Good morning,

 

Spring is a busy time at Virginia Wesleyan, filled with many activities that mark both the culmination of another academic year and new beginnings for our soon-to-be graduates. Here's a look at some of the exciting events and developments happening on our campus:

 

Robert F. Boyd Institute : On March 28 and 29, Virginia Wesleyan hosted the Robert F. Boyd Institute. Recently renamed to honor one of the founding members of the College's Board of Trustees, the Institute pays tribute to Bob Boyd, now a Trustee Emeritus who is still very involved and committed to the College. This year's event was titled "The Future Identity and Mission of the Church," and the key presenter was Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker. Bishop Whitaker addressed the historic changes in the relation of the church to today's culture. He proposed an understanding of the identity and mission of the church that is rooted in Primitive Christianity and the Wesleyan heritage and its relevance to the emerging new role of the church in westernized societies. It was a great honor to host clergy from all parts of the state for this wonderful event.

 

The Birdsong Initiative : I recently attended a special reception at Westminster-Canterbury to celebrate the results of The Birdsong Initiative, a 24-week study examining whether the use of computer technology can increase socialization and improve mental health among residents of nursing homes and memory support programs. The study was made possible by Westminster-Canterbury Foundation Board Member Sue Birdsong and her husband, George, who are longtime supporters and friends of Virginia Wesleyan College. Researchers at Eastern Virginia Medical School led the study with support from students in VWC's Recreational Therapy program. Virginia Wesleyan students played a critical role in assessing residents, providing treatment intervention and collecting data for the study. Read more about the results at www.wcbay.com/birdsong.

 

EVMS Early Assurance Program: An agreement signed in March between Virginia Wesleyan and Eastern Virginia Medical School provides an enhanced opportunity for VWC students to earn graduate degrees in eight EVMS master's programs. The new EVMS Early Assurance Program gives admission preference to VWC students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in the fields of Physician Assistant, Surgical Assisting, Contemporary Human Anatomy, Laboratory Animal Science, Pathologist Assistant, Art Therapy, Biotechnology, and Public Health. The two institutions also offer a Joint Program in Medicine, established in 2003, which allows VWC students to apply for admission to Eastern Virginia Medical School during their sophomore year. Accepted students are guaranteed admission to EVMS upon completion of their bachelor's degree at VWC. The Early Assurance Program provides outstanding opportunities for our students to gain preferential consideration at a premier school of medicine and health professions, recognized nationally for preparing the next generation of health-care providers with a strong community-oriented focus.

 

Fridays with Faculty: At Virginia Wesleyan, our faculty is passionate about teaching. They are knowledgeable academic advisers, partners in undergraduate research, and dedicated mentors. But they are more than professors. They are inquisitive researchers, published authors, and highly sought after experts in their fields. I am pleased to announce the launch of "Fridays with Faculty," a new series developed by Hofheimer Library and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning in effort to showcase the scholarship of VWC faculty. In the inaugural talk, which took place March 11, Associate Professor of English Gavin Pate read from his fictional work-in-progress, Notes From The Coming War. A second talk is scheduled for April 8 (Hofheimer Library, 6 p.m.). Assistant Professor of History Kathleen Casey will discuss her recent book, The Prettiest Girl on Stage is a Man: Race and Gender Benders in American Vaudeville. Please join me as we celebrate the work of our remarkable faculty with this unique new series. 

 

YMCA Joint-Use Facility: With 300 acres of trees, trails and the beautiful Lake Taylor, Virginia Wesleyan College provides the perfect setting for partnership with the YMCA. I'm pleased to share the approval of plans for a new joint-use YMCA facility here on our campus. Scheduled for completion by May 2017, the 6,000-square-foot facility will be nestled in front of the arboretum near the start of the trail that leads to Lake Taylor. It will contain three classrooms that open into a large multi-purpose room, four offices, a reception area, kitchen, and an adjacent 240-seat outdoor amphitheater with stage (view the blueprint). The facility, funded by private donors, will be used during the academic year by the College and during the summer months for YMCA Camp Red Feather. It will complement the College's forthcoming Greer Environmental Sciences Center, with construction by Hourigan Construction. A groundbreaking will take place in fall 2016.

 

Symposium on International Education: Educators gather at Virginia Wesleyan on April 1 for the first Symposium on International Education. With a theme of "Think Globally, Teach Locally," the symposium will highlight challenges facing students and educators worldwide. Serving as the symposium's keynote speaker is Fred Mednick, founder of Teachers without Borders. Also presenting is Beverly Ann Chin, Ph.D., Chair of the English Department at the University of Montana. A screening of Girl Rising, a global campaign for girls' education, will take place as part of the symposium on Monday, April 4 with a discussion led by Mednick. The documentary It's a Girl: The Three Deadliest Words in the World, about "gendercide" in India and China, will be shown on Tuesday, April 5 with a discussion led by Chin. Both screenings are free and open to the public and begin at 6 p.m. in Blocker Auditorium. Special thanks to Batten Associate Professor of Education Hilve Firek for bringing this powerful event to our campus along with the Education Department, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning.

 

Works in Progress: On April 2, VWC will serve as the host site for Works in Progress, an interdisciplinary conference of feminist scholarship. The event will feature many of our own faculty and students as well as guests from Christopher Newport University, Hampton University, James Madison University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, and William & Mary. Presenters will share work in various stages of development--focused on women's and gender issues--in exchange for feedback and consultation from other interested scholars. The conference will begin with a keynote address by Dr. Elizabeth Losh, Associate Professor of English and American Studies at William & Mary. The day will then be divided into three sessions, made up of 11 panels and nearly 50 presenters. Thank you to Susan Larkin, Director of the Women's Resource Center and Associate Professor of English, for spearheading this collaborative event along with the Women's and Gender Studies Department, Women's Forum, and Women's Resource Center.

 

2016 Commencement Ceremonies : Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2016. I personally invite our graduates' family and loved ones to attend the Commencement activities planned for May. A Baccalaureate service will take place Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage United Methodist Church (815 Baker Rd., Virginia Beach) with guest speaker Rev. F.H. "Hank" Teague, Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church. A pre-service concert will be held by the SOAR Worship Team and Gospel Choir at 7:10 p.m. Virginia Wesleyan College's 47th Commencement Ceremony will take place Saturday, May 14 at 11 a.m. in the Convocation Center inside the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Doors to the Convocation Center open at 10 a.m. Director of the Peace Corps Carrie Hessler-Radelet will deliver the keynote address. The Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony will take place following Commencement at 1 p.m. at Boyd Dining Center Plaza (patio area in front of the John Wesley statue). In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in Monumental Chapel. For additional details about academic deadlines, tickets, and more, visit our 2016 Commencement Ceremonies webpage.

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Last but not least, we have a fiscal year to conclude at Virginia Wesleyan College. Winding up the year by June 30 coincides with our spring appeals to alumni and friends for their commitment to the College through The Excellence Fund. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your loyal support of Virginia Wesleyan College and to invite your continued support of this outstanding, national liberal arts college.

First, your financial commitment continues to mean so much to Virginia Wesleyan as we attract talented students, build resources for our faculty, and enhance the beauty and operations of our campus. Although every college or university has strengths and opportunities to draw from, there are always those key individuals who truly make the difference in the success of any institution. We count you among that important group, and we thank you.

Second, I hope you will continue to support Virginia Wesleyan at the highest possible level of your means and interest. The steadfast commitment of alumni and friends is absolutely essential to meeting existing goals and establishing new ones. Giving is important in setting the stage for future progress and growth of the College, as well as attracting additional support from other, external funding sources.

Generous giving by Virginia Wesleyanites has resulted in new gains for the College here on campus and throughout our wider network. Thanks to you, we are a much stronger institution.

 

Spring commemorative events and invitations to support The Excellence Fund are among the traditions that strengthen Virginia Wesleyan College. Thank you for your support this year, and always, of Coastal Virginia's premier private national liberal arts college.