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Board of Trustees Welcomes Four New Members
New Trustees include Jean Jenkins '89, Robert McFarland, Eric Nyman '94, and James Shumadine
University News | September 24, 2018
The Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees has elected four new members who began their service with the 2018-2019 fiscal year, Board Chair David Kaufman has announced.
Jean T. Jenkins ’89, Community Leader, Robert W. McFarland, Partner with McGuire Woods, Eric C. Nyman ’94, President of Hasbro North America, and James H. Shumadine, Co-President of The Employment Guide, join an engaged group of Trustees whose dedication has been a critical asset to the success of Virginia Wesleyan, its students, and alumni.
“We are delighted to welcome these distinguished individuals to our Board,” said Virginia Wesleyan University President Scott D. Miller. “They are all extremely active members of the community who bring not only valuable business expertise but meaningful connections to the University.”
Jean T. Jenkins '89
Community Leader, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Jean T. Jenkins has dedicated 30 years of service to philanthropic causes. She earned a B.A. in business from Virginia Wesleyan in 1989 and went on to work in development for nonprofits, including the SPCA. In retirement she has continued to support animal welfare and volunteers her time preparing taxes for individuals. She has two children, Megan and Tyler Watts, who also graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Her daughter Megan currently serves as a member of the Virginia Wesleyan University Alumni Council.
Robert W. McFarland
Partner, McGuireWoods, Norfolk, Virginia
Robert W. McFarland is a partner with McGuire Woods in Norfolk and focuses on civil litigation. He is a past president of the Tidewater Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He has authored several articles on federal practice, discovery, expert witnesses, and damages, and regularly lectures on federal and state practice and procedure, discovery, expert witnesses and municipal liability. In addition to his service to Virginia Wesleyan, he serves as secretary and trustee to Norfolk Collegiate School, chair of the Board of Trustees of Westminster-Canterbury on the Bay, and trustee for the Hermitage Museum. He earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Eric C. Nyman '94
President, Hasbro North America, Providence, Rhode Island
Eric C. Nyman is president of Hasbro North America, where he is responsible for sales and marketing for the entire U.S. market. Prior to his role as president, he served as general manager and senior vice president of marketing at Hasbro. He has also worked in brand management roles for Timberland and LEGO. Nyman earned his B.A. in history from Virginia Wesleyan in 1994. While at Wesleyan, he played basketball and tennis for the Marlins and also had an internship at the Live Saving Museum. He was the first Virginia Wesleyan student to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship. He went on to earn his MBA from the Boston College Carrol School of Management. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Providence.
James H. Shumadine
Co-President, The Employment Guide, Norfolk, Virginia
James H. “Jim” Shumadine is co-president of The Employment Guide. Prior to acquiring the company in 2014, he was a portfolio manager of private investments at Signature Family Wealth Advisors. Before Signature, he spent four years at Dominion Enterprises in acquisitions, and earlier in his career, he held various roles at the web services firms of Musictoday, InstantObjects and InfiNet. He is a graduate of Davidson College, and received his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. Mr. Shumadine’s service represents three generations of service to the VWU Board of Trustees. His grandmother, Helen Ballard Hoffman, served on the Board for more than 35 years and was recognized by the University in 2003 with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. His mother, Anne Shumadine, began her service on the Board in 2005 and served as treasurer and chair of the Administration and Finance Committee at the time of her passing in July 2018.