Introducing Alumni Relations
The Office of Alumni Relations transformed in the beginning of 2008 with a change in leadership and the addition of an alumna who was welcomed back to the College.
Lisa Black, formerly the assistant director of alumni relations for the College, was promoted to director of alumni relations in February, when Beth Clarke ’98 was promoted to director of development for college advancement. A 1999 graduate of Mary Baldwin College, Black worked in the admissions office at her alma mater before joining the admissions staff at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. She moved back to her native Hampton Roads and worked in the education field for several years, as a science teacher for Hampton City Schools. Missing the environment of higher education at a small, liberal arts college, Black began working for Virginia Wesleyan’s Alumni Relations in the summer of 2006.
Melissa L. Butcher ’99 joined Alumni Relations in March as the assistant director. A communications major, Butcher gained extensive event planning experience at Westminster Canterbury and Florida Keys Community College. As the assistant director, Butcher will be involved in alumni event planning and alumni association membership. She and her husband, David, recently welcomed the arrival of their son, Matthew.
Alumni Association Events: 8th Annual Alumni Association Auction & Party takes Endowed Legacy Scholarship over $100,000
Three Distinguished Alumni Honored
On April 18, more than 120 people gathered at the Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club in Virginia Beach for an auction and party. Proceeds from the event took the Alumni Association’s Legacy Endowed Scholarship to over $100,000. Three alumni were recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Melissa Burroughs, Chip Tsantes and Paul Zimba.
Melissa Burroughs ’86
Ms. Burroughs graduated with a BA degree in the Liberal Arts Management Program and has an MBA from Old Dominion University (ODU). She serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer for Old Point National Bank. Ms. Burroughs served as chair of the Virginia Wesleyan President’s Advisory Council and the president of the Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Board. She is involved in many activities including the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
George "Chip" Tsantes III ’83
Mr. Tsantes graduated with a BA degree in the Liberal Arts Management Program and has an MBA with a MIS Concentration from ODU. He serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Intersections, Inc. Mr. Tsantes leads all technology activities including development, IT operations, IT security across all business units, and developing new services related to strong consumer authentication. Mr. Tsantes is co-chair of the Identity Management Standards Panel Working Group 3.
Paul V. Zimba, Ph.D. ’79
Dr. Zimba graduated with a BA degree in Biology and has an MS in Biological Sciences from ODU and a PhD in Biological Sciences from Mississippi State University. Dr. Zimba was a Summer Fellow in the Department of Oceanography at the University of Hawaii. He is currently a Research Microbiologist at the US Agricultural Research Service. Dr. Zimba received over 4.8 million dollars in research grants and contract awards, published over 80 peer reviewed papers and reviewed manuscripts for 15 journals and proposals.