September 9, 2024
Good morning, |
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We had a packed house as we celebrated Founders Day Convocation in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center last week. Founders Day Convocation is an important Virginia Wesleyan tradition that gives students, faculty, staff, and special guests an opportunity to honor the University's history as we begin an exciting new academic year.
Thank you to Jennifer V. Rouse, Virginia Beach City Councilmember and member of the Virginia Wesleyan Class of 2008, for providing the keynote address. She shared how Virginia Wesleyan served as a launching pad for self-discovery, which ultimately led her to find her path to personal and professional success. She challenged students to take chances through coursework, extracurricular activities, and more.
Congratulations once again to our 2024 Alumni Awards recipients: Jennifer Rouse ‘08 (The Beacon Award), David Green ‘98 (Distinguished Alumnus Award), John-Henry Doucette ‘01 (Alumni Service Award), and Kameron Clarke ‘21 (Graduate of the Last Decade “GOLD” Award). We also recognized Delceno Miles with The Wesley Award for her outstanding service to the Coastal Virginia community. All awardees are exemplary role models for our current and future Marlins.
Read more and view the photo gallery. |
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Later on Founders Day, we held our Batten Honors College Convocation in the Goode Center. We were delighted to have Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D., President of Hollins University, as our keynote speaker for this significant event.
Virginia Wesleyan's unique relationship with Hollins University is based on our mutual benefactor and visionary philanthropist Jane Batten. This partnership underscores our shared values and commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and community impact. We were honored to continue this tradition of excellence and to welcome Dr. Hinton, whose leadership and vision resonate deeply with the mission of both institutions.
Since the founding of the distinctive Batten Honors College in the fall of 2017, a distinguished recognition ceremony has been held for its newest scholars at the beginning of each academic year. The Batten Honors College Convocation and pin presentation represents their completion of orientation and formal induction into the elite Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan University.
Read more and view the photo gallery. |
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Virginia Wesleyan is proud to have two members of the 2024 Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame induction class connected to the university.
First of all, our heartfelt congratulations to Brandon Elliott, VWU Head Softball Coach and member of the Class of 2003, on his induction. Brandon has built a nationally recognized softball powerhouse at Virginia Wesleyan. Under his leadership, the Marlins have made 12 NCAA Division III tournament appearances, winning national championships in 2017, 2018, and 2021. In his 16 years at Wesleyan, Elliott has amassed a record of 582-142-1 and coached 19 All-Americans. Before coaching, he played baseball for four years at Virginia Wesleyan, helping the Marlins secure two conference titles.
Additionally, the late Darryl Cummings, a Norfolk native, had a highly impactful tennis coaching career at Virginia Wesleyan, Norfolk State, and Old Dominion.
Congratulations! |
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Speaking of athletic legends, join us as we honor the 2024 inductees of the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m. in the Joan P. Brock Room of Brock Commons during Homecoming and Family Weekend. We will celebrate athletic greats Josh Currier '16 (men’s lacrosse), Kristina Karagiorgis '15 (softball), Scott Morgenroth '96 (men’s soccer), Daryl "DJ" Woodmore '14 (men’s basketball) and the 2007 NCAA Division III National Runner-Up Men's Basketball Team. We will also honor benefactor Bob Aston, Founder and Chairman of TowneBank, for his decades of support to the University’s intercollegiate athletics program.
Register to attend our induction ceremony by Friday, September 20. |
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AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS |
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VWU Welcomes Back Michelle De Rosa in Counseling and Student Health Michelle De Rosa will assume the role of Director of Counseling and Student Health. She previously served VWU as a Mental Health Intern during the 2018-2019 academic year. Most recently, Michelle owned and operated Pathway Psychotherapy where she worked with a variety of clients, particularly young adults, to increase their sense of identity, overall mental health functioning, and self-determination. Michele received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University, and her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University.
April Christman ‘14, former director, has joined the faculty in our Social Work program. We offer our congratulations to her as we welcome Michelle to campus. |
VWU Hosts 50 States Initiative on September 26 As part of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s 50 States Initiative, Virginia Wesleyan University is hosting a free workshop on Thursday, September 26, aimed at helping female- and minority-owned small business owners and entrepreneurs. Co-sponsored by Truist and the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, nearly 100 participants will learn how to access vital resources, information, and opportunities that can help their businesses thrive. Sessions will be led by VWU faculty and staff, along with industry experts.
Our thanks to WAVY-10 for helping us spread the word about this free workshop for small business owners. |
Fall Semester Kickoff Annie and I thank the faculty and staff members who joined us at DeFord Manor for the annual Fall Kickoff on Friday. We enjoyed spending time with you and starting the academic year off on the right foot. Our special thanks to Sodexo for helping us host a wonderful party, full of delicious food and refreshments and great entertainment. |
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Constitutional Cuisine: Amendments and Appetizers September 17 is designated as Constitution & Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Each September, educational institutions throughout the U.S. hold programs that draw attention to our commitment to the rights and obligations of citizens.
Join the Robert Nusbaum Center in Clarke Hall on that date for a quirky take on American history and an opportunity to learn more about the Constitution in ways that your mouth won’t forget. Come by between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to enjoy stew, nachos, and snacks and gain deeper insights into – and think differently about – four of the amendments. |
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Change of Command in Navy ROTC Fair winds and following seas to Captain Brian Becker as he retires after a distinguished naval career. He has been the Commanding Officer for Hampton Roads Naval ROTC and welcomed Virginia Wesleyan University into the consortium of Navy ROTC programs in the region earlier this year. As we said farewell to Captain Becker at a change of command ceremony last week, we welcomed the new CO, Captain Matt Frauenzimmer. The entire Hampton Roads battalion, which is the largest Navy ROTC battalion in the U.S., was on campus last week for a physical readiness test at Rogers Track & Field. |
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Breakfast with International Students We had a wonderful breakfast for international students at DeFord Manor at the beginning of the semester. It’s so great to have so many new Marlins with us. DeFord Manor chocolate (pictured top right) is a special tribute to Bob DeFord, a namesake of the president’s residence.
VWU is among Best Colleges for 2025 I am pleased to share that the Princeton Review has once again named Virginia Wesleyan among its Best Colleges for 2025. Learn more. |
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New Year, New Look at Tidewater Collegiate Academy I received a lovely note last week from Dr. Wendy Scott, Founder and Director at Tidewater Collegiate Academy, saying that the new school year is off to a great start. She says that the parents and students are so impressed with the new classroom annex, and that they love the rain garden and how open, spacious, and clean everything is in the buildings. Special thanks to our facilities management team and especially the Blocker Foundation for providing the funding for the new classrooms. |
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Virginia MOCA’s 2024 Made In VA Exhibit is the Biggest Yet The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art’s Made in VA Biennial has grown from a members-only exhibit to a sought after juried event welcoming artists from around the state. This year’s exhibit features 61 Virginia artists, the biggest in the museum’s history. We’re proud to have Virginia MOCA as a Partner in Progress. Read more. |
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Western New England Joins NACU Please join me in welcoming Western New England University (WNE) to the New American Colleges and Universities Consortium. WNE joins Virginia Wesleyan and 25 other forward-thinking institutions of higher learning that collaborate in the delivery of innovative ideas and to champion the belief that a comprehensive liberal, professional, and civic education is essential to the future of our world. |
President to President: Unexpected Wins through Collaboration The first chapter of the 2024–2025 President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “The Power of Yes: The Surprising Benefits of Collaboration,” Adrian College President Jeffrey R. Docking, Ph.D., investigates the vital role collaboration plays in the future of higher education. He explores how innovative partnerships can unleash surprising creativity, grow a culture of innovation, and augment the academic experience, ultimately energizing students and faculty and making new achievements possible.
This year's President to President series, titled “Game Changers in Higher Education,” features fresh insights and time-tested strategies for supporting positive student outcomes and ensuring a college’s long-term resilience. A new chapter of this 10-part series, authored by a diverse range of college and university presidents, will be published online each month. We hope you will find value in the unique perspectives offered by these prescient higher education leaders, and we look forward to examining the variety of game changers driving the evolution of modern higher education as the series continues.
In the News: Milestones for Virginia Beach Venues As Virginia Beach’s new Atlantic Park celebrates a wave lagoon milestone, a significant step forward in the venue’s targeted May opening, the fate of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, a family favorite and tourist destination, remains uncertain. |
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS A Virginia Wesleyan University Community |
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Mark your calendars for Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct 4-6!
Sincerely, |
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