鶹ýrtb
Dear friends,

Our students may say that it's the most wonderful time of the year because they soon will wrap up their classes and take a long, and much deserved, break. But more than that, we all look forward to this time of year because of the joy it brings and the opportunity for reflection and gratitude.

As we wrap up this semester, we're thankful for all we have shared. Our students had a much more normal academic and co-curricular experience than last year, and their successes have been numerous. Among the many accolades this semester, we were thrilled to celebrate the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship and NCAA National Tournament appearance with our women's soccer program last month. Our business students coordinated another effective and informative Marlin Business Conference. Dozens of students are preparing to walk in our first-ever formal December Commencement ceremony to be held on December 18.

With our greater community, we commemorated Veterans Day with U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Gavin Steel '19 serving as our keynote speaker. We met fascinating and talented prospective students for the next cohort of the Batten Honors College. And finally, we were honored by The Princeton Review and ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for our efforts to make our campus, and our world, a greener and more equitable place.

Virginia Wesleyan is truly an amazing place filled with amazing people. We are grateful for all that we've shared and look forward with enthusiasm to the new year ahead.

I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season.

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.
This is my 18th year serving as Executive Editor (along with Dr. Marylouise Fennell) of the presidential thought-leadership series . The fourth chapter of the 2021-2022 series is now available online. In “,” George Mason University President Gregory Washington, Ph.D., examines the persistent and far-reaching effects of racial inequality and explores ideas for addressing these issues within higher education. He shares strategies for proactively mitigating the effects of systemic racism and describes steps his campus has taken to develop programs that support inclusion and equity.

This year’s series, titled “,” will explore how colleges and universities are approaching their missions with new vigor and re-examining their role in the community as the world continues working through the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the course of 10 chapters, these experts will provide unique insights into how recent and ongoing events are shaping the college experience.

鶹ýrtb is a Vaccine Champion University. The VWU Emergency Response Team continues to monitor COVID-19 guidance and conditions. The University is conducting as normal of an academic year as possible. 
Dr. Scott D. Miller is president of 鶹ýrtb. 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.