April 2019
A Very Goode Evening
Saturday evening, 15  months after we broke ground on a chilly day in December 2017, we dedicated and celebrated the official opening of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. It was a night to remember indeed. This transformational event was the first big step in the creation of a long-awaited arts complex for Virginia Wesleyan. And what a magnificent beginning it was! 

The foundation for the Goode Center was constructed with the generosity, commitment, and care of seven exemplary friends and patrons of this University. We cannot thank the following supporters enough for bringing our vision to life:  Susan--the building's namesake--and David Goode, Joan and Macon Brock, Eleanor and Henry Watts, and Susan Torma Beverly.  It was wonderful to celebrate the grand opening with them and to dedicate our new home for the arts to their generosity on Saturday.   We only wish Macon Brock could have been there with us, but we know he was there in spirit. Macon's last public appearance was at the groundbreaking, just days before he passed away. 

The building--Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center--and its accompanying facilities--the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre, The Eleanor and Henry Watts Grand Gallery and Lobby, and the Susan Beverly Grand Terrace and Pond--are aptly named for these individuals.  For each of our lead donors, and with gratitude for all that they mean to Virginia Wesleyan University, we presented them with framed photographs corresponding to their named spaces in the building. 

We enjoyed an inaugural performance in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre which featured a special tribute by the Virginia Symphony. Along with the Symphony, the performances included VWU students and alumni, conducted by Dr. Bryson Mortensen. We were honored to present to Susan Goode a bound version of the score, a specially commissioned piece for this occasion. Included in the presentation was the only example of the original sheet music signed by the composer of this unique score. From the bottom of our hearts, we give thanks. Read more about the evening and view photos here.

# # # 

People have asked me "what's next?"  As I shared on Saturday night, our plan for the Goode Center was not to build the biggest building for the arts in this area but, rather, to create the most comprehensive facility of its kind on this campus to educate future generations of accomplished leaders in the fine and performing arts. This vision includes a plan to renovate the original arts building, the creation of an arts residence hall next door, and the possibility of an additional wing. 

I'm pleased to share that several donors have committed lead gifts for the renovation of the older fine arts building.   As we progress in this process, I'll be sure to share updates.  Next up is the groundbreaking on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village which will begin next month!  We will continue the restoration of Bray Village, the original hub of campus, and I would expect in the next year or so improvements to the Boyd Dining Center. Please stay tuned as Virginia Wesleyan's story continues to be written.

# # #

Additional Highlights from the past month include: 

Welcome Sharon Laderberg as Assistant Vice President for Advancement
We welcomed Sharon Laderberg to the Marlin family last week as Assistant Vice President for Advancement. Sharon is a veteran marketing and fundraising professional. Most recently, she worked with the Susan G. Komen Tidewater breast-cancer organization where she served as Executive Director. Her previous experience includes the Jewish Community Center of Tidewater, the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, and the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. 

Dedication of Broyles Field at TowneBank Park
There has been so much to celebrate at VWU this past month. Tuesday, March 12, was a special day in Virginia Wesleyan's history as we celebrated the dedication of Tom and Betty Broyles Field at TowneBank Park. We were honored to host Bob Aston, Executive Chairman of TowneBank, for a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial first pitch. Following the dedication, our back-to-back national championship softball team took the field for two games vs. Averett University where the Marlins secured victories. Congratulations to our Marlins on an impressive home opener! View the full photo gallery  here.

VWU/TCA host Virginia History Day District 6
We were proud to host the inaugural Virginia History Day District 6 Competition on our campus. It was wonderful to welcome approximately 120 guests including judges from Coastal Virginia museums and interpretive centers, local teachers, professors, social studies district coordinators, members of the National Honor Society  from Oscar Smith High School, students from Tidewater Collegiate Academy and St. Patricks Catholic School, and--last, but not least--Delegate Glenn Davis.  Congratulations to the winners of the district competition who are headed to the Museum of History and Culture in Richmond on April 27. Kudos to Wendy Scott, Head of School at TCA, for bringing this to our campus.

Virginia Wesleyan establishes National Bonner Leaders Program
We announced the establishment of the National Bonner Leaders Program at Virginia Wesleyan University.The program is an intensive, four-year community leadership opportunity that educates, equips, and inspires students to engage in our local community and beyond.  Students must apply and be selected to participate.  Upon graduation, Bonner Leaders will continue to seek ways in which they can enrich their communities through leadership of non-profits and/or direct service.  Read more  here .

VWU Corporate Leaders Council Spring Meeting
We hosted the  Spring Corporate Leaders Council Business Meeting in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center. The group discussed projects, programs, and expanding our collaborations to benefit VWU students. I'm grateful to this excellent group for their support of Virginia Wesleyan and the opportunities they afford our students.

VWU again host Model NATO Challenge
During VWU's Spring Break, 29 high school students from the Coastal Virginia area represented 29 nations in scholarship competition--the Model NATO Challenge--on Virginia Wesleyan's campus. We are proud of our strong relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-Allied Command Transformation (NATO-ACT) and to have hosted this important event for the fifth time. Thank you to our campus community for their participation which took many forms, including serving as judges for the Challenge.  We are extremely grateful for this partnership, and we celebrate the opportunity to build global connections right here in our community. Read more  here.

Voter Friendly Campus
VWU has been designated as a " Voter Friendly Campus" for the 2019-2020 Academic Year. Our institution is part of a select group of campuses from around the country that received the designation.  I  commend Dr. Brian Kurisky, Director of Wesleyan Engaged: Center for Civic Leadership and Service Learning, for leading the charge and all of the Virginia Wesleyan community for our work in breaking down barriers and empowering students with the information and tools they need to participate in the political process, putting the civic mission of higher education into action.

Affirming VWU as an Inclusive Community
Coverage continued on the vote by the United Methodist Church to prohibit LGBT clergy and same-sex marriages. As such, I granted requests for interviews regarding the disappointment Methodist higher education institutions are experiencing and the difficult questions confronting us. In case you missed it, I invite you to read the articles "Dilemma for Methodist Colleges" in Inside Higher Ed and "We are not happy with the church," in The Virginian-Pilot.  Thank you to all who reached out in response to my comments regarding the Church's decision and my statement in last month's President's Letter. The feedback received has been overwhelmingly positive to Virginia Wesleyan's affirmation as an inclusive community. 

Commencement and Baccalaureate Speakers Announced
With great pride and pleasure I announced our 2019 Commencement and Baccalaureate speakers. Graciously accepting Virginia Wesleyan's invitation,  U.S. Congresswoman Elaine Luria will deliver the 2019 Commencement Address on May 18, and Jonathan Zur, President and CEO of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, will deliver the address at the Baccalaureate Service on May 17.  We are truly honored to welcome these distinguished members of the community as special guests and featured speakers for our Commencement Weekend. Representative Luria and Mr. Zur exemplify the ideals and values of our University, and it is a privilege for our campus community to share with them such a momentous occasion.

Summer Session courses announced 
It's time to sign up for Summer Session! Whether you're behind in coursework or planning to graduate early, enrolling in summer courses at VWU gives you the opportunity to accomplish your goals in a cost-effective way. Both online and traditional courses are available to accommodate your plans. It's a great opportunity to explore study-away courses, too. Destinations such as Costa Rica, Alaska, and New York are offered. Additionally, there are many internship and externship opportunities that can earn you college credit. Catch up or get ahead this summer through VWU. The list of course offerings for Summer Session 2019 is available here.

 # # # 

Ask Me Anything...

Ask me anything about Virginia Wesleyan University! I will be answering questions from our new Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center during a Facebook Live chat at 7:00 p.m. EST this Wednesday, April 3.  The session will be hosted by 2005 VWU graduate Jason Seward, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Joining me for a special guest panel will be Maynard Schaus, soon-to-be Vice President for Academic Affairs; Travis Malone, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, and Tina Hill, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.  You can submit your questions in advance to  officeofthepresident@vwu.edu  by noon on April 2 or during the live chat on the University's Facebook page .  Read more here and make sure to tune in on Wednesday!


Sincerely,