Last month brought our Marlins opportunities for exploration and reflection as the University hosted a myriad of events centered around Black History Month and our annual Love in the Liberal Arts symposium. We were especially proud to host the inaugural event for the Africana Studies program this past month with VWU Visiting Scholar Dr. Ophera A. Davis. We remain grateful for all of the guest speakers and artists who joined us on campus and virtually to share their knowledge and experiences with our students.

In this same vein, the University introduced the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEIC) as a means of further enhancing the University’s institutional commitment to these areas. The DEIC is a move forward from, and will replace, a previous council that was started on campus many years ago. As a part of this announcement, we named Dr. Felipe Hugueno as our new Chief Diversity Officer and appointed five Deputy Diversity Officers from key institutional areas to lead VWU in offering programs designed to enhance the educational value of the campus community through purposeful dialogue and celebration of difference.

Our students continue to distinguish themselves in academics and beyond. Scholars from the Batten Honors College explored Ecuador during January Term. Sophomore Nathan Richardson scored in the top 14 percent on the world’s leading university-level math exam, the 82nd annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. Marlin student-athletes Jaylyn Lane, Landry Muffo and Geni Roberts earned top honors at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Track & Field Indoor Championships. Students involved in the Arts at VWU are preparing for a robust upcoming season of musical and theatrical performances.

There is certainly much to celebrate this semester and beyond as Virginia Wesleyan University continues to offer students a premier liberal arts education in our advantageous location where the classroom meets the coast.