The President's Letter: A Month of Milestones

A Month of Milestones

June 2021

Dear friends,

This last month has been full of milestones and great accomplishments by the VWU Marlins. First, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2021. We celebrated these graduates in person through five separate ceremonies held on Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 16. All five Commencement Ceremonies along with our Baccalaureate Service and the first-ever Batten Honors College Capstone Ceremony are archived on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network. A special thanks to our Commencement speaker, Dr. Timothy Carter of Boston-based environmental advocacy group Second Nature, for his inspiring address.

Last month was also momentous for Marlin athletics as two track and field athletes earned spots in the national meet, and Marlins softball continued their quest for a third national championship by winning the NCAA Atlantic Regional, which was hosted at home at Tom and Betty Broyles Field at TowneBank Park.

The NCAA Division III men's and women's outdoor track and field championships began last weekend at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, NC. Geni Roberts competed in both the long and triple jumps after winning both events at the 2021 ODAC Outdoor Championships. He placed 11th in the long jump and 6th in the triple jump, earning him All-American honors while becoming the highest placing male student-athlete in Marlin history. Jaylyn Lane headed into the meet as the seventh-seeded athlete in the nation in the women's triple jump and placed 13th. Congratulations to Geni and Jaylyn on their great performances all season long. I thank them for representing VWU so well at the national level.

VWU softball began competition for the national title over the weekend in Salem, Virginia. Led by three All-Americans (Jessica Goldyn, Hanna Hull, and Emily Seale) and Head Coach Brandon Elliott (who collected his 500th career win in May, too), the Marlins soundly won the quarterfinals and semifinals. For the title, the Marlins won Game 1 in a best of three series against Texas Lutheran yesterday. Game 2 and Game 3 (if needed) will be played today. Let's go, Marlins!

Congratulations to all of our students, especially to the resilient Class of 2021. We wish them the very best as they pursue meaningful personal and professional goals in their lives.

Sincerely,

Celebrating the Class of 2021

VWU celebrated with a virtual Baccalaureate Service and five socially-distanced ceremonies during COVID-19. Read More ❘ Photo Gallery ❘ Watch

Marlins Softball is Dancing

The Virginia Wesleyan softball team is competing for a third national title in Salem, Virginia, after winning the 2021 NCAA Regional Tournament in exciting fashion at home. Read More

VWU Track & Field at the National Championship Meet

The Virginia Wesleyan outdoor track and field Marlins sent two athletes to the National Championship meet in Greensboro, NC. Read More

BHC Capstone Ceremony

All Batten Honors College graduates were presented with a medallion to wear during the Commencement Ceremony.