October 19, 2026
Good morning, |
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I am delighted to share that Rev. Stephanie Kimec Parker ’08, Coordinator for Church Revitalization in the Coastal Virginia District of the United Methodist Church, will serve as our 2027 Baccalaureate speaker.
Rev. Parker earned her undergraduate degree with majors in Political Science, Religious Studies, and Spanish before continuing her education at Wesley Theological Seminary. Following seminary, she served as a US-2 young adult missionary in Los Angeles, California. She later served as Associate Pastor at New Creation United Methodist Church in Chesapeake for six years and at The Gathering at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach for five years.
An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Rev. Parker now supports congregations throughout Coastal Virginia, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, the Eastern Shore, and portions of Suffolk.
Baccalaureate will be held on Friday, May 14, as part of our Spring 2027 Commencement exercises. This traditional service of worship celebrates and gives thanks for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom. We look forward to welcoming Rev. Parker back to campus for this meaningful occasion. |
The Batten University Board of Trustees held its Fall Meeting last week in the Board of Trustees Suite in the Boyd Dining Center at Brock Commons.
Among the highlights of the meeting, the Board: - Received updates on the integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences, the Prison Education Program in Chesapeake, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, and the University's first semester under the Batten University name
- Reviewed progress on the new Health Sciences Center, anticipated to be completed in 2029
- Received an update on the University's Corrective Maintenance Initiative
- Approved the final FY 2026–27 operating budget
- Discussed federal legislative and policy developments affecting higher education, including the National Call to Action and the Protect College Sports Act of 2026
- Received reports from the Campus Affairs, University Relations, Finance, Endowment, Governance, and Audit Committees
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The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on a period of significant institutional transformation while continuing to advance the University's strategic priorities and long-term vision. Following the meeting, Annie and I were pleased to host a social and dinner for members of the Board of Trustees, senior staff, and academic leadership, including our deans, at DeFord Manor. The evening offered a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and informal conversation in a relaxed setting, capturing the strong sense of community and shared purpose that defines our leadership team. |
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The Jane P. Batten Honors College is a program of national distinction, enrolling a highly selective group of scholars with a mission focused on Environmental Stewardship, Global Engagement and Leadership. I thank Dr. Travis Malone, Anne B. Shumadine Dean of the Jane P. Batten Honors College, for his outstanding leadership of this distinctive program.
A significant endowment supports scholarships; environmental, global and leadership opportunities for Honors College scholars; and the faculty who teach and mentor them.
I am pleased to recognize the Batten Professors for the 2026–27 academic year:
- Kellie Holzer – Batten Professor of English, Lambuth M. Clarke Chair in English Literature
- Elizabeth Malcolm – Batten Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Director of Sustainability
- Travis Malone – Batten Professor of Theatre, Anne B. Shumadine Dean, Jane P. Batten Honors College
- William McConnell – Batten Associate Professor of Education, Director of Education Programs, Dean, D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies
- Stu Minnis – Batten Professor of Media and Communication, Chair of Media and Communication
- Sally Shedd – Batten Professor of Theatre, Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, Dean, Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities
- Jill Sturts – Batten Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions, Chair of Sport and Recreation Professions, Assistant Dean, Jane P. Batten Honors College
- Craig Wansink – Batten Professor of Religious Studies and Leadership, Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, Chair of Religious Studies
The Batten distinction is a renewable term appointment, July 1 through June 30, afforded to full-time faculty teaching in the Jane P. Batten Honors College during the corresponding academic year. Faculty teaching short-term study away courses are not eligible. |
Congratulations to Trustee Emeritus George Y. Birdsong H’16 on being named the 2026 First Citizen of Hampton Roads by the Hampton Roads Chamber!
George’s longstanding commitment to business, community, and the well-being of our region is reflected throughout Batten University. The generosity and vision of George and the Birdsong family have helped shape our campus and expand opportunities for our students and the broader community. |
From the Birdsong School of Social Science and the Birdsong Center for Health Literacy to innovative initiatives like Healthier757 and Money for Marlins, their support continues to make a meaningful difference. These programs promote health literacy, encourage healthier living, and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being.
We are proud to celebrate George and this well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary leadership, generosity, and service to Hampton Roads! |
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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Protecting Virginia’s Urban Forests Batten University welcomed Trees Virginia and participants in the Southeast Virginia (SEVA) Urban Forest Roundtable to campus for discussions on the Emerald Ash Borer and Spotted Lanternfly and their impacts on urban forestry. The gathering brought together forestry professionals, educators, arborists, and sustainability advocates to explore collaborative approaches to protecting Virginia’s urban forests. Special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability, for her leadership in bringing this event to campus.
Pictured (from left): Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Provost and Vice President; Rhianna Mason, Jane P. Batten Honors College student and Sustainability Management major; Chris Riley, Bartlett Tree Experts; Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm; Heather Gargano, Virginia Department of Forestry; Steven Traylor, City Forester, Norfolk; Laurie Fox, Virginia Tech Agricultural Extension Center; and Ann Lucius, USDA. |
Batten Sophomore Joins Inaugural VFIC Presidential Scholars Cohort Student Eleanor VanDuyne attended the inaugural Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) Presidential Scholars Cohort gathering at Randolph-Macon College on October 9–10. A double major in Political Science and International Studies, Eleanor is Batten’s first recipient of the three-year scholarship and leadership program, which includes presidential mentorship, professional networking, and experiential learning opportunities. Selected for academic achievement, leadership, and service, Eleanor exemplifies these qualities through her studies and internship with the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads. We are proud to have her represent Batten University among scholars from VFIC’s 17 member institutions. |
CreatorVerse Comes to Campus This Saturday CreatorVerse, a festival celebrating youth innovation, creativity, and live music, is coming to Batten University this Saturday, October 24. Events will take place across campus, including at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
Created by Grammy Award-winning producer and Virginia Beach native Timbaland and his nonprofit, Timbaland Way Cares, in partnership with ACCESS College Foundation and Batten University, the festival will bring students and community members from across the region to explore emerging technologies, the creative economy, and future career pathways. Timbaland will participate in discussions at the Goode Center and a ticketed event at Virginia MOCA. Members of the campus community should watch their inboxes for important information regarding campus access, traffic, and parking during the event. |
Trunk-or-Treat Bring your little Marlins, family, and friends to the Student-Athlete Advisory Council's Trunk-or-Treat for a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween together! On October 29, kids can come dressed in their favorite costumes and trunk-or-treat from decorated vehicles while enjoying plenty of treats and Halloween fun. We’ll be trunk-or-treating in the parking lot of the baseball and softball fields, creating a festive space for families to enjoy the evening together. Register today! |
Marlin Connections at the Boardwalk Art Show A special Marlin connection at the 70th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show: Dr. Sally Shedd, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, and her husband, David O’Rork ’18, caught up with Featured Artist Mark Butts ’79 during the weekend’s festivities. Mark’s featured artwork and official poster for the milestone show also received recognition in the regional It’s WINDSday newsletter, which highlighted his career as an artist and longtime educator as well as his recent Virginia MOCA appearance at Batten University. |
Marlins STEM IMPACT Scholars Attend National Meeting Four Batten University students in the Marlins STEM IMPACT Scholarship Program recently attended the 2026 S-STEM Scholars & PI Meeting in Washington, D.C. Ember Clark, Ella Livingston, Hana McCain and Sierra Edney joined scholars from across the country for the October 9–11 meeting, hosted by the AAAS S-STEM Resource and Evaluation Center in partnership with the National Science Foundation.
The students were accompanied by Provost Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, principal investigator, and Assistant Provost Dr. Victor Townsend, co-principal investigator. Marlins STEM IMPACT is supported by a $2 million NSF grant to recruit and provide scholarships for students with financial need pursuing STEM disciplines at Batten University. |
Relive the 2026 Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame Celebration One of the highlights of Homecoming and Family Weekend was the induction of the 2026 class into the Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame. The special evening, presented by TowneBank, honored five outstanding alumni and the 2021 NCAA National Championship Softball Team for their achievements and lasting contributions to Marlin Athletics. Watch the induction ceremony and revisit this memorable celebration of Marlin excellence. |
Celebrating 25 Years on the Course Nearly 200 golfers and 70 sponsors came together for the 25th Annual Joanne Renn Golf Outing, continuing a longstanding tradition of support for Marlin Athletics. Proceeds from the event help enhance the student-athlete experience for our men’s lacrosse, baseball and softball programs. On behalf of Coaches Brandon Elliott, Bri Cooper, Chris Francis and Zach Thomas, and all of us at Batten University, thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, and helped make this milestone outing such a success. |
Taking Stock of the Enrollment Cycle In the latest issue of Enrollment Manager, a quarterly publication of Dwyer Education Strategies, I joined Dr. Katelyn M. Sanders of Shenandoah University in examining the “seven pillars” of a successful enrollment program and the importance of assessing performance across the full enrollment cycle. “The Seven Pillars: Taking Stock of the Enrollment Cycle” encourages institutional leaders to look beyond traditional undergraduate headcount to enrollment mix, net tuition revenue, residential occupancy, retention and credit-hour production when evaluating institutional performance. |
Virginia MOCA Welcomes Artist in Residence Andy Harris Virginia MOCA will welcome Made in VA Biennial artist Andy Harris as its next Artist in Residence, Wednesday, November 4, through Sunday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. A Virginia Beach-based collage artist, Harris creates works using painted paper, balancing control and spontaneity throughout his creative process. Visitors are invited to observe the artist at work in a temporary studio, engage with his creative process, and explore connections to the exhibition. |
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS A Batten University Community |
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Keep making waves, Marlins! Sincerely, |
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