Feb. 06, 2012

Clarke on Campus: Alum Returns for Black History Month

Erica Clarke ’05, a doctoral student and graduate teaching fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, was back on the Wesleyan campus on Feb. 1 to give a presentation titled “Crafting Our Own Noose: The Role of African Americans in a ‘Post-Racist’ Society.” Clarke, a keynote speaker for the College’s African American Heritage Month celebration, was welcomed by VWC faculty, staff and current students as she discussed her dissertation research on the history of blackface minstrelsy. Clarke talked about how her communications degree from VWC and liberal arts education prepared her for post graduate study. “It priceless,” “said Clarke. “There was never any limit placed on what I could do with my degree.”

Jan. 24, 2012
Better Together: Grant to Promote Healthy Relationships

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Alison Marganski has been awarded a grant from the Walmart Foundation through their Local Community Contribution/Hunger Outreach Grant Program. The $1,000 Grant will be used to promote community engagement and cultural understanding among VWC students, particularly through student projects related to raising awareness about relationship violence. Local organizations within the Hampton Roads area relevant to the topic will also be highlighted and supported. Additionally, the grant will be used to engage in research examining relationships and finding means of promoting healthy, positive relationships. 

Jan. 22, 2012
Home Run: VWC’s Fifth Habitat for Humanity House Dedicated

Since April 2011, more than 130 Virginia Wesleyan students, faculty and staff participated in the construction of the latest VWC chapter Habitat for Humanity home. On Saturday, January 21, all their hard worked paid off as the Morris family, for whom the home was being built, was handed the keys to their brand new townhouse at 352 Nelms Lane in Virginia Beach. Maura Bradley 11’, Immediate Past Habitat for Humanity Chapter President, Melissa Snyder, current Habitat for Humanity President and Diane Hotaling, Director of Community Service, were on hand. VWC President Billy Greer was among the speakers. Check out photos of the dedication on our campus snapshots page.

Jan. 5, 2012
Happy Campers: Thanks to Rec & Leisure Students

As part of the College's new enhanced curriculum, VWC recreation and leisure studies students raised a whopping $4,425 last semester for the "Send a Kid to Camp Fund," which provides financial assistance for children to attend YMCA Camp Silver Beach. They did it through a variety of fundraising events including a "Car Smash" in which participants paid for a chance to take a whack at an old vehicle. These students were building on a program that dates back to 2003 and has raised over $37,000 total. “I can't tell you how proud I am of our students,” said Dr. Doug Kennedy, Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies. “On a campus where a lot of fundraising occurs, their performance really shines.”