Share this Story
Spring Alumni Weekend 2023
Marlin family and friends came home to campus April 14-15 for the annual alumni tradition
University News | April 15, 2023
Photo Gallery:
Marlin family and friends from near and far came home to campus April 14-15 for Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾'s 2023 Spring Alumni Weekend.
The weekend began with Friday's spring business meeting of the Parents' Council in Greer Environmental Sciences Center. During the meeting, VWU President Scott D. Miller shared an update on University projects and initiatives with the Council. Senior members of the Parents' Council, Cecil and Julie Chapman (Joseph ’23), presented a check on behalf of the group to President Miller and Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Tina Milligan. Collectively, the Council raised $22,022 for VWU’s Excellence Fund.
Following the Council meeting, Professor of Biology Vic Townsend provided parents with a demonstration of the University’s Anatomage Table, a high-tech virtual dissection tool that enables students to examine the human body using digital cadavers. Parents’ Council members were then invited to attend a reception at DeFord Manor after the academic demonstration.
The fun continued Friday night with an alumni gathering at Shorebreak Pizza and Taphouse and VWU’s JukeVox Concert in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. VWU Vox Vera’s annual concert featured songs by Stevie Nicks, Chicago, Otis Redding and more. The concert was enjoyed by alumni and the campus community Saturday evening as well.
On Saturday, a Marlin Family Picnic took place at Birdsong Field, with a picnic lunch provided by Sodexo, musical entertainment from Astro DJ, refreshments in the Hoffman Beverage tent, Kona Ice and cotton candy and a bounce house for the children.
A highlight of this year’s festivities was the return of alumni from the first five graduating classes at Virginia Wesleyan: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974. The “First Five Pioneers” gathered in a reunion tent and participated in a Scroll Signing Celebration. The 25-year reunion for the class of 1998 was also celebrated.
Several friendly alumni competitions took place, including games for women’s soccer, field hockey, volleyball and men’s soccer.
VWU intercollegiate athletics were also in action on campus, with conference games for men’s lacrosse and softball. In addition, Marlins softball hosted a double header Sunday, while sponsoring its 13th annual Strike Out Cancer Day, a fundraising event held in memory of head coach Brandon Elliott's mother, Elaine F. Sears. Since 2009, VWU has raised over $180,000 for the American Cancer Society. The team honored cancer survivors and caretakers before the start of the game with flowers and pins, along with a moment of silence for all those who have been affected by cancer.
The celebration for the “First Five Pioneers” continued at a special reception, sponsored by VWU Trustee Bill Shelhorse '70, on Saturday evening in Brock Commons. A First Five chapel service was held by alumni in Monumental Chapel at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.
The University community is grateful for the opportunity to visit with old friends and new, and invites all graduates and friends to return to campus often and stay up to date with alumni news.