Photo Gallery: Feathers in Your Cap

We were so proud to highlight faculty and staff accomplishments last Friday during Virginia Wesleyan’s annual “Feathers in Your Cap” celebration, hosted by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning and Hofheimer Library. View a photo gallery from the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmbd6E67

 

Photo Gallery: Marlin Prestige Business Conference

Congratulations to our students on a wonderful Marlin Prestige business conference! View a photo gallery from the week-long, student-led event: https://flic.kr/s/aHskxtiuxZ

 

President's Leadership Award

So proud to present senior Nich Hipple with the President's Leadership Award at Spring Honors Convocation today. A renaissance man, Nich has been involved in too many organizations to list here, but most notably has served as SGA president for the past two years. He holds a 4.0 GPA in his majors of business and theatre and will head to Virginia Tech this fall to pursue a master's in accounting. Congratulations to all our student honorees for your hard work and thank you to our faculty for your leadership.

 

Nota Bene: Feathers in Your Cap

We were so proud to highlight faculty and staff accomplishments last Friday during Virginia Wesleyan’s annual “Feathers in Your Cap” celebration, hosted by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (INTEL) and Hofheimer Library. The event recognized VWU faculty, adjunct professors, librarians, and staff members who in the last year have published a book or professional publication, completed artwork, obtained a grant, received tenure and/or a promotion, and much more.

As in years past, I was extremely impressed by both the quality and quantity of work displayed, and I am honored to work among a talented faculty and staff who are so strongly committed to excellence in both teaching and scholarship.

It was a pleasure for me to display my own publications this year along with the stellar works and accomplishments by:

Kevin Adams                         Malcolm Lively
Kristin Burney                        Audrey Malagon
Heather Campbell                  Elizabeth Malcolm
Kathleen Casey                     Travis Malone
Leslie Caughell                      Dan Margolies
Annette Clayton                     Gabriela Martorell
Takeyra Collins                      Eric Mazur
Elaine Dessouki                     William McConnell
Clay Drees                             Bryson Mortensen
Benjamin Dobrin                    Taryn Myers
Joyce Easter                          Lisa Lyon Payne
Susan Erickson                      Wayne Pollock
Paul Ewell                              William Pruitt
Linda Ferguson                      Mandy Reinig
Benson Fraser                       Diana Risk
Alain Gabon                           Sophie Rondeau
Mort Gamble                          Maynard Schaus
Phillip Guilfoyle                      Antje Schwennicke
Chris Haley                            Sara Sewell
Michael Hall                           Sally Shedd
Benjamin Haller                     Jennifer Slivka
Katrina Henry                        Jason Squinobal
Stephen Hock                        Kathy Stolley
Rebecca Hooker                    Jill Sturts
Kellie Holzer                          Jayne Sullivan
Maury Howard                       Robin Takacs
Larry Hultgren                        Laynee Timlin
Kathy Merlock Jackson          Jeffrey Toussaint
Carol Johnson                        Victor Townsend
Doug Kennedy                       Michelle Vachris
Brian Kurisky                          Craig Wansink
Susan Larkin                          Ann Weiss
Stephen Leist                         Jim White
Terry Lindvall                          Denise Wilkinson


Thank you to Denise Wilkinson, Associate Dean for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning, Sherry Matis, Research Librarian and User Experience Coordinator, and Kathy Reese, Administrative Assistant to the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities and the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, for planning this special occasion.

I look forward to celebrating the academic successes of our students this afternoon at Spring Honors Convocation.

Discussing Chinese Cultural Exchange Programs

Great discussion on cultural exchange programs between the U.S. and China today with representatives from United Cultures Innovation Center for International Cooperation. Pictured (from left) with Tim O'Rourke, Provost and Vice President, Doug Kennedy, Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Yvonne Geng, UCIC Project Manager, Xin Li, UCIC President, Bill Becker, Director of the American Culture and Tourism Management Internship Program, and David Waggoner, Vice President for Enrollment.

 

Port Day Presentations

Our campus community comes together today for Spring Port Day, a signature Virginia Wesleyan event that demonstrates and promotes the academic achievement of students completing capstone research, internship, and semester study away experiences. Pictured (above) Madelyn Starr presents "XX Marks the Spot: Visual Search Strategies of Female Athletes and Non-Athletes," and (below) Jessica Pittman shares her experience "Studying Abroad in London: Navigating Throughout the Fall."

Nota Bene: Virginia Business Recognizes Virginia Wesleyan University’s Evolution and Innovation

I am proud to share that Virginia Wesleyan University is prominently profiled in the May 2018 issue of Virginia Business. The Richmond-based publication, which circulates 27,500 copies monthly, features the University’s recent achievements as well as our exciting campus programs. Special thanks to SGA President Nich Hipple '18, Associate Provost Maynard Schaus, and Professor Steven Emmanuel for taking part in the interviews for this article.

Virginia Business: Evolving Profile  http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/evolving-profile

Virginia Business also recognized VWU recently for its adoption of the new CICV 403(b) Multiple Employer Plan. Fourteen Virginia private colleges are collaborating on this employee retirement plan, which is believed to be the first higher-education plan of its kind in the nation. About 9,400 people are expected to be covered under the plan. Another article about this unique plan appeared recently in Inside Business.

Virginia Business: Virginia Private Colleges Adopt Innovative Retirement Planhttp://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/virginia-private-colleges-adopt-innovative-retirement-plan

Inside Business: Virginia Wesleyan Joins 13 Other Schools in Offering New Retirement Planhttps://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/workplace-issues-human-resources/article_a7bff13c-473e-11e8-9599-334188aa6c1b.html

Virginia Wesleyan University is increasingly recognized for its leadership here in Coastal Virginia and beyond. I hope you enjoy these features/articles and their focus on the creativity, innovation, and transformation occurring at VWU.

Senior Class Gift at 60% of Goal!

Visited Senior Central today in the Office of Student Affairs in the Jane P. Batten Student Center to hear an update on the Senior Class Gift from Jason Seward (right), Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, and Willie Harrell, Associate Director of the Batten Center. The Class of 2018 is currently at 60% with a little less than two weeks to go. If they hit 90%, Keith Moore (Vice President for Student Affairs), Jason Seward, and I go will go into the aquatic center pool in our dress suits! They have until May 15 to hit the 90% goal. Last year's class almost reached the 70% mark.

 

Time with Friends From Thomas Nelson Community College

Wonderful visit and tour of the Greer Environmental Sciences Center with friends from Thomas Nelson Community College. Pictured (from left) with Seyed Akhavi, TNCC Dean of Science Engineering and Technology, Pete Berquist, TNCC Associate Professor of Geology, Jennifer Martin, TNCC Professor of Biology, Lynsey Lemay, TNCC Instructor of Geology, and Maynard Schaus, VWU Associate Provost. Dr. Martin is the recipient of a 2018 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award along with VWU's own Steven Emmanuel.

Nota Bene: Summer Session at VWU

Summer and Winter Session programs create a thriving year-round campus and contribute to cohort graduation rates and retention.

Therefore, I invite each of our students, whether you need to pick up some classes or plan to complete your bachelor's degree early, to consider Summer Session at VWU. With flexible options online or on campus, you can hit the books in the morning and the beach (and maybe summer jobs) in the afternoon.

Summer Session courses are affordable—discounted 73 percent compared to fall and spring tuition—and students can earn up to 12 credits in course work, independent research or internship credit. To accommodate busy schedules, Summer Session will be offered in five terms:

Summer Session 1:
May 29 - June 26 (4 weeks)

Summer Session 2:
May 29 - August 17 (12 weeks)

Summer Session 3:
July 9 - August 17 (6 weeks)

Summer Session 4 (online):
May 21, 2018 - July 6 (7 weeks)
Summer Session 5 (online):
July 9 - August 24 (7 weeks)


Special thanks to Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Director of Winter and Summer Sessions and Associate Professor of Biology, for coordinating this outstanding offering that both complements and strengthens Virginia Wesleyan's academic program.

I encourage interested students to speak to their academic advisors if they wish to participate. For additional information, including a list of course offerings, visit www.vwu.edu/summersession or contact Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson at dgonsalvesjackson@vwu.edu.