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Dear friends,

It is rare to have a quiet moment at Virginia Wesleyan, and the past month was no exception. The action continued on campus in June as we welcomed our newest first-year students for Marlin Nation Orientation. From learning more about residential life and financial aid, to exploring recreational activities, student health and campus safety, this special event helped acclimate incoming students and their families to life at VWU.

We also hosted U.S. Senator Tim Kaine in June to view progress on the Displaced Worker Initiative. This workforce development program—which offers no-cost courses to Hampton Roads residents who have lost employment due to the pandemic—has led to local, state and federal accolades and resulted in grant funding for instructional updates to Clarke Hall.

July 1 marked the start of Trustee Jon Pruden’s three-year term as chair of the Â鶹´«Ă˝rtb Board of Trustees. President and CEO of the TASTE Family of Businesses, Pruden joined the VWU Board of Trustees in 2015 and has served on the Finance and Student Affairs Committees in addition to a previous role as the Board’s vice chair. Outgoing chair John Malbon is continuing on the Board with the conclusion of his term. We thank him for the tremendous wisdom and guidance he has brought to this role.

We are fortunate to have a beautiful, thriving campus with much to share and celebrate. We wish you the best for a productive month ahead.

Sincerely,
Welcome, New First-Years!
VWU: Widening Access to Workforce Development
VWU Elects New Board Chair
Congratulations, Class of 2022!
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.
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.
Â鶹´«Ă˝rtb is a Vaccine Champion University. The VWU Emergency Response Team continues to monitor COVID-19 guidance and conditions.
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.