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Dear friends,

August is always a special time on campus as we prepare for the return of our Marlins. This year feels especially exciting as we plan a semester filled with fun new activities and Marlin traditions, something we've been unable to do for over a year. Work crews are busy with and on campus to help make this year the best it can be. Soon Work & Learn Program students will arrive to help us further prepare our classrooms and facilities for a new semester.

I'm pleased to announce a new member of the Marlin family—Mary Ryberg will become the Vice President for Finance, effective September 7. Mary comes to VWU with 22 years of senior-level financial management experience, most notably at the Illinois College for Optometry. She holds both the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designations and earned a master’s degree in accounting with a graduate credential in forensics and fraud along with a master’s degree in information systems, all from Roosevelt University in Chicago. We look forward to welcoming her to campus soon.

We've made several other important announcements this past month including our newest class of Batten Honors College students and our membership in the New American Colleges and Universities (NACU). We welcomed rising high school juniors and seniors to campus for Virginia Private College Week. Current students participated in a , thanks to a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.

VWU continues to meet the rising challenges of higher education and is actively promoting the at a national level. This kind of federal support will make college aspirations for many low-income students more attainable. Additionally, we've created VWU First, a resource for first-generation college students and their families.

We can't wait to have all of our Marlin students back with us soon.

Sincerely,
Over the years I have enjoyed writing regular columns and contributing to articles.
Included below are links to several recent publications. Visit vwu.edu/president for more.
I was honored to join a summer episode of the podcast “Leaders on Leadership with Jay Lemons.” The podcast has been developed by Academic Search and the American Academic Leadership Institute. Together, these organizations support colleges and universities during times of transition and through leadership development activities that serve current and future generations of institutional leaders.
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Â鶹´«Ă˝rtb is a . Students, faculty, and staff must submit proof of vaccination prior to return for the Fall 2021 semester. Learn more.

The VWU Emergency Response Team continues to monitor COVID-19 guidance and conditions. The University is planning for as normal of an academic year as possible. 
Dr. Scott D. Miller is president of Â鶹´«Ă˝rtb. Respected as one of the most entrepreneurial higher education executives in America, he is in his 31st year as a university president. Dr. Miller has dedicated his career to the opportunities available through education. He especially values the small, classical, liberal arts college environment that offers students personalized pathways to life and career success.

Previously, he was president of Bethany College (2007-2015), Wesley College (1997-2007), and Lincoln Memorial University (1991-1997). He was also Executive Vice President (1988-1991) and Vice President for Development (1984-1988) at Lincoln Memorial University and Director of College Relations and Alumni Affairs at Rio Grande College (now University) in Ohio. Read more.