Good morning,

I am pleased to share that Virginia Wesleyan College has been authorized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia with unanimous support from our Board of Trustees to become Virginia Wesleyan University, effective with the start of the 2017-18 academic year. The formal transition is already underway, and you will begin to see visible changes on campus and online following Commencement on May 20.

This adjustment in who we are has been a natural outgrowth of the inevitable changes in our stature and standing as a higher-education institution of quality, dignity, and destiny. We have arrived at this point after much careful thought and discussion, and following an extensive review and approval process. Many institutional achievements have led us to this pivotal moment in our history. In the past two years, we have:

• Completed a successful reaffirmation of accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools--without any recommendations.
• Moved to Level III status with SACS-COC, representing the addition of two new graduate programs and an online degree-completion program for adults.
• Had a perfect review by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church, affirming our affiliated status for 10 years.
• Organized our academic program into three schools--the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Birdsong School of Social Science.
• Initiated the Batten Honors College.
• Constructed the state-of-the art, second-to-none Greer Environmental Sciences Center.
• Reinforced strong relationships with the Chesapeake Bay Academy on our campus and negotiated a laboratory school to be housed on the campus--Tidewater Collegiate Academy.
• Built upon an already-strong relationship with the YMCA through the construction of the Frank Blocker Youth Center for use by Camp Red Feather and our laboratory school.
• Further strengthened our community service mission with the presence of Volunteer Hampton Roads on our campus.
• Strengthened our relationship with the United Methodist Church through the new, enhanced Robert F. Boyd Institute and the stellar programs offered by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom and Center for Sacred Music.
• Finalized our 10-year Campus Master Plan, which was accepted by the Board of Trustees at their winter meeting in February.
• Begun to move forward with the next phases of our comprehensive long-range planning, which will focus on academic, resource development, and co-curricular opportunities in support of our Vision 2020: Pathway to Prominence plan.

From the time of my arrival as your president, I have sought to maximize new opportunities for Virginia Wesleyan--to achieve the growth and prominence that we all can, and do, visualize.

I have met with leaders in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and throughout Hampton Roads representing government and public service, the not-for-profit community, media, business and industry, and, of course, education. I have sought their counsel and shared with them our aspirations. Without exception, these leaders have expressed their approval of our agenda, praise for our progress, and appreciation for our leadership and contributions to Coastal Virginia. Our initiatives are paying strong dividends already as we see increased potential for enrollment, fundraising, marketing and branding, and regional and national visibility for this institution.

We have always intended to be, and are beginning to realize, the full possibilities of being "Coastal Virginia's Premier University of the Liberal Arts and Sciences." Now it is time to move to the next steps in affirming our success, raising our profile, and maximizing our potential. 

 

# # #

 

In addition to this exciting transitional news, I'd like to share the following updates from the last month:

A little over a year ago, we broke ground for the Greer Environmental Sciences Center. We have watched and waited excitedly as the great beams were put into place, walls and roof work were completed, and systems were installed. On April 21, we honored the tradition of placing a time capsule within its walls, containing student reflections, an edition of the Marlin Chronicle, and other items that speak to who we are today as a campus community. The Greer Environmental Sciences Center honors former president Billy Greer's advocacy for the sciences and commitment to sustainability. It also marks the College's declaration to society and the larger academic community that Virginia Wesleyan is resolved to be a premier liberal arts institution in the field of environmental science. The Batten Honors College and the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences will be special beneficiaries of this beautiful building. Thank you to those who made the time capsule ceremony possible. View the photo gallery from this special event. 

 

I was pleased to announce in April the establishment of Opus, a summer work program for our students. Research indicates that students who work while attending college are more likely to graduate, feel better prepared for the workforce through development of leadership skills, and become more active and engaged citizens. At colleges like Virginia Wesleyan, a work program can provide not only a meaningful learning experience, but it can also reduce debt and make higher education more affordable. The Opus work program will serve approximately 20 students with financial need who would like to continue their studies at Virginia Wesleyan. Preference will be given to rising sophomores and juniors with a personal account balance owed of $2,000 to $3,000, and who also demonstrate, in addition to financial need, a commitment to academic studies and campus involvement.

 

Most of you are aware that I am a strong advocate for study-away and international experiences as part of a comprehensive liberal arts education. Throughout my career I have actively participated in building international educational partnerships including co-founding a large global consortium. Four years ago, while at my last institution, I was asked to be a part of a global initiative exploring opportunities for international partnerships. I've carried this important undertaking with me to Virginia Wesleyan, and I was proud to be among 24 private college leaders nationwide selected to travel to Guadalajara in March for The Higher Education Summit of the United States and Mexico. During our visit, my colleagues and I aimed to provide enhanced exchange opportunities for students and faculty members in both countries; provide students with increased access to internships in Mexico and the United States; and allow faculty members and students to collaborate in shared research projects and development programs. I was honored to take part in this summit, and I am grateful to the Council of Independent Colleges, the Mexican Federation of Private Higher Education Institutions, and Santander Universidades and Universia for bringing the United States and Mexico together to, indeed, reaffirm the spirit of collaboration in higher education.

 

I am proud to share that Dr. Eric Mazur, Gloria and David Furman Professor of Judaic Studies and Center for the Study of Religious Freedom Fellow, has been awarded the 2017 Maurice L. Mednick Memorial Fellowship by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges for his project, "Portugal & American Jewish History." Through his research, Dr. Mazur seeks to investigate the legacy of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who was instrumental in the 1940 rescue of 30,000 European refugees, including 10,000 Jews. The $2,250 grant will support his travel to various sites throughout Portugal, including Sousa Mendes' family home, as research for the preparation of a book-length manuscript. Dr. Mazur joins an impressive group of Virginia Wesleyan faculty members who have earned this designation throughout the years. I am honored to work among such talented individuals who are so strongly committed to excellence in both teaching and scholarship.

   

# # #

 

I spoke in my most recent State of the College address last August of our being at the crossroads of history. I said, "Virginia Wesleyan is indebted to those who have come before us...our founders and funders whose faith in our mission and steadfast support have brought us to this exciting crossroads in our history. Honoring their visionary leadership, we are still writing our story."

And so we are. Our great friend, benefactor, and Trustee Emeritus George Birdsong spoke with emotion at our first Founders Day of this former cornfield and its greatest "product"--"a very fine college." That cornfield now has yielded, as well, a thriving new university.

We will keep you informed of our strategy to make our transition to University status convenient and complete. While I know that some of you may have questions about these announcements, let me underscore that there is no question that we are institutional leaders of new confidence and new prominence. We all share in our success, and in the exciting work that lies ahead.

Thank you for sharing in this news from Wesleyan Drive. Let us celebrate how far we have come and, even more important, where we want and need to go.