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Dear friends,

Before we welcome our Marlins back to campus later this month, I'm eager to share some updates and exciting developments that have shaped our university over the summer.

We are pleased to announce Capt. Janet Days as the Spring 2025 Commencement speaker, whose distinguished leadership will inspire our graduates as they embark on new journeys. Additionally, Founders Day will feature Jennifer Rouse '08, a Virginia Beach City Council member, as the keynote speaker. She will be honored alongside three other 2024 Alumni Awards recipients during our ceremony.

In other alumni news, we are excited to introduce new leadership with Jessie Dawe ’08 taking the helm as Chair of the Alumni Council and Bill Gobble ’03 as Vice Chair. Their leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our alumni network and enhance our community's reach.

In academics, our global engagement efforts have advanced with the opening of the Jane P. Batten & David R. Black School for International Studies in Japan. This new school expands our global educational offerings and provides our students with invaluable international perspectives. We also celebrate the recognition of Lily Reslick, a VWU junior, who received the Agnes Cooke Scholarship from the Virginia Press Women Foundation for her dedication and potential in communications.

Finally, I'm proud to introduce the 21st year of the President to President thought leadership series. This year, we will delve into "Game Changers" in higher education, exploring innovative ideas that are transforming our educational landscape.

As we prepare for the return of our students and the start of a new academic year, these accomplishments underscore our commitment to excellence, leadership, and community engagement at VWU. We look forward to an exciting year ahead as our campus once again becomes a hub of student activity and inspiration.

Sincerely,

The 2024-2025 edition of , a groundbreaking higher education thought leadership series featuring insights from college and university presidents, will begin this fall. Now in its 21st year, this year’s series, titled “Game Changers,” will explore the vision, outlook, and strategies of 10 campus presidents in these game changing times for higher education. In a new chapter published online each month, esteemed college and university presidents will share how they plan for and address game changing scenarios in higher education.

• Leading Change: Practical Lessons in the Implementation of a Multi-Institution Integration - R. Lorraine (Laurie) Bernotsky, D. Phil., President, West Chester University
• The Power of Yes: The Surprising Benefits of Collaboration - Jeffrey R. Docking, Ph.D., President, Adrian College
• The Essential Ingredients for Transformative Leadership - Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., President, Des Moines University
• Academic Transformation - E. Gordon Gee, Ed.D., President, West Virginia University
• Breathing with Double Lungs: A Vision for Thriving Higher Education - L. Gregory Jones, Ph.D., President, Belmont University
• Augsburg Applies to You: How Direct Admissions Transformed Our Enrollment Work - Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D., President, Augsburg University
• Thoughtful Transitions - Lisa Marsh Ryerson, M.S., President, Southern New Hampshire University
• Athletics as a Strategic Investment: Playing for the Public Good - James C. Schmidt, Ed.D., Chancellor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
• The Revolution Will Be Televised - Lori S. White, Ph.D., President, DePauw University
• From General to President: Game-Changing Leadership–Thoughts for Higher Education Excellence - LTG Darrell K. Williams (US Army, Retired), President, Hampton University

The series’ foreword, written by Ellen Chaffee, Ph.D., current president and CEO of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), will share more about what to expect in this year’s series. Coming soon!

President to President is celebrating its 21st year of publication. For 19 years, Dr. Miller served as Executive Editor of the series’ various forms alongside Marylouise Fennell, Ed.D., beloved colleague and friend. After Dr. Fennell’s passing in October 2022, this is the 2nd year with Katelyn M. Sanders, Pharm. D., and Kelly R. Cordova, M.B.A., serving as Assistant Editors. Sodexo, world leader in food and facilities management services, will once again provide publishing support for the series this year but will exert no editorial influence.

President to President aims to provide valuable insights and viable solutions for the unique and ongoing challenges of modern higher education. Enjoy delving into these important topics with leaders in higher education and perhaps gaining a new perspective