September 2019
A Time of Growth, Innovation, and Prosperity
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Each August, prior to the start of the academic year, I deliver a State of the University address to the campus community and beyond. Growth, innovation and prosperity were central to this year's address. We announced record enrollment and fundraising, groundbreaking on a new housing complex, and the establishment of a donor-funded program dedicated to the study of African-American history. A new eSports program was also announced. Thanks to all who attended or watched live. For those who couldn't join us, the address can be viewed on our VWU Broadcasting Network. Our gratitude to The Franklin Johnston Group, The Bonnewell Group at Morgan Stanley, TowneBank, Sentara, and Signature Family Wealth Advisors for sponsoring a wonderful event.
Last week we launched the new academic year. It's always a joy to see new and returning faces on campus. We welcomed 613 new students, 445 of whom are considered traditional undergraduate students, and 168 are enrolled in our University College (VWU Online, Evening and Weekend, non-degree seeking, Early Enrollment/Advanced Scholars). Starting off strong, fall sports opened their seasons on Friday and the campus is abuzz with activity.
At the Batten Honors College Matriculation Ceremony, we welcomed the third cohort of Batten Fellows and Shumadine Scholars to this distinguished and highly selective program at Virginia Wesleyan University. Hailing from across the country and internationally, these students have a collective GPA of 4.17 on a 4.0 scale, an average SAT score of 1357, and an average ACT score of 29.5. The total BHC enrollment will grow to 160 next year. Read more and view photos here.
Additional highlights from the past month include:
YMCA of South Hampton Roads Names New President and CEO
Anthony Walters has been named the next President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA South Hampton Roads. Anthony has served the YMCA for nearly 20 years, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer, and has an inspiring passion and ability to make a difference in our world. He serves on the Virginia Wesleyan President's Council and has been instrumental in the development of Camp Red Feather at VWU--a summer program that serves nearly 300 children per day.
We congratulate Anthony and thank him for his continued leadership on our campus and in the community.
Anthony will succeed William "Billy" George upon his retirement in December. Billy is a good friend of the University who served on our Board of Trustees. He is a true pillar of the community and we are grateful for his leadership. Read more here.
2020 Commencement Speaker
William "Will" Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and nationally renowned conservationist, accepted our invitation to deliver the 2020 Commencement Address. He has dedicated 43 years to CBF, leading the largest non-profit conservation organization dedicated solely to preserving, protecting, and restoring the Chesapeake Bay, one of the largest estuaries in the world. We are collaborating with the CBF through our national niche programs in environmental science and the Greer Environmental Sciences Center. Will's passion continues to inspire us, and we share his commitment to our environment. During the Commencement Ceremony on May 16, 2020, we will bestow upon him the Doctor of Science, honoris causa.
General Board of Higher Education Ministry
As president of the National Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC), I work closely with the General Board of Higher Education Ministry (GBHEM) of the Church. GBHEM has declared its support of Methodist-related schools as we continue our declaration of support for inclusivity and "face the headwinds of change." Read more in
this letter from Greg Bergquist, Acting General Secretary of GBHEM.
Ask Me Anything
Thanks to all who tuned in for our recent "Ask Me Anything" Facebook Live chat. I answered questions live from the Greer Environmental Sciences Center with host Jason Seward '05, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Part of the program also included a special environmentally themed guest panel. If you were unable to watch live,
the video can be viewed at any time on the Virginia Wesleyan Facebook page and
VWU Digital Broadcasting Network
.
Alumni Council Leadership
We welcomed our
Alumni Council officers for 2019-2020. Troy DeLawrence '93 (Quality Assurance Senior Specialist, CACI International) will continue his service and guidance to the Alumni Council as Chair. Rob Kohler '93 (Vice President, CraneTech Solutions, LLC) will transition to Vice Chair from his previous role as secretary of the Alumni Council. The Council elected Rob Gillikin '00 (Attorney, Rutter Mills, LLP) to serve as Secretary. He most recently served as Chair of the Alumni Resource Committee. My sincere thanks to these leaders for their stewardship of our alumni-engagement strategies.
USA Patriots
We were honored to serve as the host site for the annual USA Patriots Kids Camp at VWU's Broyles Field at TowneBank Park. Team members mentored 20 children who live with congenital limb loss or amputation from illness or injury, teaching them the fundamentals of playing ball sports. The USA Patriots (formerly known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team) paid all expenses for the 20 children and one guardian.
This inspiring story was featured in national and local news: "
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir"
(
video
), ABC News article,
and
The Virginian-Pilot. Learn more at
usawwast.org
.
Campus Improvement
Projects
Our Facilities Management team worked hard transitioning our beautiful campus from summer camps and conferences to the start of the fall semester.
In addition to their routine of keeping the campus beautiful, Facilities Management has had a hand in many recent improvements, including: p
ainting and remodeling the Education Department in Pruden Hall; a
dding new office space in Pruden Hall and adjacent to the Kellam Social Science Lab in Allen Village; r
efreshing the O'Rourke Foyer in Clarke Hall, c
ompleting upgrades to the four residence halls in Bray Village, f
inishing the landscaping and installation of security bollards on The Trails at Wesleyan Woods, m
odernizing the Athletics Suite and the adjacent Pearce Suite, and more.
Campus Disc Golf Course
Following the completion of these and other campus construction and beautification projects, the University's 9-hole disc golf course is back together and ready for golfers. Our par 3 course, totaling now over 2,000 yards, provides a challenge for beginners and experts alike. While much of the course may look familiar, several areas have been updated and redesigned. The course begins just behind Clarke Hall. A course map, score card, and more information can be found
here.
Memorial Garden and Flagpole at Birdsong Field
Through the generosity of several donors, a memorial garden and lighted flagpole will be constructed adjacent to the Paphites Pavilion at Birdsong Field. Site preparation is in progress with a full installation scheduled for this month.
Tidewater
Collegiate Academy Partnership Extended
Our partnership with
Tidewater Collegiate Academy
has been extended through 2023. TCA Founder Wendy Scott and her staff have been a welcome presence on our campus since the opening of the Blocker Youth Center in 2017. TCA has served as a laboratory school for our teacher education program, and Dr. Scott has been integrally involved in our Master of Arts in Education program.
New Cox Communications Contract
We have a new contract with Cox Communications to upgrade our telephone and Internet bandwidth.
Under the new agreement, telecommunication will transition to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), moving away from traditional circuit transmissions.
To accommodate the new VoIP system and our rapidly growing online presence, Internet bandwidth will be tripled. For students, this means improved Internet speed and a smoother streaming experience while viewing favorite content and gaming.
Opus Program
This summer marked the third year of the University's Opus work program. Opus students have worked side by side with full-time staff completing various projects throughout campus. In total, nine students completed 1,895 hours of service this summer. The program is part of VWU's strategy of keeping education affordable, providing meaningful experiential learning, and enabling qualifying students with financial need to graduate. Our continued thanks to Immediate Past Board Chair David Kaufman and to the Landmark Foundation for their support of this year-round program.
Jayla Harris '19
Nominated
for National NCAA Woman of the Year Award
Virginia Wesleyan basketball standout Jayla Harris, a 2019 VWU graduate, has been recognized as a conference honoree for the 2019 National NCAA Woman of the Year award. The award recognizes graduating female college athletes who have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers. Conference-level nominations will be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year Selection Committee, which will choose the top 10 honorees in each of the three NCAA divisions. The Top 30 honorees will be announced early this month. From there they will determine the top three finalists in each division, and the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced in October.
Hanna Hull '20 Presented with General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Award
It was a special evening at the
74th annual Norfolk Sports Club Jamboree
honoring one of our own, Hanna Hull of the Virginia Wesleyan softball team. At the dinner, Hanna was presented with the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Award denoting her as the Most Outstanding College Athlete who formerly attended a Virginia high school.
Only five women have won this award in its 75-year history, including Hanna and world soccer legend Mia Hamm. It was great to also visit with
VWU graduate Ajee Church '16
who was the pianist for the event.
VWU Volleyball Team Earns Academic Distinction
Congratulations to the Virginia Wesleyan volleyball team, led by Andrea Hoover-Erbig, on receiving the 2018-2019 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. This award honors teams who have matched their dedication to the sport with academic excellence.
Welcome Coach Wilks
Joshua Wilks was named Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach for the upcoming season. Coach Wilks is a decorated champion from his days attending NCAA Division II, Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania.
He continues to pursue his passion for running every day, and is looking forward to leading our athletes to greater heights this fall.
VWU Featured Among Princeton Review's Best Colleges for 2020
Virginia Wesleyan University has again been selected as one of the best universities in the nation! Only about 13 percent of America's four-year colleges are chosen for this annual guide. The Princeton Review praises VWU as being "the quintessential small liberal arts university." Read more here
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This week we will honor our history and heritage during Virginia Wesleyan's annual Founders Day celebration on Thursday, September 5. VWU Trustee and alumnus Eric Nyman '94, President and CEO of Hasbro North America, will serve as keynote speaker. Eric will also be honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, joining fellow 2019 Alumni Award recipients Candice E. Driskell '94 (Alumni Service Award), Wallace R. Driskell, Jr. '00 (Alumni Service Award), and Amari Agee '15 (Graduate of the Last Decade Award).
During the ceremony, the
Wesley Award will be presented to James "Jim" Cervera, Virginia Beach Chief of Police, who exemplifies admirable qualities of our founder, John Wesley, and demonstrates an inspiring commitment to the safety, security, and well-being of our citizens--not only in the aftermath of the Municipal Center tragedy, but notably in his longstanding service to the City and his leadership of a devoted, professional team of law-enforcement officers and personnel.
Special recognition of Robert "Bobby" Williams '75, one of our own whose life was tragically taken on May 31, will be held during the event.
Bobby dedicated 41 years of service to the City and to us, and will be
honored by the Alumni Council with a posthumous award for his leadership. Additionally, we will name in his memory one of the trails traversing our campus, a place where he loved to walk as a student.
I ask that you continue to keep Bobby's family and those of the other victims of the Virginia Beach tragedy in your thoughts.
Founders Day Convocation will be held in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. The signature event will be livestreamed on the
VWU Digital Broadcasting Network
.
Sincerely,
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