With Dr. Linda Thomas-Glover, President of Eastern Shore Community College, and Dr. Edna V. Baehr-Kolovani, President of Tidewater Community College, at today's Access College Foundation luncheon in Norfolk.

Nota Bene: The Lighthouse - The Center for Exploration and Discovery

October 20, 2015

Yesterday, I attended the grand opening and formal announcement of the naming of our new Center for Experiential Learning on the first floor of Clarke Hall, just off the main lobby. As those of you in attendance at that event know, the new Center will be called “The Lighthouse: The Center for Exploration and Discovery.”

 

The Lighthouse will serve our students as a “one-stop shop” for gaining access to the experiences needed to pave the way for success in college and career. This Center houses three key programs on our campus: the Career Development and Internship Program (CDIP), Study Away Program (SAP), and Undergraduate Research Program (URP). All of these offices are now located under one roof, in a central location on campus. Here, programs are offered (Pathways to See Change) that helps students to plan for academic, personal, and professional success in a systematic way. In addition, experiential learning grants, an array of instructional workshops, and individualized support services for students are all offered. 

 

The Lighthouse programs support faculty, as well. Study away course development grants, special event funds, assistance with transportation to off-campus learning activities, and faculty development opportunities are all a part of this Center. The new location offers a coffeehouse atmosphere where members of the campus community can relax and engage in stimulating dialogue with others, while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.

 

The signature program of Virginia Wesleyan's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), See Change -- Sea Change, is supported by the services of this Center. The primary objective of our QEP is to improve student engagement and learning by expanding experiential learning opportunities. In addition, See Change -- Sea Change aims to increase the number of students who participate in internships, study away, and undergraduate research experiences. 

 

The importance of a Center like this on our campus is evident in the research. Educators widely acknowledge the links between experiential learning and student engagement. As Janet Eyler (2009) summarizes, “Experiential education can … lead to more powerful academic learning and help students achieve intellectual goals commonly associated with liberal education, including a deeper understanding of subject matter than is possible through classroom study alone; the capacity for critical thinking and application of knowledge in complex or ambiguous situations; [and] the ability to engage in lifelong learning …” Experiential learning nurtures the essential knowledge, skills, and values required of an engaged citizen. Our new Center will do just that.

 

Kudos to Dr. Sara A. Sewell, Executive Director of the newly named “Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery,” for her leadership on this important project.

Enjoyable dinner with Student Government Association Leaders. From left, Dr. Keith Moore, Acting Vice President for Student Affairs, Troy Abut '16, Anthony Wiggins '16, Sydney Dorsey '17 (seated left), Eric Foster '19, Annie, Jeanice Reed '16, Isis Percell '16, and Fatima Davis '16 (seated right).

At the grand opening and formal announcement of the naming of the new Center -- "The Lighthouse: The Center for Exploration and Discovery." Pictured with Dr. Timothy O'Rourke, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Khari Johnson, and Dr. Sara Sewell, Executive Director of the Center. Approximately 180 entries were submitted in the naming contest for the Center with Khari winning $250 cash prize for the new name.

Enjoyed visiting this morning with Kate Loring, former long time Vice President for Administration/Special Assistant to the President at Virginia Wesleyan. She retired in 2013.

Nota Bene: CIC/New York Times Partnership

October 19, 2015

Last week, I attended the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)/New York Times Partnership’s Presidents Council meeting at The New York Times offices in New York City. This is the twelfth time I have participated in this conference. It is the only meeting of college and university presidents hosted by the Times. Dr. Marcia Hawkins, president of Union College, chairs the Council and will be succeeded in 2016 by Dr. Gregory Woodward, president of Carthage College.

Led by Dr. Richard Ekman, CIC President, and Laura Wilcox, CIC Vice President for Communications, presidents from 30 CIC member colleges and universities met with National Education Director for The New York Times Kathleen O’Connell, Education Life Editor Jane Karr and National Correspondent Motoko Rich. They provided candid assessments of current trends and also issues they plan to cover in the months ahead.

In addition, Council members were provided with information about new The New York Times projects and resources available to campuses nationwide. Karr and O’Connell encouraged presidents to engage the additional resources available through the CIC/New York Times Partnership. The partnership provides CIC member institutions with several benefits, including discounted print and digital newspapers and advertising rates, site licenses, and opportunities to meet with Times staff and to bring reporters and editors to campus for speaking engagements. For a number of years, the Times provided workshops for student newspaper editors. The intent is to use The New York Times as a resource to foster students’ intellectual growth and curiosity, civic participation, and personal success.

My prior campuses have benefited extensively from this partnership and it is my hope that there will be opportunities for collaboration and additional resources for Virginia Wesleyan College through this affiliation. Please share your ideas for taking advantage of this partnership.

A wonderful turnout for today's Chesapeake Alumni and Friends Event. Special thanks to Steve Weddle '91 for hosting the event at his home. Contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations if your interested in hosting an event in your area.

Alumni Pam Gordon and Jesse Fanshaw celebrated birthdays with us at today's Chesapeake Alumni and Friends Event. Special thanks to Steve Weddle '91 for hosting the event at his home. Steve is the owner of Astro DJ.

Dr. Linda Ferguson, Professor of Business, Management and Economics, and I spent a few moments with business grads at today's Chesapeake Alumni and Friends Event. Thanks to former Marlins basketball standout Steve Weddle '91 for hosting the event at his home. Steve is the owner of Astro DJ.

Thanks to former Virginia Wesleyan College basketball standout Steve Weddle '91 for hosting this afternoon's Chesapeake Alumni and Friends Event at his home. Steve is the owner of Astro DJ. Joining us for the picture is his father, Walter.