Main Entrance

Construction started today on the new Virginia Wesleyan University brick sign at the main entrance on Wesleyan Drive.

Coastal 61 Construction Continues

Construction continues on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village, the eight building, 244 unit apartment complex being constructed on the north side of campus. The project is a P3 relationship between Virginia Wesleyan University and The Franklin Johnston Group. To learn more visit coastal61.com.

Nota Bene: Passing of Sue Birdsong

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I share the passing of Sue Birdsong, a longtime Virginia Wesleyan supporter who passed away in the early morning of March 25. Sue, George, and the Birdsong family have been dear friends to the University since its founding. Both only 26 years old at the time, George and Sue trace their connection back to the July 1965 groundbreaking for Bray Village (Village I). They were in attendance along with Sue's father, Major T. Benton, then Mayor of Suffolk, and George's Uncle, Harvard R. Birdsong, a charter member of Virginia Wesleyan's Board of Trustees. Ever since, through their dedicated service and unwavering support, the Birdsongs have enriched campus life in so many ways.  

Sue Birdsong attended Longwood College and earned her degree from Pan-American Business School in Richmond. She worked for Mills Godwin in his law office and while he served as Lt. Governor and Speaker Pro-Tem of the Senate for the State of Virginia. She also served for 10 years on the Board of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. 

Mrs. Birdsong served on the Westminster-Canterbury Foundation Board and, with George, made possible the Birdsong Initiative, a study examining the positive impact of bedside computers among dementia patients. The award-winning study was conducted in 2015 by researchers at Eastern Virginia Medical School with support from students in Virginia Wesleyan's Recreational Therapy program. The Birdsong Initiative later received the Excellence in Research and Education Award from LeadingAge, a Washington, D.C.-based association representing non-profit aging services organizations throughout the U.S. 

Most of you know the Birdsongs through the numerous landmarks and programs on campus that pay tribute to and were made possible by their family. These include Birdsong Hall, an original building in Bray Village, which was dedicated to the Birdsong Family in 1968. Birdsong Peanuts and the Birdsongs have made a number of significant gifts throughout the University's history. The Birdsong Community Services Endowment Fund was established in 1995 to provide support for Virginia Wesleyan's acclaimed community services program. They also established the Birdsong Corporation/George and Sue Birdsong Endowed Scholarship that provides assistance to deserving students. Their generous commitment to Birdsong Field, VWU's multi-purpose outdoor synthetic turf athletic field, enabled the University to dedicate this greatly needed facility in honor of the family in 2015. 

The strength of Virginia Wesleyan today can be traced in significant ways to the Birdsongs, and the University has benefited tremendously from their genuine interest in student success. To honor their continued guidance and support, in 2016 the University announced the formation of the Birdsong School of Social Science. And just this past February, Sue and George and the Birdsong families were inducted into the Virginia Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame for their contributions to our Marlins intercollegiate athletics program. A portrait of Sue and George hangs in Founders Foyer, among the University's greatest benefactors, and will forever cement the importance of the family in Virginia Wesleyan history. 

We are deeply saddened by Sue's passing and will miss her dearly. We are grateful for her numerous contributions to our community and to our institution, which she served so faithfully, and we extend our sincerest sympathy to her husband, George, their three children, and eight grandchildren. We will keep you advised as additional details are known.

Watch Now: Coronavirus Update

Wednesday night members of Virginia Wesleyan's Emergency Response Team and I hosted a live town hall with information and updates regarding the University's response to COVID-19. In case you missed it, the video is now archived on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network and is available for streaming here: https://boxcast.tv/view/town-hall-coronavirus-update-from-virginia-wesleyan-university-798787

VWU Alumni News

"While we were disappointed to have to cancel much of our Spring Alumni Weekend (and postpone the rest), we are excited to present these alumni engagement opportunities to you. We hope Virginia Wesleyan can be a light for you in these uncertain times and help you remember that every day is a great day to be a Marlin." Read more from our VWU Alumni Office here: https://conta.cc/2UkuZtT

Watch Live: VWU Virtual Town Hall Meeting

Be sure to tune in this evening at 7 p.m. (March 25) to a COVID-19 town hall meeting with me and members of the University's Emergency Response Team. This virtual meeting will be informational in nature and is meant to offer clarity on this evolving situation and next steps for the Virginia Wesleyan community. Additional panelists include Vice President for Academic Affairs Maynard Schaus and Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Moore, with moderation by Jason Seward '05, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. 

Watch live here: https://bit.ly/3bqznxj

Marlins SportSplash: ODAC Cancels 2020 Spring Seasons and Championships

Catch the latest from Virginia Wesleyan Athletics in this week's edition of Marlins SportSplash: https://conta.cc/2xoA4bC

Letter of Commendation from Governor Northam

VWU's Director of Civic Leadership and Service Learning Brian Kurisky holds a letter of commendation from Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam. Gov. Northam sent congratulations to VWU for being one of five colleges and universities in Virginia, and one of 119 in the nation, to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for the 2020 cycle.

Nota Bene: Weekly Update

I pray this email finds our Marlin family well and in good spirits. Thank you to so many of you who shared expressions of support following my recent letter to the Virginia Wesleyan University community. The compassion shown for one another over these past few weeks has been a bright light during this dark time.  We have had to make a number of  changes that involve milestones being modified, postponed, or in some cases canceled. The postponing of Virginia Wesleyan's May Commencement Exercises was truly heartbreaking. Our seniors have worked incredibly hard over the last several years, many overcoming a variety of obstacles to reach this monumental moment.  Last Thursday our Emergency Response Team consulted with leadership from the senior class to explore alternative options. It was important for us that the Class of 2020 have a voice in this matter. I am delighted to share that a mutual decision was reached to hold our Commencement Ceremony on campus Sunday, December 6. We are pleased that Will Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, will remain our 2020 Commencement Speaker. I look forward to welcoming these soon-to-be graduates back to campus as alumni. Please save the date and make plans to join us for this momentous occasion. # # # On Wednesday, March 25, at 7 p.m., I'll be hosting a town hall with members of our Emergency Response Team. This virtual meeting will be informational in nature, offering clarity on this evolving situation and next steps for the Virginia Wesleyan community. Watch our website, your email inboxes, and our social media sites for webcast information. In the meantime, visit the VWU COVID-19 resource page at vwu.edu/coronavirus for the latest information. As the University shifts to remote instruction today, I wish our students and faculty the best. Your ability and willingness to adapt is admired. Thank you all for the extra effort, patience, and understanding you have extended to make a difficult situation a little easier for everyone.  ET CETERA The Wesleyan Review The latest editon of the Wesleyan Review is now available and contains helpful information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on VWU. Access it here. Church Leaders Postpone 2020 General Conference The Executive Committee of the Commission on the General Conference of the United Methodist Church announced last week the decision to postpone the May 2020 General Conference--the denomination's legislative assembly--amid the coronavirus crisis. Read more here. Dr. Mark Hanshaw, Associate General Secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), also sends along an update, "UMC Higher Ed Response to Coronavirus." Read it here. Gratitude for Chaplain Greg West After 10 years of dedicated service to the University, the United Methodist Church will be reassigning Greg West as part of their pastoral appointment process. As you are aware, this is a pivotal time in the United Methodist Church with deep divides among subgroups of the Church. Greg has been instrumental in establishing opportunities for community members to explore their faith through structured group dialogue, ecumenical Sunday worship, and as the organizer of several mission trips during his tenure. We wish Greg and his family all the best, and we thank him for his many contributions to the institution and in the community. With wisdom provided by the Bishop and leaders in the Church, the University has already begun the process of actively seeking our next leader for the campus ministry. Through Greg's good work, this position will be attractive for the right candidate. Please join me in thanking Greg for his immeasurable contributions. We wish him all the best. ODAC's Decision to Cancel Spring Competition and Championships The Old Dominion Athletics Conference (ODAC) announced Friday their decision to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 conference athletic campaign. The cancellation includes all regular season league play as well as ODAC postseason and championship competition. Read more here. Batten Bulletin The spring issue of the Batten Bulletin--the newsletter of VWU's highly selective Batten Honors College--is now available. View it here.  Condolences to Stephen Leist It is with sorrow that I share the passing of George "Gus" Leist, father of VWU Research Librarian Stephen Leist. Mr. Leist passed away on March 14 in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 97. Please join me in keeping Stephen and his family in your thoughts during this painful time. Mr. Leist's obituary can be viewed here. AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS   Campus is quiet right now, but as we enter this season of spring, it is looking beautiful as ever. Our University community is truly missed and I look forward to the day we are back together on campus again. For now, I will share with you  below updates on several campus construction projects: Coastal 61 at Oxford Village -- Construction continues on the eight building, 244-unit Coastal 61 at Oxford Village mixed use housing complex on the north side of campus along Wesleyan Drive. View recent photos here. The public-private partnership with The Franklin Johnston Group of Virginia Beach is scheduled for completion this fall/winter. University Store -- Renovation of the former Bookstore into the Scribner University Store has been completed. In addition to apparel, the store is now the home to Duplication and Postal Services. Adjacent to the Scribner University Store is Coastal Market, a quick-stop store with a variety of food, beverages, and convenient items. Convocation Hall -- In the coming months, a new playing surface will be installed and demolition of existing seating and installation of new seating will occur in the Convocation Hall of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. View renderings here. Thanks to TowneBank for their grant that is making this project possible.  Entrance Archway at Rogers Track and Field Center -- Construction and landscaping have been completed at the Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center. View a photo of the entrance archway here. Thanks to Trustee Emeritus Bill Shelhorse '70 for his support on this project named in memory of his sister.   New signage at entrance -- Construction will begin this week on the new sign at the main entrance to the University. View the rendering here. The Trails at Wesleyan Woods -- Clearing and grading was completed recently on the newest trail in Wesleyan Woods. Located off of Norfolk Lane (the road that runs to Facilities Management), the trail loop goes back to the western border of the campus (at Interstate 64) and follows the Norfolk side of Lake Taylor before re-emerging near the Norfolk Avenue connection. Also, in case you missed it, new signage arrived recently for the scenic walking, running and biking trails on our beautiful, park-like 300-acre Virginia Wesleyan University campus. Fine Arts Building -- Fundraising continues and our goal is in sight for a May challenge grant deadline for the upgrades to the original Fine Arts Building. We have initiated conversations with several contractors and should be ready to proceed sometime this summer.  DeFord Manor -- Private funds have been raised and plans have been finalized. Construction is expected to begin this fall. STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES Features News Briefs VWU Athletics The Arts at VWU Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine The Pharos REFLECTIONS I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications: The Virginian-Pilot University Business Daily Press Enrollment Manager College Planning & Management President to President PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS I invite you to stay updated on these activities here. CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @vawesleyanprez Facebook: @ScottDMillerprez Instagram: @prezscottmiller LinkedIn: Scott D. Miller, Ph.D. Flickr: Scott D. Miller Dialogue: prezscottmiller.blogspot.com (Be sure to subscribe to Dialogue for daily updates via email)  # # # Be well!

The Wesleyan Review: March 20, 2020

The latest editon of the Wesleyan Review is now available and contains helpful information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on VWU. View it here: https://conta.cc/2U9OoxI