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Dear friends,
February was a month defined by momentum, engagement, and meaningful progress across our University community. From academic and institutional advancements to vibrant campus life and strengthened partnerships, the energy on campus reflected both purpose and possibility.
We were thrilled to be recognized again as a 2026 Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation, affirming our ongoing commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Our commitment to work-based learning was also evident through the University's receipt of a highly competitive Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) grant, which will expand student participation in experiential learning.
Student involvement remains central to life at the University and our academic programs continue to attract exceptional students. This month, we hosted the Spring Student Involvement Fair, the second of three competitions for the incoming cohort of our highly selective , and welcomed a , celebrating the class that will become the first to enroll under the new name, Batten University.
During Black History Month, we honored the achievements and enduring contributions of Black Americans through a series of meaningful campus events. A Dream Deferred: Black Excellence, Voice, and Resistance brought music, poetry, and reflection to the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, and Honoring Black Joy Throughout the Diaspora celebrated dance, music, spoken word, and storytelling across the campus community.
Our commitment to dialogue and critical inquiry was reflected in the annual Justine L. Nusbaum Lecture, which brought the campus community together for an evening examining the intersections of faith, law, and religious freedom. We were also pleased to announce the formal naming of Epworth Campus Ministries, supported by a generous endowment from the Epworth Foundation. Looking ahead, we will host the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads' Democracy Series on March 10 for an important conversation with NPR Senior White House Correspondent, Tamara Keith, on journalism, public trust, and the health of democracy.
The integration of the Sentara College of Health Sciences into the University continues to progress toward a July 1 launch, pending SACSCOC approval. Meanwhile, we celebrated an exciting milestone as . Museum staff are settling in as they prepare for their grand opening in April.
Last month's milestones show that Becoming Batten University is about more than a new name. It reflects a decade of progress, innovation, and strengthened stability. We move forward with confidence and look with optimism to the month ahead, ready to build on this momentum for our students, faculty, and community.
Sincerely,
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