Always nice to visit with Alice Clarke at her home in Norfolk. I am grateful and proud to announce that Alice Clarke, along with her family, has formally approved the changing of the name of the VWC planned giving society to The Lambuth M. and Alice A. Clarke Heritage Society in recognition of their 26 years of leadership at the College.

It was great to visit with Denis Mercier, General, French Air Force, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, at the NATO headquarters to discuss Virginia Wesleyan's NATO partnership. Such an amazing resource to our faculty and students and families of NATO personnel. Dr. Robert Albertson, Chair of the Division of Social Sciences, joined me for the discussion.

The March issue of The President's Letter: http://conta.cc/1RGFjU5

Early morning "Tapping Ceremony" for campus leaders selected for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa -- the National Leadership Honor Society.

Nota Bene: Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Induction

March 3, 2016

On Tuesday I attended the spring 2016 induction ceremony of select Virginia Wesleyan College freshmen into Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, the nation's oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students in all disciplines.

This was a very special pleasure for me because the inductees and I arrived here at Virginia Wesleyan at the same time. Together, we are First-Year Marlins. These 29 candidates join an exemplary group of students because of their stellar academic achievements during their first year here.

Phi Eta Sigma was founded in 1923 at the University of Illinois. Inspired by the past and dedicated to the future, the Society's mission is to encourage and reward academic excellence among freshmen in institutions of higher learning. Since its founding, more than 1.1 million scholars have been inducted into Phi Eta Sigma at one of 378 campuses across the United States. The Virginia Wesleyan Chapter was founded in 1983, with approximately 100 members on campus today.

I’d like to thank Jason Seward, Dean of Freshmen, and the many faculty and staff who have supported this society. You have generously shared your time and energy to advance this organization, and we value your contributions.  

Congratulations to the newest Phi Eta Sigma members (listed below), and warmest wishes for continued success during your time at Virginia Wesleyan. I look forward to that time 3 ½ years from now when I will be congratulating you as you walk across the stage at graduation. Until then, may you benefit from all that our campus has to offer, and may you always remember to enjoy your journey through this life-defining experience called college.

Brianna Brunk                Mary Kelley
Emilee Caldbeck           Julie Manning
Edwin Campos              Stephanie Mathieu
Tiffany Cariker               Genesis McDaniels
Madalyn Chevalier         Caleb Mercer
Luke Chiasson               Valerie Miller
Meghan Fentress           Kevin Murray
Bayli Foley                     Kirsten Powell
Brandon Foster              Kristina Scott
Kathryn Grainer             Justin Smith
Hayley Heath                 Madeline Snyder
Kerstin Holman              Jake Stokke
Nicole Holmes                Alexis Washington
Abigail Horgan               Gracelyn Willard
Ann Johnson

Enjoying the Virginia Wesleyan College Spring production of the musical "Urinetown" in the Hofheimer Theater.

I thoroughly enjoyed touring the beautiful Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community. Pictured with David Kaufman (VWC Board of Trustees), Jay Klebanoff (President of UJFT), Harry Graber (Executive Vice President of UJFT), and Ron Kramer (VWC Board).

Enjoyable visit with Bishop Ezekiel Williams (right) of Faith World Ministries. He is the uncle and pastor to Mario D. Thourogood (our student President's Associate).

With Vice Presidents Tim O'Rourke and Keith Moore and Dean of Freshmen Jason Seward welcoming the inductees into the Phi Eta Sigma first year national honor society.

With Sue and George Birdsong and Ben Unkle, President and CEO of Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, at a special reception celebrating the results of The Birdsong Initiative at Westminster-Canterbury. Results of the Initiative will be announced in the national media on Thursday.