Sturts (Faculty Athletics Representative), and Felipe Juarez (Athletic Events and Student-Athlete Experience Coordinator) as we represented Virginia Wesleyan at this important national gathering.

At the convention, Virginia Wesleyan winter graduate Julia Hathaway concluded her service at the national level, attending her final NCAA Convention as a Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative. Over the past three years, Julia has represented the voices of student-athletes from Virginia Wesleyan University and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with distinction, serving on National SAAC, advocating for student-centered change, and this year participating in the NCAA business session to speak on proposed legislation. Her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to Division III values exemplify the impact our students can have when given a seat at the table, and we are grateful for her outstanding service to Virginia Wesleyan University Athletics, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, Division III SAAC, and the NCAA.

A centerpiece of the convention was NCAA President Charlie Baker’s State of College Sports address, which focused on modernizing operations, protecting student-athlete well-being, and responding to the legal, financial, and cultural pressures reshaping college athletics. He emphasized collaboration among institutions and conferences to preserve competitive integrity in a rapidly evolving environment.

The convention also featured educational sessions, leadership forums, and networking opportunities for administrators, athletics staff, and student-athlete leaders, addressing governance, compliance, mental health, diversity and inclusion, and the changing business model of collegiate athletics.

The convention also celebrated excellence through the 2026 NCAA Honors, recognizing outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and administrators whose achievements and service exemplify the core values of college athletics. At the same time, the conversations underscored growing concerns about the widening divide between NCAA Division I and Divisions II and III on a wide range of issues, from finances and governance to athlete benefits and competitive expectations. Overall, the convention reinforced both the NCAA’s commitment to student-athletes and the need for thoughtful leadership as college sports navigate a period of significant transformation. Pictured with Bill Kelly (left), Christopher Newport University President, and Dr. Michael Hill, Randolph-Macon College President.

We have begun work on a new National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Garden along the pathway to Brock Village, creating a dedicated space that honors the legacy and contributions of our NPHC organizations while providing a place for reflection, gathering, and pride.

Virginia Wesleyan University is proud to host four NPHC organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., whose commitment to leadership, service, and community aligns deeply with our institutional values.

The first phase includes establishing the garden’s footprint and placing a 5,000-pound boulder generously donated by SiteOne Landscape Supply. Future phases will add landscaping, a visual identifier, and individual organizational elements, ensuring the garden stands as a lasting symbol of belonging and connection at Virginia Wesleyan University.

As each day passes, we move closer to opening the doors of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art on our campus, a milestone moment for both institutions and for the entire Coastal Virginia community. Last week, the City granted a provisional certificate of occupancy for the new VMOCA building, allowing furniture, fixtures, and equipment to begin moving in while our partners at Hourigan complete the remaining punch list items needed for final approval. The building is already coming to life, and every new installation brings us one step closer to opening its doors.

Executive Director Alison Byrne and her talented team are planning a full move-in in early February, followed by a series of soft openings that will give members, supporters, and the community an early look at the galleries and public spaces. The official opening in April will be a true celebration, not only of a remarkable new building, but of a powerful partnership between Virginia MOCA and the University that expands access to the arts, supports creative expression, and strengthens our region’s cultural ecosystem.

Dr. Sally Shedd (Batten Professor of Theatre, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies), Dr. Travis Malone (Batten Professor of Theatre and Anne B. Shumadine Dean, Batten Honors College), John Rudel (Professor of Art), and I had the privilege of attending the final event at VMOCA’s current location at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. It was a warm, well-attended evening filled with gratitude, reflection, and anticipation. Longtime supporters, artists, and friends gathered to honor the history that has unfolded within those walls while looking ahead with excitement to what lies ahead. The evening was a fitting tribute to the museum’s legacy, and a reminder that its next chapter will be even more impactful, visible, and accessible than ever before.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this extraordinary transition possible. Learn more at www.virginiamoca.org and www.vwu.edu.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Reflecting on Change as We Become Batten University

As we move toward becoming Batten University in July 2026, we are given a rare and meaningful opportunity to reflect on the role of change in our history, and on just how far this institution has come. Change has never been something we feared; it has been the engine of our progress.

It is important to remember that Virginia Wesleyan of today is fundamentally different from the institution it was even a decade ago. In the past ten years alone, we now have two campus-based private academies, have created a collaborative international campus in Tokyo through the Jane P. Batten & David R. Black School for International Studies, have dramatically expanded graduate, online, and lifelong-learning programs, and have built nationally recognized workforce and social-impact initiatives, including the Prison Education Program and robust partnerships with regional police departments, hospitals, and employers. We are also integrating the Sentara College of Health Sciences and welcoming the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to our campus, which places Batten University at the center of healthcare, culture, and community life in Coastal Virginia.

These are not cosmetic changes. They represent a transformation in who we serve, how we teach, and the scale of our impact. We now operate two campus-based private academies, and our enrollment reflects the scale of that growth: more than 2,000 students in our traditional programs and more than 3,000 learners in our Global Campus, encompassing graduate, professional, online, and lifelong-learning programs that extend our reach far beyond the residential campus.

Our financial position has strengthened dramatically as well, with an endowment exceeding $134 million and long-held investments now topping $186 million, alongside diversified revenue streams and sustained philanthropic support. Clearly, we have much to be proud of. Becoming Batten University is not a departure from our past; it is the natural and confident expression of who we have become and where we are headed.

Enrollment Manager: Virginia Wesleyan University Realizes a Decade of Extraordinary Growth

In this same vein, Enrollment Manager recently spotlighted the extraordinary growth of Virginia Wesleyan University over the past decade—growth driven by strategic vision, institutional momentum, and a clear record of transformational change, culminating in our evolution to Batten University. I invite you to read and enjoy the article, which captures both how far we have come and the promise of what lies ahead.

Faith, Partnership, and a Renewed Commitment

I am proud that our relationship with The United Methodist Church has not only endured, but has reemerged stronger than ever. After the General Conference’s courageous vote to support a more inclusive church, something meaningful has happened between the UMC and this University. There is a renewed sense of alignment around shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to serving others.

One powerful example is our campus ministry. Through our partnership with Haygood United Methodist Church and the Virginia Conference of the UMC, we recently received a major gift to endow the relationship with Haygood. That investment gives this work permanence and momentum. In recognition of that generosity, our program will now be known as Epworth Campus Ministries, honoring the UMC church and foundation that made it possible.

The strength and depth of this ministry were also key contributors to our recent Carnegie Classification, clear evidence that faith-rooted, service-driven engagement matters in how our institution is seen nationally.

The Church has also been a steady and meaningful partner as we move toward becoming Batten University. Nowhere is that more evident than in our new Prison Education Program at two Chesapeake correctional centers. This program reflects our shared belief in redemption, dignity, and second chances, and it is a living example of what it means to “do good” in the world.

I am especially grateful to Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, District Superintendent Beth Givens, and our dear friends from Haygood, Rev. Doug Sasser and Marie Porter (Director of Epworth Campus Ministries), for their leadership, wisdom, and support.

When you connect all of this with the transformational work of the Robert Nusbaum Center (formerly the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom), led by Dr. Craig Wansink (Batten Professor of Religious Studies and Leadership, Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center) and Kelly Jackson (Associate Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center), and our new shared-resources partnership with Virginia Christian College, it is clear: faith, education, and service are coming together in powerful new ways at Virginia Wesleyan University, soon to be Batten University.

Commemorating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Over the past week, we have been proud to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on campus and in our community. Our signature MLK program, Frames of Freedom: Norman Rockwell, Gordon Parks, and the Visual Language of Justice, hosted by the Robert Nusbaum Center in The Forum of the H.C. Hofheimer II Library, explored how visual storytelling has shaped public understanding of dignity, equality, and freedom. Led by Professors Derek Eley and John Rudel, the interactive discussion invited reflection on how art can illuminate injustice and inspire action.

During the program, I had the privilege of presenting the 2026 Mavis McKenley ’11 Award to Laila Jones ’26, recognizing her embodiment of Dr. King’s ideals of courage, compassion, inclusion, and service. An earth and environmental science major, Laila is deeply engaged in campus life through Campus Ministries, Marlins Go Green, The Marlin Chronicle, and as a student leader with the Thirst Project. These efforts reflect her commitment to building community, promoting sustainability, and ensuring others feel welcomed, supported, and valued. Learn more | View Photo Gallery

Marlins Basketball Alumni Day

Marlins Basketball Alumni Day was a slam dunk. Saturday began with a Women’s Basketball alumni game, followed by our men’s matchup against Roanoke. Alumni and friends gathered in the Pearce Suite for game-day fare sponsored by BurgerBusters, owned by two-time Hall of Fame member and alumnus Tassos Paphites ’79. We closed the day with an exciting women’s victory over Roanoke. Thank you to all who came out to cheer, reconnect, and show Marlin pride.

Sam Presti Visits Campus

We thoroughly enjoyed hosting former Marlin basketball standout Sam Presti on campus. Now NBA Executive of the Year and Executive Vice President and General Manager of the NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Sam played for the Marlins from 1995 to 1997. Pictured with Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dave Macedo.

Latest Edition of Excelsis Now Available Online

I am pleased to share the newest edition of Excelsis, the publication of the Batten Honors College. This special issue includes a moving Letter of Legacy from BHC Dean Travis Malone and the unveiling of the new logo for what will become the Jane P. Batten Honors College of Batten University. We are proud of this national niche program and the extraordinary students it serves. Inside, you will find scholar-written features, student achievements, BHC events, interviews, and updates on where our newest graduates are headed next. Read more.

WACHR’s “Great Decisions 2026” Lecture Series Continues

Another outstanding World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads panel discussion on campus. I am grateful for their continued engagement with our students and community, and proud to count the World Affairs Council as a valued Partner in Progress. Developed by the Foreign Policy Association, Great Decisions is a unique opportunity to learn more about these carefully curated topics and to ask questions of world-class speakers. Series Information and Registration.

Virginia Private Colleges Legislative Reception

I enjoyed joining colleagues in Richmond for the legislative reception hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and Virginia Private Colleges. It was especially nice to visit with Virginia’s new Secretary of Education, Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, a friend and colleague from Coastal Virginia.