Nota Bene: Rev. Sharma Lewis New Bishop for Virginia Conference of the UMC

July 15, 2016

In a history-making decision, the Rev. Sharma D. Lewis from Decatur, GA has been elected as a Bishop in the United Methodist Church, the first African-American woman from the South to be elected to the denomination’s highest office. She will be the Bishop for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Lewis has served as the District Superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District in the North Georgia Conference. She is a second-career pastor with a distinguished record of service. A graduate of Mercer University (B.S., Biology, 1985), the University of West Georgia (M.S., Biology, 1988), and Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div., 1999), Rev. Lewis worked as a research biologist and chemist prior to answering to God’s call.

As Bishop, she will serve as an ex-officio member of our Board of Trustees. I look forward to working with her and introducing her to the Virginia Wesleyan community.

Nota Bene: Virginia Private College Week and Other Summer Happenings

July 15, 2016
 
The week of July 25 – 30 is Virginia Private College Week, sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV).  High school juniors and seniors interested in attending Virginia Wesleyan College are invited to participate. Along with 23 other participating colleges, VWC will offer campus tours and information sessions about admissions, financial aid and academic programs. Enrollment counselors will also address common myths about the cost of a private college education. Students who visit Virginia Wesleyan and at least two other institutions during the week will receive three application fee waivers—which may be used to apply to participating CICV colleges for free—and will also be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card. Information sessions at Virginia Wesleyan will be held July 25-29 (Monday-Friday) at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Saturday, July 30 at 9 a.m. Please encourage prospective students you may know to visit during this special week. Register for an information session.

For more information about CICV and Virginia Private College Week, including a list of participating colleges, visit www.vaprivatecolleges.org. The Virginia Private Colleges website provides information concerning the quality and affordability of Virginia private colleges to students and parents by increasing awareness of its member institutions and addressing myths concerning private higher education and its costs. The website is a user-friendly, informative tool to help identify which Virginia private college is right for any qualified student. Read more on our website: http://www.vwc.edu/news-a-events/news-releases/head-to-the-beach-for-virginia-private-college-week

My busy summer continues. I recently visited with Taylor Reveley, president of The College of William & Mary, on his beautiful, historic campus in Williamsburg. We discussed collaboration in a number of areas and the importance of our institutions to American higher education. Taylor has a fascinating background. He is the son of a former president of Hampden Sydney College and his son Taylor is president of Longwood University.

On Monday, I spoke to the Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) in Washington D.C. The ELA is a program for aspiring college presidents and is offered by the American Academic Leadership Institute in cooperation with the Council of Independent Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

On July 6, I attended the swearing-in ceremony for Norfolk Public Schools newly elected school board members Rodney Jordan and Dr. Noelle Gabriel at Granby High School. A number of area dignitaries attended the event, including our new mayor, Kenny Alexander, and several members of Norfolk’s City Council.

Planning for the 2016-17 academic year continues on campus. We have been devoting considerable time and energy to the smooth start of the fall semester. Important documents like the  2016-17 Academic Catalog are now available on our website. I hope your summer season continues to be productive as well.

I had a wonderful time this evening visiting with our faculty and guests at a reception and dinner at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach. Supported by a grant, our faculty hosted the National Association of Biology Teachers/Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (NABT/BSCS) Biology Teacher Academy. Pictured with: Hilve Firek, Batten Associate Professor of Education; Vic Townsend, Professor of Biology; Rosalind Ludovici, 2016 Biology graduate; Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Associate Professor of Biology; and David Waggoner, Vice President for Enrollment.

Virginia Wesleyan College has again been named a College of Distinction. The 2016-17 list recognizes institutions that make an "exemplary commitment to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes." Pictured with David Waggoner, VWC Vice President for Enrollment.

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with participants in the Executive Leadership Academy: http://www.vwc.edu/news-a-events/news-releases/president-miller-speaks-to-aspiring-college-presidents-executive-leadership-academy

High school science teachers from all over the country have come to Virginia Wesleyan College this week to learn about new ways to engage their students as part of the NABT/BSCS Biology Teacher Academy: http://goo.gl/nFUdO3

With Dr. Tom Kepple, President of the American Academic Leadership Institute, at today's Executive Leadership Academy at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. Spoke to aspiring presidents about Presidential Transitions.

This week's "@vawesleyan": http://www.vwc.edu/news-a-events/e-news/july-8-2016.php

Nota Bene: A New Academic and Fiscal Year Begins

July 7, 2016

I hope your Independence Day holiday was enjoyable. July 1 marked the start of a new academic and fiscal year for Virginia Wesleyan College and the beginning of new leadership on our Board of Trustees.

My special thanks to Gary Bonnewell ’79 for his service as Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2013. Gary was our very first alumnus to be elected as chair, and we are appreciative of his service and fine leadership. He will continue to be on the Board as an officer, now in the role of immediate past chair.

 

David Kaufman will succeed Gary as Board Chair. David has served on the Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees for 10 years, most recently as vice chair. David is a founding member and Senior Managing Director of the private equity firm, Envest.  David’s grandfather, Charles L. Kaufman, was an early advocate for Virginia Wesleyan.  Our new vice chair is Jon Pruden, co-owner and president of TASTE. Jon’s great grandfather was an early supporter of Virginia Wesleyan; in fact, Pruden Hall on our campus is named after Jon’s family. Longtime Board member Bill Thumel is now the secretary for the Board. Bill is the president of Abacus of Hampton Roads. Anne Shumadine continues her service as treasurer of the Board. Anne’s mother, Helen Ballard Hoffman, was one of the College’s first female Trustees, serving from 1964 until her death in 2010.  And Henry Watts, a member of the Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees since 1989, and a former Board chair, is the parliamentarian. Henry is a retired vice chairman of Norfolk Southern Corporation. More information about our new Board leadership is on our website.

 

In addition, I’m pleased to share that Lori McCarel ‘94 is our new Executive Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. McCarel has worked in the College’s Center for Advancement since 2007, serving in various capacities including Director of Annual Giving, Director of Special Gifts, and Director of Corporate Relations.  Lori earned her B.A. from Virginia Wesleyan College as part of the Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP). She is a Founding Sister of Tri Sigma Sorority and a former member of the Marlin field hockey team. Her fiancé, Joe Harris, is a 1994 alumnus of Virginia Wesleyan. She has three children, two of whom are currently enrolled at the College.

Kristin Williams has returned to Virginia Wesleyan as Coordinator of Annual Giving, and Kelly Roenker has been appointed as Director of Corporate Relations and the Boyd Institute.

I’m especially pleased to share that Jodi Bryant, administrative assistant in the president’s office, is back at work! We were happy to welcome Jodi back on June 27. Be sure to stop by the office to greet her and welcome her back.

It is a pleasure to welcome Robert Leitgeb, our Chief Information Officer, and long-time Athletics Director Joanne Renn to the President’s Cabinet for 2016-17:

Dr. Timothy O’Rourke, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the College; Professor of Political Science;

Cary Sawyer, Vice President for Finance;
Dr. Keith Moore, Vice President for Student Affairs;
Dr. Mort Gamble, Vice President for Advancement;
David Waggoner, Vice President for Enrollment Services;
Robert Leitgeb, Chief Information Officer;
Joanne Renn, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics;
Bruce Vaughan, Vice President for Facilities and Operations;
Laynee Timlin, Executive Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff.

It continues to be a busy summer in Coastal Virginia. I recently attended the oath-of-office ceremony for the Mayor and the Council of the City of Norfolk.  Kenneth Cooper Alexander was elected Mayor of the City of Norfolk on May 3, 2016. Members of Norfolk’s City Council include Angelia Graves, Andria McClellan, Mamie Johnson, Paul Riddick, Thomas Smigiel, Jr., and Dr. Theresa Whibley. We look forward to a productive relationship with these leaders in the City of Norfolk.

Finally, it was exciting to see that two of our alumni are continuing their careers in leadership positions in the United Methodist Church. Ted Smith ’84, who has served as District Superintendent in the Fredericksburg District, has been put forth by the Virginia Annual Conference for United Methodist Bishop at the upcoming Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference on July 13.  Scott Davis ’84 was recently appointed District Superintendent of the Lynchburg District. Best wishes to both of them.

Enjoyed the Swearing-In Ceremony and celebration in honor of newly elected Norfolk Public School Board Members, Dr. Noelle M. Gabriel, upper left, and Rodney Jordan, upper right. Supt. Melinda Boone, lower left, and Mayor Kenny Alexander, addressed the invitees gathered on the steps of Granby High School.