Excelsis | Spring 2026

XCELSIS E SPRING 2026

A J A N E P. B AT T E N H O N O R S C O L L E G E P U B L I C AT I O N | V I R G I N I A W E S L E YA N U N I V E R S I T Y

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Tradition Meets New Opportunity The final weeks of the spring semester bring something both triumphant and bittersweet, carrying the weight of all that has been accomplished and the quiet awareness that a chapter is drawing to a close. These pages represent what students in the Batten Honors College are capable of when they commit fully and invest in opportunities related to study abroad travel, internship experiences, academic conference participation, leadership positions, and more.

This year has been rich with the traditions that define the Batten Honors College experience. We expanded the Louis and Prudence Ryan Environmental Research Symposium to include attendance of the entire Batten Honors College community to showcase the breadth of senior student scholarship, reminding us that inquiry here is never confined to a single discipline. Students joined Dr. Malone and I at the Norfolk Forum, one of the nation’s oldest continuous public lecture series, hearing from world-class thinkers and leaders and carrying those conversations back to campus. The publication of our student peer-reviewed journal, The Scholar’s Compass, is a testament to a student community that understands the importance and impact of peer reviewed scholarly work.

Service has always been central to who we are, and this year we deepened that commitment through a new partnership with ForKids, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of family homelessness in our region.

In addition to the signature experiences that contribute to intellectual curiosity are the social events which enhance student bonding and a close-knit community. The evenings spent around the fire at s’mores nights and the annual adventures to Hunt Club Farm, Busch Gardens Christmastown, and Norfolk Tides have woven themselves into the fabric of what it means to be a BHC community member. The International Friendsgiving celebration once again brought students from across the globe together around a shared table as a simple and powerful reminder of what we believe about community and belonging.

This spring also marks a moment of historic institutional transformation that will define the future of this community in profound ways. On July 1, 2026, Virginia Wesleyan University will become Batten University and the Batten Honors College will be formally renamed the Jane P. Batten Honors College.

This is not merely a change of name; it is an affirmation of who we are becoming. The integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences will expand the intellectual and professional horizons available to students, opening new avenues for interdisciplinary inquiry at the intersection of the humanities, sciences, and healthcare. Equally exciting is the arrival of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art on our campus, a partnership that integrates artistic culture within our academic community. Together, these developments represent a convergence of opportunities that few honors colleges anywhere can claim.

Our graduating students leave us at a remarkable point in history.

They have been shaped by this community, and will carry that with them. The habits they have built here, such as rigor, empathy, and the willingness to sit with difficult questions are not credentials to be listed and forgotten. They are the tools with which they will meet a world that needs precisely what they have to offer.

For the students who will return in the fall, they will come back to a university with a new name and an expanding sense of possibility.

They will rest this summer, but carry the momentum of this year and the anticipation of what lies ahead. This community will be here when they return, ready to press forward together into a new, exciting chapter. It has been an honor to see what our students have produced and experienced, and work alongside them.

With deep admiration and warm congratulations,

Jill R. Sturts, PhD Assistant Dean, Batten Honors College Batten Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Professions Chair of Sport and Recreation Professions

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A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

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ince Fall 2025, I have held the job of Resident Assistant in the Honors Village, specifically for Broyles Hall. My main drive for taking this job was my intention of becoming a better leader, being more responsible, and overall making valuable connections with people.

At the start of the semester, I quickly learned that with all this responsibility comes the need to represent yourself just a bit differently than others. This means being more reliable, just, and trustworthy than any other student. This, however, did not mean I felt that I was better than others, as being a Resident Assistant in Honors has provided me with many leadership and learning opportunities that made me realize how little I knew about others, myself, and everything that has to do with being a leader.

In my experience, these leadership and learning opportunities have come in all sorts of ways, from taking the lead in conflicts between residents to ensure both parties feel happy and understood, to holding an event for my residents where I end up in interesting conversations about all sorts of things I had no idea about.

These situations are plentiful, as living in Honors means living in a tight-knit community, which provided me with many close friendships and great memories that made being a Resident Assistant a lot easier.

Overall, I believe that becoming an RA in Honors was one of the best things I could have done to enhance not only my leadership skills but also to teach me more about myself and what I can do to push my boundaries and become a better person in general.

NATAN AERTS

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ince September, I have had the privilege of interning with the World Affairs Council (WAC), an organization dedicated to engaging the Hampton Roads community in meaningful conversations about pressing global issues. What began as an opportunity to explore my professional interests has grown into one of the most formative experiences of my academic career.

The WAC is conveniently located in Clark Hall and maintains an active presence on the VWU campus, making it a seamless fit alongside my coursework. From the start, the staff made me feel genuinely welcomed. Office Manager Corinne Hatfield took the time to show me how the organization operates day to day, and President Susan Boré has been a constant source of encouragement, pushing me to take ownership of my work and grow beyond my comfort zone.

Much of my role involved hands-on office responsibilities, including updating the organization’s website, designing fliers, and creating promotional materials for upcoming events. However, the experience I am most proud of was the significant role I played in organizing Great Decisions, the WAC’s eight-part speaker series held in Blocker Hall each winter. Coordinating speakers, managing logistics, and promoting each event gave me a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to pull off a successful public program. In the spring, the WAC even brought NPR White House Correspondent Tamara Keith to Virginia Wesleyan, an experience that was as rewarding to help organize as it was to witness. Seeing the Hampton Roads community turn out to engage with speakers of that caliber made all of the preparation worthwhile.

For any BHC student considering an internship, I cannot recommend the World Affairs Council enough.

ELEANOR VANDUYNE EXCELSIS / 3

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

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ach Ethics Bowl story starts differently. Mine began when two of my freshman housemates, Rowan and Casey, were members and invited me to the first meeting. Walking into that room in Birdsong Hall jumpstarted a remarkable journey. While Rowan and Casey opened that door, our Ethics Bowl culture kept bringing me back. Each year I have competed, our Ethics Bowl teams have been small, supportive, and tightknit; these qualities directly contribute to a culture of success and mentorship.

As a graduating senior, I can look back fondly at my Ethics Bowl memories and how they shaped my college experience. Though team composition changes, some things never do: I can still feel my heart pounding in my chest during the first round of every Ethics Bowl, nervous anticipation transitioning to unwavering confidence as the competition progresses.

One of my favorite memories occurred my junior year as our team went undefeated across four rounds and drove home from Richmond blasting “Free Bird” from rolled-down windows. These are moments I’ll undoubtedly carry with me long after I graduate.

Why Ethics Bowl? To quote former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, ethics is knowing “the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” While other debate styles emphasize the feasibility of policy or law, Ethics Bowl asks us to consider their moral ramifications and ethical stakeholders. Indeed, one of this year’s cases wrestled specifically with this issue through the lens of a pharmacy’s potential duty towards a low-income neighborhood. This is arguably the strongest reason for Ethics Bowl; history is littered with brilliant yet ethically dubious people such as Fritz Haber, who revolutionized both fertilizer production and chemical warfare. That we wrestle with such dilemmas in Ethics Bowl makes, in my mind, this competition both unique and necessary.

ANDREW STEINER

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his past March, I went abroad for the first time ever with a small group of people from Virginia Wesleyan University. We took a trip to Oxford over spring break, which was supposed to be a week long, but due to plane delays, we ended up staying for four days. However, this bumpy start to the journey did not dampen our spirits, and we all still had a great time!

One special moment from this trip was when a small group of us were together exploring Stratford-upon-Avon, and a group of British girls approached us to ask if we were American. When we said yes, they became excited and asked us a few questions about America. In exchange, we asked them a few things about England. It was a short conversation, but an authentic exchange of culture.

My favorite part was a trek from the main city of Oxford to a pub called The Trout Inn. We walked together on our final day, making one last pilgrimage together. On the long walk, we saw the beautiful countryside of Oxford, which was unforgettable.

This trip taught me resilience and patience. Although not everything went according to plan, we got through the trials and tribulations as a group. Additionally, I learned that the world truly is bigger than my own backyard. There is so much to see, and I’ve been inspired to seek more experiences abroad.

LIESE HAZELWOOD 4 / EXCELSIS

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

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his past March, I had the privilege of representing the Batten Honors College at the Southern Regional Honors Council (SRHC) conference in Montgomery, Alabama. The theme of the conference was “Inspired by History”. The SRHC gives students the space to have an interdisciplinary experience by including poster sessions, presentations, and discussions relevant to a variety of majors and topics.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the conference was the keynote address by Anthony Ray Hinton, who spent nearly 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit; he was only released 11 years ago and never received an apology from the State of Alabama. His testimony on systemic injustice and resilience left listeners with the reminder that history is not as far behind us as we may think.

On a professional and academic level, I participated in a poster session where I presented my research with the Distributed Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory.

The project is part of a collaborative initiative through the University of Notre Dame to improve pharmaceutical quality and integrity in lower middle income countries (LMICs). Discussing my work with interested professors and peers challenged me to translate complex analytical chemistry into an impactful narrative for a diverse audience. Networking with students across various disciplines and seeing their projects was really interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed broadening my academic perspective. I returned to VWU feeling stronger academically and professionally as a result of this experience.

CHLOE SCOTT

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his March, Laila Jones, Avery Belisle, Alli Schon, Ally Peck, and I traveled to Guelph, Ontario, Canada for the Lang Sustainability Conference at the University of Guelph. The first day of the conference featured speakers from businesses across Ontario, and the second day we participated in a case competition pertaining to the title sponsor, Nexxus, a Canadian company that makes copper wires, and is responsible for the undersea line from Canada to China. The company wanted to integrate AI into their business to reduce energy inefficiencies, so it was our job to create and present a business plan that integrated AI and aligned with our values on the subject matter. Based on our backgrounds in business, environmental science, and mathematics, we were able to come up with a solution that used AI and allowed Nexxus to have complete control of their power usage and the sustainability of the algorithms we suggested.

We made connections with business students from across Canada and with students from Wales, created and presented a business plan in a limited amount of time, and strengthened our bonds with each other while we dealt with flight delays and inconsistent bus schedules. The mission of the conference was to expose business students to sustainable practices, and we enjoyed fulfilling the case using our unique liberal arts and American backgrounds, and offering a different perspective than the other participating delegates were able to provide. We all agreed that we would love to attend again next year, and that our presentations in the future will be better because of our experience at this conference.

JOCELYN KAELIN Top Image (from left to right): Alli Schon ‘29, Ally Peck ‘28, Laila Jones ‘27, Avery Belisle ‘27, and Jocelyn Kaelin ‘28, at a reception during the 2026 Lang Sustainability Conference.

Bottom Image (from left to right): Alli Schon ‘29, Ally Peck ‘28, Jocelyn Kaelin ‘28, Avery Belisle ‘27, and Laila Jones ‘27.

Credit: Lang Sustainability Conference delegate

EXCELSIS / 5

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

JPBHC ABROAD

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studied abroad in the fall of 2025 at the University of Tartu in Tartu, Estonia. I did not know much about the country and knew nothing about the school or the language and did not know anyone there but it was an incredible experience that changed my life and I would do it again every single time.

Estonia is known for the amount of untouched nature and rich history which I got to learn about and experience. My university was integrated into the city so I got to explore a lot just by going to and from class. I was lucky to have some spare time where I got to explore more of the country, nearly every weekend was spent in a new city or area to hike.

The housing that was assigned was good enough but by chance I was paired up with three amazing girls, also on exchange, who greatly impacted my time abroad. We became more than just roommates coexisting, but rather life long friends who loved to be around each other and making the most of every moment. I am sure they made the most difference in my experience there.

Overall I loved getting out there and trying something new, facing uncharted experiences and figuring it all out along the way. I did my best to make the most of and take advantage of every opportunity that was presented and I can not recommend traveling enough, even knowing that there will be hard situations. The best thing I did to prepare was intentionally thinking about how different it would be and knowing that things would be out of my control.

This took away a lot of the shock of traveling and made adjustments much easier.

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VICTORIA VERSPOOR

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

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he Batten Honors College prides itself on sending students across the globe to study away for a semester and engage with a culture unlike that of their own, and I had the distinct pleasure to visit a state no other student had gone: Lithuania.

Situated in the northeastern corner of Europe, Lithuania is the oldest of the three Baltic states (including Latvia and Estonia) and is rich in a unique political, social, and cultural perspective on the global community: one that I was eager to embrace, embody, and bring home with me by the end of my time abroad.

My studies took place in the capital city of Vilnius at the nation’s highest learning institution: Vilnius University. Established in 1579, it is one of Europe’s oldest universities and has been a part of three states (Poland, the Russian empire, and the modern Lithuanian state) and was founded with three basic faculties in mind: philosophy, philology (or linguistics), and, most importantly in my case, history. I was given the unique opportunity to study the complicated, exciting, and even obscured past of Lithuania, tackling real challenges in modern historiography. Not many outside of Lithuania know its rich history as a result of censorship during the second Soviet occupation, as well as a lack of sources being translated into other languages.

I was able to produce a short piece on a journal recovered from a KGB office (which had been translated to English), discussing a Lithuanian partisan’s perspective on international relations following WWII. Additionally, Lithuania is a capital for the arts! Following my mother’s advice, I went where the music was and was blown away by just how much of a priority it was. I quickly became a regular of the local record store and befriended its owner, attended many jazz concerts that took shape on weekends, and even had the chance to perform, singing songs from Stan Getz, Thelonious Monk, and even Frank Zappa!

By directly engaging with Lithuania’s national identity, I am now able to understand social, political, environmental, and cultural challenges with a brand new toolkit, which I will never take for granted.

LUCAS GORDON EXCELSIS / 7

EVENTS & ACHIEVEMENTS

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

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he Mavis McKenley ‘11 Award is a university award given each year to honor a student who demonstrates courage and conviction in valuing difference, dedication to building inclusive communities, and compassion for humanity. In 2020, the award was named after Mavis McKenley, a VWU alumna whose life and leadership embody those principles.

I had little involvement in the selection process. I believe one of my peers who knew me well and was aware of my extensive participation around campus nominated me for the award.

Recommendations from various faculty and staff supported the initial nomination. I didn’t receive an email about the awards ceremony until after winter break. At that point, I thought the ceremony was for all individuals who were nominated and that the winner would be announced among the group. However, when I arrived at the ceremony and heard President Miller listing my personal accolades, I was pleasantly surprised and, in that moment, knew that I was the awardee.

No specific coursework impacted the selection, but I do have my campus involvement to thank. From leading the Thirst Project Club to holding a leadership role in Marlins Go Green to serving as photography editor of the Marlin Chronicle. In addition, I’m a Campus Co-op worker for Marlin Ministries and even a member of the VWU flag football team. Though I may be stretched thin, I always seek to demonstrate courage and conviction in all I do. With one of my favorite groups, the Thirst Project Club, I feel a strong sense that I’m contributing to social change in the world, a quality that Dr. King himself fully embodied. It’s such an honor to be a recipient of the award, and I’m grateful to all who aided in the selection process.

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he VWU Ethics Bowl team won three out of four matches at the 2026 VFIC Applied Ethics Bowl at the University of Richmond. The team was in a five-way tie but did not proceed to the final round. The team took the opportunity to network with business leaders, lawyers, nonprofit leaders, and professors, including Professor Emeritus Dr. Lawrence Hultgren. Congratulations to Andrew ‘26 and Elena ‘26 for participating in the Ethics Bowl course for the past four years of their undergraduate careers. Congratulations to faculty coordinator Dr. Levi Tenen and the other team members Daren Abramaitys ’28, Raymond Slattery ‘28, and Abigail Wigginton ’29 on their successful tournament.

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A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

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HC students and Assistant Dean Dr. Jill Sturts attended the Norfolk Forum, hosting Dr. Elias Zerhouni, M.D. Dr. Zerhouni was the 15th Director of the National Institutes of Health and a former vice chair at EVMS. The students enjoyed hearing about the importance of American ingenuity and multidisciplinary work.

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he Batten Honors College sponsored and students attended the inaugural event of the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads (WACHR) Democracy Series held in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center on VWU’s campus. The event took place on March 10, 2026, and featured NPR White House Correspondent Tamara Keith.

The WACHR launched the Democracy Series with the intent to advance commitment to informed civic dialogue and global engagement. Keith’s address, “Democracy Depends on Trust in the Press” focused on an ever evolving relationship between journalism and public trust.

Keith focused her address on her time covering the White House and national politics with NPR. She spoke of critical moments when her reports helped others to understand a situation overseas, working with peers to establish the full story, and the importance of unbiased and clear coverage of political happenings.

Keith spoke on the unfortunate trend of the American people to be distrustful of traditional media sources, and the decreasing rates in which the people are consuming news. She addressed how essential free and credible press is to ensuring the American people are informed, and the hurdles that journalists must jump through to achieve this.

Keith explained that many of the problems of trust stem from bad and fake media outlets, such as social media platforms like TikTok, that are contributing to misinformation, though good media sources do not always have the platforms to combat this.

Finally, Keith addressed the audience, comprised of a combination of students, faculty, and general public members. In particular, Keith addressed the students in the room and encouraged them to seek out the truth, and for the students looking to pursue journalism in any form, she encouraged them to continue on, even if the climate looked less than favorable.

EXCELSIS / 9

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

10 / EXCELSIS

A JANE P. BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE PUBLICATION | VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

EXCELSIS / 11

Congratulations

Class of 2026