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Dear friends,

Last month's State of the University was truly historic, as we announced that Â鶹´«Ã½rtb will become Batten University on July 1, 2026. The VWU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to rename the University in tribute to Jane Batten and the Batten family, whose nearly 50 years of visionary support have shaped our institution. Their name reflects our bold future, a decade of progress, and a philanthropic legacy that now positions us for distinction nationally and internationally.

The integration of the Sentara College of Health Sciences marks a major step in that progress. Effective January 1, 2026 (pending accreditation), Sentara College will become a professional college within Virginia Wesleyan's structure. Building on our strong partnership with Sentara Health, this collaboration will prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals for a rapidly evolving field.

Experiential learning and leadership development continue to thrive. Our first Project SEED program brought high school students into VWU labs for mentored research, while immediate past SGA president Miles Pifer is leading efforts to establish a new undergraduate alumni association that will help students build lifelong connections to the Marlin community.

Momentum is equally strong in athletics with the arrival of three new coaches: Jamaar Hawkins, inaugural head coach of Women's Flag Football; BT Pham, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field; and Jacob Balot, Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Director of Track & Field.

Looking ahead, we are pleased to announce that Clifford B. "Cliff" Fleet III, President and CEO of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, will serve as keynote speaker for our Spring 2026 Commencement. His distinguished leadership will inspire our graduates as they embark on their journeys of career, service, and lifelong learning.

At the same time, our community mourns the loss of Cecelia "CeeCee" Tucker—a civic leader, educator, and longtime friend whose wisdom and advocacy for equity left an indelible mark on Virginia Wesleyan and our region. She will be deeply missed and long remembered.

As we begin this new academic year, we do so with gratitude for the people and partnerships that make our progress possible. Together, we celebrate a proud history and embrace an exciting future as we prepare for the next chapter—Batten University.

Sincerely,

The 2025-2026 thought leadership series is underway, and both the foreword and first chapter are now available online. This year's series, "Intentional Efforts in Belonging," explores strategies for fostering genuine connection, encouraging engagement, and building a strong sense of community on college campuses.

The foreword, authored by Amelia Parnell, Ph.D., President of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education sets the stage for this important conversation. Chapter 1, "Leading with Awareness: Presence, Patience, and Passion in the College Presidency," by High Point University President Nido R. Qubein shares a leadership philosophy centered on accessibility, personal connection, and the power of meaningful engagement with students, faculty, and staff.