Distinguished Virginia Wesleyan graduates honored Sept. 4
By Staff | September 5, 2014
The 2014 Alumni Awards were presented by the Virginia Wesleyan College Alumni Association on Thursday, September 4, celebrating graduates who have achieved distinction in their fields while reflecting the College's commitment to service and dedication. This year’s awards also recognized honorary alumni and remembered a former faculty member. Award recipients were honored at a special brunch reception, followed by an awards ceremony during VWC’s annual Fall Convocation.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2014 Alumni Awards:
Teresa Annas ’76 – Distinguished Alumna Award
Arts Staff Writer, The Virginian-Pilot
For more than three decades, Teresa Annas ’76 has been one of Hampton Roads' primary literary advocates for the visual and performing arts. Early in her career, the theatre and fine arts graduate worked as a freelance writer and curator at the Virginia Beach Arts Center (now the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia) organizing innovative exhibitions and public programs. In 1986 she joined the Virginian-Pilot staff where she remains today as a primary reporter for the creative arts community: visual art, music, theater, dance. Through thoughtful and insightful articles, Annas publicly documents various people, institutions and trends in this area and beyond, including stories about the Virginia Symphony musicians’ strike, the do-or-die campaign that saved the Virginia Stage Company and the “Art of Glass” festival that signaled the region’s rising reputation as a center for glass art. Her expertise has garnered her numerous awards including a Slover Award from the Virginian-Pilot in 2001; the prestigious Cultural Alliance of Hampton Roads' Alli Award in 2003; and a Certificate of Commendation for "outstanding work in covering the arts in Hampton Roads" from the Virginia Commission of the Arts in 2003. She was also a finalist in the Missouri School of Journalism Lifestyle Journalism contest in 2000 and 2002. Annas doesn’t just write about the arts; she also brings them to life herself through on-stage performances, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and ceramics.
Howard D. Bartner ’82 – Alumni Service Award
Senior Vice President of Operations, Junior Achievement USA
During his four years at Virginia Wesleyan, Howard Bartner ’82 met both his life’s work and his future wife (Pam Killen-Bartner ’83). As a Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP) student, he accepted an internship at the local Junior Achievement office. Today, he serves as the senior vice president of operations for Junior Achievement USA in Colorado Springs. Bartner has spent 32 years educating youth in entrepreneurial thinking, job creation, and good financial management. Three VWC business professors in particular—the late Bob Cass, Dave Garraty, and Bob Albertson—had a lasting impact on his life, encouraging Bartner to push himself and to understand that learning is more about knowledge than grades. In the true Marlin spirit of giving back, Bartner has served on the VWC Alumni Board; the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region; and as an active volunteer for Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado Inc. Bartner was the 2005 recipient of the Frances Hesselbein "How To Be" Award for living Junior Achievement's values of respect, integrity, and excellence. Howard and Pam Bartner are parents to a future Marlin, Margaret Jane, Class of 2030.
Jason Seward ’05 – GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award
Dean of Freshmen/Director of the Jane P. Batten Student Center, Virginia Wesleyan College
Jason Seward ’05 has given back to Virginia Wesleyan in many ways. He left VWC with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies but quickly returned to his alma mater to serve as director of recreational sports and outdoor activities and assistant director of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. In 2013 he earned a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from Regent University. Today, he serves as director of the Batten Center in addition to his new role as dean of freshmen, in which he helps incoming students transition to college, connects them to valuable campus resources and helps cultivate an understanding of the College’s history and traditions. Seward spends many hours each day meeting with students, directing staff and students, serving on committees and completing campus projects. He even finds time to attend conferences, teach in the First Year Experience program and work on projects that will improve the College overall. He brings energy, enthusiasm, kindness, and thoughtfulness to his work and his interaction with others. Seward is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional; VWC’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator; serves on the YMCA Camp Silver Beach Board of Directors; and is a recipient of the Virginia Association of Student Affairs Professionals' 2013 New Professional Award. He is married to the former Janet M. Naclerio ’04.
Courtney Beth Dickerson Atwater – Honorary Alumna (1981-2011)
Courtney Beth Dickerson Atwater was a source of inspiration to all who knew her. She handled many obstacles with determination and courage, including her pursuance of a business degree at Virginia Wesleyan College. A lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, she graduated from Norfolk Academy before attending Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She later came to VWC where she was a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. She enjoyed many years boating with her father. When she wasn't boating, she was happy being near the ocean, where she loved to watch the dolphins and shorebirds off of the south end of Virginia Beach. Her affection for all things water related led her to volunteer at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. She passed away on June 4, 2011 surrounded by her loving family and friends. Her memory will forever remain in their hearts as well as the heart of the VWC community.
Anthony Stile – Honorary Alumnus
Former VWC student Anthony Stile received Inside Business’ inaugural Young Entrepreneur Award in 2012 after forming not one, not two, but three businesses alongside business partner Josh Tawes. In 2004, the men—who got their start at Portfolio Recovery Associates—founded Accelerated Financial Solutions, a debt management firm in Chesapeake. Four years later they launched Executive Holdings, a financial services company specializing in buying charged-off and distressed debt. They also run After Hours Limousine, a limo service that chauffeurs passengers throughout Hampton Roads. Accelerated Financial Solutions has twice made the “Inc. 5000” list of fastest-growing private U.S. companies and was recently named one of “Virginia’s Fantastic 50” by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Stile is also invested in his community, giving back to and volunteering for many organizations, including Virginia Wesleyan College; the Shriners Hospitals for Children; the Luter Family YMCA; Hampton Roads’ Muscular Dystrophy Association; and the Mid-Atlantic PowerBoating Association's “Powerboating for a Cure” fundraisers, which benefit many local and national charities. He has taken the knowledge he gained at Virginia Wesleyan and with it has done remarkable things. When called upon to participate in VWC activities, he never hesitates and, in fact, makes others want to be more involved in the life of the College.
In Memory of Dr. Thomas R. Fanney ’76 (1954-2004)
As a professor of mathematics, Thomas R. Fanney ’76 found a way to turn young minds on to math. Students and colleagues alike admired him not only for his intellect and involvement in the College, but also for his broader interests and involvement in the world. “He could sense when you were having trouble and he could explain things in a way that you could see,” said Jason Byzewski ’06. “But he also never forgot that there was more to life than math.” Fanney began his teaching career at Virginia Tech and later taught at Milligan College in Tennessee. In 1989, he became the first Wesleyan graduate to return to his alma mater to teach with a Ph.D. (Virginia Tech). He began as an assistant professor, advanced to associate professor in 1995 and was named professor of mathematics in 2000. During his time at Virginia Wesleyan, Fanney published articles for the Mathematical Society of America and was heavily involved with campus organizations. He served as director of the PORTfolio Program, a four-year curricular innovation allowing students to link their in-class learning to the outside community. He could often be found playing racquetball with fellow faculty and staff and discussing anything from math to sports and music. Professor Fanney’s effect on the College will be long-lasting.