It's hard to believe that I am nearing the end of my first semester as president of Virginia Wesleyan College. Though it's been just six months, Annie and I feel as if we've been a part of this special place for much longer, and we've never felt more at home.  

In just a few days, I will experience for myself one of Virginia Wesleyan's oldest and most magical traditions: the Holiday Tree Lighting. Held each year on the last day of fall semester classes, this tradition honors the life of fallen alumnus Lt. Slator Clay Blackiston III '76, for whom the holiday tree is named, and also serves as somewhat of an unofficial start to the holiday season at Virginia Wesleyan. I truly look forward to this event, which I've been told features a very engaging sing-a-long of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

The College will also ring in the season with "The Christmas Story in Lessons & Carols" (Dec. 3), part of the Center for Sacred Music's Monumental Moments series, and "A Wesleyan Christmas" (Dec. 4-5), part of the Virginia Wesleyan College Concert Series. I hope you will join us as we begin this most festive season at Virginia Wesleyan.

The holidays offer a meaningful time for us to reflect on the past and to express our heartfelt gratitude for all we have accomplished together at Virginia Wesleyan College. Here are some of our most recent highlights:

Peace Corps Director to Deliver 2016 Commencement Address
Director of the Peace Corps Carrie Hessler-Radelet will serve as Virginia Wesleyan College's 2016 Commencement Speaker on May 14, 2016 in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Special thanks to VWC's Peace Corp Prep Program Coordinator and Professor of History Dr. Clay Drees for his efforts in facilitating Ms. Hessler-Radelet as our speaker. Dr. Drees' own experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone (1977-1979) is featured on our website. Virginia Wesleyan is the only college or university in Coastal Virginia to offer its students the opportunity to study and achieve internationally recognized certification in an official Peace Corps Prep Program.

Well-deserved Recognition for Joan and Macon Brock
The CIVIC Leadership Institute presented Virginia Wesleyan College benefactors Joan and Macon Brock Jr. with the prestigious Darden Award for Individual Leadership. The award is presented each year to those whose contributions and service have made significant impacts in the Hampton Roads community. The Brocks' community contributions include extensive support for Virginia Wesleyan College. On our campus, Brock Village and the Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom are named for them to pay tribute to their contributions and much appreciated support. Joan and Macon have also served private higher education well as long-time board members of Virginia Wesleyan and Randolph-Macon, respectively. Their CIVIC honor is the most recent in a number of recognitions. The couple has been named the 2015 Outstanding Philanthropists by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and Joan recently served as the keynote speaker for the AFP National Philanthropy Day Luncheon hosted at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

Faculty/Staff Annual Fund Campaign Exceeds Goal
I am thrilled to report that we ended the Virginia Wesleyan Faculty/Staff Campaign on Oct. 30 with participation from 72% of our faculty and staff! This surpasses our goal of 70% and outpaces last year's participation rate of 67%. My deepest appreciation to the 208 members of our faculty and staff who demonstrated support for the College by making gifts and pledges totaling $51,951. Your support provides VWC students with high impact, independent learning opportunities, and it also serves as a fine example of your commitment to Virginia Wesleyan.

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Approaching the holiday season, we pause for two final reflections: first, to thank our faculty and staff for a year filled with growth and accomplishments, and second, to thank our alumni and friends who steadfastly support the College.

All of us rely upon friends and family for support, and at no time of year is this more apparent than the holidays. Virginia Wesleyan, too, has attained success because of the generosity and commitment of countless individuals who care about our mission, all through the year. That support sustains us in all that we do at the College. If you've already made a financial gift this year, we thank you. If not, I invite you to participate now by visiting www.vwc.edu/giveonline.

Annie and I are grateful to be members of the Virginia Wesleyan community. As we look to 2016, we are thankful to those who have come before us, and for the groundbreaking work they've completed in laying the foundation for this remarkable college.

Warmest season's greetings to every member of the Virginia Wesleyan family.

Cordially,