鶹ýrtb
Dear friends,

January Term flew by as our students showcased their love for learning by engaging in intensive courses in the classroom and around the world. Students returned to campus for the spring semester to see the newly unveiled Eric Nyman Performance Golf Center, named in honor of our distinguished alumnus and Trustee, in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. This new facility is not just an investment in our golf program but a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation for VWU students.

As we celebrate Black History Month throughout February, we reflect on our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Commemoration, where students engaged in community service and fellowship. Again, we thank Mark Johnson, Senior Vice President and Community Development Manager of Truist, for serving as our keynote speaker on that special day.

Every new semester brings reminders of our rich history and bright future. Pastor R. Perez Gatling of neighboring Ebenezer Baptist Church will serve as the 2024 Baccalaureate keynote speaker, inspiring the Class of 2024 during our spring commencement weekend. Dr. Larry Hultgren's remarkable 55 years of service as a professor of philosophy will be honored with the naming of the atrium in Blocker Hall during Spring Alumni Weekend. We honor the memory of Eleanor Watts, a cherished member of our VWU community, whose unwavering support, with her husband Henry, has been instrumental in shaping VWU. Their dedication and compassion have been fundamental in establishing VWU as the welcoming and inclusive institution it is today.

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.
The 2023-2024 edition of , a groundbreaking higher education thought leadership series featuring insights from college and university presidents, begins now! This year’s series, titled “,” will examine the many facets of sustainability as well as its importance to students and its impacts on campuses.

In the sixth chapter of the series, ",” Hood College President Andrea Chapdelaine, Ph.D., explores the value of a leadership approach that carefully balances immediate and long-term considerations. She delves into specific strategies, such as promoting collaborative decision-making and creating a culture of empowerment, to improve student satisfaction, faculty and staff retention, and financial stability.

I have been proud to serve as Executive Editor of the series for the last 20 years. I hope this series provides valuable insights that you can apply to your own workplaces as you work through the unique and ongoing challenges of our time.
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 33rd 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.