Dear friends,
Despite this summer heat, activity on campus shows no signs of cooling down. We recently welcomed rising high school juniors and seniors to campus for Virginia Private College Week, hosted by the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia. We offered in-person and virtual information sessions and addressed myths about the cost of a private college education. It was a pleasure to welcome these prospective Marlins and their families to campus.
Last month I had the honor of announcing the recipients of our 2022 Alumni Awards— Michael J. White ’81 (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Brandon L. Adair ’12 (Alumni Service Award), and Jessie K. Dawe ’08 (The Beacon Award). We’ll celebrate these graduates as part of our annual Founders Day celebration on September 8. The Honorable Deborah Paxson, Virginia Wesleyan Class of 1975 and member of the VWU Board of Trustees, will serve as the Founders Day keynote speaker.
DeFord Manor, the president’s on-campus residence, has officially been recognized as a "River Star Home" by the Elizabeth River Project, meeting a seven-part pledge to keep pollution from entering the Elizabeth River and related waterways. Read more about these sustainability efforts in our feature story linked below.
We know that, for some students, graduating in an accelerated time frame is a way to make education more affordable. To assist with this, we have formed three-year degree pathways for 27 of Virginia Wesleyan’s academic programs. These pathways provide students with the framework, if they choose, to complete their degree requirements in three years. Interested students can visit the Majors & Minors section on our website for more information.
We have several construction projects in motion on campus. Work has begun on The Cove, a new outdoor eating and entertainment venue located adjacent to Harbor Grill. Upgrades are nearing completion on the Trinder Center, a structure within the Tassos Paphites Soccer Complex that houses a multi-use locker room, officials’ locker room, public restroom, concession, and entertainment suite. We’re waiting for permitting approvals to begin construction on Watts Fieldhouse for Broyles Field at TowneBank Park, which will include a locker room for women’s softball and public restrooms.
Finally, each August prior to the start of the fall semester, I deliver a State of the University address to our campus community featuring highlights, initiatives and significant accomplishments from the past year and the strategic direction of the University’s future. This year's address will take place on Friday, August 19 at noon and will be livestreamed on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network.
Enjoy these final weeks of summer!
Sincerely,
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Virginia Private College Week |
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DeFord Manor: 'River Star Home' |
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Welcome, New First-Years! |
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VWU: Widening Access to Workforce Development |
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VWU Elects New Board Chair |
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Congratulations, Class of 2022! |
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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.
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The complete 2021-2022 thought leadership series is now available to . This year’s book, titled “The Vitality and Power of Higher Education,” explores how colleges and universities are approaching their missions with new vigor and reexamining their role in the community as the world continues recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world has changed in recent years, and higher education is changing with it. This edition of contains unique insights from leading college and university presidents, who share their perspectives and highlight a few of the innovative ideas that are shaping modern higher education today. Over the course of 10 chapters, this year’s series examines the importance of enabling social mobility, the value of remaining true to the college’s mission and identity, the urgent need to address racial inequity, strategies for ensuring student success, and more.
We're already working on next year's series, which will take a thoughtful look at what it means to create a “well” campus.
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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 32nd 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.
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