Virginia Wesleyan College

The Pioneering Class

Virginia Wesleyan College, Class of 1970 

The College’s first graduating class

31 

Features 

16 

The Future is 

Hands-On 

New curricular model will bridge 

classroom and community like 

never before 

8 

18 

Such Stuff As 

Dreams Are 

Made On 

The Hofheimer Theater celebrates 30 years 

of music, theater and transformations 

22 

The Long Run 

How a little momentum 

and a lot of Marlin spirit 

have transformed VWC Track 

& Field from an idea to an 

institution in the making 

20 

The New “Show 

and Tell” 

Virginia Wesleyan professors not only 

instruct future teachers on how to be 

successful in today’s classrooms, 

they model vital techniques firsthand 

25 

Special 50th 

Anniversary 

Section

Stay Connected 

VWC on 

www.twitter.com/ 

vawesleyan 

Departments 

4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

6 WESLEYAN WINDOW 

31 ACADEMIA 

38 LIVING & LEARNING 

44 MARLIN ATHLETICS 

49 ALUMNI PAGES 

COVER PHOTO: JANICE MARSHALL-PITTMAN 

MODEL: AVA VAN TINE '14 

26 

VWC on 

www.facebook.com/ 

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VWC on 

www.youtube.com/ 

VaWesleyan 

Join the VWC 

Alumni Association 

Use the barcode 

scanner on your 

smartphone to 

scan the QR code.

A Letter from 

the President 

An Exciting Time to Be a Marlin 

PROUD OF OUR PAST 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE WILL BE CELEBRATING A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE 

during the 2011-12 academic year. This is the year the College turns 50. It’s hard to believe 

that five decades have passed since the signing of our charter in 1961. Much has happened 

during the last half century – most of it carefully chronicled in Dr. Stephen Mansfield’s recently 

published book Wisdom Lights the Way: Virginia Wesleyan College’s First Half Century. And 

thanks to our founders and their families, the early years of the College built a strong foundation 

for the rich traditions we continue to honor today. 

PHOTO: GLEN MCCLURE 

I’ve had the privilege of serving the Virginia 

Wesleyan College community for nearly 20 

years, almost half of the College’s history, 

and during that time I have experienced many 

gratifying moments. I’ve been particularly 

impressed with our incredible students and 

outstanding faculty who never cease to 

amaze me with their accomplishments – from 

the creation of a documentary on Vietnam by 

Dr. Steven Emmanuel and Dr. Stuart Minnis to 

recent graduate Elizabeth Maxwell’s Fulbright 

Scholarship and acceptance into the London 

School of Economics. I’m proud of our many 

campus improvements and advancement 

efforts, such as the construction of the Jane P. 

Batten Student Center, the recent renovations 

in Blocker Hall and a highly coveted and 

competitive grant from the National Science 

Foundation, which will assist our efforts in the 

natural sciences. 

I am thrilled that our athletic programs are 

garnering national reputations. Our 2006 

NCAA Division III championship in men’s 

basketball was a thrilling accomplishment 

we’ll always remember. Virginia Wesleyan also 

received national attention when named a 2011 

”best college in the southeast“ by the Princeton 

Review. I’m also proud that we were one of 

the first colleges in America to sign the ”green 

campus compact,“ and we were listed in The 

Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 

2011 Edition. I’m delighted that our efforts in 

undergraduate research have expanded and 

that we achieved record enrollment numbers 

for 2011-2012. And though I’m extremely 

proud of our College’s history, I’m also looking 

forward to the years ahead. 

Focused on our future 

Our 50 th year begins with many exciting 

opportunities. In 2011-2012, the College 

launches an ”enhanced“ curriculum with a 

new course structure that is the culmination of 

four years of dedicated work by Dean Timothy 

O’Rourke and our faculty. They have reviewed 

and revised every academic major and every 

course offering in order to make the VWC 

educational experience – both inside and 

outside the classroom – even more engaging 

and ultimately more relevant to the career 

aspirations of our students. 

We are delighted to welcome a record 

number of new freshmen this year. The 

focused efforts of our admissions team 

resulted in a 220 percent increase in 

applications and the largest, most diverse 

class of new Marlins in the College’s history. 

Our dedicated, supportive Board of 

Trustees has approved a strategic plan 

that will guide our efforts in the near future 

/ 4 / MARLIN

and prepare the College for even greater 

success in the long term. Briefly, our 

strategic goals include: 

MARLIN 

1. Transformative Educational 

Experience: Develop each student 

through a rigorous educational 

experience in the classroom, on the 

campus, in the community, and in 

the world 

2. Enhanced Enrollment – Recruitment 

and Retention: Attract greater 

numbers of better-prepared students 

and retain them through graduation 

3. Strategic Business Plan: Increase net 

revenue through enhanced enrollment 

and greater external support, while 

allocating resources for strategic 

priorities and initiatives 

Enjoy the new 

Marlin Magazine 

In the pages of this special 50 th anniversary 

edition of Marlin—– Virginia Wesleyan College 

Magazine you’ll discover just what makes 

VWC so special. The following pages will 

provide you with tributes to our memorable 

past as well as glimpses into our promising 

future. In this reimagined version of the 

magazine, you’ll find select stories about our 

students, alumni and faculty representing a 

sampling of the College’s vigorous intellectual 

culture and diverse community. I hope you 

enjoy reading them as much as I have and 

that you will experience the same sense of 

pride that I feel in being connected to such a 

remarkable institution. If you haven’t visited 

campus lately, I encourage you to visit during 

this landmark year and help us celebrate our 

accomplishments and set the stage for the 

next 50 years. As always, I invite you to stop 

by my office in Godwin Hall while you are 

here. I look forward to reconnecting with those 

I have not seen in a while and staying in touch 

with current Wesleyan friends and family. I can 

tell you that 50 sure looks good on us, but 

you should visit campus to see for yourself. 

It is indeed an exciting time to be a Marlin! 

MAGAZINE STAFF 

Publisher 

Laynee Timlin 

Editor-in-Chief 

Leona Baker 

Art Director 

Mary Millar Hester 

Production Manager & 

Photo Editor 

Janice Marshall-Pittman 

Contributing Writers 

Elizabeth Blachman 

Maura Bradley ’11 

Benjamin Haller 

Kristen De Deyn Kirk 

Edward Phillips ’11 

Megan Shearin ’06 

Joe Wasiluk 

Advertising Designer 

Christine Hall 

Contributing Editors 

Kristen De Deyn Kirk 

Diane Hotaling 

Contributing Designers/ 

Illustrators 

Chris Gallagher 

Jeff Mellin 

Contributing Photographers 

Rachel Balsley '13 

Vic Culver 

Kathy Keeney 

Glen McClure 

Edward Phillips ’11 

Daniel Proud ’07 

Contributing Photo Editor 

Augusta Pittman 

ADMINISTRATION 

Billy Greer, President 

David Buckingham, Vice President 

for Student Affairs and Dean of 

Enrollment Services 

Timothy O’Rourke, Vice President 

for Academic Affairs and Kenneth 

R. Perry Dean of the College 

Bryan Price, Associate Vice 

President for Institutional 

Research and Effectiveness and 

Director of Strategic Planning 

Cary Sawyer, Vice President 

of Finance 

Laynee Timlin, Director of 

College Communications 

Mita Vail, Vice President for 

College Advancement 

Bruce Vaughan, Vice President 

of Operations 

ALUMNI RELATIONS 

Contact Alumni Relations Director 

Katy Judge at kjudge@vwc.edu or 

757.455.2115 

Marlin Magazine is published by the 

Office of College Communications. 

The purpose of the publication is to 

inform, inspire and entertain a broad 

readership including alumni, parents, 

students, faculty, staff, supporters 

and friends by documenting the 

College’s vigorous intellectual culture 

and diverse community. The individual 

viewpoints expressed in these pages 

do not necessarily reflect those of the 

magazine staff or of the College and 

its policies. Contact the magazine at 

lbaker1@vwc.edu or Marlin Magazine, 

Office of College Communications, 

1584 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk, VA 

23502. Website: www.vwc.edu. 

William T. ”Billy“ Greer 

President 

Virginia Wesleyan College Magazine 2011-2012 / 5 /

Wesleyan Window 

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: 

Among the dedicated research labs that 

are part of the Blocker renovation is the 

Chesapeake Bay wet lab. 

Outfitted For Inquiry 

COMPLETION OF SECOND PHASE OF MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO 

BLOCKER HALL A BOON FOR NATURAL SCIENCES AT VWC 

BLOCKER 302 HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF 

separations and reactions – the chemical 

kind, that is. The General Chemistry Lab 

on the top floor of Blocker Hall, Virginia 

Wesleyan College’s only natural sciences 

facility, has served students and faculty for 

nearly as long as the College has existed. 

Thanks to a recently completed major 

renovation project totaling $2.8 million, 

this well used room—along with many 

others in the building—has gotten a much 

needed overhaul. These renovations, which 

began in 2010, will allow science majors 

and non science majors alike access to 

modern research facilities and state-of-the 

art equipment that will prepare them for 

advanced study and careers in the natural 

sciences and beyond. 

Built in 1970, Blocker Hall has undergone 

only one other significant renovation in 

2003 when two small spaces, a computer 

lab and a microbiology lab, were combined 

to form a 900-square-foot microbiology 

teaching and research lab that supports 

advanced courses in genetics, human 

anatomy and physiology and microbiology. 

The more recent renovations included 

refurbishing of several teaching/research labs; 

substantial changes to room configurations to 

ensure that lab benches and work spaces can 

support more student projects than in the past; 

significant upgrades to electrical, plumbing, 

lighting, temperature control and ventilation 

systems; and the creation of seven new 

dedicated research labs through the repair 

of existing lab and project spaces in Blocker. 

Among the new spaces is a substantially 

larger wet lab, the Chesapeake Bay Lab. 

These spaces double the capacity for 

students majoring in biology, chemistry and 

earth and environmental sciences to conduct 

/ 6 / MARLIN


independent, hypothesis-driven research 

in these fields each year. The creation 

of dedicated research spaces will also 

promote collaborations and enhance the 

overall quality of research training across the 

natural sciences, while renovations to the 

existing infrastructure will support advanced 

instrumentation such as scanning electron 

microscopy and ion chromatography. 

”It is very exciting to see these 

renovations being realized,“ says Maynard 

Schaus, professor of biology and director 

of undergraduate research at Virginia 

Wesleyan. ”These new facilities coupled 

with new equipment, such as an electron 

microscope, will greatly enhance our ability 

to support undergraduate research in the 

natural sciences.“ 

PHOTO: JANICE MARSHALL–PITTMAN 

BUILDING A 

BETTER BLOCKER 

TEACHING/RESEARCH LABS 

Advanced Chemistry Lab 

Environmental Science Lab 

General Biology Lab 

General Chemistry Lab 

Physics/Geology Lab 

DEDICATED RESEARCH LABS 

Chesapeake Bay Lab 

Chromatography Lab 

Electron Microscopy Lab 

Freshwater Ecology Lab 

Mercury Analysis Lab 

Molecular Biology Lab 

Spectroscopy Lab 

Blocker Renovation Funding 

National Science Foundation 

Grant* — $621,507 

Birdsong Corporation/George and Sue 

Birdsong — $375,000 

Beazley Foundation — $200,000 

Hampton Roads Community 

Foundation — $114,076 

Virginia Foundation for Independent 

Colleges Capital Project Grants — $14,000 

Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Matching 

Grant** — $250,000 

*This prestigious award is funded 

under the American Recovery and 

Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to be 

used for the “Strategic Modernization of 

Undergraduate Research Facilities in 

the Sciences.” 

**The College must raise $500,000 in 

new commitments to receive this grant. 

The challenge continues through 

the spring of 2012. 

A Seaworthy Partnership 

OCEAN EXPLORER RESEARCH VESSEL OFFERS A UNIQUE 

OPPORTUNITY FOR VWC STUDENTS 

THE LARGEST ESTUARY IN THE UNITED 

States, the Chesapeake Bay, happens to be 

located on the doorstep of Virginia Wesleyan 

College. This biologically diverse and storied 

watershed provides the perfect setting for 

VWC students to engage in undergraduate 

research and study. 

In late 2009, the College christened a new 

45-foot research vessel, the Ocean Explorer, 

in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium 

& Marine Science Center. The vessel gives 

students hands-on experience collecting 

samples and conducting field experiments in 

an effort to examine the historical utilization, 

ecology and cultures of the Bay, the human 

impact on the preservation of this system as 

well as various issues affecting the watershed 

and its future. The close of the spring 2011 

semester represented the completion of the 

vessel’s first full academic year in use. 

Much like a floating laboratory, the Ocean 

Explorer boasts a bevy of specialized 

technology and marine research equipment. 

It features a flybridge observation deck, tuna 

tower, cabin with galley, v-berth and chart 

table and on-board computer system with wifi 

connectivity. Other major features include 

a 700 hp Caterpillar marine diesel engine, 

12 kW Northern Lights marine generator, 

expansive deck space, full electronics with 

satellite phone, and a transom door and 

swim platform. 

Students in a variety of courses at Virginia 

Wesleyan such as oceanography, marine 

biology, ecology, environmental chemistry 

and environmental geology will have a chance 

to utilize the vessel. The Ocean Explorer is also 

an essential tool in the College’s new minor in 

marine science, a combination of biology and 

earth and environmental science courses. 


Record Breaking 

Class of 2015 

LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS IN COLLEGE’S HISTORY 

A WELCOME ADDITION TO CAMPUS 

ACADEMIC YEAR 2011-12 WILL BE A HISTORY-MAKING YEAR AT VIRGINIA 

Wesleyan College in more ways than one. The College will celebrate the 

50th anniversary of its founding just as it welcomes its largest 

freshman class ever. 

When compared to the last three freshman classes, the enrollment 

growth in 2011 is nothing short of phenomenal. After four consecutive 

years of declining freshman enrollment, the final admitted freshman tally 

for 2011-12 reached approximately 450 students. 

This astounding surge is the result of comprehensive changes in enrollment 

management processes, which have attracted the attention of 4,698 prospective 

students this year. This represents an increase of 220 percent over 2010. 

Virginia Wesleyan Dean of Admissions Patty Patten attributes this huge 

increase in applications to the use of refined marketing messages, e-marketing 

strategies, and 21st-century techniques such as Facebook, smartphone 

applications and other social media. Patten says that her staff has doubled 

MARLINS IN THE MAKING: Members of the Class of 2015 make themselves at home 

during freshman orientation. 

high school visits and expedited application processes to achieve these 

remarkable results. 

The College’s decision to adopt a ”test optional“ admissions policy as well 

as a series of accolades and positive national press – a prestigious grant from 

the National Science Foundation, recognitions from the Princeton Review and a 

winning men’s basketball season among others – are also possible factors. 

As the 2011-12 academic years gets into full swing, faculty, staff and 

returning students are prepared, as always, to help the Class of 2015 acclimate 

to life at VWC. 

”It was a pleasure getting to know these students and their families at 

orientation,“ says David Buckingham, vice president of student affairs and 

dean of enrollment services. ”Their presence has energized us all, and we’re 

thrilled to welcome them officially into the campus community.“ 


“Best in the Southeast” 

PRINCETON REVIEW RANKS VWC AMONG 

TOP COLLEGES IN REGION 

“IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE QUINTESSENTIAL 

small college experience, you’ll find a good match at 

Virginia Wesleyan College,“ said one student responder 

of the more than 120,000 across the nation who were 

asked to rate their schools on everything from the 

accessibility of professors to quality of the campus food 

as part of a survey by The Princeton Review for an annual 

online feature highlighting the best regional colleges. 

For 2011 and 2012, Virginia Wesleyan College was 

selected as one of approximately 135 institutions in the 

”Best in the Southeast“ section, which includes 12 states: 

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

Virginia and West Virginia. 

According to Robert Franek, senior vice president 

and publisher of The Princeton Review, ”from hundreds 

of institutions we reviewed in each region, we selected 

colleges and universities primarily for their excellent 

academic programs. We also took into account what 

students attending the schools reported to us about 

their campus experiences . Our ‘regional best’ colleges 

constitute only 25 percent of the national four-year 

colleges, a select group, indeed.“ 

VWC Goes Test Optional 

POLICY CHANGE GIVES STUDENTS 

SAT-FREE ADMISSIONS ALTERNATIVE 

IN LATE 2010, VIRGINIA WESLEYAN ANNOUNCED 

it would begin making admissions decisions for top 

students without using the SAT or ACT score. The 

change in policy was designed to welcome freshmen 

who are stars in the classroom, but do not necessarily 

perform well on standardized tests. 

The recently admitted Class of 2015 represents the 

first group of incoming freshmen for which the option 

was available. About 70 out of the incoming class of 

approximately 447 students chose the test-free option. 

In order to be considered for the option, prospective 

freshmen must have at least a 3.5 GPA and have taken 

a strong college preparatory curriculum in high school. 

”These are some of the best students we see – 

superb in the classroom, but not necessarily super test 

takers,“ says Dean of Admissions Patty Patten. 

Research shows that high school GPA is by far 

the best predictor of college success, and a study of 

Virginia Wesleyan students follows this pattern. 

Virginia Wesleyan is one of only a few schools in 

Virginia to adopt a test optional policy, but more than 

830 institutions in the nation – including many top 

liberal arts institutions – have done so. 

/ 8 / MARLIN


By the Numbers 

14% 

Percentage of 

VWC students 

who choose 

business as 

their major 

7,764 

Number of 

VWC alumni 

90% 

Percentage 

of VWC 

faculty who 

hold terminal 

degrees – 

doctorates or 

equivalents – in 

their fields 

93% 

Percentage of 

VWC graduates 

who go on to 

employment 

or continuing 

education within 

one year 

Average class 

14size at VWC 

127,190/59,354 

Number of books/eBooks in the 

VWC library 

34 

96.7% 

Percentage 

of full-time 

VWC students 

who receive 

some form of 

financial aid 

447 

Number of 

new majors 

offered to 

incoming 

students 

at VWC 

Approximate number of 

incoming freshmen for 2011 

Number 

of 

athletics 

teams at 

VWC 

All data verified by the Office 

of Institutional Research and 

Effectiveness to be accurate as of 

press time, July 28, 2011. 


Faculty Focus 

Biblical 

Proportions 

WESLEYAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROFESSOR 

CRAIG WANSINK’S RESEARCH ON THE 

“SUPERSIZING OF THE LAST SUPPER” GARNERS 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION 

IN THE SPRING OF 2010, VWC PROFESSOR 

of Religious Studies Craig Wansink coauthored 

an article with his brother, Brian 

Wansink of Cornell University, in the 

International Journal of Obesity that struck a 

chord with the media and the public. 

The article detailed research that indicated 

that the size of the meals depicted in images 

of the Last Supper had gone from modest 

repasts to feasts fit for a king over the 

course of a millennium. Using a computer, 

the brothers compared the size of the food 

to the size of the heads in 52 paintings 

of Jesus and his disciples. Their research 

showed that over 1,000 years, food portions 

in the paintings grew significantly. 

”We found that this whole supersizing 

phenomenon has really gone on for a 

long time,“ says Wansink. ”In an age of 

supersizing, there’s a general trend that 

increased food sizes have been seen as 

good, and we need to acknowledge and be 

aware of this.“ 

The article was covered by diverse media 

outlets such as the New York Times, Fox 

News, the BBC, Psychology Today, the 

Chicago Tribune, Good Morning America 

and CNN. It was cited in more than 700 

newspapers and magazines, and Wansink 

was interviewed by reporters in over 25 

different countries including Australia, Mexico, 


SIZE MATTERS: Professor Craig Wansink in 

his element at Virginia Wesleyan College 

Canada, Brazil, Holland, Spain and Germany. 

During the 2010 VWC Commencement 

ceremonies, Wansink was awarded the 

seventh annual Frank and Jane P. Batten 

Distinguished Scholar Award, which 

recognizes outstanding scholarship and is 

determined by nominations and votes cast by 

fulltime Wesleyan faculty. 

POETRY IN MOTION 

Professor of English Vivian Teter’s six-line 

poem, inspired by a ginko tree on the Wesleyan 

campus with leaves that turn brilliant gold in 

the fall, has been chosen to be immortalized 

in a permanent public art installation at the 

still-under-construction Tysons Central 7 Metro 

Station outside of Washington, D.C. The poetry 

contest was sponsored by the Washington 

Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the 

Poetry Society of Virginia. 

The honor is a bittersweet one for Teter, who 

lost her sister to cancer in 2011 and says the 

poem is in part about ”how we live this life and 

how we leave this life.“ The theme of transition 

is presented simply and powerfully in the 

poem, titled ”Utterly.“ The work will enrich the 

lives thousands of Metro passengers once the 

new station opens in 2012 or 2013. 

THE PEACE CORPS GUY 

Virginia Wesleyan isn’t the only institution 

celebrating its 50 th anniversary this year. 

The Peace Corps, famously dubbed ”the 

toughest job you’ll ever love,“ also marks the 

half-century milestone in 2011. Former Peace 

Corps volunteer (Sierra Leone 1977-1979) 

and Wesleyan history professor Clay Drees 

is keeping the volunteer spirit alive in the 

classroom and beyond. 

As president and founder of Returned 

Peace Corps Volunteers of Hampton Roads, 

Drees is helping to achieve one the primary 

goals of the Peace Corps – ”bringing the 

world back home“ – through a series of local, 

regional and national events honoring the 

program established via executive order in 1961. 

Many VWC students know Drees as 

”the Peace Corps guy,“ and a handful of 

students each year go on to volunteer with 

the organization. Drees’ own Peace Corps 

experience was a transformative one: ”I think 

any Peace Corps volunteer will tell you that it 

changed their life.“ 

HONORED FOR SERVICE 

IN HEALTHCARE 

Associate Professor of Health and Human 

Services Sharon Payne was inducted in 2010 

into National Academies of Practices. One of 

only 150 members elected by membership, 

Payne is recognized as a distinguished 

practitioner and scholar in the healthcare 

profession. A practicing psychotherapist, 

Payne specializes in treating women with 

affective disorders, families with teens, 

substance abuse and addictions. 

Her scholarly interests include women’s 

issues, death, loss and homelessness, and 

/ 10 / MARLIN


Ruehlmann 

Signs Off 

Journalism professor 

and student newspaper 

adviser retires after 

18 years at VWC 

”I’VE HAD GREAT FORTUNE 

here at Virginia Wesleyan because 

I’ve been able to lead three lives,“ 

says Bill Ruehlmann as he leans 

on a table in the newsroom of the Marlin Chronicle thumbing through the latest issue, ”the 

scholarly one, the teaching one and the advising one—in meaningful ways.“ 

He says he stayed at VWC as long as he has for one reason: it’s fun. 

”The students are fun to be with. They’re smarter than I am, which is great because I can learn from 

them. But they’ve also taught me there’s a time to graduate, so perhaps that’s what I’m doing now.“ 

Ruehlmann, 65, officially ”graduated“ at the close of the 2010-2011 school year after 18 

years as a professor of journalism and communications. A tireless advocate for the First 

Amendment, for the journalistic enterprise and, above all, for his students, Ruehlmann 

credits the many awards Marlin Chronicle has received over the years to his hard-working 

young journalists. 

”It’s all student-generated in real time, and we’ve never missed a deadline. I’m very proud of that.“ 

Before coming to VWC, Ruehlmann worked for many years as a general assignment reporter, 

feature writer and columnist for a variety of news outlets. He continued to write professionally 

while teaching fulltime and still publishes a weekly literary column in the Virginian-Pilot. 

Ruehlmann plans to enjoy his retirement by traveling and focusing on his own writing. 

she has developed numerous innovative 

courses in those areas at Virginia Wesleyan 

College, including ”Women on the Brink,“ a 

week-long experience where female students 

live in a homeless shelter and on the streets in 

Washington, D.C. 

AN ARTFUL APPLICATION 

Lee Jordan-Anders, professor of music and 

artist-in-residence at Wesleyan, has created 

an audio tour called ”Picture This! Music and 

Art with Lee Jordan-Anders“ for the Chrysler 

Museum of Art in Norfolk. The tour is part 

of a recently released iPod application now 

available for free download on iTunes. 

”Picture This“ pairs Jordan-Anders’ 

interpretations of works of classical music with 

specific pieces in the Museum’s collection 

and offers intriguing insight into the context in 

which each was created – from Mark Rothko 

and Aaron Copland to Auguste Renoir and 

Claude Debussy. Jordan-Anders says she 

hopes the work will give museum visitors ”a 

reason to linger, ponder, contemplate and be 

touched by the creative spirit in both the music 

and the art.“ 


We 

Mean 

GREEN 

COLLEGE’S ONGOING 

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS 

HIGHLIGHTED BY NEW 

PROGRAMS AND HONORS 

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT’S 

Environmental Issues Council in 2005 

crystallized the College’s commitment to 

enhance responsible management of 

resources and promote improvement of 

the quality of the environment at Virginia 

Wesleyan. Some recent recognitions and 

programs include: 

IN SELECT COMPANY: The Princeton 

Review includes VWC in its Guide to 311 Green 

Colleges: 2011 Edition, published in partnership 

with the U.S. Green Building Council. The guide 

recognizes schools that have demonstrated a 

notable commitment to sustainability. 

GREEN GRADS: The class of 2011 sports 

gowns made of 100 percent post-consumer 

recycled materials (primarily plastic bottles) 

during commencement ceremonies. 

A WAY WITH WORMS: Biology professor 

and President’s Environmental Challenge Grant 

recipient Philip Rock unveils his first batch of 

”black gold,“ composted soil generated by the 

College’s very own ”worm farm.“ 

READY, SET, RECYCLE: Students, faculty 

and staff put waste reduction skills to the test 

as part of national event called Recyclemania, a 

benchmarking tool for colleges and universities 

to promote increased recycling rates 

GOT THE BLUES: VWC adds 

environmentally friendly ”blue cleaning“ 

program – which uses electrically activated 

water in place of chemicals to safely clean 

most floors, carpets and hard surface areas – 

to its campus operations. 


Student Spotlight 

Med School Awaits 

TRAVIS DEGRAPHENRIED ’12 FIRST VWC STUDENT TO 

BE ACCEPTED TO EVMS THROUGH JOINT PROGRAM IN 

MEDICINE HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR 


PREMEDICAL STUDENT TRAVIS DEGRAPHENRIED ’12 LEARNED HIS 

sophomore year of college that he had been accepted into Eastern Virginia 

Medical School (EVMS) thanks to Virginia Wesleyan’s Joint Program in 

Medicine. The program gives premed students the exclusive opportunity to 

apply for early admission to EVMS. 

DeGraphenried is the College’s first student to be accepted into the program. 

Students accepted into EVMS are expected to complete a rigorous academic 

program while at Virginia Wesleyan and obtain substantive exposure in the 

medical field as undergraduates. 

”I was attracted to the program by the opportunity to get into medical school 

early and have one less thing to stress over,“ says DeGraphenried, who is 

majoring in biology. ”It’s exciting to be the first student accepted, and it’s a 

big honor.“ 

While DeGraphenried’s focus may be on pursuing a career as a pediatrician, 

he is active outside of the classroom. He is the president of Omicron Delta 

Kappa national leadership society; Sigma Nu fraternity commander; Wesleyan 

Ambassadors student coordinator; and vice president of the Beta Beta Beta 

national biology society. 

HEADED FOR HEALING: “It’s a big honor,” 

says Travis DeGraphenried of his early 

acceptance to EVMS. 

IN THE NAME OF RESEARCH 

Undergraduate research is an important 

component of academics at Virginia 

Wesleyan. In 2011, for the sixth consecutive 

year, Wesleyan students presented their work 

at the Undergraduate Research Symposium 

on campus, April 26-29. The College also 

sent its largest ever contingent of students to 

the National Conference on Undergraduate 

Research at Ithaca College in New York, 

March 31-April 2, 2011. 

Research topics ranged from ”Beauty 

and the Fashion Model“ to ”Epizoic 

Cyanobacteria“ and drew from a variety 

of disciplines including humanities, social 

sciences, natural sciences and mathematics. 

ETHICS ON CAMPUS 

A mother becomes concerned when she 

doesn’t hear from her daughter, a junior in 

college with a serious health condition, for 

over a week. The mother travels to the school 

but isn’t allowed to enter her daughter’s room 

due to privacy rules. What should she do? 

What would you do? 

This was the dilemma presented to two 

teams of four students who faced off in 

the championship round of the 12th annual 

statewide collegiate VFIC (Virginia Foundation 

for Independent Colleges) Wachovia Ethics 

Bowl, held on the VWC campus in February 

2011. The theme of this year’s Bowl was 

”Ethics and Privacy.“ Eight Virginia Wesleyan 

students competed in 2011. 

The Ethics Bowl was established by the 

VFIC as a means of engaging students with 

complex ethical dilemmas based on studies 

of individual ethics cases involving real-world 

scenarios. Virginia Wesleyan College won the 

first annual VFIC Ethics Bowl in 2000. 

THE ART OF MATH 

It’s tempting to think of math and art as 

completely incompatible disciplines—– one 

concerned with the objective, the other with 

the subjective. But math major and recent 

magna cum laude VWC graduate Ashlee 

Edwards ’11 challenged this notion when her 

mathematically inspired art joined that of two 

other Wesleyan students in ”Seek, Interact, 

Connect,“ the 2011 Senior Thesis Exhibition on 

display in the Neil Britton Gallery. 

Edwards uses string, wire, yarn, twine, 

pushpins and wood in three-dimensional, mixedmedia 

pieces that are both orderly and uneasy. 

”The goal is to be able to take intangible 

ideas or notions in mathematics and 

represent them in innovative ways using 

artistic techniques,“ Edwards explains. ”As a 

culture we are trained to view art as something 

beautiful and subjective, and mathematics as 

objective and straightforward.“ 

Edwards was the recipient of the 

Outstanding Mathematics Student award 

at the 2011Spring Honors Convocation. 

She is pursuing her graduate degree at Old 

Dominion University. 

/ 12 / MARLIN


THE BUSINESS OF TRUST 

How important is trust in the workplace? 

Two Virginia Wesleyan business majors, 

Scarlett Barham ’12 and Lynne Waters ’12, 

addressed this topic in a research paper for a 

principles of management class. 

”They explored the relationship between 

management and trust and how important 

trust is in terms of productivity,“ explains Paul 

Ewell, their faculty advisor. ”What they found 

is that maybe we don’t have as much trust in 

the workplace as we think. So what sounded 

like a pretty straightforward topic ended up 

being very enlightening.“ 

Ewell suggested they submit the paper 

for a chance to present it at the Society for 

Advancement of Management International 

Conference in Orlando, Florida. They 

were delighted to find the paper had been 

accepted. Ewell accompanied both students 

to the conference, April 1-3, 2011. 

”We had a wonderful time in Florida and are 

very grateful the school helped support this 

tremendous opportunity we were given,“ says 

Lynne Waters. ”Many conference attendees 

expressed an interest in seeing us back next 

year with further research.“ 

MOMS KNOW BEST 

Children sometimes grow up and follow 

in their parents footsteps. Occasionally it’s 

the other way around. That’s the case with 

three students currently enrolled in the Adult 

Studies Program at Virginia Wesleyan College. 

All three are seniors. Two are business 

majors and one is a social sciences major. 

And when all three ended up in the same 

evening Marketing Principles class, it was 

their professor who discovered all three were 

mothers of Wesleyan alums. 

”These women are excellent examples 

of the best our Adult Studies Program has 

to offer,“ says Linda Ferguson, professor of 

management/business/economics. 

Cyndi Randolph, Mary Reilly and Rebecca Kois 

all have at least one child who attended VWC. 

Randolph, mother of Aaron ‘08 and Amber 

‘05, decided to fulfill a longtime ambition after 

homeschooling both of her kids during high 

school and then sending both to Wesleyan. 

”I’ve always wanted to finish school,“ 

explains Cyndi. ”I just didn’t have the 

opportunity until I got my two kids through 

school. And my kids had such a fabulous 

experience here.“ 


DECIPHERING DNA: Thelma Donchig ’11 

had a unique opportunity to explore the 

cutting-edge field of computational biology 

at Mississippi State. 

NEW CALCULATIONS 

Advances in DNA sequencing 

technologies have provided scientists with 

billions of bits of information with a staggering 

list of potential uses in the fields of medicine, 

forensic science, evolutionary biology, even 

artificial intelligence. The challenge: how to 

make sense of them all. 

One Virginia Wesleyan student recently got a 

chance to be on the forefront of that process. 

Biology major Thelma Donchig, who is 

scheduled to graduate in December 2011, was 

accepted to a highly competitive and prestigious 

summer research program in computational 

biology at Mississippi State University. 

”This is real cutting-edge, modern biological 

research,“ says Phil Rock, professor of 

biology and Donchig’s adviser. ”It is an area 

that is full of possibilities.“ 

A transfer student from Tidewater 

Community College, Donchig considered 

medical school but became interested 

”bioinformatics“ after Rock encouraged 

her to explore the field. Research projects 

in the Mississippi State program include 

such titles as ”Functional Genomics in 

Developmental Biology“ and ”Algorithms for 

High Throughput Sequencing.“ 

Game, Set, 

Match 

A NEW LOOK AND A NEW 

NAME FOR A VENUE THAT IS 

HOME TO ONE OF THE OLDEST 

ATHLETIC PROGRAMS 

AT VIRGINIA WESLEYAN 

COLLEGE 

THE OPENING OF THE NEW 

Everett Tennis Center on the VWC 

campus adjacent to the Jane P. 

Batten Student Center, the first of a 

number of planned modernizations 

of the College’s outdoor athletic 

facilities, will provide a new home 

for the men’s and women’s tennis 

teams as well a new space to be 

enjoyed by the entire campus 

community. 

Established on the foundation of 

the Penzold Tennis Center – named 

for Ted Penzold, a noted tennis 

instructor and promoter of the game 

in Virginia, the Everett Tennis Center 

includes a total of eight new courts, 

including two championship courts, 

two lighted grandstand courts and 

four competition courts, along 

with court fencing designed with 

California corners, stadium seating, 

and storage. 

The new center is named after 

O.L. Everett, Chairman of the VWC 

Board of Trustees, and his wife 

Carol, current President of the 

Women of Wesleyan. It will feature 

new spectator-friendly fencing, 

an upgraded lighting system on 

the grandstand courts, a welcome 

gazebo, a viewing stand, a brick 

façade entrance and ample seating 

for fans. The location of the center 

near the Batten Student Center 

will also provide easy access to 

locker rooms, rest rooms and all the 

amenities offered in the building. 

”These courts will rival any in the 

Old Dominion Athletic Conference 

(ODAC) and will send a great signal 

to future Marlins that we take our 

continued next page

PLAY PLACE: 

The Everett Tennis 

Center will feature 

new spectator-friendly 

fencing, an upgraded 

lighting system on the 

grandstand courts, a 

brick façade entrance, 

and ample seating. 

tennis seriously at VWC,“ says VWC 

Athletic Director Joanne Renn, who was 

the women’s head tennis coach from 

1995 through 1999. ”We look forward to 

hosting tournaments with our ODAC 

conference competitors, especially as we 

celebrate the College’s 50 th anniversary.“ 

Great care has been taken in 

the design and construction of the 

Everett Tennis Center to use materials, 

surfaces and plantings that respect 

the environment in keeping with the 

College’s overall commitment to 

environmental sustainability. The existing 

trees and shrubbery at the site will be 

kept in place to provide a wind break 

and beautiful backdrop for the courts. 

Additional plantings are a key element of 

the final design and construction. 

A formal ribbon cutting event for 

the Everett Tennis Center is being 

planned in the spring of 2012 as part 

of the College’s 50 th anniversary 

celebration. 

/ 14 / MARLIN


WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TRUST IN THE WORKPLACE? HOW DOES 

leg loss affect the order of arachnids known as harvestmen? How 

have ”super models“ informed our contemporary concept of beauty? 

”A prudent question is one half of wisdom,“ wrote 16th–century 

philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon. The monumental curricular 

reform that goes into effect at Virginia Wesleyan College beginning in 

the fall of 2011 will make prudent questions like these an integral part 

of the academic experience. 

”Inquiry-guided learning,“ as it is known, encourages students 

to become active learners by focusing on intellectual curiosity as 

a catalyst for acquiring knowledge and, perhaps more importantly, 

integrating that knowledge with real-world experiences. 

”In the traditional college scenario, students are passive a lot,“ 

explains Virginia Wesleyan Professor of English and Associate Dean 

Lisa Carstens, who has been at the helm of a reform process several 

years in the making. ”That idea of a student sitting in a chair and the 

teacher saying, ‘Here’s what you need to know about history: write 

this down, you will be tested.’“ 

The new model represents a renaissance in higher education 

philosophy – one that looks beyond memorization and regurgitation 

and asks students to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and 

put it into practice on a practical level. 

”If you’re having them read about the sociology of health care, 

that’s great,“ says Carstens, ”but if you go out there and have them 

volunteering in a retirement center, they’re going to understand on a 

deeper level how what they are reading pertains to actually helping 

people the profession that they are looking toward.“ 

LEARNING BY DOING: 

Ada Van Tine ’14 in the 

ceramics studio in the 

Fine Arts Building. 

TheFuture 

Is Hands-On 

New curricular model will bridge 

classroom and community 

like never before 

By Leona Baker 

/ 16 / MARLIN

The concept is already in play in some respects at Virginia 

Wesleyan and at many colleges and universities. Science students, 

for instance, tend toward inquiry-based practices because of 

the nature of the research process and activities in the lab and 

elsewhere. Study abroad is another example in which immersive, 

experiential learning comes with the territory. 

The newly implemented reforms, however, will apply that 

principle in a broader way across the entire curriculum – whether it’s 

students of Greek mythology attending an opera and writing about 

the political and religious dimensions of tragedy or psychology 

students creating campus programs to increase awareness about 

eating disorders. It’s about connections. 

IN MAY OF 2011, MEMBERS OF LISA CARSTENS’ CREATIVE 

writing class are gathered at Clare Bridge Virginia Beach Estates, 

a senior living community with a specialized program for 

residents coping with dementia. 

Seated in a circle, a small group of residents studies a mysterious 

picture that has been passed around to them by one of the 

students. It is an old black and white photograph of a man in a 

wide-brimmed hat pointing a rifle towards the sky. 

”Where is the picture taking place?“ one of the students 

prompts the residents. 

”In Washington, D.C.,“ a resident suggests. ”Outside, where 

there’s more room to shoot,“ says another. ”Up my nose,“ yet 

another blurts out, drawing laughter. 

”What is the man in the picture doing?“ the student asks. 

”He’s trying to shoot a bird down for dinner,“ says one man. 

”He’s shooting stars and killing birds back in the ’30s, trying to 

change the sky,“ another offers. 

A student sits cross-legged on the floor in the middle of the circle 

with an oversized drawing pad on her knees. With a purplish marker 

she records the residents’ responses to a variety of open-ended 

questions about the image, designed to encourage them to piece 

together a narrative based on a visual cue. 

The exercise is part of a national program called TimeSlips, 

which uses interactive, creative storytelling to engage patients 

with memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s. It’s just one example 

of a way in which students can integrate something they’ve 

learned in the classroom – in this case creative writing – with a 

hands-on opportunity in their community. 

This type of program, when used in the context of higher education, 

is often referred to as ”service learning.“ Through volunteerism, 

students gain valuable insight while simultaneously helping others, an 

important step in the development of any engaged citizen. 

Volunteerism has been integral to the Wesleyan experience, in 

part because of the school’s Methodist tradition. The formation of the 

Office of Community Service in 1997 crystallized these values. 

Many Wesleyan students get involved in everything from 

environmental partnerships with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation 

to building projects with Habitat for Humanity. The new curriculum 

will make the connection between classroom and community 

service even more meaningful and measureable. 

”Yes, you are helping people, and it is focused on the needs of the 

community,“ says Carstens, ”but you have concrete academic goals, 

and students are trying to learn academic concepts at the same time 

they are helping. It’s not one or the other; it’s both.“ 

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE CURRICULUM CHANGES ON 

a philosophical as well as a pragmatic level have meant a 

complete revamping of the College’s course offerings and credit 

requirements. This includes a sweeping overhaul of all 34 majors 

(down from 38) and virtually every course. 

More than 400 newly ”enhanced“ courses have been developed 

based on a four-credit rather than the traditional three-credit 

system –—the idea being that the ”fourth hour“ of each class will 

be utilized for in-depth, independent study. This study can include 

extra reading assignments, research or writing, community service, 

externships, group projects or other activities – most of which 

will take place outside of ”seat time“ in the classroom. It means 

students will take fewer classes each semester and get more credits 

for each class. 

Professors have had to think creatively about how to enhance their 

individual courses. Associate Professor of Education Jayne Sullivan, 

for example, will be taking her students to a local elementary school 

to observe kids in grades K-5 learning how to read. 

THE POWER OF STORIES: Student Scott Westfall '14 with Mr. Tiller, a 

resident at Clare Bridge Estates in Virginia Beach and participant in 

the TimeSlips program 

”It’s going to be really exciting and vastly different,“ Sullivan says. 

”Watching master teachers demonstrate with students should be 

informative and enlightening.“ 

For students of theater, the reforms might mean more time 

immersed in the artistic process. 

”In performance-based classes such as acting, directing, and 

improvisation we are adding a half dozen lab sessions throughout 

the semester,“ says Professor of Theatre Sally Shedd. ”These 

sessions provide an opportunity for students to perform scenes and 

monologues in front of a larger group, participate in large-scale group 

exercises, and work with guest artists.“ 

Professor of Philosophy Larry Hultgren is taking a different 

approach by asking students in his philosophy/environmental 

studies course to keep a ”sense of place journal“ to help them 

connect their reading in environmental theory with a specific 

location. They will also be asked to consider ”the ethical dimension 

of sustainability,“ he explains, by ”comparing and contrasting the 

ecological footprints of differing lifestyles, their own included.“ 

Whether it’s keeping journals or journeying into the community, 

students like rising sophomore Ada Van Tine seem to be taking the 

changes in stride. 

”It’s going to be fewer classes but a more intense learning 

experience,“ Van Tine says, ”so I’m excited about that part.“ 

PHOTO: JANICE MARSHALL–PITTMAN

Such Stuff As 

Dreams Are 

Made On 

The Hofheimer 

Theater celebrates 30 

years of music, theater 

and transformations 

By Elizabeth Blachman 

STAGES OF SLEEP: Michael 

Blankenship and Chana 

Kostka in a production of 

Three Top Hats by Miguel 

Mihura, directed by Rick Hite. 

PHOTO: VIC CULVER 

/ 18 / MARLIN

THE EDWARD D. HOFHEIMER THEATER 

opened in 1981 with a mighty storm and a 

homemade fog machine. The first main stage 

production was The Tempest, Shakespeare’s 

romance about creating theatrical magic out 

of thin air. 

This fall, the Hofheimer and I will both turn 

30. But I can still remember sitting in the black 

box next to my mother in 1995, watching theater 

professor Rick Hite spiral into madness as King 

Lear. I was 13, and I saw for the first time the 

alchemy that could turn wide, blank walls into 

a Caribbean island, a British castle or a 

cramped apartment. 

On a June day the Hofheimer is between 

transformations. The theater is quiet; the walls are 

bare and black. Behind a curtain Greek columns 

and trash bins are stacked full of equipment. 

Costumes on a rack are arranged by era – pink 

tulle peeks out from behind a green jacket. 

Empty, the Hofheimer is a blank canvas—the 

place where, as Prospero says, ”The cloud-capp’d 

towers, the gorgeous palaces/The solemn temples, 

the great globe itself/Ye all which it inherit, shall 

dissolve/And, like this insubstantial pageant faded/ 

Leave not a rack behind.“ 

”It needed to be so high,“ says Hite, now an 

emeritus professor, remembering the requirements that he and his 

colleague Bentley Anderson had placed upon the theater at its genesis. 

”It needed to be capable of going to total darkness, total black; it needed 

to have a wooden floor. [It was] very modest in all other ways.“ 

The first mention of the Hofheimer in the Wesleyan archives is a 

1978 letter about a fundraising push for a fine arts center to house the 

College’s growing music, theater and art programs. In the years between 

then and the September 1981 opening of what was called the ”laboratory 

theater,“ letters and discussions sailed back and forth among Hite, 

Anderson, college officials and the architect covering topics from how 

high the ceilings should be to whether the sounds of flushing toilets 

might interrupt the action onstage. 

In the years before the Hofheimer opened, Wesleyan’s theater 

department performed in the dining hall and the chapel, and the music 

department performed in the chapel or the science auditorium. 

”We’d have to set up the set every night,“ Hite recalls. ”I mean clear the 

dining hall, set up the seating, do the show, take everything down, and then 

set up the dining hall for breakfast…I used to refer to it as touring without 

going anywhere because we had all the work but none of the travel.“ 

Since its opening in 1981, the Hofheimer has been transformed into 

ancient Greece and Laramie, Wyoming, a girls’ boarding school in 

Massachusetts and a garden in Grenada, Spain. Once, after performing 

a Greek play, Hite found a copperhead snake basking in the glow of a 

single stage light and carefully carried it to the woods out back to keep 

from offending the theater gods. In April, the theater held a standingroom-only 

crowd at a memorial service for Bentley Anderson, who 

taught theater and communications at Wesleyan for 34 years. 

The walls of the theater have also echoed with Brahms, Schubert, 

Bach and Copland. The Familiar Faces Concert Series, directed by Batten 

Professor of Music Lee Jordan-Anders, brought six concerts a year to the 

space, and the Music Department has encouraged collaborations that 

fused music with dance and art. 

A MIGHTY STORM:: Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the inaugural show in the Edward 

Hofheimer Theater in 1981, featuring (from left) Rick Hite as Prospero, Toni French as 

Miranda, Allen Webb as Ferdinand, and David Clayton as Alonso, King of Naples. 

”I think that the theater should be defined by what’s happened in it,“ 

says Jordan-Anders. ”A room is simply four walls, but the relationships 

and the energy that they surround are what’s important.“ 

Professor of Theatre Sally Shedd cites the theater’s versatility and 

intimacy as its major assets. 

”You never forget that you’re surrounded by other audience members, 

and there’s kind of a beauty to that,“ Shedd says. ”It builds the sense of 

community in the audience that reflects the sense of community that’s 

everywhere here on campus.“ 

”It changed for virtually every show we did,“ says communication and 

theater major Kyle Ulsh, who graduated from Wesleyan in the spring of 

2011. ”Very rarely did the seating arrangement ever stay the same, so it 

was fun having to adapt performances styles for each scenario.“ 

For a medieval morality play the audience sat in two groups 

facing each other on either side of an alley where the actors 

performed. For A Servant of Two Masters, patrons entered by 

walking under a bridge into an Italian palazzo. The protean theater is 

constantly in use – filling up several times a day with lectures, piano 

tunings, rehearsals and performances. 

”It just gets to the point where we will run weeks and weeks over 

200 percent occupied,“ says the theater’s technical director Tammy 

Dhority Thornes. 

There is little storage space in the Fine Arts Building where the theater 

is housed, so once a set is built, the only place to store it is onstage. 

Music rehearsals might take place with Greek columns or the Little Shop 

of Horrors plant in the background. The theater department can’t accrue 

much in the way of sets and costumes – though that would be more 

economical in the long run – because there’s nowhere to put them. 

”We just need more space,“ says Thornes. ”We need more space.“ 

”The departments have to work together, and it’s not always easy to 

share the space because our requirements are so very different,“ says 

Jordan-Anders. 

continued on page 24 


TOOLS OF THE TRADE: 

Talking is a must when it 

comes to connecting with 

students, says Virginia 

Corbett ’97, who was named 

teacher of the year 

in Chesapeake. 

/ 20 / MARLIN 

PHOTO: JANICE MARSHALL–PITTMAN

The New 

”Show 

& Tell“ 

Virginia Wesleyan professors not 

only instruct future teachers on 

how to be successful in today’s 

classrooms, they model vital 

techniques firsthand 

by Kristen De Deyn Kirk 

EARLY ON A SPRING AFTERNOON, Allison Mahoney ’06 was 

being pulled in two directions. She was on the phone during her 

lunch break, reminiscing about her experiences at Virginia Wesleyan 

College, but a Virginia Beach elementary school teacher needed to 

check in with her about a student. 

”He was great!,“ Mahoney told the teacher. ”In the beginning, he 

shut down. I had a little chat with him, and he really turned it around. 

He showed me how to do some ladder multiplication; he could 

explain it better than me!“ 

In the class where she was substitute teaching, Mahoney had 

successfully connected with a student who was known to get easily 

frustrated, so much so that he would disengage and withdraw. She 

appreciated that one of the teachers who worked with him regularly 

was concerned about her progress – and she was proud that she 

didn’t need any help. Soon, she will be graduating with her second 

degree from Wesleyan, first in accounting and now in education 

through the ACT program (Alternative Certification for Teachers), and 

she is gaining confidence in her skills. 

A few weeks before, another teacher explained what she wanted 

done in her absence, and she paused as she went through her list. 

”Oh, sorry,“ she said to Mahoney. ”I said ‘Kagan strategies;’ you 

probably don’t know what those are.“ 

”Well, actually, I do,“ replied Mahoney. ”I’ve studied Kagan (who 

recommends techniques for students working one-on-one and in 

small groups to increase participation and lesson mastery).“ 

She had already practiced ”Kagan“ and used his methods 

in classes. 

Dr. Malcolm Lively, director of teacher education at Wesleyan, 

would probably smile if he heard about Mahoney’s proud moment. 

He wants each graduating teacher to have a variety of options when 

faced with challenges in the classrooms. 

Visualize his goal this way: Tool bags. 

”I want the teachers to have a wealth of skills and strategies 

at their disposal,“ he explained. ”Teaching doesn’t have to be 

only memorization and drills. You want to know about different 

techniques. Maybe you won’t use some of them for two or three 

years, but you will need them all at some point. That’s when you’ll 

be prepared, because you’ll have studied something that will help 

your students.“ 

The challenges of teaching have never been easy. Video games, 

cell phones, and hundreds of television stations make them even 

harder nowadays, Lively noted. Students’ attention spans are 

shorter, and after all the lights, movement and noise of electronic 

entertainment, students want excitement. They might not realize it, 

but they also crave human connection, something that can often be 

sadly missing from their wired lives. 

The keys to drawing the students in: Having knowledge of the 

material – and knowledge of the person, said Lively. 

”Good teachers learn the students’ names quickly and what 

makes them special,“ he said. 

While Lively encourages his future teachers to become connected 

with their students, he does the same at Wesleyan with his fellow 

staffers. Fortunately, it’s not a difficult task. Professors are often 

drawn to the College because of the small classes and the chance 

to interact closely with students. While the exact number of students 

in each class varies, it’s almost always smaller than other colleges. 

”Some are only eight or nine,“ said Lively. ”It’s always under 20, 

and usually around 11.“ 

These small classes provide the ideal setting to relate with 

students and dive into hands-on activities. Lively and his fellow 

professors teach the way they want their students to eventually 

teach. Mahoney has always appreciated this fact. 

In one class, she was learning about teaching science. The teacher 

didn’t just say ”this is what you need to know“ and then test that 

they understood the material. She taught the students the content by 

constructing different stations and experiments for them to work on. 

Mahoney and the other students walked away having mastered the 

science concepts and adding to their file of future lesson plans. 

Virginia Corbett ’97 had a similar experience at Wesleyan. One of her 

favorite professors was Karen Bosch, who covered teaching methods. 

”She lived what she taught,“ said Corbett. ”Every classroom 

experience was engaging, and she set a high standard. I also 

appreciated that she was nurturing and would give you a thumbs up 

and an ‘atta girl’ when you did well. Just her presence made me want 

to do better.“ 

This year, Corbett had a lot of time to think about her education 

and the work she does now with civics students at Hugo Owens 

Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia. She was named teacher of 

the year at the school and put together a portfolio to compete for the 

district-wide middle school teacher of the year title. (She won, and 

was thrilled that Bosch came to the announcement ceremony!) The 

techniques and tools she uses range from 



PHOTO: GINO SANTA MARIA 

The Long Run 

by Leona Baker 

HOW A LITTLE MOMENTUM AND A LOT OF MARLIN 

SPIRIT HAVE TRANSFORMED VWC TRACK & FIELD 

FROM AN IDEA TO AN INSTITUTION IN THE MAKING 

IT’S A LATE SUMMER MORNING AT VIRGINIA WESLEYAN. 

The air is already thick with humidity as a crescendo of cicadas vibrates 

the air. The grass on the expanse of lush green athletic fields on the 

campus’ north side is still wet with dew. 

In just a matter of weeks, these fields will be teeming with activity 

soccer and field hockey players running drills, intramural athletes 

warming up for a fun game of flag football or ultimate Frisbee. At least 

one of the fields is also likely to double as a practice space for VWC’s 

youngest collegiate athletic program – track and field. 

”Sometimes we’ll measure out a handmade track around the field 

hockey practice field with cones,“ says Head Men’s Cross Country and 

Track & Field Coach Mat Littleton. 

A little ingenuity has gone a long way for Mat and his wife, Krista, 

who is the Head Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Coach, 

since the program’s inception. Though competition in cross country 

has existed at various times throughout the College's history, track 

and field was not added until 2004. 

The two Coach Littletons, both originally from Illinois, share an office 

with their respective desks pushed back to back, a controlled chaos 

of papers and books piled here and there as they prepare to welcome 

back returning athletes along with a promising crop of incoming 

freshmen for the 2011-12 season. 

Without a regulation paved outdoor track to call their own, the 

team has to juggle schedules with nearby Norfolk Academy, work 

on starts and sprints on the 178-meter indoor track in the Batten 

Center, and come up with a variety of creative ways to get their 

athletes prepared for competition. 

”I think where it affects us the most is in the technical events,“ says 

Krista, ”the field events where they need the sand pits and the runways 

for the long jump or the triple jump, or they need the high jump matting 

to do the high jump and the pole vault.“ 

It also means that meets can’t be held on campus, so the team has 

to travel every time they compete. An outdoor track and field complex is 

among a list of capital projects on the College’s short-term master plan. 

Remarkably, the lack of a dedicated facility has done little to impede the 

program’s progress. 

”We went from not even having a track program to having close to 

50 athletes this year,“ says Mat. ”The fact they we get them to come 

here without a track is almost a little mindboggling at times.“ 

Perhaps not so mindboggling when you consider that 

many students are looking not just for a place where they can 

excel athletically or academically, but a sense of belonging – 

something Wesleyan’s small, close-knit campus community is 

known for. 

”I like being a part of this team because we’re like a family,“ says 

rising sophomore Courtney Mebane, who was named rookie of the 

year at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference’s indoor and outdoor 

championship meets in 2011 and won the conference in the 55m and 

100m hurdles. ”We have a lot of team dinners and activities. I can rely 

on my teammates for help or advice on anything.“ 

The team spirit on and off the track is something the coaches go 

out of their way to cultivate. The men’s and women’s teams even take 

an annual camping trip together as a bonding exercise most often to 

First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. 

/ 22 / MARLIN

PHOTO COURTESY: JOE WASILUK 


RAISING THE BAR: 

Sophomore and Virginia 

Beach native Courtney 

Mebane could have 

easily attended a larger 

state school but instead 

chose Wesleyan, where 

she describes her 

teammates “as family.” 

FIRM FOOTING: Distance runner Sean Whitson ’12 (foreground) 

recently became VWC’s first men's provisional national qualifier. 

”We try to have a family-type atmosphere,“ says Krista. ”Virginia 

Wesleyan tends to treat this institution like one big family, and I think we 

try to do the same thing.“ 

That means coaches are often more than coaches. 

”You know if you come here, you’re going to have people that care 

about you,“ says Mat. ”I think all the coaches here are great about that.“ 

It’s not only the coaches who create the family atmosphere; it’s the 

students themselves. This network of support has been a major factor in 

attracting strong athletes, including those who could easily attend larger 

Division II or Division I schools. 

”I made my decision to join this team because they are there for you 

as friends when life gets tough outside of academics and running,“ says 

another team standout, distance runner Sean Whitson ’12, who recently 

became the men's program’s first provisional national qualifier. ”I feel like 

we are a close team having friends that are distance runners, sprinters and 

field athletes. We cheer and push each other, but we are a hard working 

group that earned the success this team has today.“ 

Track and field is a democratic sport in that it offers a wide variety of 

opportunities for athletes with different skill sets. Most athletes specialize in two 

or three events. 

”That’s the great thing about this sport,“ Mat says, ”you’re going to be able 

to find an event that plays into some kind of strength that you have. If you’re a 

bigger muscular person, you can throw. If you’re fast, there are sprints. If you’re 

somebody who has athleticism and can jump, then there are jumping events. If 

you’re more of an endurance person, there are distance events.“ 

When the coaches are looking for students to recruit, however, they’re 

looking beyond athletic ability. 

”Ultimately we’re looking for what kind of person they are,“ says Mat. ”I think 

we have a certain culture in our program we’re pretty proud of as far as how they 

do academically and how they behave on campus and things like that.“ 

The team begins practicing in October, right after students return from fall 

break. Their first meet is in December, and competition continues through spring 

semester. Track or no track, this team has what it takes to go the distance. 


Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On 

PHOTO COURTESY: SALLY SHEDD 

THEATER IN THE 

NOW: A recent 

production of 

Waiting for Godot 

in the Hofheimer 

Theater. 

And perhaps appropriately for a theater that started with a shipwreck, the 

building has sprung a few leaks. White streaks down the wall at the back 

corner testify to the water that comes in during heavy rains – filling buckets. The 

summer before last a massive air conditioner leak soaked the floors. 

But improvements are slowly being made. The Hofheimer has vastly upgraded 

its lighting system in recent years, and Shedd and Thorne want a lighting booth 

that doesn’t have to be accessed by a steep ladder. 

”Well loved, well used,“ says Shedd of the theater. ”It is a testament to those 

that came before, to Dr. Hite and Mr. Anderson and everyone here that we are 

ready. We’re just bursting at the seams in terms of the next step, whatever that’s 

going to be.“ 

And so as the fine arts departments at Wesleyan contemplates the 

Hofheimer’s need for future changes, Chana Ball, who graduated from 

Wesleyan in 1983, remembers that first transformation. 

Ball played Miranda in the 1981 production of The Tempest. She remembers 

the moment when Shakespeare’s language suddenly became clear to her, the 

moment when Hite’s encouragement gave her the guts to audition, and the 

moment when the Hofheimer Theater was transformed into an island. 

”I couldn’t believe how much things had changed in the theater in those two 

short weeks,“ Ball recalls. 

It was what I had noticed in 1995: An empty box could become a world. 

Hite quotes Prospero, the magician he played in that first production, when 

he describes what happened in the Hofheimer that night amid the smoke of 

Anderson’s homemade fog machine. 

”It was,“ he says, ”‘such stuff as dreams are made on.’“ 

Elizabeth Blachman is a writer and dancer who grew up running around the 

campus of Virginia Wesleyan because her mother, Eve Blachman, was a 

professor of English at the College for 35 years. 

The New "Show & Tell" 

interactive notebooks, puzzles, flipbooks and foldables 

(multisided panels on which students illustrate or 

write lessons) to problem-solving challenges, singing, 

dancing and sign language. 

Recently, she asked students to devise a business, 

decide on its product, and set a price for it. They were 

graded by their fellow students on the project, and in a 

roundabout way, by Corbett: She looked at test results 

to see how well the students had mastered the concepts 

of different kinds of businesses sole proprietorships, 

partnerships and corporations. 

”Every single student scored 80 percent or higher on that 

section,“ she said. ”They learned the material.“ 

Reflecting on her career, Corbett identified another way 

she helps students succeed: Talk. 

”Talk time is a must. When I’m at a meeting, I can’t just sit 

there,“ she said. ”So I can’t expect my students to do that.“ 

She also likes to talk about herself to students. They 

know about her life and daily ups and downs with her three 

children. The students can see her as a real person – and 

hopefully feel comfortable sharing their lives as well. 

”I’m a role model,“ said Corbett. ”I might be the only 

person who gives some of these students a whole 55 

minutes of attention every day. Some go home alone. Their 

parents have to work two jobs or the mom is home but the 

dad is deployed.“ 

In addition to being rewarded with two actual teaching 

awards this year, Corbett also received the best feedback 

of all: A former student whom she had recommended for a 

combination 7th and 8th grade program – to catch up after 

once being held back got in touch with her. She had just 

been accepted to college. 

”She told me ‘because you cared a little too much, I’m 

doing great,’“ Corbett said. ”She was so smart, and I would 

tell her that. She needed a challenge, or we would lose her 

to the system or motherhood. She said ‘you never gave up 

on me.’“ 

The best teachers don’t, says Lively: They strive to 

lift up their students by keeping themselves and their 

classrooms fresh. 

”I get tired (from teaching), but not tired of it,“ he said. ”I 

and all good teachers are always thinking ‘what can I do 

differently?’ (to keep things energized). I’ve done research on 

teachers, and good ones constantly think about ‘what else can 

I learn?’, ‘what can I do next time?’“ 

Lively knows that the teachers graduating from Wesleyan 

are like that: He recently heard from an experienced math 

teacher in the Virginia Beach school system who told him 

that Wesleyan graduates are always nice to work with and 

effective at teaching. 

”The best part was that his feedback was unsolicited,“ 

he said. 

Kristen De Deyn Kirk, the daughter and granddaughter 

of two brilliant teachers, feeds her lifelong commitment to 

learning by writing and editing for a variety of publications, 

including an international teachers’ magazine. Reach her at 

www.kristendedeynkirk.com. 

/ 24 / MARLIN

stephen s. Mansfield 

Virginia 

Wesleyan 

College 

at 

50 

A Fire That 

Never Goes Out 

IT TAKES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MOXIE TO SIGN UP TO 

attend a college that doesn’t even exist. That’s precisely what 

the 41 pioneering members of the inaugural graduating class 

of Virginia Wesleyan did in the mid-1960s. The first generation 

of Wesleyan supporters, faculty and staff, too, was called 

upon to devote itself to an idea that had yet to materialize in a 

physical sense. 

”I think part of the intrigue is what’s involved in developing 

a curriculum,“ says Stephen Mansfield, College archivist and 

former Wesleyan history professor and dean of the College, 

”putting out a catalog and recruiting students when there is no 

college – the kind of faith and commitment that people make.“ 

Chartered in 1961, Virginia Wesleyan College first opened 

its doors to students in 1966 with support from the United 

Methodist Church. During its five decades in existence, 

Virginia Wesleyan has evolved into one of the country’s 

preeminent small private colleges, known for its academic 

excellence, close-knit nurturing community, serene setting, 

and proximity to southeastern Virginia’s breathtaking 

waterways and urban centers. 

”Catch on fire with enthusiasm,“ Methodism founder John 

Wesley famously said, ”and people will come for miles to 

watch you burn.“ 

Rooted in the liberal arts tradition as well as its Methodist 

heritage, Virginia Wesleyan is focused on providing a broad 

academic foundation while cultivating engaged citizens and 

independent thinkers with a lifelong enthusiasm for learning – 

a ”fire“ that never goes out. 

On the momentous occasion of the school’s 50 th 

anniversary, Virginia Wesleyan College reaffirms its 

commitment to providing a transformative liberal arts education 

in a supportive environment dedicated to social responsibility, 

ethical conduct, higher learning and religious freedom. 

A College Is 

Born; A Book 

Is Published 

COLLEGE ARCHIVIST STEPHEN 

Mansfield, who has been with 

the College for 42 of its 50 years 

in existence, has watched this 

”powerhouse of a little place“ evolve 

from a dream on paper to one of the 

nation’s preeminent liberal arts colleges. 

Several years ago, he began compiling 

the resource materials he would use to 

write the first comprehensive overview of 

the College’s history. 

The result of his efforts, Wisdom 

Lights the Way: Virginia Wesleyan 

College’s First Half Century (The Donning 

Company, $39.95), is now available for 

purchase in the campus bookstore and 

online. The publication of this beautiful, 

limited-edition 192-page volume 

commemorates the 50 th anniversary of 

the College’s charter in 1961. 

The book chronicles the College’s 

challenging early years and the 

perseverance of the charter trustees, 

representatives of the Methodist Church, 

early faculty, staff, students and others 

whose dedication and resourcefulness 

allowed the school not only to survive 

but to thrive into the 21 st century. 

In addition to a detailed account of 

Wesleyan’s various stages of growth 

and the many people whose involvement 

have made the College what it is today, 

the book contains approximately 270 

photographs of important figures, 

places, campus life and monumental 

moments – from the late 1800s when the 

farm land that would become VWC was 

sold at auction to the present. 

For Mansfield, the creation of the 

book was not only historical pursuit but a 

personal journey. 

”It’s really been a joy,“ he says. ”I’ve 

envisioned writing something like this for 

decades.“ 

This unique 

memento, an 

excellent gift 

idea for alumni, 

faculty and 

friends, will 

serve as an 

important 

record and 

lasting 

tribute for 

years to 

come. 

Wisdom Lights the Way 

Virginia Wesleyan College’s First HalF-Century 


Virginia Wesleyan College 

1961 – VWC created 

by small group of 

Methodists 

1961 – VWC 

chartered by the 

Commonwealth of 


1963 Marlin 

mascot, college seal 

and blue and silver 

colors adopted 

1966 Lambuth 

Clarke named 

second president 

of VWC 

1966 – The first 

semester of classes 

begin 

1969 – Hofheimer 

Library opens 

1970 – VWC joins 

Dixie Intercollegiate 

Athletic Conference 

1970 First 

commencement 

takes place 

1970 – 

VWC receives 

full SACS 

accreditation 

1965 – Joseph 

Johnston named first 

president of VWC 

1965 

Groundbreaking 

on the VWC 

campus begins 

1975 

Monumental 

Chapel opens 

1976 – 

Cunningham 

Gym opens to 

students and 

faculty 

/ 26 / MARLIN




at 

50 

Through The Years 

1982 – Adult 

Studies Program 

begins 

1982 – VWC 

elected to the 

VFIC 

1983 – VWC 

joins Tidewater 

Consortium 

1991 – VWC Honor 

Code established 

1992 – Beech Grove 

controversy 

1992 – Billy Greer 

named third president 

of VWC 

1994 – Center 

for Sacred Music 

established 

1996 –First 

annual Mud 

Games 

2006 – VWC 

wins national 

Division III basketball 

championship 

1983 – First 

annual Seafood 

in the Dell 

1984 – First 

annual Christmas 

tree lighting 

1985 – 


Scholars program 

launched 

1989 VWC 

joins Old 

Dominion 

Athletic 

Conference 

1995 Statue 

of John Wesley 

unveiled 

1996 – Center for 

Study of Religious 

Freedom opens 

2000 – VWC 

takes first place in the 

Ethics Bowl 

2002 – Jane P. 

Batten Student Center 

opens 

2006 VWC 

awards its first 

Bachelor of 

Science 

2009 – First 

Athletic Hall of 

Fame inductees 

recognized 

2011 – VWC 

changes to the 

four-credit hour 

curriculum 


A special exhibition of alumni 

art runs through November, 

2011, in the Neil Britton Art 

Gallery and includes work such 

as this abstract painting by 

successful Florida-based artist 

Will Corr ’94. 

PHOTO COURTESY : WILL CORR '94 

the Neil Britton Art Gallery. 

The opening reception will 

be held from 5:30-7:30 

p.m. on September 8. For 

more information contact 

John Rudel at 

jrudel@vwc.edu. 

A Time to Celebrate 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE 50 TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS CALENDAR 

July 27, 2011 

Sacred Music Summer 

Conference Hymn 

Festival and Service 

“So Great a Cloud of 

Witnesses,” held on the 

50 th anniversary of the 

signing of the charter 

for Virginia Wesleyan 

at Bayside Presbyterian 

Church in Virginia Beach. 

July 30, 2011 

Founders’ Reception 

Unveiling of 

commemorative plaque 

for the Royster Building, 

the first official home of 

the College, followed by a 

celebratory sacred music 

concert, “Praise God 

from Whom All Blessings 

Flow,” with Mack Wilberg, 

Music Director of the 

Mormon Tabernacle 

Choir and the Wesleyan 

Festival Chorus at Christ 

& St. Luke’s Episcopal 

Church in Norfolk. 

July 2011 

“1961” Alumni 

Community Service 

Registry Launch 

Our alumni continue to 

give back. The goal for 

this project is 1,961 VWC 

alumni registering their 

continued community 

service. The project will 

continue throughout 2011- 

12. Contact Diane Hotaling 

at dhotaling@vwc. 

edu or visit our website, 

www.vwc.edu, for more 

information. 

September 8, 2011 

Fall Convocation 

The formal opening of 

the 2011-12 academic year 

and the College’s first 

official on-campus 50 th 

anniversary celebration 

takes place at 11 a.m. 

in the Jane P. Batten 

Convocation Center. 

The fall convocation 

speaker will be Carine 

McCandless, sister of Into 

the Wild literary icon Chris 

McCandless. 


50th Anniversary Alumni 

Art Exhibition Opening 

Reception 

This special exhibition 

of alumni art runs from 

August-November 2011 in 


Center for Sacred Music’s 

2011-12 Sound and 

Symbol Series Opening 

This year, the Center 

for Sacred Music’s 

Sound and Symbol 

Series, designed to 

foster understanding 

and encourage an 

appreciation for diversity 

in the sacred arts, will 

focus on “Religion and Its 

Soundtrack in America, 

1961-2011.” The opening 

lecture will be held at 11 

a.m. in the Monumental 

Chapel on September 22. 

Craig Wansink presents 

“The New Reformation: 

Worship and Religion 

in America.” The series 

continues through 

March 13, 2012. For more 

information contact Sandi 

Billy at sbilly@vwc.edu. 

/ 28 / MARLIN

October 5, 2011 

Center for the Study of 

Religious Freedom Fall 

Symposium Opening 

This year’s symposium, 

titled “Religion in 

the Public Schools: 

Possibilities, Pitfalls and 

Practices,” will focus on 

two important cases from 

50 years ago (1962 & 

1963) that barred schoolsponsored 

prayer and 

Bible readings in public 

schools and set the 

stage for controversy 

that continues today. The 

opening lecture will take 

place on October 5 at 

7:30 p.m. in Monumental 

Chapel. The series 

continues through 

November 17. For more 

information, contact Paul 

Rasor at prasor@vwc.edu. 

The 2011 Center for the Study 

of Religious Freedom Fall 

Symposium focuses on religion 

in the public schools and draws 

on two important court cases 

from 50 years ago. 

PHOTO: MARIA DRYFHOUT 

October 3-7, 2011 

Symposium: “What Does 

50 Look Like?” 

A campus-wide 

symposium of themed 

classroom lectures/ 

presentations by 

VWC faculty to honor 

the College’s 50th 

anniversary. For more 

information contact 

Lee Jordan-Anders at 

ljordananders@vwc. 

edu or Kathy Stolley at 

kstolley@vwc.edu. 

October 6-9, 2011 

Pump Boys and Dinettes 

This down-home, feelgood 

musical is set 

in a gas station and 

diner on Highway 57 

somewhere between 

Frog Level and Smyrna. 

Songs include “Farmer 

Tan,” “Fisherman’s 

Prayer,” “Mamaw,” and 

“Drinkin’ Shoes.” General 

admission tickets are $10 

with a reduced price of 

$5 for children/students 

of other institutions, 

military and senior citizens. 

Reservations can be made 

by calling 757.455.3381 

after September 1. Pump 

Boys and Dinettes is 

presented by special 

arrangement with Samuel 

French, Inc. 

October 7-9, 2011 

Homecoming and Parent 

Weekend 

Join alumni, students, 

parents and friends of 

VWC for our annual 

tradition of bringing 

together current and 

past students and their 

families. This year’s 

festivities celebrate the 

50th Anniversary of 

Virginia Wesleyan College. 

Join us October 7-9 for 

a weekend you don’t 

want to miss! For more 

information, contact Katy 

Judge at kjudge@vwc. 

edu or visit the Alumni 

& Friends section of our 

website, www.vwc.edu, 

Pump Boys and Dinettes, a 

down-home, feel-good musical 

set in a gas station and diner on 

Highway 57, will be a highlight 

of Homecoming 2011. 

to register and view a 

schedule of events. 

October 28, 2011 & 

March 5, 2012 

Virginia Wesleyan College 

Concert Series: “And the 

Beat Goes On” 

Americana/roots rock 

band Yarn, with lead 

singer/guitarist and VWC 

alumnus Blake Christiana, 

play the Hofheimer Theater 

at 7:30 p.m. on October 

28, 2011. On March 5, 2012, 

VWC alumni and opera 

singers Robynne Redmon 

and Michael Dailey and 

pianist Charles Woodward 

team up at 7:30 p.m. in the 

Hofheimer Theater. For 

more information, 

contact Sandi Billy at 

sbilly@vwc.edu. 

February 11, 2012 

2012 Athletic Hall of Fame 

Induction Luncheon 

During the 50 th anniversary 

year, Virginia Wesleyan 

will induct the fourth 

class of the recently 

established Athletic Hall 

of Fame, which honors 

those whose outstanding 

continued next page 




at 

50 


Spring 2012 

50th Anniversary 

Campus Community 

Barbeque with 

President Greer 

PHOTO: COURTESY OF TREELINE ARTISTS 

athletic achievements, 

service or significant 

contributions have had 

a lasting effect on the 

College’s intercollegiate 

athletic program. For more 

information visit the 

Alumni & friends 

section of our website, 

www.vwc.edu. 

March 21, 2012 

50th Anniversary 

Community 

Luncheon 

This community 

celebration will feature 

guest speaker David 

Brooks, celebrated New 

York Times columnist 

and author. 

Americana/rock band Yarn, 

with lead singer/guitarist and 

VWC alumnus Blake Christiana, 

will be part of this year’s College 

Concert Series. 

For more information, 

contact Kari Kelly at 

kkelly@vwc.edu or 

757.455.3217 

VWC President Billy Greer 

is a master at the grill. Join 

the campus community 

for this gathering with 

good friends and good 

food. Date and time TBA. 

May 4, 2012 

Undergraduate Research 

Symposium 

The annual 

Undergraduate Research 

Symposium will feature 

a special research award 

for a “VWC Tradition and 

Change” project in 

honor of VWC’s 

50 th anniversary. 

More details TBA. 

May 19, 2012 

VWC 43 rd 

Commencement 

The Class of 2012 and the 

entire campus community 

mark a tremendous 

achievement with 

graduation day festivities. 


Please note: All events 

are subject to change. 

Please visit our website, 

www.vwc.edu, for all of 

the latest information on 

50 th anniversary events 

and other campus news 

and information. 

The Class of 2012 and the entire 

campus community mark a 

tremendous achievement and 

close out the 50 th anniversary 

year on May 19. 

/ 30 / MARLIN

Academia 


Making Waves 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN ART PROFESSOR PHIL GUILFOYLE AND 

his longboard are regulars on the waves off the coast of Sandbridge 

in Virginia Beach where he lives with his wife and two sons. 

But soon he’ll take his love of surfing and art on an 

educational journey to the ”rich coast“ of Costa Rica along with 

a handful of Wesleyan students who will get a once-in-a-lifetime 

opportunity to immerse themselves in culture and creativity 

against a tropical backdrop. 

The class, called ”Topics in Art: Water Media and the Art of 

Surfing,“ is one of seven travel courses taking place during 

Winter Session 2012, an optional, intensive three-week study 

period during which VWC students explore various disciplines in 

a variety of ways. 

Students on the eight-day Costa Rica trip will attend surfing 

lessons every morning at the Safari Surf School in Nosara on the 

Pacific coast. In the afternoons, they’ll work with watercolors and 

acrylics to create surf-inspired art by the pool or on the beach. 

The connection between riding waves and putting paint to 

canvas is a natural one, says Guilfoyle. 

”Most surfers are artists because they are dreamers. So why 

not combine the two?“ 

Students who participate in travel courses generally pay 

regular tuition fees plus travel expenses, often at a discounted 

group rate. As fun as jetting off to Coast Rica in the dead of 

winter sounds, the immersive, hands-on nature of this intensive 

learning trip will provide an invaluable educational experience. 

”Whether it is a domestic or international journey,“ explains 

Lena Johnson, director of the office of International and 

Intercultural Programs at VWC, ”the level of engagement and 

inquiry is enhanced when the world becomes the classroom.“ 

– Leona Baker 

BEACH TO TEACH: VWC 

art professor Phil Guilfoyle 

is leading a winter session 

trip to Costa Rica. 

Cosmopolitan Classrooms OTHER WINTER SESSION 2012 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS 

Belize :– ”Tropical Ecology“ Rainforests, mangroves and caves… – oh 

my. From snorkeling reefs to trekking through the jungle, students get 

up close and personal with the incredibly diverse flora and fauna of this 

Central American nation. 

Greece :– ”VWC in Greece“ Classics come to life on Homer’s ”wine-dark 

sea“ as students study the history, religion, art and architecture of Greece 

through material culture from the Bronze Age to the Roman period. 

Mayan Region, Mexico: ”Myths, Rituals, and Reality in the Hispanic 

Syncretic Imagination“ The archeological jewels of this civilization have 

much to tell us about ourselves. Students immerse themselves in the 

culture of the Spanish-speaking world through a comparative study of 

its ancient mythologies, traditions and popular folklore. 

Orlando, Florida: ”Genres in Film on the ABCs of Disney“ It’s a 

small world after all, and it’s difficult to find a corner of it that hasn’t 

been influenced by Walt Disney. Students experience the magic while 

exploring the art, business and culture of the Disney phenomenon. 

Browning, Montana: ”Life and Education on a Montana 

Reservation“ Making a difference while making the grade, students 

have a chance to assist school teachers and serve as mentors to 

children on the Blackfeet Native American Reservation. 

Maui, Hawaii: ”Maui Moguls“ Adventure travel is all the rage, 

but at what cost? Students discover the island while examining 

the environmental, cultural and economic impact on popular 

destinations. 


PHOTO: DANIEL PROUD '07 

The Other Arachnids 

BIOLOGIST VIC TOWNSEND HAS COMBED CENTRAL AMERICAN 

AND CARIBBEAN JUNGLES TO BECOME A LEADING AUTHORITY 

ON ”HARVESTMEN“ 

SEEING RED: A harvestman from 

the family Cosmetidae, collected 

at Volcan Cacao in Costa Rica 

and photographed by Daniel 

Proud, one of the students Vic 

Townsend has worked with in 

his research on these largely 

overlooked arachnids. 

By Leona Baker 

FROM THE BOTTOM OF A PACKED 

shelf in his office in Blocker Hall, Vic 

Townsend produces a large lidded jar. 

Inside the jar are about 20 smaller vials, 

each containing a cluster of arachnid 

specimens preserved in liquid. 

”There’s so much variation in 

appearance and color,“ he says, squinting 

into the jar. ”It’s just really cool.“ 

These crawlers have eight legs, yes. 

But don’t call them spiders. They’re 

actually part of an order of arachnids 

known as ”harvestmen“—so called 

because of their abundance during 

harvest season. Most of us know them 

as daddy longlegs – those ubiquitous 

warm weather critters you find scurrying 

over piles of leaves or lingering on tree 

trunks. But there are more than 6,400 

known species of harvestmen and 

perhaps thousands yet to be discovered 

around the world. 

Townsend, a professor of biology at 

Virginia Wesleyan, has become a leading 

international authority on harvestmen. 

He has discovered and officially 

described three new species and found 

two to three dozen others he believes 

to be unrecorded, but that he has yet 

to describe – some from Trinidad and 

Tobago, others from Costa Rica. 

”It’s a fairly involved process,“ he 

explains. ”You have to compare the animal 

to all other known animals.“ 

Townsend, a Hampton Roads native 

and graduate of Maury High School, 

became interested in harvestmen by happy 

accident. In 2003, he traveled to Trinidad to 

research snakes. He didn’t have much luck 

capturing snakes so he began to focus 

on the ”overlooked“ harvestmen he found 

dwelling there instead. They’ve been largely 

ignored by the scientific world, he says, in 

part because of good behavior. 

”They don’t transmit diseases, they don’t 

eat crops and they don’t hurt people.“ 

They are not venomous, and they 

don’t make webs like spiders, but many 

harvestmen have common names like 

”garlic spider“ and ”stink spider“ because 

of their tendency to emit a foul odor when 

threatened. They have a habit of bobbing 

up and down when agitated, and some 

tropical species are quite beautiful and 

vibrantly colored. 

There are four species of harvestmen 

on the Virginia Wesleyan campus alone 

– making them great candidates for 

undergraduate study. Townsend has 

also taken a number of students on 

trips abroad to tropical destinations – 

including the La Selva Biological Station 

in Costa Rica – to research the species of 

harvestmen there. He is leading a tropical 

ecology trip to Belize along with fellow 

biology professor Maynard Schaus in 

January 2012. In all, he has worked with 23 

students on projects involving harvestmen 

and snakes. 

/ 32 / MARLIN

Academia 

“SPIDER” MAN: Vic Townsend 

with a cluster of harvestmen 

(foreground), also known as 

daddy longlegs, on the VWC 

campus. 




STUDENTS IN A SURVEY OF 

American literature class might 

expect to see Mark Twain or 

Walt Whitman on their roster of 

required texts. But Dean Koontz 

or Nora Roberts? Not so much. 

Assistant Professor of English 

Rebecca Hooker has created 

a new course that eschews 

traditional tomes in favor of 

titles you might find while you’re 

waiting in line at your nearest 

grocery checkout counter. The 

reading list for ”Popular Literary 

Culture“ will include recently 

released bestselling fiction 

representing go-to genres like 

romance, mystery, science 

fiction and fantasy. 

”We have this idea when 

we teach literature in college 

that we’re going to expose 

our students to the classics,“ 

Hooker explains. ”But if you 

look back to the 19 th century, 

for example, you think of 

Hawthorne, Whitman, Poe, 

Emerson, Thoreau. But that’s 

not what people were reading. 

Those were not the popular 

writers of that time.“ 

Similarly, there is a 

disconnect between what 

critics and academics 

consider great works of 

literature and what the bookbuying 

public consumes in 

TURNING A 

PAGE: Students in 

Rebecca Hooker’s 

“Popular Literary 

Culture” class 

will explore what 

bestselling fiction 

tells us about the 

everyday American 

experience. 

Romancing the Reading List 

the 20 th and 21 st centuries. 

”I want to explore why 

people read these popular 

books,“ Hooker explains, 

”and what the books tell 

us about American culture. 

Romance novels, for example 

what do they tell us about 

our expectations about 

relationships between men 

and women? What do crime 

novels tell us about our 

criminal justice system?“ 

Hooker’s class will pair 

novels published in the last 

several years with other 20 th - 

century fiction to observe how 

the various genres change over 

time and what that reveals. The 

science fiction novel Pathfinder 

(2010) by Orson Scott Card, for 

example, will be studied along 

with Fahrenheit 451 (1951) by Ray 

Bradbury and Neuromancer 

(1984) by William Gibson. 

The course is designed 

to challenge students’ 

assumptions about literature 

and popular culture and 

where the two intersect, 

but it’s also a not-so-guilty 

pleasure for Hooker. 

”I love romance novels,“ she 

admits. ”I’ve read hundreds of 

them – hundreds.“ 


The 

Revolution 

Will Be 

Feminized 

ON ONE OF HER RESEARCH 

trips to the National Archives 

(Bundesarchiv) in Berlin, Germany, 

Associate Professor of History 

Sara Sewell came across a picture 

that struck her interest. It’s a 1925 

image of an ordinary German 

family standing outside the door 

of their home. The mother is 

clutching a donations box for Red 

Aid, a communist organization 

that provided assistance to 

working-class families. 

An assistant who was helping 

Sewell with her research was baffled 

as to why she would be concerned 

with the picture. This volatile part of 

German history, the lead-up to the 

Nazi regime commonly known as 

the Weimar Republic, is typically told 

by examining people in positions 

of power. 

”I’m not interested in that,“ 

Sewell explains. ”That’s been 

done. I’m telling a very 

unofficial story.“ 

What she is interested in, she 

says, gesturing excitedly and 

talking rapid-fire in an accent 

that gives away her Wisconsin 

roots is cultural history. Why 

were regular people attracted to 

communism and how did 

it manifest itself in their 

daily lives? The more she 

examined these questions, 

the more one thing 

became clear. 

SKIRTING THE 

ISSUE: The German 

Communist Party 

recognized the need 

to engage average 

citizens – including 

women and children 

– in their movement. 

RED YOUNG PIONEERS OF THE 

GERMAN COMMUNIST PARTY, 

GERMANY, 1 MAY 1931 ( SAPMO/- 

BA BILD Y 1-783/88) 

”I realized you can’t research 

interwar communism without 

taking gender into consideration, 

so I began to focus on how 

gender relations informed the 

communist movement.“ 

Sewell’s most recent research, 

”Bolshevizing Communist Women: 

The Red Women and Girls’ League 

in Weimar Germany,“ will be 

published in the journal Central 

European History in June 2012. The 

German Communist Party founded 

the Red Women and Girls’ League 

in 1925 ”to appeal to a broad 

working-class female constituency 

by championing issues they faced 

in their daily lives.“ 

In their efforts to cultivate 

the communist feminine ideal, 

however, the party faced an 

unforeseen culture clash between 

militancy – think warrior-like, 

antifascist women revolutionaries 

in boots and berets and red scarfs 

– and conventional femininity. The 

party’s desire to exert influence 

over the hearts and minds of 

ordinary German women, says 

Sewell, is a reflection of the 

lengths they were prepared to go 

to achieve their political goals. 

”They were battling it out on 

every level in everyday life.“ 

Sewell is currently working on a 

memoir about a Hampton Roadsbased 

Holocaust survivor, Hanns 

Lowenbach. – 


/ 34 / MARLIN

Academia 

Publisher's Desk 

The Magic Kingdom Touch 

Disneyland and Culture: Essays on 

the Parks and Their Influence 

Edited by Kathy Merlock Jackson 

and Mark I. West 

McFarland, 2011 

The latest from VWC 

communications professor 

Kathy Merlock Jackson takes 

her deeper into all things Disney. 

Disneyland and Culture: Essays 

on the Parks and Their Influence 

explores the success of the 

Disney theme parks and how 

that success has been translated 

into not only a business empire 

but a pervasive cultural influence 

from Hollywood to Hong Kong. 

“The magic spread, too 

powerful to be self contained,” 

Merlock Jackson writes in the 

book’s introduction. “Disney 

masterminded not only media products and 

recreational facilities but also ways of looking 

at the world, making sense of our environment, 

interpreting history, and finding connections.” 

In “Synergistic Disney,” one of two essays 

she contributes to the book, Merlock Jackson 

looks at Disney’s ability to market its brand 

across platforms—from the theme parks’ 

early days and the leap into the then-emerging 

medium of television to the merchandising 

juggernaut that began with Davy Crocket 

coonskin hats and hasn’t waned since. 

Disneyland and Culture, co-edited with University 

of North Carolina-Charlotte children’s literature 

professor Mark West, is Merlock Jackson’s fifth 

book and her third on Disney. 

Among the topics covered in the book 

are Disney’s role in the creation of children’s 

architecture; Frontierland as an allegorical map of 

the American West; the “cultural invasion of France” 

in Disneyland Paris; the politics of nostalgia; and 

“hyperurbanity” in the town of Celebration, Florida. 

Dr. Kathy Merlock Jackson is the editor of 

The Journal of American Culture and is a past 

president of the American Culture Association. 

During winter session 2012 at VWC, she will 

lead her second travel course—along with 

Dr. Terry Lindvall—to Orlando, Florida where 

students enrolled in the course will get a 

chance to study the Disney dynamic firsthand. 


And God Said, Let There 

Be Lights, Camera, Action 

Encyclopedia of Religion and Film 

Edited by Eric Michael Mazur 

ABC-CLIO, 2011 

From angels to The Zombies of Sugar Hill, 

from Alien to Zen Buddhism, Eric Mazur’s 

Encyclopedia of Religion and Film provides a 

lens through which nearly any film—“low” art 

or “high”—can be viewed as a commentary 

on the role of religion in society. Despite its 

90-page filmography, Mazur’s encyclopedia 

is not a catalogue of films but a collection of 

90 alphabetically arranged entries on broad 

topics that investigate the geography, the 

themes, the religions and the major directors 

that reside in the space where the sacred cow 

meets the silver screen. 

The encyclopedia includes films that 

directly address religious beliefs like The Ten 

Commandments or The Passion of the Christ. 

It also expands the boundaries of religion and 

finds Christ allegory in E.T., examinations of 

death and rebirth in Star Wars and cult rituals 

in Rocky Horror. An entry on silent film by VWC 

professor Terry Lindvall examines the way in 

which—as the sites of mythmaking and the 

defining of morality—the moving picture 

theaters became “the new cathedrals of 

America.” Stuart Minnis, who teaches film 

studies at Wesleyan, 

examines Russian 

director Andrei 

Tarkovsky’s creation 

of art that confronts 

“struggles with the 

divine” in the Soviet 

Union of the ’60s, 

’70s and ’80s. 

In Mazur’s 

encyclopedia, 

investigations of 

film reach beyond 

an academic 

analysis to provide what he calls “a source 

of insight into the place and meaning of 

religion in the contemporary world.” 

Dr. Eric Michael Mazur is a professor of 

religious studies at VWC and teaches courses 

in Judaism, religion in American culture, and 

the academic study of religion. Encyclopedia 

of Religion and Film is his sixth book. 

– Elizabeth Blachman 

Religious Freedom: 

A Virginia Story 

From Jamestown to Jefferson: 

The Evolution of Religious 

Freedom in Virginia 

Edited by Paul Rasor and 

Richard E. Bond 

University of Virginia Press, 2011 

Like the book of Genesis, 

the first essay in From 

Jamestown to Jefferson: 

The Evolution of Religious 

Freedom in Virginia starts 

with the words: “In the 

beginning.” The beginning, 

in this volume edited by 

VWC professors Paul Rasor 

and Richard E. Bond, is 

the spring of 1607, when 

Captain John Smith and the 

other settlers in colonial Virginia gathered to worship 

under the awning of an old sail with a hunk of wood 

as a pulpit. From Jefferson to Jamestown examines 

the religious narratives of 17th- and 18th-century 

Virginia history as a story about the genesis 

of Jefferson’s 1786 Virginia Statute for 

Religious Freedom. 

In their introductory essay, Rasor and Bond 

discuss the often overlooked religious diversity 

that affected the political and social history of 

Virginia. The ideal of religious freedom, they write, 

“also grew out of the daily religious practices 

and struggles that took place in the town halls, 

backwoods settlements, plantation houses, and 

slave quarters that dotted the 17th – and 18th – 

century Virginia landscape.” 

During the fall of 2007, VWC’s Center for the 

Study of Religious Freedom hosted a series of public 

lectures in conjunction with a class in Virginia history 

taught by Bond. From Jamestown to Jefferson grew 

out of that symposium, and the essays in the volume 

thus began as a public conversation and so read as a 

unified tale about Virginia’s contribution to the American 

pursuit of religious freedom. Jefferson’s statute, in 

the rich tapestry of faith, diversity, and struggles for 

independence presented by Rasor, Bond, and the other 

eminent historians who contributed to the work, is not 

an end but a beginning. 

Dr. Paul Rasor is a professor of interdisciplinary 

studies and the director of the Center for the Study 

of Religious Freedom at VWC. Dr. Richard E. Bond 

is associate professor of history at Wesleyan. 

– Elizabeth Blachman 


The Good 

Epicurean 

WHAT THE POET HORACE CAN 

TEACH US ABOUT THE BEAUTY 

OF SIMPLICITY IN A COMPLEX 

MODERN WORLD 

By Benjamin Haller 

AT TIMES LIKE THE PRESENT, WHEN 

much of the middle class watches the 

economic news with white knuckles and a 

sensation of helplessness, which the Greeks 

would have called ”aporia,“ it is natural to look 

to examples from the past for how best to 

deal with adversity in the modern world. One 

unlikely source of solace I would suggest 

is the Odes of the poet Quintus Horatius 

Flaccus, better known to us as Horace. 

A Roman composer of odes employing 

Greek meters, Horace may seem an odd 

place for moderns to seek wisdom. He 

picked the losing side during the Civil Wars, 

serving as a military tribune for Brutus – the 

infamous assassin of Caesar. He was later 

pardoned by Augustus and spent much of 

the rest of his life making it up to Rome’s 

newly minted emperor by writing sometimes 

effusive poems in his honor. 

Odes III.29 is a good example of Horace’s 

take on how a good Epicurean faces 

tumultuous circumstances. The poem is 

intended to teach his patron Maecenas, a 

political big-wig and friend of Augustus, how 

to survive his formidable responsibilities 

in the ”Urbs et Orbis,“ Rome’s political 

pressure-cooker. 

Horace begins the poem on a carefree, 

Epicurean note, tossing off a catalogue 

of simple and moderate pleasures which 

can be enjoyed far from the excesses and 

dissipations of the famously corrupt city 

of Rome: the company of a good friend, 

wine, some flowers, some sweet-smelling 

unguents – the usual accoutrements to the 

Greco-Roman convivium or symposium. 

Though the symposium was indeed a 

sort of drinking party – an occasionally wild 

one – Horace was a good Epicurean. Despite 

the rather unfair reputation with which this 

school was saddled by their philosophical 

competitors the Stoics, Epicureans were 

far from hedonists. In fact, they actively 

discouraged indulgence in pleasures they 

regarded as unnecessary or unnatural. 

ILLUSTRATION ©2011 JEFF MELLIN WWW.JEFFMELLIN.COM 

What, then, are the simple and appropriate 

pleasures which Horace wishes to encourage 

Maecenas to enjoy in the ode at hand? We 

know from other poems that Maecenas has 

given Horace a countryside villa, and it is to here 

that Horace is likely urging Maecenas to repair in 

Odes III.29. Elsewhere, Horace harps on the idea 

that the gods do not go in for frippery, but rejoice 

in simple sacrifices, modest gifts like hands 

raised to the waxing moon, incense, and the like. 

As in sacrifices, so in feasts for one’s 

patron. In III.29, Horace proves no aficionado 

/ 36 / MARLIN

Academia 

of haute cuisine or lofty living, but rather a 

haunter of glades, a seeker of secluded trees 

that lull one to sleep with the shifting susurrus 

of their leaves and the darkling luminescence 

of refracted sunlight on the somnolent insides 

of one’s eyelids. A quiet meal at home or the 

welcome shade of some sylvan refuge are the 

surest panacea – ”welcome retreats from rich 

circumstances“ – to the burden of Maecenas’ 

wealth and power, he argues. 

This insistence on acquiring an almost Zenlike 

facility for enjoying the here and now is 

intimately connected to Horace’s understanding 

of the workings of the goddess Fortune – 

”merry in her cruel business.“ He compares 

the flow of time in human life to the Tiber River. 

While it begins its course peacefully enough, it 

gathers strength as it goes, eventually growing 

into a sonorous deluge, crumbling durable 

stones, uprooting trees, and dragging off cattle 

and homes in its cacophonous torrent. Horace, 

who had found himself deluged by Fortune’s 

fickle waves more than once in the past, was 

regretfully acknowledging that like catastrophes 

may happen again to both him and Maecenas. 

Since such misfortunes are just a part of life, 

however, Horace intimates that what makes the 

man is the frame of mind in which he endures 

Fortune’s ups and downs. This ”self-sufficient 

and self-controlled man“ will have lived joyously 

according to Horace, a sentiment that echoes 

the equanimity and self-reliance fundamental to 

both Epicurean and Stoic ethics. And the point of 

all this for Horace, is, since neither Maecenas nor 

we know when the economy will collapse, or the 

Parthians launch an offensive, or any number of 

yet unguessed catastrophes befall, we should 

forget the politicians, seize the opportunity to 

seek out some secluded, rustic retreat (one 

suspects that the beach would do), and enjoy a 

simple repast in the company of friends. 

Dr. Benjamin Haller is an assistant professor of 

Classics at Virginia Wesleyan College. His recent 

peer reviewed presentations and publications 

address topics like Homer’s Odyssey, Neo-Latin 

poetry in colonial Pennsylvania, and human 

rights in the second century A.D. Roman Empire. 

He is very excited to be leading a trip to Greece 

with Dr. Clayton Drees in January 2012. 

Maecenas, descendent of Etruscan kings, for you 

I have a mellow, undiluted wine, from a bottle 

Never before opened, and the blossoms of roses, 

And exotic eastern unguents for your hair: 

e Horace Odes III.29 

e 

Equanimity. All other cares are carried along, as it were, 

On the river, which now in the middle of its course 

Glides peacefully down to the Etruscan sea, 

Tumbling with it abraded stones, 

They have awaited you for a long time now at my home. Rescue 

Yourself from your own dilatory ways, then, and do not merely 

Gaze forever from afar upon Tibur and the sloping fields of Aefula 

And the Tusculan hills of parricidal Telegonus. 

Let go luxury, which only brings you disgust, and 

The lumbering edifices of the city, too near the steep clouds; 

Give off wondering at the smoke and riches and uproar 

Of fortunate Rome. 

Often welcome retreats from rich circumstances 

And the simple meals of paupers eaten under the blessing 

Of a modest household god, without tapestries and opulent 

Purple cloths, have uncreased an anxious brow. 

Already the summer constellation Cepheus, bright father of 

Andromeda, is unveiling his hidden fire, now Procyon rages, 

And the star of the ravening Lion as well: the sun is 

Bringing back the dry hot days of July. 

Already the weary shepherd seeks shade and a cool stream 

In the company of his sluggish flock, and the glades 

Of the frightful woodland god Silvanus; already the still 

Stream’s banks can feel no vagrant breezes. 

You have been concerning yourself with what constitution 

Is right for the state, and, anxious for the City, you fear what 

Machinations the Seres, the Bactrians ruled by Cyrus, 

The discordant Scythians, are making! 

Prudently did God conceal the outcome of future events 

In murky darkness, and laughs if any mortal man 

Worries beyond his apportioned lot. Remember to 

Make provisions for what is within your control with 

Tree trunks it has snatched up, cattle, houses, all together, 

Not without clamorous echoes from the mountains 

And nearby forests when savage floods provoke 

The quiet stream. 

The self-sufficient and self-controlled man will live 

Joyously. To him it is permitted to have said, each day, 

”I have lived: tomorrow let Father Jupiter imbue the sky 

With black clouds, 

Or with serene sunlight; whatever he does, he will not 

Undo what is past, nor will he unmake or abnegate what 

The fugitive hour has brought, 

Once it has brought it.“ 

The goddess Fortune is merry in her cruel business, and 

Persistently plays out her arrogant game, 

Changing our wavering distinctions and offices into their 

Opposite – now kindly to me, now to another. 

I praise her when she is consistent; but if she shakes her 

Quick wings, I surrender what she has granted, and wrap 

Myself up in my courage, and seek honest Poverty 

As my bride with no dowry. 

It is not my way, if the mast groans in the gales of 

African winds, to have recourse to pitiful prayers, and to traffic 

In vows to the gods, in the hope that 

My Cyprian and Tyrian merchandise 

May be rescued from adding to the riches of the greedy sea. 

Then the breeze – and Castor and Pollux – will bear me, 

saved by the protection of my two-oared skiff, 

through the Aegean storm-swells. 


Living & Learning 

Then and Now 

A MOTHER AND SON COMPARE THE WESLEYAN OF THE 1980S TO THE WESLEYAN OF TODAY 


LISA AND BRIAN BOETTCHER BOTH WENT TO VWC — MORE THAN TWO DECADES APART. ON A SUMMER DAY, 

the mother and son duo sit at a table in the Batten Center and compare notes about their lives at Virginia Wesleyan. Lisa, 

who graduated in 1986 with a degree in math and computer science, went on to a nearly 20-year consulting career before 

she became a high school math teacher. Brian, a religious studies major who hopes to be a Methodist minister, will be a 

junior next year. Brian peruses the photos in his mother’s VWC yearbook and laughs. 

“The hairstyles have definitely changed,” he says. 

PHOTO: KATHY KEENEY 

/ 38 / MARLIN


Lisa Boettcher 

YEARS AT VWC: 1983-1986 

Why she came to VWC: I went to JMU my freshman year, and I 

wanted to come back home. I grew up in Chesapeake and Western 

Branch close to where I live now. 

[VWC was] small enough to maintain a family atmosphere, yet large 

enough to give me the opportunity to flourish. 

The Technology: ”There was no internet. There’s a picture in [my 

yearbook] of the computer science club and the Apple IIe’s that 

didn’t even have an operating system until you put a disk in.“ 

The Music: “Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ was very popular. I 

remember hearing Phil Collins’ Genesis on the radio at a math/ 

computer science gathering.“ 

The Hangouts: ”I spent a lot of time at Blocker Hall—– that’s me. I’d 

go there to study and work in the computer lab.“ 

The Communication: ”I don’t even know how we got information 

other than just in your mailbox. We really didn’t have the flow of 

information that they have now. I don’t even remember calling 

anybody in their room; I think you would just walk over there and try 

to find them.“ 

The Campus: ”None of this [the Batten Center] was here. Clark and 

everything, none of that was there. It was just the old Village I stuff 

and some of Village II. Gum and Smithdeal were there.“ 

Campus Life: ”I wasn’t as involved in it because I commuted.“ 

The Rat Race: ”I was pretty busy. I would get up early, come up 

here, go to classes, and then I worked in the evenings a lot at TCI 

(Tidewater Consultants Incorporated) and studying and I had a 

boyfriend at the time. Who’s now my husband.“ 

The Food: ”They had a small grill that was near the book store. And 

then they had a cafeteria that was over in Village I. I ate at that grill a lot.“ 

The Sports: ”There are teams now that there weren’t when I was in 

school. I think Wesleyan is more known for its athletics now than it 

was then. Every once in a while I would go with friends and watch 

part of a baseball game or tennis.“ 

The Classes: ”I really felt I got a well-rounded education. I took 

classes in each of the divisions, met a lot of people that I wouldn’t 

have otherwise met. [Brian and I] talk a lot about classes. I took a lot 

of religion and philosophy classes that I really enjoyed.“ 

The Funny Business: ”I remember the large caricatures of the 

faculty/administration painted on the walls of the snack bar.“ 

A FAMILY AFFAIR: Mom Lisa Boettcher ’86 and son 

Brian ’12 have different takes on campus life. 

Brian Boettcher 

YEARS AT VWC: 2008-2012 

Why he came to VWC: ”I came here predominantly because of the 

religious studies department and program. And I really liked the 

small feel.“ 

The Technology: ”I don’t have to go to the library if I don’t want to—– 

I can use the internet. I have a laptop. And everyone has access to a 

computer, which was probably not the case back then.“ 

The Music: ”When I think about the song that defines my 

college experience, it would have to be ‘Gotta Feeling’ (The Black 

Eyed Peas).“ 

The Hangouts: “I couldn’t imagine life without the Batten Center. I 

spend most of my day here. I’m a student supervisor—– I help out 

with student activities a lot.“ 

The Communication: ”I think it [social media] makes it easier to stay 

in touch with people, during the summers and after you graduate. 

And while we’re on campus, even if you’re not in the same place 

it’s really easy to get in contact with somebody else because it’s 

24-hour exposure. I have friends who call me at 3 o’clock in the 

morning on a regular basis.“ 

The Campus: ”When [my mom] was a student here, there probably 

was only about six halls on campus, and now there are easily five 

more than that. There’s no way that the campus would be the same 

experience without all these new buildings and the Batten Center.“ 

Campus Life: ”Student activities and Greek life are pretty big. I’m a 

member of Sigma Nu so I stay pretty busy working with them and 

doing other things on campus. A lot of people just hang out. We 

have Air Band, which is in my mom’s yearbook; they established it 

back then, and it still goes on today.“ 

The Rat Race: ”I find myself being busy all the time. I constantly 

have somewhere to go, some club meeting to go to, class to go to, 

homework to do. There are days where I’m working at the student 

center at 5:30 in the morning, and my day’s not over until 11 o’clock 

at night. So then I go to sleep and do it again the next day.“ 

The Food: ”The way I would describe it is, well, I didn’t lose weight 

when I came to college, so the food can’t be but so bad.“ 

The Sports: ”It’s hard to find a seat at a regular-season basketball 

game. If you go upstairs, a whole wing of the building is coaches’ 

offices and that hallway is all locker rooms for the sports teams. So 

it’s a huge part of student life here.“ 

The Classes: “They have different names and different numbers, 

but they’re the same classes.“ 

The Funny Business: ”People putting bubbles in the fountains.“ 



Helping Is Where 

the Heart Is 

RECENT GRADUATE MAURA 

BRADLEY LEARNS THE MEANING 

OF THE HABITAT EXPERIENCE 

AND A THING OR TWO ABOUT 

SWINGING A HAMMER 

By Maura Bradley ’11 

WHEN I FIRST CAME TO VIRGINIA 

Wesleyan College, I knew I would leave with 

a degree, well-prepared for the challenges 

I would face in the real world. But I didn’t 

know I would leave with a highly contagious 

condition called Habitatitis. Many who learn 

about Habitat for Humanity, an international 

organization that strives to provide decent, 

affordable housing for all, become infected. 

It crept up on me slowly: In the spring 

semester of my junior year, I became 

president of VWC’s Habitat for Humanity 

chapter, and the itch to ”do good“ while 

swinging a hammer first presented itself at 

Norfolk Botanical Garden. It was there that 

our chapter built an Alice in Wonderland 

storybook house. 

Diane Hotaling, VWC’s Director of 

Community Service, was supportive and kept 

a sense of humor about my condition. She 

and some of the other volunteers took care 

of me, teaching me how to paint and use a 

hammer properly. 

I soon decided I needed more, and 

Diane again helped me, this time by 

co-planning VWC’s first alternative fall 

break trip. Instead of visiting family in 

their hometowns during the break like 

some Wesleyan students, the Habitat for 

Humanity chapter members headed to the 

Eastern Shore of Virginia to build a new 

home for a family we had never met. 

Little did I know I would soon build a 

home again, but this time a little closer to 

campus: While we were on the Eastern 

Shore, VWC President Billy Greer was joining 

forces with Charlie Henderson, Hampton 

Roads Market President for Bank of 

America, to build a Habitat home on Nelms 

Lane in Virginia Beach. 

With such a big project to work on (four 

two-story townhouses), about 60 students, 

faculty members and staff from throughout 

the campus got involved. My first thought was: 

”Great! All this participation means the Habitat 

chapter will continue after my graduation!“ 

But the real importance of the project hit 

me at the reception we held for one of the 

recipient families. The mother, Kiska Morris, 

hugged me and introduced me to her sons, 

Vidal and Keenan, and I realized that this 

was not just about 

having a successful 

chapter or getting 

comfortable using 

tools. It was really 

about helping 

someone. 

We started 

building in April of 

2011, and the ”Red 

BUILDING 

COMMUNITY: Maura 

Bradley and fellow 

Habitat volunteer 

Melissa Snyder ’12 on 

the job at the Nelms 

Lane site 

Hats,“ the skilled volunteers behind every 

Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton 

Roads project, led the way – teaching the 

newbies that 35 inches and four tick marks is 

not a proper measurement. 

More importantly, they opened our eyes to 

so much more as they told stories about their 

families and their lives. (It seemed that Russ, 

one of the Red Hats I regularly shared pretzels 

with, had dozens of grandchildren about 

whom he loved to talk.) We turned to them not 

only for guidance, but also friendship, and 

in the end did what VWC leaders always talk 

about: we built a community. 

Virginia’s Wesleyan College’s fourth Habitat 

for Humanity house is expected to be 

completed in the fall of 2011. A dedication will 

follow. Visit the College’s Community Service 

page (under Student Life) or contact Diane 

Hotaling at dhotaling@vwc.edu for 

more information. 

/ 40 / MARLIN


Siren 

Song 


KELSEY HOTTLE ’12 DOESN’T SLEEP 

much. The VWC senior works at the Batten 

Center and Chick-fil-A, builds houses 

for Habitat for Humanity, studies for her 

criminal justice classes and – in her spare 

time—– saves lives. 

In May, Hottle was certified as a volunteer 

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 

Virginia Beach. She signed up when the 

emergency medical services came to recruit 

at Wesleyan. Hottle remembers thinking 

about how her health and human services 

professor Ben Dobrin told his students to, as 

Hottle puts it, ”Go out and do stuff.“ 

After a semester of training for eight hours 

a week during the spring of her junior year, 

Hottle knew how to perform CPR, splint 

bones, lift injured people onto stretchers, 

assess medical situations, comfort scared 

patients and drive an ambulance – with lights 

and sirens. She will work four 12-hour shifts a 

month throughout her senior year. 

On a Friday morning in summer, Hottle 

strolls through EMS station #8 as the crackle 

of the radio from the speakers overhead 

announces rescue calls from the dispatcher. 

”You can always tell when the city wakes 

up,“ she says, because the rescue calls start 

coming in over the radio. 

In her trim white uniform, the 21-year-old 

hops deftly in and out of the ambulance in 

the vast garage. Back in the lounge where 

the EMTs wait between calls, she talks with 

quiet glee about using her classroom skills in 

real-life recues. 

Recently, Hottle was called to a car 

accident and carefully strapped a woman 

into a special seat that protected her spine. 

”They make you do it 100,000 times in 

class, so when we actually got to it do it I 

was comfortable,“ she remembers. ”And the 

firefighters, they said I did alright.“ 

Hottle also speaks frankly about the 

difficult moments. 

”Every time I’ve seen someone die, the 

crew is really respectful,“ she says. ”Like this 


TO THE RESCUE: 

“I want to be a 

‘good cop,’” says 

Kelsey Hottle, 

who was recently 

certified as an EMT 

and is considering 

a variety of careers 

in public service. 

person at the hospital, their arm was hanging off the bed, and my partner 

picked it up and placed it gently on the table. I’ve seen people close the 

person’s eyes.“ 

The careers Hottle is considering – police officer, U.S. marshal –—are all 

in public service. 

”And all of those jobs also have a bit of an adrenaline rush, so you 

have to like that. And I guess I do, because I don’t like to be bored.“ 

Hottle is understated but passionate when she talks about volunteerism 

and service. 

”I want to be a ‘good cop,’ for lack of a better word. I want to do 

something for somebody. It’s a public service job. I want to help the public.“ 

She says she read a lot of detective novels when she was young. 

”The hero is always the hero,“ she remembers. ”They’re the good guy, 

and that’s what you’re supposed to be.“ 


Saving 

the World, 

One Student 

at aTime 

DIANE HOTALING 

IN HER OWN WORDS 

VWC COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTOR 

Diane Hotaling has been with the College 

for 25 years. Countless students have 

passed through her door in the Batten 

Student Center since she took ownership 

of the newly formed Office of Community 

Service in 1997 – some for a class, others 

just looking for that indescribable feeling that 

comes from knowing you’ve made even the 

smallest difference in the world. Many have 

life-changing experiences in part because 

Hotaling encourages them to go out and 

find what ”brings them meaning in their own 

world.“ Here, Hotaling shares a few thoughts 

on her work – including the annual on-campus 

homeless shelter. Held for a week each 

January in partnership with the Portsmouth 

Volunteers for the Homeless, it is the believed 

to be the only homeless shelter housed on a 

college campus in the United States. 

The case for community service 

”Higher education started out as a way to 

grow people for this new democracy of ours, 

to develop leaders. At Virginia Wesleyan we 

want to be more that just a filling station for 

students, as President Greer often says, we 

want students to do something meaningful 

with the knowledge they've gained.. We want to 

graduate enlightened citizens who are active in 

their communities. I tell parents that community 

service is a vehicle for helping them see the 

many ways they can go about doing that.“ 

PHOTO: KATHY KEENEY 

The personal and the professional 

”I have worked with our students more from 

the heart than from the head. What I have 

seen is that community service provides a 

transformative experience for them. We would 

all like to think that we can transform our kids – 

that we are the ones that set our children on the 

way that they’re supposed to go, but the bottom 

line is that it’s self-discovery. I encourage 

students to come by the Office of Community 

Service so that they can find what it is that’s 

important to them, so they can find that career 

connection that not only pays the bills but 

brings them meaning in their own world.“ 

Most memorable moments 

”Highlights for me over time have been 

those moments when the light bulbs go off 

for students – not that they make wholesale 

changes or career changes but that what’s 

important to them becomes clear. Something 

they’ve engaged in affirms the direction that 

they’re heading in or makes them realize that 

they were off-base. They say, ‘Now I really 

want to go and save the world.’ For me, that’s 

when it really comes together, when I see that 

students are connecting.“ 

The homeless shelter experience 

”Credit goes to the group of students who 

banded together around this idea that we should 

have a homeless shelter. To have an idea is one 

thing, to put it into action is another. They made the 

proposal, they got it approved, they met with the 

community partner, they got it happening here. It’s 

now going into its sixth year. To sustain something 

of that magnitude, of that level of humanity is 

huge for a college campus. The ways that the 

program has touched people and the ways it has 

pulled together our campus is phenomenal to me. 

Every year it’s the most emotional week of my life 

on a number of levels.“ 

/ 42 / MARLIN


Professors 

You Love 

We asked friends of our alumni Facebook page 

(www.facebook.com/virginia.wesleyan.alumni) to tell 

us about their favorite Wesleyan professors. 

Here are some of the many responses. 

”Dr. William Shealy opened my eyes. 

Dr. Joseph Harkey was always there to help 

me and give me advice. One of the first things 

he said to me was, ‘Miss Liddle, they sell 

pocket spelling dictionaries in the bookstore 

and I suggest that you purchase one quickly.’ 

I really did enjoy his classes.“ — 

– Deborah Liddle McDonough ’71 

”Dr. Mavel Velasco, Dr. Patricia Sullivan and 

Dr. Kathy Merlock Jackson. These were all 

fantastic professors who encouraged and 

inspired me during my time at VWC. I still carry 

with me some lessons I learned from them... 

some 20 years later!“ — 

– Daisy Lopez-Duke ’90 

”The late Dr. William Jones and Frau Doktor 

Susan Wansink. Both were so inspiring to me 

but each had a very gentle, kind spirit. I will never 

forget the impact each of them had on me.“ — 

– Jennifer Dodson Dubler, Attended 1989-1992 

”It is a tossup. Dr. Daniel Graf’s classes were 

always my favorites, but I don’t think I’ve ever 

met a kinder person than Dr. William Jones.“ 

– Thomas Hudson ’93 

”Dr. L Anderson Orr’s easy brilliant style. 

Ditto for Dr. William Shealy. Dr. Sullivan for 

her amazing energy.“ — – Heather Bailey 

Somervail, Attended 1990-93 

”Hands down, Dr. Clay Drees. His classes 

were some of the toughest I took at VWC, 

but his storytelling teaching style made the 

subject matter interesting and the classes 

fun.“ — – Leslie McConnell Taber ’98 

”Dr. Craig Wansink, hands down. Fun, 

energetic, funny, relevant, passionate, a true 

educator through and through.“ — 

– Bobbi Losse Vernon ’98 

”First and foremost Dr. Kathy Merlock 

Jackson and Dr. Bill Ruehlmann. Both were 

extraordinary teachers but also great advisors 

in life.“ — – Brian O’Neil ’99 

MEMORABLE MENTORS: (Left to right) Dr. Mavel Velasco, Dr. Linda Ferguson, Dr. Chris Haley, 

Dr. Susan Wansink, Bentley Anderson, and Dr. William Jones 

”Here are my top ones: Theatre profs Bentley 

Anderson and Rick Hite; English professor 

Dr. L. Anderson Orr; General all round great 

person Dr. Patricia Sullivan, and a very patient 

Dr. David Clayton.“ — – Pam McClure ’78 

”Dora Dobrin and Dr. David Garraty, both 

were inspiring and genuine people. “ — 

– Sarah Garrette Kellam ’92 

”Dr. William Shealy. He was one of the 

greatest influences on my life and started me 

on a journey I still actively travel. He introduced 

me to folks like Barth, Tillich, Niebuhr, 

Bonhoeffer, Augustine, Luther and, his 

personal favorite, God.“ – Art McDonough ’73 

”Dr. Bob Albertson, Dave Garraty and 

Bob Cass because all three were excellent 

teachers and gave personal attention to each 

student.“ —– Charlotte Holtry ’83 

”Colonel Tucker. His classes filled so quickly 

because he was so entertaining and had 

hands-on experiences in war. Best history 

teacher ever. Always had great props, too. 

Never a dull moment.“ — 

– Liana Schaarschmidt Peebles ’83 

”Dr. Patricia Sullivan, Dr. William Shealy, 

and Dr. Del Carlson stand out. Each of these 

profs challenged me in ways I hadn’t been 

challenged before. The impact on me has 

been profound.“ — – Paul Davies ’94 

”Dr. Rita Frank is among my favorites. She 

was an outstanding instructor and a great role 

model. She took an interest in her students 

and was inspirational to me.“ — 

– Diana Saunders ’95 

”There are too many to count. Dr. Daniel Graf, 

Dr. Craig Wansink, Frau Dr. Susan Wansink, 

Dr. William Jones, Dr. Del Carlson...the list 

goes on! I want to add Dr. Gary Noe, Dr. Verne 

Keefer and Dr. Deborah Otis. They really 

made science fun!“ —– Krista Vicich ’95 

”Dr. Clay Drees, Dr. Mavel Velasco, 

Dr. Patricia Sullivan, and Dr. Kathy Merlock 

Jackson. These were all fantastic professors 

who encouraged and inspired me during my 

time at VWC. I still carry with me lessons I 

learned from them 20 years later!“ — 

– Laurie Heisler Meiggs ’96 

”Mine were Dr. Sally Shedd, Dr. Rick Hite, 

and Dr. Stephen Emanuel. The three not only 

taught great courses, but they were great 

people outside the classroom. While not the 

easiest professors, I remember their classes 

the most.“ — – Jon Smith ’00 

”Dr. Chris Haley! His lectures were always 

engaging, enthusiastic, creative and 

interactive. Dr. Haley is personable, respectful 

and encouraging to all of his students. Eight 

years later, we still keep in touch!“ — 

– Kristy Riggs Francisco ’03 

”Dr. Linda Ferguson. I loved her teaching style 

and her classes were the most interesting and 

enjoyable of my time at VWC.“ 

– Amanda Sasse-Sutton ’07 

”Dr. Karen Bosch, Dr. Bosch, and...Dr. Bosch. 

She will tell you like it is; real dosage of tough 

love that will inspire and challenge you to 

reach your full potential! We still trade emails.“ 

– Trish Wilhelm ’10 


Athletics 

PHOTO: JOE WASILUK 

Home Run 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN’S SOFTBALL TEAM NAMED 2011 ODAC CHAMPIONS 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE’S 

Softball Marlins shut out Randolph College 

in the title game, posting a 7-0 victory and 

claiming the 2011 Old Dominion Athletic 

Conference (ODAC) Championship. It is the 

sixth ODAC title overall for the VWC softball 

program, and according to Sports Information 

Director Joe Wasiluk, VWC has actually won 

softball conference titles nine times since the 

inception of the program. 

The 2011 Marlins, coached by VWC alum 

Brandon Elliott ’03, improved to an impressive 

29-9 for the season. Their championship 

effort resulted in only the fifth shutout victory 

in ODAC tournament title game history. 

Rookie pitcher MacKenzie Creech 

(Hollsbourough, NC/Orange) was named 

the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 

ODAC tournament. Junior Brianna Bertovich 

(Richmond, VA/Monacan), freshman 

Season Dailey (Norfolk, VA/Virginia Beach 

Frank W. Cox), sophomore Chelsea Henline 

(Chesapeake, VA/Great Bridge), and junior 

Jaclyn Quinn (Chesapeake, VA/Hickory) also 

received tournament honors and were named 

to the All-Tournament team. 

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF 

The 1985-86 women’s softball 

team won its first Dixie Conference 

title, and advanced to the 

NCAA Division III championship 

tournament for the first time, 

under the guidance of coach 

Jack Jordan. 

/ 44 / MARLIN

Athletics 

Starting 

Lineup 

PHOTO: RACHEL BALSLEY (MARLIN CHRONICLE) 

A STELLAR YEAR FOR DJ WOODMORE ’14 

FRESHMAN YEAR WAS CERTAINLY 

a slam dunk for Virginia Wesleyan’s 6-foot- 

3 guard DJ Woodmore from Virginia Beach 

(Landstown High). He completed his first 

year with an incredible list of awards and 

accomplishments. 

Woodmore was selected by the Virginia 

Sports Information Directors Association as 

the 2010-11 College Division Rookie of the 

Year. He was also was named national Rookie 

of the Year by D3hoops.com, South Region 

Rookie of the Year and Old Dominion Athletic 

Conference Rookie of the Year. He was 

included in the DIII News’ 10-member national 

All-Freshman team, a first for the Wesleyan 

men’s basketball program. 

”These awards just solidify the fact that 

DJ is a pretty special player,“ says Dave 

Macedo, Men’s Head Basketball Coach. ”DJ’s 

skill level is complemented by his unselfish 

attitude. He is a team player, and he wants to 

win championships. He’s a driven player who 

makes the guys around him better. Plus, he’s 

an outstanding student. We’re fortunate to 

have him for three more years.“ 

Woodmore was just 

as successful in the 

classroom, garnering 

Dean’s List honors in 

both of his first two 

semesters at VWC 

as a business 

major. 

Five Decades 

of Marlin 

Athletics 

1960s 

• Competition 

begins in cross 

country (1966-67) 


begins in men’s 

basketball and 

men’s tennis 

(1968-69) 


begins in golf 

and men’s 

soccer (1969-70) 

1970s 

• Baseball 

competition 

begins with a 

championship 

season (1973-74) 

• VWC wins its 

first conference 

title in men’s 

soccer, finishing 

7-0 in the Dixie 

Conference 

(1976-77) 

Competition 

begins in 

women’s 

basketball 

and goes on 

to win its first 

championship 

the following 

year (1976-77)

• Men’s basketball 

wins its first 

Dixie Conference 

championship 

(1977-78) 

1980s 

• VWC begins 

intercollegiate 

competition 

in softball, 

posts winning 

seasons for the 

first 20 years 

of competition 

(1981-82) 


begins in 

women’s tennis 

(1982-83) 

2011-12 ATHLETIC STORIES 

TO WATCH 

FALL 

Eight and counting. Can the volleyball Marlins 

post a ninth consecutive winning season and fourth 

straight 20+ victory campaign against a very tough 

schedule? 

VWC women’s soccer aims for a seventh 

straight NCAA tournament berth. 

Watch the progress of Sean Whitson 

as he attempts to qualify for the NCAA 

championship race for an unprecedented third 

consecutive year. 

SPRING 

Can the men’s lacrosse program extend its 

streak of success that includes five winning seasons in 

the last six years? 

Women’s lacrosse returns a solid team 

as the Marlins attempt to earn a berth in the ODAC 

championship match after qualifying for semifinals in 

eight of the past 10 years. 

Watch the progress of track and field standouts 

Randy Lott and Courtney Mebane as 

they lead another promising group of VWC athletes. 

• Women’s 

basketball 

earns its first 

berth in the 

NCAA Division 

III championship 

(1983-84) 


intercollegiate 

competition in 

women’s soccer 

(1984-85) 

• Women’s 

softball wins 

its first Dixie 

Conference title 

and advances 

to the NCAA DIII 

tournament for 

the first time 

(1985-86) 



men’s lacrosse 

(1989-90) 


WINTER 

A spotlight will be on the VWC men’s 

basketball team that returns all five starters from 

last year’s 25-5 team that advanced to the sectionals of 

the NCAA tournament. 

Keep an eye on the VWC women’s 

basketball team as it attempts to return to the 

ODAC championship game for the fourth time in 

six years. 


Men’s and women’s tennis aim for 

standout seasons as they begin competition at the new, 

state-of-the-art Everett Tennis Center. 

Compiled by VWC Sports Information 

Director Joe Wasiluk 

/ 46 / MARLIN

Fear 

These 

Fish 

DON’T LOOK NOW, 

but there’s a ”white 

out“ coming your way. 

Wesleyan fans take 

their hoops seriously, 

and they’ve got the 

records to prove it. 

VWC ranked in the 

top 20 for attendance 

for NCAA Division III 

basketball in 2011. 

The average 

attendance was 927 

fans per game with the 

largest home crowd 

of the season, 1,206, 

bringing the noise 

in the Convocation 

Center on March 4 for 

the opening game of 

the NCAA tournament 

against Pennsylvania’s 

Delaware Valley 

College. 

PHOTO: EDWARD PHILLIPS ‘11 

Virginia Wesleyan’s Marlins finished with 

a glowing 25-5 record and closed the 2011 

season on the road in NCAA third round 

tournament competition at Williamstown, 

Massachusetts, before a crowd of 1,561. 

Overall, VWC crowds topped the 1,000 mark 

seven times during the season and numbered 

A Winning Tune 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN ATHLETES AND FANS NOW HAVE THEIR VERY 

OWN MUSICAL MOTIVATION IN THE FORM OF A VWC FIGHT SONG 

“ONE OF THE THINGS I’VE ALWAYS WANTED SINCE I GOT 

here 17 years ago was a fight song,“ VWC Athletic Director 

Joanne Renn told a small but enthusiastic group gathered in 

the lobby of Godwin Hall in May of 2011. 

With that, she lifted her flute, gave the crowd a G and 

launched into a spirited a capella version of ”On, Virginia 

Wesleyan!,“ the College’s newly unveiled musical motivation. 

The assembled chorus of students, faculty and staff sang 

along with freshly printed cheat sheets in hand. 

”Vee-dub , vee-dub, fight, fight, fight!“ they chanted, 

”Wesleyan do or die!“ 

Renn co-wrote the fight song with veteran area sports 

announcer Bill Bishop. 

”He and I have been friends forever,“ Renn said. ”I 

saw him at an ODU basketball game and he said, ‘Does 

Wesleyan have a fight song?’ I said no, and he said, ‘Well, 

we need to write one.’ Literally in 10 minutes he wrote the 

music and I wrote some lyrics. He is so talented and has 

that God-given gift of musicality.“ 

The rest will soon be history. A recorded instrumental 

version of the catchy new tune, complete with introductory 

drum cadence, is now available for use at home and away 

games and other VWC events. 

”Every school needs a great fight song,“ said President 

Billy Greer. ”We’ve always had the Marlin spirit, but this is going 

to bring the excitement to a new level. I think our student athletes 

and fans are going to be thrilled with it.“ 

”ON, VIRGINIA WESLEYAN“ 

Music and Lyrics: Bill Bishop/Joanne Renn 

FANS FOR LIFE: VWC 

ranked in the top 20 for 

attendance in NCAA 

Division III basketball. 

more than 900 fans at four other contests. 

”Fear the fish“ will be in full effect in 2012 

as the Marlins attempt to return to the NCAA 

championship and bring home the trophy for 

the second time since claiming the Division III 

title in 2006. 

On Virginia Wesleyan, on to victory 

Let’s go get ’em, Wesleyan, let’s make history 

We’re behind you, Marlins, as we raise our voices high 

M-A-R-L-I-N-S, Wesleyan do or die 

Vee-dub, vee-dub, fight, fight, fight 

Wesleyan do or die! 

Fight blue Marlins, ’til we win, pride will soon prevail 

Fear the fish is what we shout, we will never fail 

Blue and silver lead the way, our colors never run 

M-A-R-L-I-N-S, Wesleyan number one 

Vee-dub, vee-dub, fight, fight, fight 

Wesleyan number one! 

Athletics 

1990s 

• VWC men’s 

soccer wins 

its first Old 

Dominion Athletic 

Conference 

(ODAC) 

championship 

and advances 

to the NCAA 

DIII national 

championship 

tournament 

(1990-91) 

• Women’s 

softball wins 

its first ODAC 

championship 

(1990-91) 


begins in field 

hockey (1991-92) 

• Baseball wins 


tournament title 

(1996-97) 


begins in 

women’s lacrosse 

(1998-99) 

2000s 

• Baseball sweeps 

the ODAC regular 

season and 

tournament titles 

(2002-2003) 


begins in 

women’s 

volleyball 

(2003-04)

• Field hockey 

wins its 

first ODAC 

championship 

and qualifies 

for the NCAA 

DIII national 

championship 

tournament 

(2003-04) 

What About 

Bob? 



track and field 

(2004-05) 

• Men’s basketball 

wins the ODAC 

championship 

and becomes 

VWC’s first 

national 

championship 

team finishing 

5-0 in the NCAA 

DIII tournament 

(2005-06) 

• Women’s 

soccer wins 


championship 

and advances 

to the NCAA 

DIII Final Four 

(2006-07) 

• Men’s 

basketball 

advances to 

the NCAA DIII 

tournament 

(2010-11) 

• Women’s 

softball finish 

the season 

as ODAC 

champions 

(2010-11) 

For more detailed 

highlights and 

individual athlete’s 

accomplishments, 

visit our website at 

www.vwc.edu 

THE MARLIN WAS ADOPTED AS THE COLLEGE’S 

mascot by the first Board of Trustees in 1963, inspired 

by the legendary fighting game fish prevalent off the 

Atlantic coast. ”Bob Marlin,“ the colorful mischiefmaking, 

pompom-swiping character we all know and 

love from recent VWC athletic events, however, is a 

more contemporary creation. 

Bob Marlin is actually a student invention, the result of 

class project assigned by recreation and leisure studies 

professor Doug Kennedy in 2003. The students came 

up with a concept, selected a designer and even raised 

funds for the project. If his name reminds you of a certain 

reggae icon, it’s no accident. 

”We started discussing the name, and one of the 

students suggested ‘Bob Marlin’ in partial recognition 

of the reggae performer and perennial student favorite 

Bob Marley,“ Kennedy remembers. ”The whole class 

immediately agreed. I don’t see that often in classes! 

The costume was completed and shipped to me a 

couple months later and made its debut in time for the 

start of basketball season that fall.“ 

/ 48 / MARLIN 

Bob Marlin 

A Profile 

Likes 

National championships 

A packed Convocation Center 

VWC cheerleaders 

High-fives with mini-Marlins 

Dislikes 

Filet of fish sandwiches 

”Yellow Jackets,“ ”Maroons,“ ”Tigers“ – need 

we go on? 

Favorite hangout 

The ”Fish Tank“ 

Favorite local attraction 

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center 

Favorite Song 

”No Woman, No Fish Fry“ 

Last book read 

The Old Man and the Sea 

Favorite movies 

Finding Nemo; A Fish Called Wanda 

Leading ladies 

Marlin Monroe 

Lady Gill Gill 

BFFs 

President Greer 

Joanne Renn 

Pet peeve 

Hard-to-find athletic shoes in size 27-DDD 

Hobbies 

Taunting rival fans 

Stealing pompoms 

Community service 

Often overheard saying: 

”It’s not a ‘nose,’ it’s a ‘bill.’“

Alumni Pages 

Alumni profile 

In the Name of the Law 

LIKE MANY VWC ALUMNI, CHRISTINE 

(Langsam) Williams ’97 built not only the 

foundations of a successful career at 

Wesleyan but the foundations of many 

successful relationships – including one with 

her husband, Jason Williams ’95. Christine, 

who is originally from Oyster Bay, New York, 

and Jason currently live in Richmond, Virginia 

with their two children, Walker and Hudson. 

”I learned the value and importance of all 

different types of relationships at Wesleyan,“ 

says Christine, who played field hockey 

and was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma 

sorority. ”I realized you can be successful and 

have fun, too – one did not have to come at 

the expense of the other.“ 

After graduating magna cum laude from 

VWC with her degree in psychology, Christine 

went on to receive her law degree at University 

of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of 

Law. Now a Director at DurretteCrump, PLC, 

a law firm in Richmond, Christine represents 

individuals and businesses in various areas of 

business litigation. She has been recognized 

as one of ”Virginia’s Legal Elite“ in Virginia 

Business Magazine, a Virginia ”Super Lawyer“ 

by a prestigious rating service, and one of 

the ”Influential Women of Virginia“ in 2011 by 

Virginia Lawyers Media, publishers of Virginia 

Lawyers Weekly and the Virginia Medical Law 

Report. The individualized attention she got at 

Wesleyan, she says, helped shape her future. 

”Dr. Rita Frank was by far my favorite 

professor. I took all of her classes. I remember 

a class I took with her that required a research 

project and she invited the students to 

her house to help us with the project on 

an individual basis. I thought that was so 

impressive – that she would open the door to 

her home, on her time, to continue teaching 

us. She was always available – as were all the 

professors at Wesleyan.“ 

Like many Marlins, Christine was also bitten 

by the community service bug. Today she is 

co-chairman of the board for TrePadges, a 

charitable foundation dedicated to making a 

difference in the lives of children in Virginia, 

PHOTO COURTESY: CHRISTINE WILLIAMS '97 

and a member of the Executive Committee 

and Board of Directors for Comfort Zone 

Camp, the nation’s largest nonprofit 

Christine (Langsam) Williams ’97 

bereavement camp for children who have lost 

a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. 


Class Notes 

1970s 

Darryl Perkinson (1975) received the 

2010 Outstanding Alumni Award 

from Strayer University. 

Charles Michael Pritchard (1979) died 

in Sentara Virginia Beach General 

Hospital on February 24, 2011. 

Michael, born in Norfolk, was the son 

of the late Charles Vivian Pritchard 

and Sylvia Leota Hartsock Pritchard 

and grandson of the late George L. 

Pritchard and Beulah Perry Pritchard. 

He was a librarian assistant at Bayside 

Library. He is survived by a sister, 

Suzanne Pritchard Kennedy, and her 

husband James of Norfolk, and many 

loving family members and friends. 

1980s 

Carol (Scotece) Armstrong-Minton’s 

(1983) oldest son, Nicholas, an 

Infantryman of the 10th Mountain 

Division, U.S. Army, recently returned 

home from a 12-month deployment 

to Afghanistan. While Nick was 

deployed, Carol founded ”Operation 

Pocket Field Pillow.“ With the help 

of hundred of volunteers across the 

East Coast, her team was able to 

ship nearly 10,000 handmade ACU 

field pillows to soldiers throughout 

Afghanistan and to our wounded 

troops in Germany and across the U.S. 

Their motto: ”’til they all come home.“ 

Lonnie Blow (1982) has been named 

an assistant coach with the Old 

Dominion University Monarch's 

men's basketball team. 

Robert Coats (1986) received a MDiv 

in Theology from The Episcopal 

Divinity School in May 2011. His title 

is now ”Ordained Minister, Pastoral 

Counselor and Chaplain.“ 

Patricia (Smith) Liebler (1982) and 

Butch Liebler are proud to announce 

the birth of their first gradnchild, Lilly 

MacLaurin Hamby. She was born 

on March 22, 2011 and weighed 7 lb., 

9 oz. Lilly is doing well. 

David Luton (1986) is proud to 

announce the birth of a baby girl, Sara 

Elisabet. She was born on February 

2, 2011. Both mother and daughter are 

doing well. David resides with his wife, 

Nuria, and his newly born daughter in 

Valencia, Spain where he works as an 

English teacher. 

Karen (JD) Vonier (1983) is happy to 

announce her marriage on October 

23, 2010. She and her new spouse 

currently reside in Woodbridge, 

Virginia. 

1990s 

Donna Lynn Hall (1992) is a new 

published author. To learn more 

about her writing, visit www. 

victoryfromabuse.com. 

Kenneth Barber (1998) and Patricia 

Rosas Barber are proud to announce 

the birth of a baby girl, Emily Rose 

Rosas-Barber. She was born on 

December 29, 2010 in Williamsburg, 

Virginia. Both mother and baby are 

doing well. 

Frank Bottone (1993) has entered in the 

Let’s Move! Apps for Healthy Kids 

competition that is seeking fun and 

interesting ways to teach children 

how to eat right. The competition is 

part of Michelle Obama’s healthy 

kids campaign, sponsored by Let’s 

Move and the USDA. 

Sebrina Brown (1995) graduated 

from the FBI Norfolk Citizens 

Academy and is now a member of 

the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni 

Association. 

Virginia (Chavers) Corbett (1997) 

was named Teacher of the Year 

at Hugo Owens Middle School in 

Chesapeake, Virginia where she is a 

civics teacher. She was honored by 

her family, friends and colleagues at 

a ceremony on November 4, 2010. 

Nori (Ramos) Lembree (1993) received 

a Master’s in Education from 

University of New Haven in 

July 2010. 

AnnaLisa (Ehrlick) Michalski (1995) 

and Timothy Michalski (1995) are 

proud to announce the birth of 

a baby girl, Erin Lindsay. She 

was born on August 13, 2010, in 

Portsmouth, Virginia, and weighed 

8 lb., 10 oz. Adam (3 1/2) and Luke 

(21 mos.) are taking good care 

of their new sister. 

Kimberlie (Meyer) Russell (1994) was 

recently promoted to assistant vice 

president of contracts from contract 

manager at Valkyrie Enterprises, 

LLC located in Virginia Beach, 

Virginia. Kimberlie has been with 

the Virginia Beach-based defense 

contractor since shortly after the 

organization’s creation in August 

2007. She is responsible for cradleto-grave 

contract management 

from proposal development and 

contract negotiation to project 

control and accounts receivable. 

Her background in accounting 

allows Kimberlie to take a wellrounded 

approach to contract 

administration. 

Ronald Stebbins (1992) received his 

ASQ/DoN Certfication as a Lean Six 

Sigma Black and was designated a 

Master LSS Black Belt after teaching 

a five month Black Belt Class of 

21 students at Lean Six Sigma 

College. More recently, Ronald had 

his retirement ceremony from the 

U.S. Navy in July 2010, completing 

31 years of service. Ronald will join 

Aviation Managment Analytical 

Consultants LLC as a co-Owner and 

chief financial officer. 

Isabel (Vaca) Valentini (1992) was 

awarded the Classroom Teacher of 

the Year-Elementary (K-5) Category 

by the Virginia Association of Science 

Teachers (VAST). The award is 

presented to outstanding educators 

for their exemplary contributions to 

science education. The award was 

presented on November 19, 2010 at 

the Virginia Air and Space Museum in 

Hampton, Virginia. 

Christine (Langsam) Williams (1997) 

has been named by the publishers 

of Virginia Lawyers Weekly as 

one of the ”Influential Women of 

Virginia“ for 2011. Christine and her 

fellow honorees were recognzed at 

a luncheon in May 2011. Christine 

currently practices with the law 

firm of DurretteCrump PLC in 

Richmond, Virginia. 

Chris Yeager (1994) was named the 

2010 Division III Men’s Soccer 

National Coach of the Year, 

announced by the National Soccer 

Coaches Association of America 

(NSCAA) at the NSCAA annual 

convention. 


/ 50 / MARLIN

Alumni Pages 


A Passion for History 

J. Michael Cobb ’75 

PHOTO: JANICE MARSHALL PITTMAN 

MIKE COBB, CURATOR OF THE HAMPTON 

History Museum in Hampton, Virginia for 

nearly 28 years, lives and breathes history. 

It’s a passion that has its roots on the Virginia 

Wesleyan campus. 

”The intimate academic setting in a rural 

environment gave a sense of a center of 

learning surrounded by the natural world 

– which helped bring the ideas of history, 

science and literature and much more into 

a focus that made it both a meaningful and 

an enjoyable pastime,“ he says of his time at 

VWC. ”It became part of me. The ideas that I 

learned there became part of who I am.“ 

After completing his degree in history and 

political science at VWC, Cobb received a 

master’s in American history at Old Dominion 

University and a master’s in American studies 

at the College of William & Mary. He is the 

coauthor of Hampton (Images of America: 

Virginia) (Arcadia, 2008) and the author 

of Fort Wool: Star Spangled Banner Rising 

(The History Press, 2009). He is currently 

coauthoring The Battle of Big Bethel: The Devil 

was the Artillerist. He is also the director of the 

Fort Wool historic site. 

Cobb’s MVP list of Wesleyan professors 

includes Stephen Mansfield – ”his devotion 

to history and obvious enthusiasm in wanting 

to share his knowledge and his ability to 

connect with students was inspiring“; Joseph 

Harkey – ”he often would become part of 

whatever teaching lesson he was conveying… 

be it American or English lit, he was one with 

it, and it drew you to these words written long 

ago“; and Colonel Robert Tucker – ”he had a 

bombastic and impelling style that brought 

the echo and vibration of Civil War battles 

into the classroom.“ Cobb’s own personal 

history includes a sense of nostalgia for his 

alma mater. 

”When I pass Wesleyan, even after these 

many years – decades – my mind goes 

back to that time and sometimes simple 

things such as walking to class, standing 

in line for registration and maybe most 

of all, the anxious moments late at night 

in Hofheimer Library studying, trying to 

anticipate the next day’s exam. These are 

moments I will never forget. They will be with 

me for the rest of my life.“ 


Class Notes 

2000s 

Julie (Ecker) Marangoni (2000) and 

James Marangoni were married on 

September 12, 2009 in Radford, 

Virginia. They went to St. Lucia for 

their honeymoon. Julie is a licensed 

veterinary technician and James 

owns his own business. The happy 

couple and their three dogs currently 

reside in Centreville, Virginia. 

Jennifer Newman (2000) earned 

her Master’s of Arts in English 

from the University of Virginia in 

2002. Currently, she is the owner 

of The Ink Editor: Proofreading 

and Editorial Services. Her clients 

have included writers, scholars, 

medical and technical professionals, 

small business owners, and large 

corporations. The Ink Editor provides 

expert proofreading, copyediting, and 

substantive editing for printed matter 

and online content. Her business is 

based in Grand Blanc, Michigan. 

Stephanie (Stevenson) Lesniewicz 

(2000) and Bryan Lesniewicz are 

happy to announce their marriage on 

July 17, 2010 in Albemarle Plantation, 

Hertford, North Carolina. The wedding 

was held at a golf course on the 

Albemarle Sound. The couple then 

took a road trip along the coastal 

Carolinas, spending time in Wilmington, 

North Carolina and Charleston, South 

Carolina. Stephanie is currently a store 

manager for a local surf retailer and 

Bryan is an assistant manager of a 

restaurant. They reside in Chesapeake, 

Virginia with their dog, Scarlett. 

Michelle (Superczynski) Hurst (2001) 

was recently promoted to human 

resources analyst at Maersk Line, 

Limited. 

Kelly (Smith) Evans (2001) is proud 

to announce the birth of a baby girl, 

Arwen Constance. She was born on 

November 17, 2009 in Indiana. Kelly 

recently accepted a position as a 

business librarian at the University of 

South Florida. 

Martine Green (2002) is involved with 

the company theHegira, located in 

Washington, DC. It is dedicated to 

producing work by women of color. 

To learn more about theHegira, visit 

www.thehegira.org. 

Mark Caffee (2002) died in 

Chesapeake, Virginia on June 

11, 2011. Mark was a member of 

Aldersgate United Methodist Church. 

Over the past 10 years, he served 

as coach, manager, and baseball 

commissioner for the Western 

Branch Athletic Club. He was actively 

involved in his children’s teams, and 

through coaching touched the lives 

of many other children. 

Melissa (D’Avignon) Payne (2003) 

and Chris Payne are proud to 

announce the birth of a baby boy, 

Ryan Christopher. He was born on 

December 19, 2009 in Baltimore, 

Maryland and weighed 3 lb., 12 oz. 

Ryan was born at 31 weeks. He is 

thriving and doing wonderful. 

Bladen Finch (2003) was recently 

elected to the National Conference 

of State Legislatures Legislative 

Information and Constituent Services 

Executive Committee for a two-year 

term. This committee plans a yearly 

professional development seminar, 

and Bladen will work with staff 

members from across the country. 

Bladen Finch was also accepted into 

the Associate Exchange Program 

through the American Society of 

Legislative Clerks and Secretaries. He 

will be working in the California State 

Senate Public Relations Office for a 

week. In addition, Bladen received 

the Virginia YMCA Service to Youth 

Award during the Model General 

Assembly at the State Capitol. 

Heather (Segraves) Jenkins (2004) 

and Drew Jenkins are proud to 

announce the birth of a baby girl, 

Kiffen Mary. She was born on 

October 14, 2010 in Annapolis, 

Maryland and weighed 

8 lb., 5 oz. 

Julia (Green) Marks (2004) and 

Jeremey Marks are proud to 

announce the birth of their daughter, 

Amelia, on March 10, 2011 in 

Rhinebeck, NY. 

Erica Clarke (2005) received a 

Master’s in communication and 

rhetorical studies from Syracuse 

University on May 8, 2007. She 

has received a full academic 

fellowship as a doctoral student in 

the department of communication 

and rhetoric at the University of 

Pittsburgh. As a K. Leroy Irvis Fellow, 

she will concentrate her four years of 

study on black and white audience 

reception of African-Americans in 

visual media (past and present). 

Erica was previously employed as a 

lecturer of communication studies 

at James Madison University in 

Harrisonburg, Virginia. 

Martha (Blevins) Thomas (2006) 

was recently promoted to executive 

assistant to the provost and executive 

vice president at Mississippi State 

University. Earlier in 2010, she earned 

her Master’s in public policy and 

administration and was elected to the 

board of directors of the Oktibbeha 

County Humane Society. 

Ashley Carmichael (2006) is at SECEP 

as a Special Education Teacher. She 

is also a student at Regent University 

working on her Master’s in 

special education. 

Laura (Cox) Taylor (2006) and Richard 

Taylor are happy to announce their 

marriage on October 23, 2010 at 

Chateau Elan Winery in Braselton, 

Georgia. They currently reside in 

Roswell, Georgia. 

Brenton Smith (2007) and Jessica 

(Whitely) Smith (2007) are proud to 

announce the birth of a baby girl, 

Cayden Gracie Smith. She was born 

on May 18, 2011 in Virginia Beach 

General Hospital, and weighed 7 lb., 

1 oz. Both the mother and baby are 

doing well. 

Ryan Ferguson (2008) has recently 

graduated from the police academy 

and will joining the Hopewell police 

department in September 2010. 

Pierrette Swan (2008) and Zachary 

Jones (2009) are co-owners of 

Tasket Clothing. They were on 

campus for a high school trade 

show earlier this year and will be 

attending again next year. They have 

also attended Warped Tour 2010. 

You can learn more at tasketclothing. 

bigcartel.com. 

Chelsey Barrett (2008) recently 

accepted a new position at 

Stevenson University located in 

Stevenson, Maryland as the 

events coordinator. 

Krystle Kitchen (2008) received a 

Master’s in business administration 

with a concentration in human 

resources from Liberty University on 

May 14, 2011. 

/ 52 / MARLIN

Alumni Pages 


The Entrepreneurial Spirit 

”WHAT IF?“ FOR AN INVENTOR, 

it’s the operative question. For alumnus Hugh 

Brydges, who graduated from Wesleyan 

with his degree in political science in 

1981, the question has led to quite a few 

intriguing answers. 

One of them even landed him on the pages 

of Time magazine in their ”Best Inventions 

of 2007“ issue. It’s an ingenious device that 

aims to make dangerous police car chases 

(unfortunately one of the many hazards of 

police work) a thing of the past. The StarChase 

Pursuit Management System, as it’s 

called, uses a 

laser-guided launcher attached to the front of 

an officer’s car to shoot a GPS tracking device 

at a suspect’s vehicle. The device sticks to the 

vehicle, and the police officer is able to hang 

back and wait as data from the GPS is sent to 

police headquarters. 

”My Wesleyan education helped me to 

continue my journey as an entrepreneur by 

teaching me how to recognize and prepare 

for real world opportunities whenever and 

wherever they might present themselves,“ 

Brydges says of the college experience that 

paved the way for his professional 

life. ”In my case, those 

opportunities are gaps in the 

market that allow me to create 

new businesses or inventions to 

fill those gaps.“ 

The entrepreneurial spirit has 

taken Brydges, a resident of 

Virginia Beach, in many exciting directions. 

He is currently Vice President of Trident 

Forces, which specializes in developmental 

technology for the U.S. military He is also 

founder and business development 

consultant for StarChase, LLC, and a 

consultant for Hartwell Capitol Consulting. 

Brydges serves on the financial board of 

Young Life/Capernaum, an organization 

that works with mentally challenged children 

and adults, and is a board member of 

Robot Ventures, a NASA/NIA group that 

specializes in engineering, building and flying 

the next generation of unmanned aerial and 

underwater vehicles. He also happens to be 

a licensed commercial helicopter pilot and 

flight instructor. 

Hugh Brydges ’81 

PHOTO COURTESY: HUGH BRYDGES '81 


Introducing the Alumni Board of Directors 

THE ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

serves as an advocate for alumni to 

Virginia Wesleyan College and to our 

larger communities. The Board of Directors 

represents the Alumni Association 

membership by adding benefits to our 

membership, striving to promote the 

College, and bringing a lasting impact to 

future Marlins through scholarships and 

internship opportunities. 

The Alumni Board consists of 12-20 alumni 

who are active in their communities and 

committed to supporting Virginia Wesleyan 

College. Members of the board are nominated 

by their fellow alumni and slated by the Alumni 

Board of Directors. In addition to their advocacy 

role, the Alumni Board also plans important 

alumni events throughout the year, including 

Homecoming, Wesleyan Wednesday, the 

Alumni Awards, and reunion events. 

The Alumni Board of Directors has made 

a $50,000 pledge to the Legacy Endowed 

Scholarship, which will be awarded to the 

child of an alumnus every year. Today, over 

$200,000 has been contributed from both our 

alumni community and dues paying members 

to support the scholarship. 

You too can serve your College and your 

fellow alumni by applying to the Alumni Board 

of Directors. Visit our website at 

www.vwc.edu/alumni. 

ALUMNI BOARD: First row: Angela Costello,'87; Laura Gadsby, '90; Wonder Burgung, '09. 

Second row: Ksera Dyette, student representative; Darryl Perkinson, '75; Third row: John Haynes, '98; 

Rebecca Hooker, faculty representative; Amy Mallett Rickard, '98; Richard Carmichael, '86. 

Fourth row: Bill Miller, '09; Beth Widmaier, '99; Barrett Richardson, '81. Not pictured: Chris Dotolo, '91; 

Joan Jarrell, '96; Paul Mumford, '91; Chris Stefi, '91 


/ 54 / MARLIN


Update Your Information for the 2011-2012 Alumni Directory! 

Join your friends and classmates and participate in the 

Special 50 th Anniversary Edition of the Virginia Wesleyan 

College Alumni Directory! It’ll be a comprehensive 

reference with contact information and career and family 

details for more than 7,000 of our graduates. And, it’ll be 

the first-ever directory to feature listings along with photos 

and essays you can submit. 

Update your information and stay connected! You 

can submit your personal profile with information about 

you, your career, and how you and your classmates can 

stay in touch. 

Harris Connect will contact our alumni to verify the 

information. Be on the lookout for your chance to 

participate! 

The Play 

Makers 

FOURTH CLASS OF 

HONOREES TO BE INDUCTED 

INTO VIRGINIA WESLEYAN 

COLLEGE’S ATHLETIC HALL OF 

FAME ON FEBRUARY 11, 2012 

DO YOU REMEMBER WHO HIT THE MOST 

home runs, sprinted the fastest or dunked 

the most when you were at VWC? Don’t miss 

your chance to honor these all-Americans, 

record breakers and other extraordinary men 

and women who have made their mark on 

VWC athletics. 

During the 50 th Anniversary year, Virginia 

Wesleyan will induct the fourth class of the 

recently established Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Established in May 2007, the Athletic Hall 

of Fame honors those whose outstanding 

athletic achievements, service or significant 

contributions have had a lasting effect on 

Virginia Wesleyan College’s intercollegiate 

athletic program. 

Each year, nominations for the Athletic Hall 

of Fame are accepted from April 1 through 

August 31. Student athletes are eligible 

for nomination five years after they have 

graduated from the College. Marlin teams, 

coaches and friends of athletics may also 

be nominated. More information about the 

selection criteria and nomination process is 

available at www.vwc.edu/AHOFnomination. 

The 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction 

Luncheon will be held on February 11, 2012. 

The title sponsor of this year’s festivities is 

the Virginia Beach Schools Federal Credit 

Union. Join us for recognition of Marlin athletic 

accomplishments and opportunities to 

reminisce with fellow alumni and coaches! 

AIR APPARENT: Three-sport letterman and current VWC Board of Trustees member Tassos 

Paphites ’79 was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. 

/ 56 / MARLIN

Printed on 30% recycled fiber and with 

chlorine-free (TCF/ECF) pulp using 

timber from managed forests.

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