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"Virginia Wesleyan is the Institution to Watch"
President Miller Delivers 2018 State of the University Address on August 24
University News | August 24, 2018
Enrollment at Virginia Wesleyan University is the highest it has been in its 58-year history, President Scott D. Miller told guests at his State of the University Address August 24 in the Jane P. Batten Student Center on campus. Overall headcount for the 2017-18 academic year reached 1,660, a five percent increase over the previous year.
“Our future is more promising today than at any time in memory,” he said. “Virginia Wesleyan is the institution to watch, as within the next few years, we continue to make history.”
Dr. Miller shared several initiatives and goals for the future and highlighted the University’s accomplishments from the past year, including a new academic-based strategic plan; two national-niche programs—the award-winning Greer Environmental Sciences Center and the Batten Honors College; forthcoming completion of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center (March 2019); strong early enrollment for the University’s online programs and other offerings within University College; a new softball complex at TowneBank Park, the new Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center, and numerous other improvements of campus athletic facilities; record fundraising as well as recognition of VWU this fall by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as Outstanding Non-Profit in Fundraising; and a strong intercollegiate athletic program highlighted by back-to-back, NCAA Division III national softball championships.
Despite these successes, however, President Miller also cautioned of “extraordinarily challenging” times for higher education and the need to remain "strong, alert, agile, and adaptable.”
“Higher education finds itself today ‘in the best of times and the worst of times,’” he said, paraphrasing Charles Dickens. “Despite the many challenges confronting colleges and universities—some threatening the intellectual vitality and operational viability of more than a few of our fellow institutions—our prospects for contributing to the betterment of society remain strong. Our ability to deliver educational services has never been more multifaceted. Our faith in humanity’s inspirations and aspirations is undiminished.”
Mindful of public concern about the rising cost of higher education, Dr. Miller shared critical steps the University has taken to remain affordable and support students financially. Efforts have included capping of tuition and fees at their current level for the 2018-2019 academic year; widened access to early- and dual-enrollment programs; a more affordable Winter Session; added online summer courses; and expanded grants and scholarships.
“Along with many of our peers, our challenge at Virginia Wesleyan simply is to guarantee the resources we need to prepare our students for the complex world they will inherit, he said. “Each year, we rise to that challenge.”
Watch the State of the University address in its entirety at: https://boxcast.tv/view/2018-state-of-the-university-address-773403