Virginia Wesleyan establishes Stihl Incorporated Endowment for Undergraduate Research
John Maravich '11 is the first recipient of a summer undergraduate research fellowship on environmental sustainability.
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Neil Britton Art Gallery Open for its First Full Year of Exhibitions
The premier exhibition, "Clever Treason," features contemporary art by Miriam Ewers and Tim DeVoe, faculty members at America's top ranked Sculpture Program. On display August 3 – September 25.
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Virginia Wesleyan welcomes new Chaplain
The Rev. Florence F. Brooks has more than 15 years of experience and has worked with individuals of all ages.
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Biology Professor awarded 2009 Mednick Fellowship from VFIC
Dr. Paul Resslar continues in-depth research on a new tropical plant species he discovered in Hawaii.
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Marlins Make A Difference Day aims to Package 285,120 Meals
Virginia Wesleyan College, in partnership with the Norfolk District of the United Methodist Church, will host a food packaging event for STOP Hunger Now (www.stophungernow.org) on Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 to 12 p.m., in the Convocation Center of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Up to 1,000 volunteers are needed to funnel, weigh, seal and box rice and other food staples. The goal is to package 285,120 meals, which will be sent overseas to educational institutions in developing countries. For more information or to volunteer, contact Diane Hotaling in the Office of Community Service (757.455.3216 or dhotaling@vwc.edu) or your local United Methodist Church.

NOW is the time to finish, or begin, your college education!
Searching for a place to help you reach your professional goals? The Adult Studies Program at Virginia Wesleyan is designed to meet the needs of adult students like you, who are employed in full- or part-time jobs or committed to many of life's responsibilities such as family or the community. Check us out this summer during our monthly information sessions: August 6 and September 3.

Celebrating a Century and a Half of Education in Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach
The newly-opened Neil Britton Art Gallery in Virginia Wesleyan's Hofheimer Library will host the exhibition "Ahead of the Curve" – A Century and a Half of Education in Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach October 1 – December 18. This year marks the centennial of the dedication of the Oceana School at which high school level instruction was first offered in Princess Anne County. The exhibit will draw primarily upon items in Virginia Wesleyan's Local History Collection, of which College archivist and local historian Stephen Mansfield is curator. Items include artifacts related to Oceana's first commencement, school tax receipts, and textbooks and student newspapers from Kempsville schools dating back to the 1840s. The exhibition is underwritten by a grant from Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., and in partnership with The Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society.

• Fall sports kick off soon! Check out the schedules:
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Men's Soccer
• Women's Soccer
• Volleyball
• Last call for nominations! The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is accepting nominations for the inaugural class through August 31. Make a nomination online.

Bonnie Alexander Purefoy '87

Bonnie Alexander Purefoy '87 is a Regional Manager and Vice President with Old Point National Bank in Virginia Beach, Va., where she oversees the five Southside branches of the Bank. She has more than 20 years of banking experience including branch management, training and marketing. In the evenings, Bonnie has conducted classes for the American Institute of Banking (AIB)/Center for Financial Training (CFT) of Virginia.She has received multiple certifications through MOHR Development for Sales and Service Training and a Loan Sales Training Certification from Omega. 

Bonnie is married to Mike Purefoy '86 and is active in her community including the Urban League's Changing Lives Breakfast, Optimist International, United Way's Young Leaders Society, the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society and Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters.

Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations Due August 31!
Tina Clark Milligan, 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee from the Charter Class, stopped by campus last week to submit a nomination form for a fellow athlete. While visiting with the Alumni Office, Tina remarked on how "my induction into Virginia Wesleyan's Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame was an event that I will always treasure." Honor a deserving athlete by nominating him/her for the 2010 Class of the Athletic Hall of Fame. All nomination forms are due by August 31 and can be found online. For more information, contact Lisa Black, director of Alumni Relations, at 757.455.2115 or lblack@vwc.edu.

Alumni are Connecting on Facebook!

Are you on Facebook? So are we! Virginia Wesleyan has been helping alumni connect through Facebook. Virginia Wesleyan Alumni have a presence in the form of a group page and personal page. In the past year, over 900 alumni have made connections to "Virginia Wesleyan-Alumni" and over 300 alumni have become fans of "Virginia Wesleyan Alumni." Become a friend or fan of Virginia Wesleyan and re-connect with someone today!

Event Update: Wesleyan Wednesday
Wesleyan Wednesday will be held at Chick's Oyster Bar on August 26. Come join us for food and fun from 6 – 8 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes a free drink coupon and hors d'ouevres. No charge for Alumni Association Members. Valet parking is complimentary. Register today! For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 757.455.2115. Co-sponsored by the Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Association and MetLife Home Loans.

Sigma Sigma Sigma Reunion
Has it been a long time since you have seen your sisters? Let's have fun catching up by getting together for a cookout with past sisters, current sisters and their families. Come out to Red Wing Park in Virginia Beach, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 29. Time TBD. For questions or to RSVP, contact Christy Soo-Hoo Donovan '99 at cd101176@verizon.net.

Art Professor displays work at Local Gallery
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 19 when John Rudel, assistant professor of art, opens his exhibit at The ArtGallery, 424 West 21st Street, Suite 101, in Norfolk, Va. The ArtGallery is owned by Lorrie Saunders '79. Come out and support two of Virginia Wesleyan's finest artists.

Homecoming & Family Weekend AND Reunion 2009
Plan for a weekend full of fun on Oct. 2-4! All alumni are invited back to celebrate reunion. Alumni interested in organizing a special group gathering are asked to contact the Alumni Relations Office to register your group and secure a reserved space at the alumni tailgate on Saturday, Oct. 3. Watch your mailboxes and e-mail for more details. Questions? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 757.455.2115 or alumni@vwc.edu. 

» More class notes

Monday, Aug. 24
Fall 2009 Semester Begins

Wednesday, Aug. 26
6 p.m.
Wesleyan Wednesday @ Chick's Oyster Bar

Thursday, Sept. 3
6 p.m.
Going to College with the Adult Studies Program

Friday, Sept. 11
7:30 p.m.
VWC Concert Series: Songs of the Soul

See entire events calendar