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Dear friends, 

In March, we celebrated our history and future with the announcement of the Athenaeum -- the reimagining of the H.C. Hofheimer II Library as a state-of-the-art learning hub that will serve as a central space for academic enrichment, collaboration, and professional development. Originally constructed in 1969 and renovated in 2008, the Athenaeum at Hofheimer Library is the next era of this beloved facility's rich history. 

The university continues to celebrate its history through the new VWU Oral History Project: Marlin Memories. This is a unique opportunity for our Virginia Wesleyan alumni to share their personal stories and contribute to the living history of our university. From unforgettable professors who shaped careers to friendships that have stood the test of time, every Marlin has a story to tell, and we encourage all alumni to participate in the project. 

In academics, we announced a new master's program in Applied Psychology. The fully online, 30-credit-hour degree program is designed to prepare students for impactful careers in nonprofit organizations, corporate human resources, and government agencies. With no standardized test requirements for admission, students can begin coursework this spring. 

In campus life, the student-led Marlin Business Conference is gearing up for its spring event, “Riding the Wave of Innovation,” scheduled for April 14-17. The conference's keynote speaker will be Andrew Cohen, former top Wall Street trader who is best known for creating the Future Traders platform, designed to revolutionize financial education by providing hands-on, real-world trading experience. Cohen was featured in Netflix's original documentary, "Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street." The university also continued our tradition of celebrating Women's History Month and hosting the third annual CompleteU Collision on the Coast eSports competition.

As we plan for the future, we are inspired by the collaborative spirit demonstrated through these initiatives and events. We will continue to prioritize initiatives that foster growth and academic excellence, ensuring Virginia Wesleyan remains a beacon of opportunity.



Sincerely,

The eighth chapter of this year’s President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In by James C. Schmidt, Ed.D., President of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, regional public universities are in the hot seat. The funding model has inverted so that students now supply the largest portion of our budget. Technology is revolutionizing how higher education is delivered. A global pandemic has invalidated every once-predictive data point we relied on for critical decisions. Students, parents, and politicians question the value of a college degree.



This year's  series, titled “,” features fresh insights and time-tested strategies for supporting positive student outcomes and ensuring the college’s long-term resilience. A new chapter of this 10-part series, authored by a diverse range of college and university presidents, will be published online each month. We hope you will find value in the unique perspectives offered by these prescient higher education leaders, and we look forward to examining the variety of game changers driving the evolution of modern higher education as the series continues.