» Bringing the Vision into Focus, Key to the Future Campaign Video
Support VWC
Join the Alumni Association
Spirit Squad
Get your FREE Virginia Wesleyan decal.
Number 6, February 2007
VWC Students Will Have Hands-On Experience with Research Vessel
Phi Beta Kappa colleges have two important qualities in common— excepti onal teaching and learning programs and a state-of-the-art instructional setting. The College's vision to become Phi Beta Kappa caliber includes enhancements in both areas. Virginia Wesleyan is adding a research vessel that will place our students on the forefront of research and conservation of Virginia's waters and the marine animals that make it their home.
Unique Undergraduate Opportunity
Most colleges, including the University of Hawaii, do not take undergraduate students out on their research vessels. That experience is reserved for graduate students.
The research vessel is a remarkable opportunity for undergraduate students to experience research on the ocean and the bay firsthand. This research experience will allow our students to be more competitive for graduate schools and/or in their career paths.
Local Design and Construction
The research vessel is being custom built by Glass Boat Works Inc. of Exmore, VA. The company, located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, has been hand making boats since 1978. The Chesapeake Classic Boat will undergo sea trials in the early summer to be ready for delivery in the fall.
» Rendering of the research vessel
Vessel Specifications
The 46 foot Chesapeake Classic Boat will cost $300,000 and have a range of 500 miles. The specifications include:
- 700 hp Lugger Marine Diesel engine.
- Forward cabin with large rear deck.
- Tower and forward observation deck.
- A dinette, chart and equipment table, two helm chairs.
- Eight-foot extension for shade over the rear deck.
- Two side bench seats with underneath storage.
- Hatch entry through deck from below.
- Full swim-dive platform on the stern, scuba-oxygen tank racks below and storage lockers.
An Innovative Partnership with the Virginia Aquarium
Virginia Wesleyan College and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center have developed a unique partnership to build the new research vessel. The College and the Aquarium will split the construction cost evenly. Once finished, the vessel will be home ported at the Aquarium on Rudee Inlet and proudly bear both institutions' names. The institutions will evenly split the operating time and related expenses.
Research and Education – What better classroom could you have than the Chesapeake Bay?
Our marine biologist, Dr. Soraya Bartol, who has worked with sea turtles and tuna, will continue her investigation of sensory perception in marine animals.
At least seven classes will use the research vessel for field trips, including oceanography, marine biology, ecology, environmental chemistry and environmental geology. The students will be collecting marine organisms, sediment and water samples themselves with research quality equipment, giving them invaluable hands-on experience.
Progress Toward Our Goal
The Key to the Future Campaign covers five years, from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2008. As of January 31, 2007, the College had raised $43.7 million, an increase of $2.5 million since our last update.
Each endowment, each capital improvement and every Annual Fund dollar supports the drive to be Phi Beta Kappa caliber.
Campaign Leadership Gifts
The Key to the Future Campaign has raised $21.7 million toward a $29 million goal for the endowment. Both of the gifts featured below provide endowment support. See The Virginian-Pilot article, which highlights record growth of the College's endowment.
Birdsong Corporation/George & Sue Birdsong
Birdsong Peanuts and George and Sue Birdsong have made gifts totaling $1,015,325 to the Key to the Future Campaign. Their gifts will support a number of important programs at the College. $140,000 was directed to the Birdsong Community Services Endowment, which the Birdsongs established in 1995 to provide operating support for the community services program at the College. Another $200,000 established the Birdsong Corporation/George and Sue Birdsong Endowed Scholarship that provides assistance to deserving students. The gifts also include $135,000 for the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence and $50,000 for the Venture Capital Fund.
The Birdsong gifts have also designated $375,000 to support the creation of the LEED-certified platinum green laboratory science building. In recognition of this gift, the College will name the Birdsong Exhibit Wall in the new science building. It is a central feature in the design of the building. It will provide space to display research projects and museum collections. It will also house the monitoring equipment where faculty and students will measure, monitor and calibrate the efficiency of the building.
Birdsong Corporation is the largest privately-owned peanut sheller in the U.S. with operations in all peanut growing regions. The company is based in Suffolk, Va. Mr. Birdsong is the CEO of Birdsong Corporation and has served on the Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees since 1989. He received his undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee and a law degree from the University of Virginia. The Birdsongs reside in Suffolk and are active in the Main Street United Methodist Church.
O.L. (Butch) & Carol Everett
Butch and Carol Everett have made gifts totaling $527,300 to the Key to the Future Campaign. As an avid fan of Virginia Wesleyan Marlin Athletics, the Everetts gave $400,000 to establish the Everett Athletic Endowment. This fund will strengthen Virginia Wesleyan's athletic program, enhance the competitiveness of its student athletes, and allow the College to recruit and retain the best Division III athletes and coaches. The gifts also include $65,000 for the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence and $25,000 for the Venture Capital Fund.
Mr. Everett is Chairman of Jones and Frank Corporation and has served on the Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees since 1999. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Engineering. Mrs. Everett has been actively involved with the Women of Wesleyan for many years having served as its Vice President. The Everetts reside in Virginia Beach and Florida.