A monthly
communiqué from
Dr. Scott D. Miller
President of the College
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Friends,
Spring is enrollment decision time for many high school seniors, when the best and brightest are making their final college selections. Increasingly, many are considering Virginia Wesleyan College because of its size, location, outstanding academic reputation and opportunity for meaningful, collaborative relationships with faculty and staff.
Under the direction of our new Vice President for Enrollment, David Waggoner, inquiries from prospective students are steadily mounting. This year, the College has received more than 200,000 contacts. From that pool, we should receive an annual "yield" of 15,000 inquiries, resulting in 2,200 to 2,500 applications for an incoming class of 400 freshmen. In addition, we will accept 100 transfer students.
Our incoming students cite the rich variety of more than 50 academic programs, the beauty of our campus, a vibrant learning and living environment, and a fantastic location. Others appreciate the spacious, natural and secure setting in proximity to off-campus opportunities. Students from outside the region value the convenience of campus to the Norfolk International Airport and Amtrak. Virginia Wesleyan's diverse student life program, with a large percentage of scholar-athletes choosing to participate in one of our 19 intercollegiate sports, is also a major draw. Some elect to join one of our five national fraternities or sororities.
To maintain our affordability and competitive advantages, Virginia Wesleyan must maximize all of its enrollment strategies. That includes the proactive involvement of faculty, alumni and friends in the admissions process. Word of mouth from current students as well as others within the Virginia Wesleyan community continues to be a good source of new Marlins who can flourish in the student-centered environment we offer.
Our alumni frequently ask, "How can I help?" Here are five easy ways:
- Bring a prospective student to an alumni event near you;
- If possible, bring him or her to campus for a visit;
- Serve as an active referral, and let our enrollment staff know of prospective students who need to be contacted;
- Speak at your local high school and/or civic organization about the advantages of being a Marlin;
- Talk about your own Virginia Wesleyan experience to families of high school students who are your friends and associates.
There is no stronger recommendation of VWC than that of a successful graduate of the College. Time after time, our alumni and current students say they chose Virginia Wesleyan because of the personal recommendation of a neighbor, teacher or family friend. No website or e-blast can trump the referral of a graduate who can speak from the heart about his or her alma mater. Thus, we continue to count on you who know us best to champion the real, lifetime benefits of a Virginia Wesleyan College education.
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Campus highlights from this past month include:
Tom Ferguson Memorial Award for Coach Macedo
Congratulations to Virginia Wesleyan College Men's Basketball Head Coach Dave Macedo, who recently received the prestigious Tom Ferguson Memorial Award from the Norfolk Sports Club. The award is presented annually to the Metropolitan Person of the Year in Sports. Coach Macedo led the 2014-15 Men's Basketball Team to the national semifinals, his third appearance in the Final Four as the head mentor of the Marlins. In his 16 years at Virginia Wesleyan, he has garnered an amazing 354-112 record.
AAC&U Annual Meeting
Winter Storm Jonas didn't prevent colleagues from private and public institutions nationwide from attending the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in January. I participated in the Presidents' Agenda Day while Dr. Sally Shedd, Associate Dean of the College, and Debbie Hicks, Associate Dean for Academic Support, attended the main sessions of the meeting. The meeting focused on higher education's most pressing educational challenges--those centered on the intersections of equity and quality. It also highlighted innovative ways to provide students with clear guided pathways (dual credit, advanced scholars, accelerated study, on line) and meaningful learning opportunities to prepare them to tackle complex global problems in the workplace and society.
NASCUMC Winter Meeting
I also attended in January the Winter Meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC). Service on this Board is an opportunity to reconnect with some old friends and with many higher education and church leaders who I worked closely with during my nearly 11 years as president of Wesley College. Our relationship with the Church is important. In the coming months you will hear more about re-affirmation of our affiliated status with the Church. In the meantime, I hope you'll take time to learn about our church relatedness and support these mission driven programs.
Private College Priorities in Washington D.C.
Throughout February, I had the opportunity to visit with our Virginia delegation in Washington, D.C. Based on recent developments on Capitol Hill, and issues expected to be discussed and debated going forward, there are many challenges ahead that will have an impact on private, nonprofit higher education that will need to be addressed in the very near future. Click here to view a concise summary of the top 16 federal higher education issues and where independent, private, non-profit colleges and universities stand as of February 2016. Thanks to my long-time colleague Dr. David L. Warren, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, for coordinating national advocacy for our sector.
VWC Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
February 13 was a banner day on campus as we celebrated six new inductees into the Virginia Wesleyan College Athletic Hall of Fame. A large crowd, including alumni, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of the inductees, packed the Pearce Hospitality Suite for the induction luncheon. We also had a strong turnout for the annual alumni basketball game, which long-time former coach Don Forsyth attended. Kudos to our 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame honorees: Kevin J. Flanagan '04--Baseball (1996-99), B.A., Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP); Lawrence D. Hultgren--NCAA Faculty Representative; Jacquelyn Griffin Koch '04--Field Hockey (2000-04), B.A., Communication; Anna Bowers Ratcliff '93--Softball (1990-93), B.A., Recreation and Leisure Studies; Samuel B. Snow '77--Men's Soccer (1973-77), B.A., English; and Laura E. Wallace '06--Women's Lacrosse (2002-06), B.A., Criminal Justice.
VWC/SU Pre-Admittance and Joint Degree Options
Virginia Wesleyan has established an articulation agreement that will offer pre-admittance and joint degree options for VWC students at Shenandoah University's Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy (BJD). BJD will give Priority Status to a maximum of five Virginia Wesleyan students per year. A Dual Enrollment Bachelor's Degree Option will also be offered through the agreement. Students who have completed designated coursework at Virginia Wesleyan will be awarded a bachelor's degree from VWC upon their successful completion of the first year PharmD curriculum at BJD.
Campus Master Planning Begins
Recently I shared that Virginia Wesleyan received a $350,000 grant to assist with our Master Planning needs. In order to shape the vision of the College moving forward, there is a need for a comprehensive 10-year Campus Master Plan. The Campus Master Plan team held its kick-off meeting with Derck & Edson Associates on February 24. The group discussed the planning process and timeline for the facilities condition assessment, space utilization study, parking study, and facilities Master Plan. This plan will be organized around the College's strategic plan, VWC 2020: Pathway to Prominence, and I am confident that it will capture many of the aspirations of our students, faculty, staff, and trustees.
VWC to Host 2017 VFIC Ethics Bowl
I'm pleased to share that Virginia Wesleyan will host the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) Ethics Bowl in 2017. The Ethics Bowl was established by the VFIC as a means of engaging students with complex ethical dilemmas based on studies of real-world cases. Students, faculty members, and distinguished professionals judge and moderate the event, placing priority on personal ethics in the workplace and the classroom. Virginia Wesleyan won the first-ever Ethics Bowl, held in 2000 at the University of Richmond. The College hosted the event in 2005 and 2011, and VWC's Ethics Bowl Team placed as runner up in 2014. I look forward to bringing this event back to VWC in 2017.
Board of Trustees Winter Meeting
The Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees held its winter meeting on February 17. Highlights included: Election of new officers (effective July 1) David Kaufman (Chair), Jon Pruden (Vice Chair), William Thumel Jr. (Secretary), Ann Shumadine (Treasurer), and Henry Watts (Parliamentarian); Election of John Trinder as Trustee Emeritus; Conferral of tenure and advancements for several faculty members; Approval of a $60 million capital campaign with a completion date of December 31, 2020; Approval of tuition and fees for 2016-17; Approved updates to the By-Laws of the College; And various progress and committee reports. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for May.
Welcome VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads
I am delighted to announce that the offices for VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads now have a home on our campus in Village II. The organization's presence at VWC will bring numerous benefits to the College. We will have additional resources for community engagement, greater connections to skills-based volunteer opportunities for students, an additional channel for internships, direct access to training in non-profit and volunteer management, and mentorship from high-level business and civic leaders. The organization's arrival will be formalized with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 11 at 11 a.m.
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I end this month's message with a warning against complacency. Despite our sound enrollment strategy, good momentum, institutional accomplishments, and many accolades for academic quality, value, outcomes and affordability, we can take nothing for granted. Competition for students is becoming ever more intense as family demographics change and financial support from federal and state governments continues to erode. Many college choices come down to financial assistance.
Nevertheless, I am convinced that Virginia Wesleyan can thrive despite these challenges because of the strong leadership of our trustees, faculty and alumni as well as our success in adapting the mission of our founders to the contemporary needs of a changing global society.
My deepest gratitude for your continued commitment.
Sincerely, |
Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
President
Virginia Wesleyan College
1584 Wesleyan Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: 757.455.3215
Fax: 757.455.3139
Email: sdmiller@vwc.edu
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