May 2008
College Chaplain receives National Francis Asbury United Methodist Award 
Rev. David Balcom and Rev. Ray Edmonds present "Chappy" the Francis Asbury Award
The Rev. Robert “Chappy” Chapman ’79 is recognized for fostering United Methodist Ministries in Higher Education.
Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. – Virginia Wesleyan College’s Chaplain Rev. Robert “Chappy” Chapman ’79 is the recipient of the Francis Asbury Award for Fostering United Methodist Ministries in Higher Education. Chapman was presented with the national award at a luncheon on Friday, May 2.
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministries annually presents the award to a United Methodist individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to fostering the church’s ministries in higher education at the local, district, annual or general conference level of the church. The award was presented to Chapman by the Reverend David A. Balcom and by the Rev. Raymond H. Edmonds, director of Higher Education and Campus Ministries of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
During the presentation, Balcom said “in all the areas of the award, Robert Chapman has demonstrated that he not only meets, but exceeds the qualifications.”
“I accept this award with great appreciation and honor,” said Chapman. “I receive this award on behalf of Virginia Wesleyan College and the honor and privilege it has been to serve as Chaplain of this College.”
The Reverend Robert M. Chapman, known on Virginia Wesleyan’s campus as “Chappy,” has been with the College since 1997. He is a 1979 alumnus and majored in communications. As part of his academic studies, he completed his internship at Haycox Photoramic in Norfolk, Va., where he worked for several years in commercial photography, film, editing and sound recording. Chapman attended graduate school at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. After graduation, he became a counselor/chaplain in the hospital residency program at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va. At Virginia Wesleyan, Chapman provides personal and spiritual support for students, faculty and staff through spiritual direction, religious services, pastoral care and counseling. Blending his work as chaplain with his love for photography, black and white photos on his office walls portray Virginia Wesleyan students, faculty and staff and demonstrate his ability to capture the spirit of the campus. In addition, many of his photographs have been published in several campus publications.
In nominating Chapman for the award, Virginia Wesleyan President Dr. William T. “Billy” Greer stated that during difficult times, Chappy has ministered through his uniquely comforting presence and by “quiet and inviting forms of outreach … models for our campus and ministry of human welcome, nurture and transformation.”
April 2008
Chapel Modernization and Expansion Project
On September 14, 2006, Virginia Wesleyan College announced the public phase of its Key to the Future Campaign. Among the goals of the $65 million campaign is a project to expand and renovate the College's Monumental Chapel. Dedicated in 1975, the Chapel was built using funds largely provided by generous gifts from Monumental United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, VA, which were matched by a grant from the Beazley Foundation, also of Portsmouth.
For many years, the Chapel served as a multi-purpose facility. It was used as a theater, book store, storage area, and classroom when not in use as a place of worship. Today, thanks to the addition of many buildings on campus, there is no longer a need for the Chapel to serve in so many capacities. Additionally, 33 years have taken their toll on the heating and air conditioning system as well as the roof and window systems. Despite continual and careful maintenance, these systems have reached a point where they need to be replaced.
While restoration of the building to its original condition would assure continued functionality, in order to become a dedicated place of worship there are many aesthetic considerations that must be addressed. At best, the existing structure is austere and uninviting. The vision for a newly renovated Monumental Chapel is to create a warm and inviting place where students, faculty and staff of the College can come and spend time in spiritual reflection. It will be a beautiful setting for campus worship services, baccalaureate celebrations, weddings and other spiritual events. The newly renovated Chapel will serve as a fitting testament to Virginia Wesleyan’s rich United Methodist heritage, while serving the spiritual needs of those of other Christian denominations and faith traditions. To see an overview of the Chapel Modernization and Expansion project, click on the “Project Overview” link. This will open an Adobe .pdf file.
How can I help?
The current estimated cost of the Chapel Modernization and Expansion stands at $650,000. If you or your church, Sunday school, Bible Study Class, Men’s or Women’s group would like to contribute to this extremely worthy project, click on the “Make a Chapel gift or pledge ” link on the right side bar.