Virginia Wesleyan President Scott D. Miller addresses the College's Alumni Association Board of Directors Aug. 1
News Release | August 4, 2015
“As I visit with alumni and friends, I am impressed by the passion that our graduates have for their alma mater,” VWC President Scott D. Miller told the College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors on Aug. 1. “Virginia Wesleyan College is, without a doubt, a lifetime experience.”
In his first meeting with the group since assuming the Virginia Wesleyan presidency, Dr. Miller spoke of VWC’s "golden past and bright future," shared his background, and outlined growth opportunities for the College. He noted that it was VWC's location and reputation that attracted him to the position.
"Virginia Wesleyan has a growing reputation nationally as a student-centered liberal arts college of the highest quality," said Dr. Miller, now in his fourth college presidency over a 24-year period.
He expressed appreciation for the Alumni Board’s active involvement and leadership, mentioning recent fundraising successes and complimenting VWC graduates and the Board of Trustees for their generosity during difficult economic times. He commended the Alumni Board for their 100 percent participation rate in the College's 2014-2015 fundraising drive.
“Many of you devote significant time, energy and personal resources to the well-being of the College, and we are forever thankful,” he said. “To contribute so generously during two of the most significant economic downturns in our country’s history is a major statement of support in the people and programs of Virginia Wesleyan College.”
Dr. Miller urged alumni and friends to return to campus for 2015 Homecoming & Parent Weekend (Oct. 2-4), and asked the Alumni Board to identify potential locations for upcoming alumni gatherings around the region and nation.
A monthly columnist for The Huffington Post, Dr. Miller talked about his recent column, “What’s the Future of Higher Ed? See it Now.” He spoke to the “changing world of higher education in America,” but added, “You can be proud that Virginia Wesleyan has remained true to its mission. We strive to be a nationally prominent residential, liberal arts college committed to teaching and student success, a place where academics and student life complement each other, for we recognize that learning takes many forms, both inside and outside the classroom.”
Other initiatives discussed were an Institutional Review, commissioned by the Board of Trustees to assist in the presidential transition and to set priorities for the coming years; Development of a new VWC business model; Exploration of development possibilities for properties owned by the College but not on the campus proper; And expanding student opportunities for globalization, internships and service learning/community engagement.
“A typical student will devote 18 hours per week to classroom activities and sleep between 42 and 50 hours per week,” he said. “At a residential liberal arts college, we partner with students for learning activities for the remaining 100 hours. This might be athletics or recreation, a campus job, a fraternity or sorority, or service learning.”
He provided updates on other campus projects including Birdsong Field, scheduled for completion by Sept. 1; The Greer Environmental Sciences Center, for which construction is expected to begin this winter; Discussions with the YMCA for a potential shared-use facility on campus; And overall enrollment, which is expected to reach approximately 1,400 total students this fall.
He closed with comments about the College’s “golden past and bright future."
“We’re proud of the heritage of this outstanding college," he said. "Over 10,000 students have availed themselves to a Virginia Wesleyan education and have earned the distinction of Virginia Wesleyanites for life. Likewise, we're proud of the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students and optimistic for the future."