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Batten Honors College Welcomes Third Cohort
New class participates in formal Matriculation Ceremony August 23
University News | August 23, 2019
Photo Gallery: 2019 Batten Honors College Matriculation Ceremony
The third cohort of Virginia Wesleyan University’s Batten Honors College gathered in the award-winning Greer Environmental Sciences Center August 23 for their formal Matriculation Ceremony.
"Today each of you becomes an important part of our story and you will contribute more than you may realize to the legacy of Virginia Wesleyan University," President Scott D. Miller told the students. “Never again will you have such an unparalleled environment in which to expand your horizons, take calculated risks and find new passions—to chart a meaningful purpose for your life and for our society, culture and natural environment,”
Following remarks from Dr. Miller and Dr. Joyce Easter, Dean of the Batten Honors College, each of the students came forward to pen their names in the matriculation book. Their signatures mark the students' commitment to be responsible and contributing members of the Batten Honors College academic community and to realize the full potential of their own unique gifts and abilities.
Launched in fall 2017, the highly selective Batten Honors College has quickly emerged as a national niche program of the University. It was created to inspire, engage and prepare academically talented students to become impactful leaders and environmental stewards globally. Signature program features include small class sizes, a living-learning community, personalized instruction, funded international study, and full academic-leadership scholarships.
The Batten Honors College is gratefully named for Virginia Wesleyan Trustee Emerita Jane P. Batten and her late husband, Frank Batten, Sr. The program fully or partially funds 40 new academically talented students each year and will grow to 160 endowed scholarships over four years.
The third cohort, collectively, has an average SAT of 1352, ACT of 29, and GPA of 4.16. Students hail from all over the United States as well as internationally.
“Your potential for success is unlimited,” said Dr. Miller. “and Virginia Wesleyan University is the place to achieve it.”
View the Batten Honors College Matriculation Ceremony in its entirety on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network.