Compiled by Rebecca Desjardins and Ann P. Shappell '70
Hultgren named associate dean of the College
In January 2002, Larry Hultgren, Ph.D., professor of philosophy since 1969, accepted a 3-year appointment as associate dean of the College. In this position, new to Wesleyan, Hultgren will focus on faculty development and recognition, curriculum concerns from students and parents, and student academic achievement. Hultgren's teaching load will be cut in half to accommodate these responsibilities.
Hultgren sees this venture as a work in progress and enjoys the variety of duties it offers.
"I'm helping Academic Dean Stephen Mansfield, my colleagues and the students, and that's good," says Hultgren. "I would like at the end of my tenure for the campus community to think that we needed me doing this."
The permanent position will rotate to allow other faculty members an opportunity to be involved in this administrative capacity for three-year terms.
Graf retires
Virginia Wesleyan College and the history department lost a dedicated, long-time faculty member in Dan Graf, Ph.D., who retired in May.
Graf came to Wesleyan in 1970 with much excitement about working at a small college. "Wesleyan has allowed me to teach some great students, work with wonderful colleagues and help develop a strong history department," says Graf.
"I have spent a wonderful 32 years at Virginia Wesleyan, and it is time to get on with the next phase of my life," Graf says.
While he is proud of his accomplishments, he says he's ready to commit his time to family, reading and travel. He'll spend time in France, Italy, Ireland, and Germany, in addition to plans for a genealogical research trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin.
"No rocking chair on the porch for me--at least not yet!"
Congratulations to Jane Eilertsen
On Feb. 2, 2002, a drawing was held to determine the winner of a weekend for two at the Tranquil House Inn in Manteo, N.C., courtesy of Commonwealth Travel Center in Virginia Beach. All donors who made a gift to the Virginia Wesleyan Annual Fund by credit card between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2001, were eligible, and the winner was Jane Eilertsen.
Look for future promotions on the Virginia Wesleyan website, www.vwc.edu.
Natural Science division receives grants
The Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics received a challenge grant of $163,000 from the Norfolk Foundation to renovate and equip two designated science laboratories. To receive the Foundation's grant, the College must raise an equivalent amount by Dec. 31, 2002. One of the renovated laboratories will be used for courses in cellular and molecular biology and the other for physics, earth and environmental science. This project will be a critical first step to updating laboratories in Blocker Hall which opened in 1970.
Christopher Haley, Ph.D., Garry Noe, Ph.D., and Maynard Schaus, Ph.D. obtained an additional $38,857 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their project entitled, "Integrating GIS into an Earth and Environmental Science Curriculum." GIS is short for Geographical Information Systems. This is the second time the College has received the NSF grant.
Mace debuts
The Virginia Wesleyan mace, designed by goldsmith Suzannah Wagner, made its first public appearance at the College's 33rd Commencement on May 18 carried by William M. Jones, Ph.D. The base of the shaft contains grains of earth preserved from the original campus groundbreaking held on July 18, 1965. The mace will be used in academic processions and on display at other times.
Deford Gatehouse Dedicated
A brick gatehouse dedicated on Oct. 10, 2001, in honor of Trustee Robert H. DeFord, Jr., provides a new home for campus security personnel at the campus entrance. Mr. DeFord funded the gatehouse and his son, Bobby, oversaw the construction by the DeFord Companies.
Spring break in service
A banner, signed by many in the Virginia Wesleyan community, was placed at the World Trade Center memorial site in March by ten students participating in Imagine, a college-sponsored, student-led alternative spring break program. The students volunteered to go to New York to serve homeless citizens through the Youth Services Opportunities Project based in Manhattan. Their five-day experience included an appearance on the NBC Today Show. A second team of four students went to Alexandria, Va., where, for the fourth consecutive year, they served the largely homeless congregation of Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church.
In Memoriam
Long-time Trustee, Mrs. H. W. (Rebecca S.) Rogers, died in December 2001. She was a community leader dedicated to education and served as a member of Virginia Wesleyan's Board of Trustees from October 1968 to October 1996. Rogers gave able leadership as chair of the College's Trustee Nominating Committee and generously supported Virginia Wesleyan throughout the years. In 1996, her fellow trustees awarded her the distinction of Trustee Emerita.
Rogers was a member of First United Methodist Church in Norfolk for 30 years, and served as its treasurer. Upon her retirement from that office, the church established a scholarship at Virginia Wesleyan in her honor.
Senatorial session
U.S. Sen. George F. Allen (R-Va.), visited campus in late March to discuss the role of the federal and state government and the private sector in formulating environmental policy with Dr. Bill Gibson's Public Policy Analysis class. After lunch with members of the College Republicans and a meeting with President Billy Greer, Allen was off to class again, to participate in a question and answer session with Dr. Bill Jones' Constitutional Law class on anti-terrorism legislation and regulations in light of Fourth Amendment search and seizure protections.