September 28, 2026
Good morning, |
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I am pleased to announce that Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones will deliver the address at our Winter 2026 Commencement on Saturday, December 12.
A lifelong Norfolk resident, Attorney General Jones made history in January when he was sworn in as Virginia’s 49th Attorney General and the first African American to hold the office. His career in public service includes representing Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 to 2022 and serving as an Assistant Attorney General in the District of Columbia’s Office of Consumer Protection. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Attorney General Jones comes from a family with deep roots in public service in Hampton Roads. His grandfather, Hilary H. Jones Sr., was a civil rights attorney, the first African American member of the Norfolk School Board, and the first African American appointed to Virginia’s State Board of Education. His father, Jerrauld C. Jones, served in the Virginia General Assembly, led the Commonwealth’s Department of Juvenile Justice, and later served as a Circuit Court judge. His mother, Lyn Simmons, is a judge on the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
We look forward to welcoming Attorney General Jones to campus as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates at our first Winter Commencement as Batten University. His experience in law and public service provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of civic responsibility, leadership, and service to others as our graduates prepare for the opportunities ahead. |
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Our first Homecoming & Family Weekend as Batten University is just days away! We look forward to welcoming alumni, families, and friends back to campus October 2–4 for a celebration of Marlin pride, friendship, and tradition.
The festivities begin Friday with the 25th Annual Joanne Renn Golf Outing at Cypress Point Country Club, followed by Marlins Night at the Museum, our Homecoming kickoff at Virginia MOCA. Saturday brings athletic competition, alumni games, and our annual FinFest celebration, followed by the 2026 Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The weekend also features theater performances, a special campus history tour hosted by the Robert Nusbaum Center, and opportunities for fellowship throughout our Batten community.
The name is new, but the traditions and connections that bring us together remain as strong as ever. We hope to see you on campus!
View the full Homecoming & Family Weekend Schedule. |
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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TONIGHT: An Evening for the Arts at VMOCA Make plans to join us at Virginia MOCA this evening, September 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for An Evening for the Arts, the second annual Arts Alliance legislative reception. This gathering brings together arts and culture professionals, business and community leaders, supporters, candidates, and elected officials for conversation about the important role of arts and culture in our region, including their contributions to economic growth, quality of life, and community well-being.
The event is free, with networking and light refreshments included. Space is limited, so reserve your spot! |
GNC’s Executive Mentorship Program Kickoff I thoroughly enjoyed welcoming participants in the Greater Norfolk Corporation’s Executive Mentorship Program to campus for the kickoff of the new academic year. My thanks to good friends and GNC leaders Tara Ramsey, past chair, and Linda Peck, executive director, for their leadership of this important initiative. I also appreciate the participation of Batten University, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and Tidewater Community College in connecting students with accomplished leaders throughout our region. |
Leadership and Participative Governance I appreciated the opportunity to engage with colleagues across the University through meetings of our Academic Leadership Council, Leadership Council, and Faculty Assembly. These gatherings bring together important perspectives from our academic and administrative leadership and faculty, providing opportunities to exchange ideas, address institutional priorities, and strengthen our shared commitment to student success and the University’s future. |
Athletic Management Council I enjoyed kicking off the academic year with the first meeting of Batten University’s Athletic Management Council. This group meets monthly to address important issues affecting our student-athletes, campus athletics, and the evolving NCAA landscape. Joining me were student-athlete representatives Owen Mathews, a senior baseball infielder from Moseley, Virginia, and Alaina “Chip” Alston, a senior women’s soccer forward from New Castle, Delaware; Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brandon Elliott; Faculty Athletics Representative Jill Sturts; and Athletics Business Manager Trish Doherty. I value their leadership, perspectives, and shared commitment to the continued success of Marlin Athletics! |
Raising Awareness, Honoring Memories My thanks to the Batten University Counseling Services Office for hosting the “Awareness Walk & Memory Chalk” in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I was pleased to join Vice Presidents Keith Moore and Heather Campbell, along with a wonderful turnout of students, for this meaningful event. Together, we raised awareness, honored those we have lost, and reaffirmed the importance of supporting one another and fostering a caring campus community. |
Exploring Politics Through Science Fiction The H.C. Hofheimer II Library’s Page to Podium Lecture Series continued with an engaging presentation by Instructional and Online Learning Librarian Abe Nemon, “Politics and Science Fiction: 100 Years of Strange Nova.” Tracing the genre from the founding of Amazing Stories in 1926 through its pulp and Golden Age eras, Abe explored how science fiction has reflected and challenged political and social ideas surrounding technology, colonization, gender, race, and the future. The series continues to provide valuable opportunities for scholarly exchange among our students, faculty, and campus community. |
Constitution Day: The Founders Can Still Help Us Find Our Way We were pleased to welcome former Vice President and Provost Dr. Timothy G. O’Rourke back to campus for the Robert Nusbaum Center’s Constitution Day presentation, “The Founders Can Still Help Us Find Our Way.” As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Dr. O’Rourke explored the enduring relevance of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, emphasizing citizenship, self-government, constructive disagreement, and the importance of finding common ground. His timely presentation reminded us that sustaining our constitutional democracy requires civic engagement, mutual respect, and a willingness to consider differing perspectives. Read More. |
Joanne Renn-Barnes Named to Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame Congratulations to Joanne Renn-Barnes, former athletic director, longtime coach, and extraordinary friend of Batten University, on her selection to the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Named athletic director in 2007, Joanne became the first woman to hold that position in ODAC history. During her tenure, the Marlins captured multiple national championships and expanded athletic facilities. A member of the Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame, Joanne continues to serve the University as a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. She will be inducted alongside four other distinguished honorees on November 18 at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. Learn More. |
Celebrating Friends of the Arts It was a pleasure to join special friends of the arts at the Chrysler Museum of Art’s 2026 Major Donor Reception honoring the Goode Family and Brooks Johnson. My thanks to Erik Neil, the Museum’s Macon and Joan Brock Director and CEO, for a wonderful evening celebrating philanthropy and support for the arts. David Goode H’17 (pictured) and Trustee Susan Goode H’22, along with their daughters, have been steadfast friends of Batten University and our campus-based Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. We are deeply grateful for their enduring friendship and commitment to enriching the cultural life of Hampton Roads.
More About The Arts at Batten University: Fall 2026 Events. |
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS A Batten University Community |
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See you at Homecoming & Family Weekend, Marlins! Sincerely, |
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