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FOUNDERS DAY EDITION  //  SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 
Wesleyan Celebrates First Founders Day
"It has been 55 years since Virginia Wesleyan was chartered in 1961. Fifty-one years since the first shovel was turned in a cornfield on a hot, sunny day on July 16, 1965. Fifty years since the first class entered in 1966, and 46 years since the first class graduated in 1970."

Trustee Emeritus George Birdsong H'16 shared these pivotal pieces of Virginia Wesleyan history Sept. 8 as part of his keynote address during the College's inaugural Founders Day Convocation. Held in the Convocation Center inside the Jane P. Batten Student Center, the newly established tradition gave students, faculty, staff and special guests an opportunity to honor the College's founding and recognize important individuals in VWC history.

Honorary doctoral degrees were presented to Gary D. Bonnewell '79, the first VWC graduate to serve as Board Chair, and Dr. Stephen S. Mansfield, College Archivist and former Dean of the College. VWC's 2016 Alumni Award recipients were also recognized.

Pictured above (from left): Honorary degree recipients Dr. Steve Mansfield and Gary Bonnewell '79, with Professor Larry Hultgren, President Scott D. Miller, Provost Tim O'Rourke, and keynote speaker George Birdsong H'16, Trustee Emeritus.  

Founders Day Convocation      
Watch the Sept. 8 event, featuring keynote speaker George Birdsong H'16.

Founders Day Photos   
Images from the Alumni Awards Celebration and Founders Day Convocation.

Digital Collection 
In conjunction with Founders Day, Hofheimer Library launched a digital collection and exhibit commemorating VWC's founding years.
2016 Alumni Awards
Founders Day was a perfect opportunity to recognize Virginia Wesleyan's 2016 Alumni Awards recipients. This year's honorees are Lindsey E. Reynolds '98 (Distinguished Alumna Award), Chief Operating Officer at the Democratic National Committee; Amy Mallett Rickard '98 (Alumni Service Award), Manager of Client Services for Southern Company Gas; and Rodney D. Young Jr. '07 (Graduate of the Last Decade Award), a Corporal for the Norfolk Police Department.

Recipients were honored during a morning Alumni Awards Celebration and again during the Founders Day Convocation. Alumni Council President Mavis McKenley '11 introduced the honorees.

"There are many distinguished alumni of Virginia Wesleyan College, in many professions and many locations throughout the world" said McKenley, addressing current students in attendance. "Our hope...is that you, too, will pursue your lives and careers in a spirit of service, leadership, achievements and contributions of many kinds. We stand with you as you join this wonderful tradition of honoring our heritage and celebrating your future."

Chartered in 1961, Virginia Wesleyan College first opened its doors to students on September 14, 1966. Since the College's first graduating class of approximately 75 pioneering students in 1970, the Virginia Wesleyan community has grown to include some 1,400 students and 9,000 alumni.

Pictured (from left): Alumni Council President Mavis McKenley '11, Rodney Young Jr. '07, President Miller, Amy Rickard '98, Dr. O'Rourke, and Lindsey Reynolds '98.





 
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