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Our community grieves this morning for the hate and inequity we are seeing across the nation. We mourn the tragic and senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the many others before them, and we join in the desperate plea for social change and equality in America.
We take these issues very seriously, and today I offer our campus community a recommitment to assessing our practices, reflecting on our mission and culture, and further educating ourselves on how we can be a part of the solution for much-needed change.
We want to be clear that the University stands with our Black students, alumni, and community members. We will be having much additional discussion and welcome you to share your thoughts and experiences.
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As the Commonwealth recently began "Phase One" of its effort to reopen, we too are beginning ours. Our Emergency Response Team continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, complying with all mandated regulations and guidance from local, state, and federal sources. Based on careful thought and evaluation, we are now beginning to reopen campus and will soon welcome back all employees who have been working remotely. We are also looking forward to having our students back on campus August 26 for an in-person fall semester, and University leadership is working diligently to implement appropriate social distancing and increased health measures. Read more about Virginia Wesleyan's ongoing response to the pandemic here.
Speaking of fall, VWU Applied Music Specialist George Stone shared with me recently a piano piece he composed called "Autumn Harmony." With it, he sent this note: "I was playing it the other day, and I thought to myself how appropriate it seems right now as we all look forward to some harmony this fall. I would like to share it with the Wesleyan community...I hope you enjoy listening and that we have some 'Autumn Harmony.'" Like George, I look forward to a harmonious start to our new academic year. We are grateful to him for sharing his talents and kindness with the campus community. Listen here.
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Summer Session at Virginia Wesleyan has begun and we have seen a significant increase in enrollment compared to last year at this time. Whether students are behind in coursework or planning to graduate early, enrolling in summer courses at VWU gives them the opportunity to accomplish their goals in a cost-effective way. Five terms throughout the summer are offered. View courses and learn more here.
Virginia Wesleyan University has announced a new partnership with Rouxbe--the leader in online culinary training--to provide two online, open enrollment culinary training programs designed to provide students with the technique and foundation to embark on a career in culinary arts. The partnership is part of the continuing education offerings through VWU Global Campus and joins the University's other non-credit course options. The two available programs--the Professional Cook Training Package and the Professional Plant-based Training Package--were designed by professional chefs and culinarians and use text, high definition video, assessments, and active chef instructors to optimize students' learning experience and outcomes. Read more here.
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I am pleased to report that, thanks to generous donations, the Malbon Center for Technology is pursuing cloud migration for the University's Ellucian Colleague system. This system houses critical information--including student data, financial data, and course and grade history--which will now be moved from our on-campus data center to a robust, cloud-hosted platform. Among the many advantages of this move are increased cyber security and protection, enhanced reporting and analytical functions that will drive strategic decision making, and improved user functionality and self-service options that will make the information more accessible to our faculty, staff, and students.
This project has been a major goal of Dr. Chris Davis, Chief Information Officer, since his arrival at VWU last spring. The timeline for completion is approximately 12 months and will be managed by Dave Litteral, Director of Enterprise Resources. We are excited to get started this month and to reap the rewards that will be realized once the project is complete.
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Highlights from the past month include:
Congratulations to the Class of 2020
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! On what would have been Commencement Saturday, we made it official and welcomed our graduates to the rank of alumni. A virtual Commencement celebration video was emailed to all students on May 16 at 11 a.m. (the original time of the actual ceremony) and posted to our University social media. It was a privilege to congratulate these graduates, share a special message, and confer their degrees. View the video here and the full list of graduates here. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates soon.
The Virginia Wesleyan University Class of 2020 will always be special to us and will be remembered fondly, serving as an inspiration for so many Marlins to come. They have made their mark on VWU history and in our hearts. We look forward to hosting a fitting tribute to these graduates on campus on December 6.
Commissioning Ceremony for ROTC
A virtual Commissioning Ceremony for the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program was also held May 16. Congratulations to the two Virginia Wesleyan University cadets who were commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army: Matthew R. Improta (Corps of Engineers) and Zachary A. Raymond (Infantry). Watch the ceremony here.
VWU Board of Trustees Meeting
The spring meeting of the Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees was held virtually on May 13. We thank Board Chair John Malbon for his strong leadership always, and we are particularly grateful for it during this unprecedented time. The Board approved the naming of two campus facilities in honor of longtime benefactors and friends. The recently renovated main entrance will be named "The Sue Benton Birdsong Entrance Gate at Virginia Wesleyan University" in memory of the late Sue Birdsong, wife of Trustee Emeritus George Birdsong, and the original Fine Arts Building will be renamed "Susan Beverly Hall" in honor of alumna Susan Beverly '72. We look forward to adding appropriate signage in the near future. We are grateful for our Board of Trustees and for their continued enthusiasm and commitment. They are a critical asset to the success of Virginia Wesleyan University, its students and alumni.
Original Fine Arts Building Charitable Naming
As I shared above, the original Fine Arts Building will be renamed "Susan Beverly Hall" in honor of alumna Susan Beverly '72--longtime benefactor and friend of Virginia Wesleyan. Additional charitable namings of facilities within the building include: The Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation Visual Arts Studios; The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Ensemble Rehearsal Room; Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Fund Fine Arts Entrance & Lobby; and the James A. Hixon Music Studios.
Environmental Guiding Principles of Virginia Wesleyan University
As a learning community located in the rich and unique ecosystems of Coastal Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, we are committed to promoting and developing the next generation of environmental stewards. The ongoing sustainability efforts of the University reflect a larger commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility through environmental stewardship and education. As an affirmation of this commitment and to ensure this remains a priority for the University under all leadership (current and future), our sustainability team has developed the Environmental Guiding Principles of Virginia Wesleyan University. The guidelines were approved by the Board of Trustees at their spring meeting.
VWU Alumni Council
At its spring meeting, the Virginia Wesleyan University Alumni Council elected new officers and several new members. The University extends its sincere gratitude to Troy DeLawrence '93 as his term ends as Council Chair. Troy has served on the Alumni Council for nine years and was a driving force in the reorganization and strengthening of the Council three years ago. Current Vice Chair Rob Kohler '93 will assume the role of Council Chair on July 1. Rob Gillikin '00 becomes Vice Chair, and Sydney Covey '15 has been appointed Secretary. The Alumni Council welcomes five new members: Jordan Bondurant '12, Kadija Corinaldi '15, Nicholas Hipple '18, Julie Kissel '82, and Andrew Petrey '15. I know these members of our Virginia Wesleyan family will continue to bring great value to our institution in this new capacity.
Welcome New Faculty
We are pleased to welcome three new faculty members to the Virginia Wesleyan University family. Joining us in August is Abdullah Al-Alaj as Assistant Professor of Computer Science, and Drs. Clair Berube '83 and Rebecca John, both with the rank of Assistant Professor of Education. Read more here.
Dean of VWU Global Campus
With the addition of the campus in Tokyo, VWU's University College has been renamed Virginia Wesleyan University Global Campus and will be led by longtime faculty member and academic administrator Dr. Paul L. Ewell as dean. VWU Global serves evening and weekend, online, early enrollment/advanced scholars, and non-credit learners. Learn more here. Dr. Ewell is widely respected in the business community of Coastal Virginia. He has served as dean of University College for the past year, and has served on the VWU faculty for many years, most recently as Professor and Department Chair of Management, Business and Economics. He is also the inaugural Director of the Master of Business Administration program, which launched in 2017.
"The Bobbies" Student Leadership Awards
This year "The Bobbies" Student Leadership Awards were hosted virtually. I was honored to present the annual President's Award to Taylor "Tip" Major and the Wesleyan Spirit Award to Dazjae Johnson. The President's Award recognizes one senior student who has demonstrated exceptional character, scholarship, service and leadership during his or her time at Virginia Wesleyan University. I've given this award continuously throughout my 30 years as a college president. The Wesleyan Spirit Award celebrates a student who lives by the tenets of the Wesleyan Creed and is a positive reflection of the University community. Congratulations to Tip, Dazjae, and each Marlin who was recognized for their impressive achievements and significant contributions to Virginia Wesleyan University. Watch "The Bobbies" here.
"The Bobs" Athletic Awards
"The Bobs" are Virginia Wesleyan University's student-athlete awards and were held virtually and shared incrementally this year. I had the honor of virtually presenting this year's Norfolk Sports Club Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award to Hanna Hull of Virginia Wesleyan Softball. In my 30 years as a college president, I have never seen a student-athlete as dominant in any sport, on any level, at any school. A full list of all award recipients can be found here. Congratulations to all!
Senior Art Exhibition
Virginia Wesley an University's 2020 senior capstone exhibition, "Artistic Vision," is now on display in a virtual gallery. The exhibit features the works of art majors Zachary Burkhardt, Collin Jones, Jessica Houlker, Miciah Brown, Michelle Clark, Tina Stafford, Darius Brown, Marissa Gross, Jennifer Evans, and Diana Jackson. This capstone project enables students to envision, plan and create art that reflects what is meaningful to them.
Batten Collaboration
Congratulations to VWU Batten Fellow Ebonie Johnson '20 who will pursue her graduate degree at UVA's Frank Batten School of Public Policy this fall. Not only has Ebonie been accepted into the prestigious Master of Public Policy program, she has also been offered a $15,000 annual scholarship. Ebonie graduated with the Class of 2020 as a Batten Fellow from the highly selective Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan University. She is the first student to benefit from our new and unique Batten partnership between UVA's Batten School and VWU's Batten Honors College. We look forward to the continued growth of this special collaboration.
IAMSCU Update I share with you a letter from our dear friend Dr. Amos Nascimento, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU). I thought you might find it interesting.
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In closing, let us take a moment to reflect on the unspeakable tragedy that occurred one year ago yesterday (May 31, 2019), claiming the lives of 12 of our fellow citizens. Among those lost was one of our own, Robert "Bobby" Williams, Class of 1975. We had the privilege of interacting with Bobby often as we secured approvals for campus construction projects, and we were grateful for his support in the growth of his alma mater. In recognition of his dedicated 41 years of service to Virginia Beach and to Virginia Wesleyan, we named in his memory one of the trails traversing our campus. Please continue to keep Bobby's family and those of the other victims in your thoughts. One year later, we remain Virginia Beach Strong and we remember the victims today, and always.
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