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Spring 2024 Alumni Weekend
Marlin family and friends came home to campus April 5-6 for the annual alumni tradition
University News | April 6, 2024
Marlin family and friends from near and far came home to campus April 5-6 for Virginia Wesleyan University's 2024 Spring Alumni Weekend. It began with Friday's spring business meeting of the Parents Council at Hofheimer Theatre in Beverly Hall. 
During the meeting, VWU President Scott D. Miller updated members about VWU’s enduring commitment to college affordability, noting that current graduates now leave with just $22,000 in student debt, $5,000 less than 10 years ago. Dr. Miller also shared exciting details about the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and preparations for its relocation to the VWU campus with construction beginning late this summer. Parents Council members were then invited to attend a reception at DeFord Manor.
The fun continued Friday night with an alumni gathering at Shorebreak Pizza and Taphouse, a 5th anniversary celebration of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, and the announcement of the new David R. Goode Arts Complex, followed by a stirring production of Anastasia directed by Professor of Theatre Dr. Travis Malone.
On Saturday, the Marlin Family Picnic took place at Birdsong Field, with lunch provided by Sodexo, musical entertainment from Astro DJ, refreshments in the Hoffman Beverage tent, cotton candy, face painting, and a bounce house for the children. 
One of the day’s highlights was the dedication of the Lawrence D. Hultgren Atrium in Blocker Hall to honor Dr. Hultgren who is retiring at the end of the semester after 55 years at Virginia Wesleyan. Dr. Hultgren was one of several faculty members who gave lectures and presentations throughout the weekend.
Members of the classes of 1974 and 1999 returned to campus to add their signatures to the University Scroll in commemoration of their 25th and 50th commencement anniversaries. Following the scroll signing, they mingled and celebrated with former and current Virginia Wesleyan faculty and staff members who also gathered to recognize four professors retiring in 2024, Clay Drees, Patrick Goold, Larry Hultgren, and Sharon Swift.
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 softball and women’s lacrosse.
In addition, Marlins softball hosted a double header, while sponsoring 2024 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 more than a quarter of a million dollars 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 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.