This time of year asks members of the VWU family everywhere to pause and reflect on what we are grateful for now and the many blessings ahead.

Words cannot express my gratitude for our healthy campus, our caring faculty and staff, and our engaging students. As a Vaccine Champion campus, our Marlins have had a much more normal semester, filled with in-person learning, events, and co-curricular activities. We hosted Marlins Day Open House in-person for prospective students and their families and were delighted by the return of live performances. Our student production of Nickelodeon's The SpongeBob Musical was a huge hit!

We are thankful for the Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees for their service to our institution. After wrapping up a busy October with its Fall Business Session, our Board members' support, engagement, and stewardship are evident in all they do, and we thank them.

We are hopeful for the bright futures of our students. We announced our first-ever VWU Global Campus Commencement Ceremony will be held on December 18. Board of Trustees member and Class of 2011 alumna Mavis McKenley will be our keynote speaker. All students who have fulfilled graduation requirements since May 2021 are eligible to participate in this special event.

Last but not least, we are grateful for friends like you. Friends that take an interest in our students, our campus happenings, and our future. Your friendship and support help to make Virginia Wesleyan Coastal Virginia's premier university of the liberal arts and sciences.